Chains of beads are one-dimensional and unloaded (i.e. without static compression). Beads are high carbon chrome hardened AISI 52100 steel roll bearing (density 7780 kg/m3, Young modulus Y=203GPa, and Poisson ratio 0.3). Animations present snapshots of each chain, in addition to velocities, displacements and/or kinetic energy of each beads, and overlaps and forces at each contact between beads, as a function of time.

1. Monodisperse chain of 30 equal beads with radius R=1cm, whose both extremities are free.
2. Monodisperse chain of 30 equal beads with radius R=1cm, ended by a non moving rigid flat wall (infinite Young modulus).
3. Monodisperse chain of 30 equal beads with radius R=1cm, ended by a non moving rigid flat wall (10GPa Young modulus).
4. Stepped chain of 50 beads: 10 beads with radius R=1cm followed by 40 beads with radius R/2.
5. Tapered chain of 40 beads: 10 beads with radius R=1cm followed by 30 beads with radius R[n+1]=(1-q)*R[n].
6. Monodisperse chain of 30 beads with radius R=1cm containing an intruder with radius R/4.

Clic the picture to see the set of six animated gif resulting from numerical simulations.