Simulation-guided optimization of granular phononic crystal structure using the discrete element method

The paper describes a novel methodology of designing granular phononic crystals for acoustic wave manipulations. A discrete element method is utilized to model the dynamics of a pulse wave propagating through the densely packed assembly of elastic spherical particles with an embedded phononic crystal - the region consisting of a certain arrangement of particles with varying densities. We suggest an optimization strategy that extremizes the useful properties of a granular phononic crystal, which are described in terms of a noise-proof functional based on frequency-wavenumber summation of spectral energy density. Few types of efficient phononic crystals are identified. The suggested methodology is of interest for a number of applications, in particular, for seismic shielding and selective sound absorption.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

The paper presents a new method for designing granular phononic crystals for acoustic wave manipulation. It utilizes a discrete element method to model the dynamics of wave propagation through packed elastic spherical particles with an embedded phononic crystal. An optimization strategy is proposed to maximize the useful properties of the granular phononic crystal. Several efficient phononic crystal types are identified. The methodology is of interest for applications such as seismic shielding and selective sound absorption.