Soil Science Society of America Journal · 1983 · 29 citations · 0 references
EngineeringCivil EngineeringSoil SciencesGeotechnical EngineeringSoil MechanicsSoil ScienceImpact BehaviorImpact MechanicsSoil DynamicsStress-strain BehaviorDetachment DynamicsGranular MatterLinear ElasticityParticle DetachmentRaindrop ImpactRaindrop Impact ResistanceSurface DeformationSurface Deformation Analysis
Abstract Understanding the deformation processes of soil material under raindrop impact is a basic step in studying soil resistance against particle detachment by raindrop splash. To simulate the deformation pattern of a solid material under impact, we used the finite difference technique to solve the dynamic equation of linear elasticity. The selected material properties resembled soil media of wide ranges of elasticity. Two types of impact loading were imposed: a steady, uniform load and a simulated raindrop impact load. Materials responded differently under these loading conditions and showed dissimilar deformation patterns. For a material with low modulus of elasticity, a uniform depression was found under steady, uniform load, while a cone‐shaped depression was shown under simulated raindrop impact. The shape of the surface deformation gave us insight into the mechanism of material detachment. The interaction of the lateral jet stream and the obstacles in its course are believed to be the major factor in determining the material detachment. The obstacles can be the sides of the cavity or the irregularities on the granular material itself.