Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Shock Wave Propagation in Aluminum Single Crystal

The characteristics of shock wave propagation in aluminum single crystal are simulated by using the molecular dynamics (MD) method based on the embedded atom method (EAM) potential function. The structure of the shock front and the Hugonoit relation are obtained. The simulated results show that a two-wave structure exists in the aluminum single crystal for the particle velocity bellower than 2 km/s and the velocity of the elastic wave increases slightly with the shock loading. While only plastic wave exists in the aluminum single crystal for the particle velocity higher than 2 km/s and the width of the shock front decreases by exponent with the normal stress. The MD simulation results are basically consistent with the experimental results.