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Slow drag in polydisperse granular mixtures under high pressure
Fuping Zhou1, Suresh G Advani, Eric D Wetzel
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA.
Summary
Mixtures of different-sized particles (polydisperse granular materials) show increased density and drag force under high pressure. This behavior is linked to particle packing, offering insights into granular material physics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Engineering
Background:
- Granular materials are ubiquitous in nature and industry.
- Understanding the behavior of polydisperse granular materials under confinement is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanical behavior and drag forces in polydisperse granular materials under high pressure and confinement.
- To quantify the effects of particle size distribution on material properties.
Main Methods:
- Compression experiments to measure force-displacement curves, yielding density and volume modulus.
- Drag force measurements by pulling a cylinder through compressed granular mixtures.
Main Results:
- Density, volume modulus, and drag forces in polydisperse mixtures are significantly higher than in monodisperse materials.
- Material behavior strongly depends on the mass fractions of different particle sizes.
- A strong correlation between density and drag force suggests packing effects govern drag resistance.
Conclusions:
- Particle packing significantly influences the mechanical properties and drag forces in confined granular media.
- Findings provide insights into the physics of drag in granular materials under high pressure, relevant to impacts and armor penetration.