2008/02/10 by Fernando Fraternali, Mason A. Porter, Fraternali, Fernando +3
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph) #Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Interactions #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #Nonlinear Photonic Systems #Pattern Formation and Solitons (nlin.PS) #Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0802.1451
openalex publication_date 2008/02/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We employ an evolutionary algorithm to investigate the optimal design of composite protectors using one-dimensional granular chains composed of beads of various sizes, masses, and stiffnesses. We define a fitness function using the maximum force transmitted from the protector to a "wall" that represents the body to be protected and accordingly optimize the topology (arrangement), size, and material of the chain. We obtain optimally randomized granular protectors characterized by high-energy equipartition and the transformation of incident waves into interacting solitary pulses. We consistently observe that the pulses traveling to the wall combine to form an extended (long-wavelength), small-amplitude pulse.