Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain

Details Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain

2005-12-26

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0512645v2

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

ReVTeX, 7 pages with 6 eps, accepted for Phys. Rev. E (Related papers on http://www.supmeca.fr/perso/jobs/)

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevE.73.041305

We present an experimental study of the mechanical impulse propagation through a horizontal alignment of elastic spheres of progressively decreasing diameter $\phi_n$, namely a tapered chain. Experimentally, the diameters of spheres which interact via the Hertz potential are selected to keep as close as possible to an exponential decrease, $\phi_{n+1}=(1-q)\phi_n$, where the experimental tapering factor is either $q_1\simeq5.60$~% or $q_2\simeq8.27$~%. In agreement with recent numerical results, an impulse initiated in a monodisperse chain (a chain of identical beads) propagates without shape changes, and progressively transfer its energy and momentum to a propagating tail when it further travels in a tapered chain. As a result, the front pulse of this wave decreases in amplitude and accelerates. Both effects are satisfactorily described by the hard spheres approximation, and basically, the shock mitigation is due to partial transmissions, from one bead to the next, of momentum and energy of the front pulse. In addition when small dissipation is included, a better agreement with experiments is found. A close analysis of the loading part of the experimental pulses demonstrates that the front wave adopts itself a self similar solution as it propagates in the tapered chain. Finally, our results corroborate the capability of these chains to thermalize propagating impulses and thereby act as shock absorbing devices.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Experimental evidence of shock mitigation in a Hertzian tapered chain will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-36715