A unified Eulerian framework for multimaterial continuum mechanics

Abstract: A framework for simulating the interactions between multiple different continua is presented. Each constituent material is governed by the same set of equations, differing only in terms of their equations of state and strain dissipation functions. The interfaces between any combination of fluids, solids, and vacuum are handled by a new Riemann Ghost Fluid Method, which is agnostic to the type of material on either side (depending only on the desired boundary conditions). The Godunov-Peshkov-Romenski (GPR) model is used for modeling the continua (having recently been used to solve a range of problems involving Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, and elastic and elastoplastic solids), and this study represents a novel approach for handling multimaterial problems under this model. The resulting framework is simple, yet capable of accurately reproducing a wide range of different physical scenarios. It is demonstrated here to accurately reproduce analytical results for known Riemann problems, and to produce expected results in other cases, including some featuring heat conduction across interfaces, and impact-induced deformation and detonation of combustible materials. The framework thus has the potential to streamline development of simulation software for scenarios involving multiple materials and phases of matter, by reducing the number of different systems of equations that require solvers, and cutting down on the amount of theoretical work required to deal with the interfaces between materials.