TITLE:
Towards a Mathematical Model for Elastic Wave Propagation in Granular Materials
AUTHORS:
Leonardo Trujillo, Vanessa Torres, Franklin Peniche, Leonardo Di G. Sigalotti
KEYWORDS:
Granular Media; Elastic Waves; Nonlinear Elasticity; Hydrostatic Compression; Granular Elasticity
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.4 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: A theoretical model for the
propagation of acoustic waves in dry granular media is presented within the
framework of the nonlinear granular elasticity. An essential ingredient is the
dependence of the elastic moduli on compression. For the purpose of
illustration, we analyze the case of a time-harmonic plane wave propagation
under isotropic compression. We derive explicit relations for the wave speed
dependence with the confining pressure. The present approach provides an
accurate description of acoustic wave propagation in granular packings and
represents a powerful tool to interpret the results of current experiments.