Using Voronoi Tessellation Diagrams to Visualize the Mechanical Response of Interacting Axisymmetric Simultaneous Propagating Waves
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: When two axisymmetric stress waves of the same strength propagate radially at the same velocity, the stress wave wavefronts collide and interact along a specific locus, which is the perpendicular bisector between the two sources. The maximum principal stress occurs along this perpendicular bisector, and the tensile stresses result in crack bridging between the two source points. This symmetric wave propagation behavior allows us to use the Voronoi tessellation diagram and its symmetric dual graph, the Delaunay triangulation, to gain first-order insight into complex wave propagation phenomena for an arbitrary distribution of wave propagation sources. The inherent symmetry of these simultaneous wave propagation mechanics allows us to rapidly visualize and predict the stress wave propagation and interactions, and the resultant crack bridging patterns that arise from random blast sources. The current work is focused on rock blast fracture mechanics, but the visualization scheme can be implemented for any application where waves propagate axisymmetrically and interact.
Source: Symmetry
DOI: 10.3390/sym17040555
Author: Zherui Martinez-Guo
Institution: Purdue University West Lafayette
Language: English
Topic: Rock Mechanics and Modeling
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4409313941