The response of lunar regolith simulants of varying particle size ranges to vertical and horizontal vibrations
Abstract
Granular fluidization is a method currently being investigated to mitigate the strong frictional and electrostatic interparticle forces that the material on the surface of the Moon, known as lunar regolith, exhibits. The reason for this ongoing line of inquiry is the eventual utilization of this material for numerous applications, e.g., feedstock for 3D-printed concrete structures or as a solid-support substrate for plant growth and/or oxygen and propellant extraction. It is known that when lunar regolith simulants are housed in a vessel vibrated at a given amplitude and frequency, the material can display fluidlike attributes and convective motion, which can be exploited for its excavation and/or transportation. In this study, three simulants were vibrated at different frequencies and amplitudes. Each simulant had a different particle size range (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Granular flow and fluidized beds
Particle Dynamics in Fluid Flows
Planetary Science and Exploration
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Rheology
- Publisher
- Society of Rheology
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 533–556
- Publication date
- 21 April 2026
- Language
- EN