This report discusses the use of the discrete element method (DEM) to the porosity distribution of spherical particles in narrow pipes as a function of the pipe-to-particle diameter ratio. It was found that the packing structure depends mainly on the pipe-to-particle ratio and the particle friction. The numerical results with respect to the radial porosity distribution are in agreement with experimental data from the literature. Radial porosity distributions were calculated using algorithms developed by Mueller. The packing structure of the particles shows channeling for small pipe to particle diameter ratios. The simulated height averaged porosity distribution agrees with models from the literature. Moreover, DEM provides the possibility to include particle properties which reflect on the porosity distribution. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.