Optimal design of composite granular protectors
Loading...
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
We employ an evolutionary algorithm to investigate the optimal design of composite protectors using one-dimensional granular chains composed of beads of various sizes, masses, and stiffnesses. We define a fitness function using the maximum force transmitted from the protector to a "wall" that represents the body to be protected and accordingly optimize the {topology} (arrangement), {size}, and {material} of the chain. We obtain optimally randomized granular protectors characterized by high-energy equipartition and the transformation of incident waves into interacting solitary pulses. We consistently observe that the pulses traveling to the wall combine to form an extended (long-wavelength), small-amplitude pulse.
13 pages, 23 figures (many with multiple parts), to appear in Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures
13 pages, 23 figures (many with multiple parts), to appear in Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures