Signal propagation through dense granular systems

TL;DR

This study investigates how signals propagate in dense granular materials using simulations, revealing scale-dependent behaviors and testing continuum models against micro-scale physics.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation-based approach to analyze signal propagation in dense granular systems and compares results with elastic models, advancing understanding of micro-macro scale connections.

Findings

Signal properties depend on spatial and temporal scales.

Response features serve as tests for continuum theories.

Comparison with elastic models highlights scale effects.

Abstract

The manner in which signals propagate through dense granular systems in both space and time is not well understood. In order to learn more about this process, we carry out discrete element simulations of the system response to excitations where we control the driving frequency and wavelength independently. Fourier analysis shows that properties of the signal depend strongly on the spatial and temporal scales introduced by the perturbation. The features of the response provide a test-bed for any continuum theory attempting to predict signal properties. We illustrate this connection between micro-scale physics and macro-scale behavior by comparing the system response to a simple elastic model with damping.