Simulation-Guided Optimization of Granular Phononic Crystal Structure Using the Discrete Element Method

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simulation-guided optimization approach using the discrete element method to design granular phononic crystals with tailored acoustic properties for applications like seismic shielding and sound absorption.

Contribution

It presents a novel optimization strategy for granular phononic crystals based on spectral energy density, advancing design capabilities for acoustic wave control.

Findings

Identified efficient phononic crystal configurations

Developed a noise-proof functional for optimization

Demonstrated applications in seismic shielding

Abstract

The paper describes a novel methodology of designing granular phononic crystals for acoustic wave manipulations. A discrete element method is utilized to model the dynamics of a pulse wave propagating through the densely packed assembly of elastic spherical particles with an embedded phononic crystal - the region consisting of a certain arrangement of particles with varying densities. We suggest an optimization strategy that extremizes the useful properties of a granular phononic crystal, which are described in terms of a noise-proof functional based on frequency-wavenumber summation of spectral energy density. Few types of efficient phononic crystals are identified. The suggested methodology is of interest for a number of applications, in particular, for seismic shielding and selective sound absorption.