Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Transient dynamics of a 2D granular pile
Patrick Mutabaruka1, Krishna Kumar, Kenichi Soga
1LMGC, UMR 5508, University Montpellier 2 - CNRS, F-34095, Montpellier cedex 5, France, patrick.mutabaruka@univ-montp2.fr.
Granular pile dynamics show power-law runout distances controlled by input energy, not just potential energy. Two distinct energy regimes govern the pile
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Geophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Granular materials exhibit complex dynamics when disturbed.
- Previous studies focused on column collapse, scaling dynamics with potential energy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transient dynamics of a 2D granular pile under shear velocity.
- To understand the relationship between input energy and spreading dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Contact Dynamics simulations were employed.
- A 2D granular pile was subjected to shear velocity for a short duration.
Main Results:
- Runout distance scales with input energy via a power-law, indicating generic granular behavior.
- Two distinct regimes were observed: low-energy (impact-driven, time-independent runout) and high-energy (energy-governed).
- High-energy regime dynamics are characterized by a decay time and available energy.
Conclusions:
- Power-law behavior is a fundamental aspect of granular dynamics.
- Exponents in the power-law reflect kinetic energy distribution within the material.
- Input energy is a key factor controlling granular pile spreading dynamics.
More Related Videos
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
11:51Visually Based Characterization of the Incipient Particle Motion in Regular Substrates: From Laminar to Turbulent Conditions
Published on: February 22, 2018
Related Concept Videos
First Law: Particles in Two-dimensional Equilibrium
Newton's first law tells us about...
First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Conservation of Linear Momentum for a System of Particles
The impulsive force at play during this interaction is of extremely short duration, rendering its impulse negligible. When...
Elastic Collisions: Introduction
Principle of Linear Impulse and Momentum for a Single Particle: Problem Solving