Signal propagation through dense granular systems

The exact manner in which signals propagate through dense granular systems is still open for discussion. In this work, we present the results of discrete element simulations of the system response to space and time dependent perturbations. Fourier analysis of the system response shows that the properties of the propagating signal strongly depend on the spatial scales introduced by the perturbation itself. The presented results are expected to serve as a basis for development of a continuum model that will describe propagation of signals through dense granular systems. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)