2011 Interdisciplinary Summer School: Granular Flows

Granular Dynamics on Asteroids

Derek C. Richardson, University of Maryland

I will outline a new approach to simulating granular dynamics on asteroids using a soft-sphere discrete element method. The method employs the parallel N-body tree code pkdgrav to search for collisions rapidly and compute particle trajectories, and incorporates realistic surface friction effects and weak non-gravitational cohesive forces. Particle confinement is achieved by combining arbitrary combinations of various wall primitives, including planes, disks, cylinders, and so on. Various wall movements, including translation, oscillation, and rotation, are supported. I will present several tests and demonstrations with the aim of generating discussion.

http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/reprints/richardson_icarus212,427.pdf