Energy transmission through grain-to-grain contacts: The role of bulk and Rayleigh waves

Abstract

The physical mechanism of elastic wave propagation through granular solids is investigated. Based on the symmetry of a one dimensional chain of spheres, spherical surface waves are considered to be responsible for the energy transport. A simple mathematical model is set up to describe the energy exchange during consequent granule-to-granule interactions. Experiments on a two-sphere setup support this model. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.