Impact energy distribution and wavefront shape in granular material assemblies

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the dynamic response of granular materials subjected to point impact loading based on the discrete element method. The average velocity of the stress pulse was defined. The effect of elastic modulus on wave velocity was analyzed. The energy diffusion process in granular materials is affected by the contact between the particles, which is mainly reflected in two aspects: contact distribution and force transmission ratio. We first compared the wavefront shape in the specimens with different particle arrangements, and then assigned different material properties to the matrix particles. The wavefront shape is consistent with the previous results which proved the influence of the force transmission ratio. Finally, the variations of particle acceleration, kinetic energy and wave velocity at different impact angles are discussed. Our research reveals the energy propagation process through the contact between particles within granular materials. Our research results can be a reference for material design using granular materials for energy collection, energy absorbing etc.