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Granular potential and compactivity of jammed particles
Ching Chang1, Zelin Liu2, Jason Chao1
1University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
Physical Review. E
|December 23, 2025
Summary
This study reveals how granular potential impacts the thermodynamic properties of granular materials. Understanding this relationship is key to predicting the behavior and stability of these complex systems.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Thermodynamics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Granular materials display complex behavior due to their nonequilibrium nature and dissipative mechanisms.
- The thermodynamic properties of granular systems, including entropy and compactivity, are crucial for understanding their macroscopic behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of granular potential in bidisperse granular packings.
- To determine the influence of granular potential on thermodynamic properties like entropy, compactivity, and density of states.
Main Methods:
- Experimental analysis using X-ray tomography to examine microstructure and volume fluctuations in bidisperse mixtures.
- Application of statistical mechanics and fluctuation equations to quantify free-volume index and granular potential.
Main Results:
- Granular potential was found to be directly correlated with packing structure and jamming behavior.
- Granular potential significantly contributes to excess free volume, impacting packing efficiency and stability.
- The study quantified the free-volume index and granular potential for an ensemble.
Conclusions:
- Granular potential plays a critical role in the thermodynamic properties and stability of granular materials.
- Findings provide insights into granular thermodynamics relevant to natural phenomena like soil stability and engineered systems.
- The study highlights the importance of granular potential in understanding packing efficiency and jamming transitions.
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