Ryan Hurley

Quantifying Interparticle Forces and Heterogeneity in 3D Granular Materials

Interparticle forces in granular materials are intimately linked to mechanical properties and are known to self-organize into heterogeneous structures, or force chains, under external load. Despite progress in understanding the statistics and spatial distribution of interparticle forces in recent decades, a systematic method for measuring forces in opaque, three-dimensional (3D), frictional, stiff granular media has yet to emerge. In this Letter, we present results from an experiment that combines 3D x-ray diffraction, x-ray tomography, and a numerical force inference technique to quantify interparticle forces and their heterogeneity in an assembly of quartz grains undergoing a one-dimensional compression cycle. Forces exhibit an exponential decay above the mean and partition into strong and weak networks. We find a surprising inverse relationship between macroscopic load and the heterogeneity of interparticle forces, despite the clear emergence of two force chains that span the system.

Force chains as the link between particle and bulk friction angles in granular material

From sediment transport in rivers to landslides, predictions of granular motion rely on a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion parameterized by a friction angle. Measured friction angles are generally large for single grains, smaller for large numbers of grains, and no theory exists for intermediate numbers of grains. We propose that a continuum of friction angles exists between single-grain and bulk friction angles due to grain-to-grain force chains. Physical experiments, probabilistic modeling, and discrete element modeling demonstrate that friction angles decrease by up to 15° as the number of potentially mobile grains increases from 1 to ~20. Decreased stability occurs as longer force chains more effectively dislodge downslope “keystone” grains, implying that bulk friction angles are set by the statistics of single-grain friction angles. Both angles are distinct from and generally larger than grain contact-point friction, with implications for a variety of sediment transport processes involving small clusters of grains.

Linking initial microstructure and local response during quasistatic granular compaction

We performed experiments combining three-dimensional x-ray diffraction and x-ray computed tomography to explore the relationship between microstructure and local force and strain during quasistatic granular compaction. We found that initial void space around a grain and contact coordination number before compaction can be used to predict regions vulnerable to above-average local force and strain at later stages of compaction. We also found correlations between void space around a grain and coordination number, and between grain stress and maximum interparticle force, at all stages of compaction. Finally, we observed grains that fracture to have an above-average initial local void space and a below-average initial coordination number. Our findings provide (1) a detailed description of microstructure evolution during quasistatic granular compaction, (2) an approach for identifying regions vulnerable to large values of strain and interparticle force, and (3) methods for identifying regions of a material with large interparticle forces and coordination numbers from measurements of grain stress and local porosity.

Multi-scale mechanics of granular solids from grain-resolved X-ray measurements

This work discusses an experimental technique for studying the mechanics of three-dimensional (3D) granular solids. The approach combines 3D X-ray diffraction and X-ray computed tomography to measure grain-resolved strains, kinematics and contact fabric in the bulk of a granular solid, from which continuum strains, grain stresses, interparticle forces and coarse-grained elasto-plastic moduli can be determined. We demonstrate the experimental approach and analysis of selected results on a sample of 1099 stiff, frictional grains undergoing multiple uniaxial compression cycles. We investigate the inter-particle force network, elasto-plastic moduli and associated length scales, reversibility of mechanical responses during cyclic loading, the statistics of microscopic responses and microstructure–property relationships. This work serves to highlight both the fundamental insight into granular mechanics that is furnished by combined X-ray measurements and describes future directions in the field of granular materials that can be pursued with such approaches.

Grain-Scale Measurements During Low Velocity Impact in Granular Media

This chapter will explore the connection between macroscopic and microscopic behavior during low velocity impact into granular media. We will discuss important grain-scale quantities, their use in understanding macroscopic penetration behavior, and numerical and experimental measurement techniques for obtaining them. A new experimental technique for measuring interparticle forces in opaque granular materials will be introduced. Examples of this technique applied to low velocity impact into granular media will be presented and discussed.

Mitigation of Loading on Personnel in Light-Armored Vehicles Using Small Model Testing

Death and injury are a major problem when military personnel are riding in a vehicle which is struck by the detonation forces from a buried mine. This chapter presents the results from small-scale testing aimed at reducing the forces on vehicle occupants due to the detonation of a buried mine. With the recent deployment of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) the mortality rates have dropped dramatically. The very large acceleration forces on the body, however, still result in major injury to vehicle occupants—especially brain injury. The aim of this research is to find ways to reduce the forces on the occupants such that major injury can be avoided. Various methods of mitigating forces are examined and the results are compared from the standpoint of acceleration, jerk, and head injury criterion (HIC).

Microscale investigation of dynamic impact of dry and saturated glass powder

The response of particulate materials to impulsive loading includes complex interactions between grains due to fracture and comminution and the presence of interstitial material. The quasi-static strength of saturated powders is related to the concept of “effective stress” in which the fluid stiffens the material response and reduces the shear strength. However, detailed information regarding the effects of saturation under dynamic loading is lacking since static equilibrium between phases cannot be assumed and the interaction becomes more complex. Recent experiments on the IMPULSE (IMPact System for ULtrafast Synchrotron Experiments) capability at the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) have captured in-situ X-ray phase-contrast images of shock loaded soda lime glass spheres in dry and saturated conditions. Previous investigations have observed reduction of fragmentation attributed to “cushioning” of an interstitial fluid in impact recovery experiments. The differences between the modes of deformation and compaction are compared with direct numerical simulations showing that the cause of fracture is different. In drained (dry) impact experiments at 300 m/s, the fractures initiate near the contact point between grains. In fully saturated experiments with identical impact conditions, spallation is observed during the incident stress-wave passage in the glass before the H2O has equilibrated.

Analysis of Shear Bands in Sand Under Reduced Gravity Conditions

The strength of granular material, specifically sand is of pivotal importance for understanding physical phenomena on other celestial bodies. However, relatively few experiments have been conducted to determine the dependence of strength properties on gravity. In this work, we experimentally investigated three measures of strength (peak, confined flow, and unconfined flow friction angle) in Earth, Martian, Lunar, and near-zero gravity. The angles were captured in a passive Earth pressure experiment conducted on a reduced gravity flight. The results showed no dependence of the peak friction angle on gravity, a weak dependence of the confined flow friction angle on gravity, and no dependence of the unconfined flow friction angle on gravity. These results highlight the importance of understanding strength and deformation mechanisms of granular material at different levels of gravity.