2134/6477
Yanzhou Zhou
Yanzhou
Zhou
Ricky D. Wildman
Ricky D.
Wildman
Jonathan Huntley
Jonathan
Huntley
Measurement of the mechanical properties of granular packs by wavelength-scanning interferometry
Loughborough University
2010
untagged
Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified
2010-07-08 13:13:26
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Measurement_of_the_mechanical_properties_of_granular_packs_by_wavelength-scanning_interferometry/9560732
A wavelength scanning interferometer has been constructed to observe both the
normal and in-plane displacements particle by particle at the base of a model granular
pack. The pack comprised 25,000 of steel beads supported by a thick glass substrate
and subjected to local disturbing forces on its upper surface. The system allows
measurement of normal displacements of the beads to a precision of ca. 0.1 nm,
thereby providing highly accurate determination of contact forces whilst minimizing
artefacts due to substrate and grain compliance. The probability distribution of the
normalized contact force was found to be approximately independent of the applied
load on the upper surface of the granular pack and has an exponential tail. The
probability distribution of the normalized response force and lateral displacement
have similar power law tails. The interactions between contact forces and lateral
displacements suggest that significant internal rearrangement occurs in the granular
pack as the load is increased, and particle displacement plays an important role in the
mechanics of the granular material.