Mesoscopic investigation of the sand particulate system subjected to intense dynamic loadings

•The mesoscale configurations of sand particles can be conducted.•An algorithm is introduced to generate the 3D sand particulate system.•Mesoscale configurations of sand affect penetration significantly.•Friction coefficients are critical to the dynamic response of dry sand.

This paper presents a mesoscale analysis approach to investigate the dynamic response of the sand particulate system. Firstly, a 3D mesoscopic model is developed considering the randomness of sand particles in shape and distribution. Secondly, we put forward an analysis approach to model the mechanical behavior of dry sand under static and dynamic loadings. Simulations are conducted to validate the numerical model and the analysis approach. A good agreement is attained comparing with test data. The presented 3D model can realistically model the grain-level response of the dry sand particulate system under high strain rate loadings. Finally, applications are carried out in the domain of projectile penetration into the sand particulate system. The contact and friction between sand particles are taken into account using the contact algorithm. The effects of mesoscopic configurations (porosity, particle size, contact and friction coefficients) of the specimen are discussed numerically. Simulations focusing on the stress wave propagation, projectile penetration depth and instability are conducted. Results show that impact velocity of projectile is also an important factor for penetration behavior. Porosity, particle size and friction coefficients affect ballistic instability significantly.

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