From Low to High Resistance: Regime Change in Penetration of Granular Media
From Low to High Resistance: Regime Change in Penetration of Granular Media
The penetration behaviour of rigid intruders into granular media is critical for many applications, including tool-granular material interactions, offshore foundation installation, cargo handling, and geotechnical works. This study focuses on the influence of the ratio between the characteristic particle size (d50) of the granular material and the thickness (t) of the intruder. A well-defined transition in penetration resistance is observed at certain d50/t ratios. The transition is characterised by the work done during penetration, demonstrated through a series of laboratory experiments and complemented by discrete element method (DEM) simulations. Both physical experiments and numerical models consistently reveal this transition as the d50/t ratio varies. To further clarify the transition, refined DEM simulations probe critical d50/t ratios, elucidating force-chain evolution and contact force distributions. Comparisons with independent experimental data from the literature corroborate the observed trends.
Cihan Cengiz; Giulia Macaro; Mario Martinelli; Hao Shi; Jovana Jovanova; Dingena Schott; Etienne Alderlieste; Aimen Kherief
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Session 5: Energy geo-structures and foundation systems
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-157