Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Visually Based Characterization of the Incipient Particle Motion in Regular Substrates: From Laminar to Turbulent Conditions
Published on: February 22, 2018
Transition by intermittency in granular matter: from discontinuous avalanches to continuous flow.
Raphaël Fischer1, Philippe Gondret, Marc Rabaud
1Lab FAST, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Campus universitaire, F-91405 Orsay cedex, France.
We studied the transition between discontinuous avalanches and continuous flow in a rotating drum. Our findings reveal intermittent flow with spontaneous switches, differing from previous reports of bistability.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Granular Materials
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Granular materials exhibit complex flow behaviors.
- The transition from discontinuous avalanches to continuous flow in rotating drums is a key phenomenon.
- Previous studies reported hysteretic transitions and bistability.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the transition dynamics between discontinuous avalanches and continuous flow.
- Characterize the nature of this transition in a rotating drum configuration.
- Compare observed transition behaviors with existing models.
Main Methods:
- Experimental setup: rotating drum.
- Varying angular velocity to observe flow regimes.
- Dynamic modeling incorporating stochasticity.
Main Results:
- Observed intermittency with spontaneous switches between flow regimes.
- Discontinuous avalanches at low angular velocity transition to continuous flow at higher velocities.
- The observed intermittency differs from previously reported hysteretic transitions.
Conclusions:
- The transition is characterized by intermittency rather than bistability.
- A dynamic model with Langevin noise and distributed maximal stability angle explains both observed and previously reported transition scenarios.
More Related Videos
11:03An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
09:00Visualization of Failure and the Associated Grain-Scale Mechanical Behavior of Granular Soils under Shear using Synchrotron X-Ray Micro-Tomography
Published on: September 29, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Gradually Varying Flow
Rapidly Varying Flow
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Transition Zone