Horizontal penetration of a finite-length intruder in granular materials

Abstract In recent years, bio-inspired burrowing robots and other intruder problems in granular media have attracted significant attention. Many of these, especially related to traditional penetration geotechnical engineering, cover vertical penetration. Modelling these types numerically using the discrete element method (DEM) is typically done ignoring gravity by controlling stresses selected representative volume. Additionally, most involve infinitely long intruders from a modelling point view. However, horizontal there enough evidence show that are affected an uplift force affects needs be considered. this paper we use DEM demonstrate impact considering for finite-length penetrating dense through particle level macro-behaviour. numerical study, important mechanisms emerge during penetration, including four different distinct stages on surrounding soil, or extent disruption, fundamentally distorted when ignored. Graphical abstract