We report on 3D computer simulations based on the soft-sphere discrete particle model (DPM) of Geldart A particles in a 3D gas-fluidized bed. The effects of particle and gas properties on the fluidization behavior of Geldart A particles are studied, with focus on the predictions of U-mf and U-mb, which are compared with the classical empirical correlations due to Abrahamsen and Geldart [1980. Powder Technology 26, 35-46]. It is found that the predicted minimum fluidization velocities are consistent with the correlation given by Abrahamsen and Geldart for all cases that we studied. The overshoot of the pressure drop near the minimum fluidization point is shown to be influenced by both particle-wall friction and the interparticle van der Waals forces. A qualitative agreement between the correlation and the simulation data for U-mb has been found for different particle-wall friction coefficients, interparticle van der Waals forces, particle densities, particle sizes, and gas densities. For fine particles with a diameter d(p) < 40 mu m, a deviation has been found between the U-mb from simulation and the correlation. This may be due to the fact that the interparticle van der Waals forces are not incorporated in the simulations, where it is expected that they play an important role in this size range. The simulation results obtained for different gas viscosities, however, display a different trend when compared with the correlation. We found that with an increasing gas shear viscosity the U-mb experiences a minimum point near 2.0 x 10(-5) Pa s, while in the correlation the minimum bubbling velocity decreases monotonously for increasing mu g. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.