The flow pattern of loose powders indented by a rigid punch in an open cylindrical die was studied using numerical methods and the results were compared with the results obtained through X-ray microtomography studies of particle movement during the deep penetration of a granular material.The discrete element method (DEM) was used to model the displacement of particles and a material model originally in soil mechanics was implemented in the general purpose finite element code ABAQUS.The density distribution of the granular material and trajectories of the particles during the deep penetration of the punch were analysed.It was observed that in the vicinity of the punch several kinds of flow patterns occurred simultaneously,these are,the compaction of powders beneath the punch,intense shear deformation around the comer of punch and the upward movement of particles between the punch side and the container wall.The shear produces relatively lower density.The typical particle displacement and particle density distribution can be observed in both numerical simulation and experimental studies.It demonstrates that DEM and FEM can capture the main features of the powder flow behaviour during low-pressure compaction and intense shear region.