DEM Validation for impact Wave propagation in dry sand: A comparison with experimental results

In wave propagation problems, soil is often idealized as a continuum, neglecting its granular nature. Discrete element method (DEM) offers an explicit representation of granular interactions, providing valuable insights into its micro-mechanics. However, previous studies using DEM primarily focused on small-strain scenarios like bender element tests, with limited exploration of transient loads like those resulting from impacts or blasts. This research investigates the capability of DEM for modelling impact wave propagation in dry sand. A dry sand column under 1-D impact loading is simulated using DEM and compared with experimental data. Key characteristics of the wave propagation, such as wave velocity and attenuation, are compared to assess the ability of DEM to capture the dispersive wave and attenuative characteristics of dry sand to transient loads. In addition, the importance of characterising the viscous damping in DEM to model the wave propagation under realistic loading conditions is highlighted.