Topology, Structure and Functionality: Analysis, Modelling and Experimentation of Dense Granular Deformation in 2D and 3D.

摘要

This project, joint with Antoinette Tordesillas of University of Melbourne (Proposal 58763-EV), investigated the behavior of the upper soil surface and its response to applied loads including vehicles and massive objects. This final report is the fourth for this project. It includes material on overall objectives and approaches that have been used. Note that this report focuses on the experimental aspects of this combined theory/experimental study. The theoretical aspects are emphasized in the corresponding report from Prof. Tordesillas. The regime of interest is the so-called liquid-solid (or jamming) transition which is highly relevant to at least two key aspects of the Army s operations: off-road vehicle mobility and soil stability. Key aspects of this transition involve force transmission, energy dissipation, and kinematics in granular assemblies.