Binary collision approximation for solitary waves in a Y-shaped granular chain

We implement a binary collision approximation to study solitary wave propagation in a two-dimensional double Y- shaped granular chain. The solitary wave was transmitted and reflected when it met the interface of the bifurcated branches of the Y-shaped granular chains. We obtain the analytic results of the ratios of the transmitted and reflected speeds to the incident speed of the solitary wave, the maximum force between the two neighbor beads in a solitary wave, and the total time taken by the pulse to pass through each branch. All of the analytic results are in good agreement with the experimental observations from Daraio et al. [Phys. Rev. E 82 036603 （2010）]. Moreover, we also discuss the delay effects on the arrival of split pulses, and predict the recombination of the split waves traveling in branches in the final stem of asymmetric systems. The prediction of pulse recombination is verified by our numerical results.