Modelling Brazil Nut Effect Phenomenon of Boulders on Asteroid Surface

The surface of an asteroid is full of boulders that varies in size. One of the phenomena happening in the asteroid's surface is a tendency for bigger boulders to come up to the surface. This phenomenon is called Brazil Nut Effect (BNE). Some asteroids, like Itokawa and Eros, are known for having that tendency and BNE is supposed to happen in both of them. This study conducts a modelling of the phenomenon happening on the surface of an asteroid for mimicking the concept of BNE. Physical parameters used in this study follow a model of a common asteroid. The very first step of the modelling is to generate an initial condition of particles. Then, these particles are dropped into the surface of an asteroid model. After these particles reached the dynamical relaxation, the additional force will be added into the system which is represented by some sinusoidal oscillation formulas. Modelling the concept of BNE which only involves collisions of inter-particles and gravity factor indicates that the rising of bigger boulders to come up to the surface is likely to occur. Nevertheless, there are many other parameters that have a role in the low-gravity environment and need to be explored more. (paper)