Specific Cutting Resistance of Lunar Regolith Simulant under Low Gravity Conditions

Abstract

Specific cutting resistance was determined through airplane experiments under low relative gravity conditions such as μ G, 0.15 G, 0.3 G, 0.5 G, and 1 G. Results showed that the relationship between specific cutting resistance and relative gravity could be expressed as a linear function. As for numerical analysis by discrete element method (DEM), the data of spring constant in a contact model of DEM could be treated as constant in the analysis of specific cutting resistance under low gravity conditions from the viewpoint of stress-oriented soil–machine interaction. Moreover, the numerical analysis by DEM with change of relative gravity and the corresponding modification of consolidation time is found to be sufficient to obtain a specific cutting resistance at a given low gravity condition below 1 G.