Stereomechanical impact

The simplest theory of impact, known as stereomechanics, deals with the impact between rigid bodies using the impulse-momentum law. This approach yields a quick estimation of the velocity after collision and the corresponding kinetic energy loss. However, it does not yield transient stresses, collisional forces, impact duration, or collisional deformation of the colliding objects. Because of its simplicity, the stereomechanical impact theory has been extensively used in the treatment of collisional contributions in the particle momentum equations and in the particle velocity boundary conditions in connection with the computation of gas-solid flows. 

In this chapter, two simple cases of stereomechanical collision of spheres are analyzed. The fundamentals of contact mechanics of solids are introduced to illustrate the interrelationship between the collisional forces and deformations of solids. Specifically, the general theories of stresses and strains inside a solid medium under the application of an external force are described. The intrinsic relations between the contact force and the corresponding elastic deformations of contacting bodies are discussed. In this connection, it is assumed that the deformations are processed at an infinitely small impact velocity and for an infinitely long period of contact. The normal impact of elastic bodies is modeled by the Hertzian theory [Hertz, 1881], and the oblique impact is delineated by Mindlin s theory [Mindlin, 1949]. In order to link the contact theories to collisional mechanics, it is assumed that the process of a dynamic impact of two solids can be regarded as quasi-static. This quasi-static approach is valid when the impact velocity is small compared to the speed of the elastic... 

In this section, collisions among rigid spherical particles are studied. Two simple cases, collinear and planar collisions, are described. For the general theory of stereomechanical impact of irregular-shaped rigid bodies in arbitrary motion, readers may refer to Goldsmith (1960). 

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