The effect of particle size distribution on lunar regolith simulant angle of repose (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

;

• Long-Fox, Jared ;
• Britt, Daniel ;
• Brisset, Julie

Abstract

Angle of repose is an important characteristic of lunar regolith, as it determines the slope stability of features such as hills and craters on the lunar surface and is useful for designing infrastructure and regolith conveyance and handling equipment. Using mineralogically accurate lunar regolith simulants LHS-1 and LHS-1D from Space Resource Technologies (SRT), the recent spin-off of the UCF Exolith Lab®, the relationship between angle of repose and aspects of the simulant, such as sample mass and particle size distribution, are explored. This study provides insight into what affects the angle of repose of lunar regolith, as well as how aspects of the regolith can be manipulated for in situ resource utilization and lunar construction applications. Through the manipulation of lunar regolith simulant particle size gradation and median particle diameter, it is possible to determine which aspects of particle size distribution most impact lunar regolith angle of repose. The results of this study indicate that while many characteristics of a regolith sample influence its angle of repose, the percentage of fines within a sample have the largest effect.

Publication:

Advances in Space Research

Pub Date:

October 2024

DOI:

10.1016/j.asr.2024.06.042

Bibcode:

2024AdSpR..74.3437E

Keywords:

• Lunar Regolith;
• Lunar regolith simulant;
• Geotechnical Engineering;
• Angle of repose;
• Exolith Lab;
• In Situ Resource Utilization