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Flow-Arrest Transitions in Frictional Granular Matter
Ishan Srivastava1, Leonardo E Silbert2, Gary S Grest1
1Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 16, 2019
Summary
Frictional granular matter transitions between flowing and arrested states. Interparticle friction critically influences this transition, making granular arrest unpredictable near critical shear stress.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Geophysics
Background:
- Granular materials exhibit complex behaviors under stress.
- Understanding the transition between flowing and arrested states is crucial for predicting material response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transition between shear-flowing and shear-arrested states in frictional granular matter.
- To identify critical shear stress and density thresholds and their dependence on friction.
Main Methods:
- Constant-stress discrete element simulations were employed.
- A dilute system of frictional grains was subjected to constant external shear stress and pressure.
Main Results:
- Friction-dependent critical shear stress and density were identified, showing crossovers at low and high friction.
- Two nonequilibrium steady states were observed: steady shear flow and shear arrest (creep).
- The onset time of arrest exhibited a heavy-tailed distribution, diverging at critical shear stress.
Conclusions:
- Granular arrest near critical shear stress is highly unpredictable.
- Interparticle friction strongly influences the transition dynamics and predictability of granular arrest.
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