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Wide shear zones and the spot model: implications from the split-bottom geometry
E Woldhuis1, B P Tighe, W van Saarloos
1Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden-Postbus 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands. woldhuis@lorentz.leidenuniv.nl
The spot model, describing quasistatic granular flows, struggles to explain wide shear zones observed in experiments. This study suggests modifications may be needed for the model to accurately represent these granular flow phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- The spot model describes quasistatic granular flows using the concept of excess free volume spots.
- This model has been applied to various geometries but its applicability to wide shear zones is questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the simplest form of the spot model can explain wide shear zones in granular flows.
- To analyze the limitations of the current spot model formulation regarding observed shear zone widths.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of the spot model's formulation.
- Comparison of model predictions with experimental and simulation data of granular flow in a Couette cell.
Main Results:
- The current formulation of the spot model is difficult to reconcile with experimentally observed wide shear zones.
- The model's assumption of balancing diffusion and drift terms on small length scales is inconsistent with wide shear zones.
Conclusions:
- The simplest form of the spot model is insufficient to describe wide shear zones in granular flows.
- Further extensions or modifications to the spot model are necessary to account for co-axiality and wide shear zones.
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