MPM Modeling of Self-Penetrating Probe for Soil Characterization in Layered Granular Media

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4. MPM Modeling of Self-Penetrating Probe for Soil Characterization in Layered Granular Media

Bio-inspired self-penetrating probes for in-situ site characterization have recently gained attention due to their ability to navigate challenges linked to rig mobilization and anchoring in difficult terrains. Most studies evaluating the self-penetrating potential of these probes found in the literature were limited to homogeneous soil. However, in reality, self-penetrating probes may have to advance through multiple layers with different soil states, which raises complexities in interpreting the probe response at transition zones. To this end, systematic numerical experiments were performed using particle cum mesh-based framework of the Material Point Method (MPM), which can simulate large deformation problems with less computational expense. Three (3) MPM simulations were carried out to explore the influence of the soil state (dense and loose) and layered soil (dense-loose-dense) on the self-penetration process. Probes response across different stages of self-propulsion was found to be sensitive to the soil state. Although layered soil had significantly influenced the probes response in cone penetration and pressuremeter module expansion stages, it had shown a minimal impact during the cone-tip advancement stage.

2025 International Conference on Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (ICBBG2025)

General session: Bio-inspired methods for subsurface exploration and excavation