On flows of granular materials

This article reviews the behavior of materials made up of a large assemblage of solid particles under rapid and quasi static deformations. The focus is on flows at relatively high concentrations and for conditions when the interstitial fluid plays an insignificant role. The momentum and energy exchange processes are then primarily governed by interparticle collisions and Coulomb-type frictional contact. We first discuss some physical behavior —dilatancy, internal friction, fluidization and particle segregation — that are typical to the understanding of granular flows. Bagnold's seminal Couette flow experiments and his simple stress analysis are then used to motivate the first constitutive theories that use a microstructural variable — the fluctuation energy or granular temperature — governing the subscale fluctuating motion. The kinetic theories formalize the derivation of the field equations of bulk mass, momentum and energy, and permit derivation of constitutive relations for stress, flux of fluctuation energy and its dissipation rate for simple particle assemblages and when frictional rubbing contact can be ignored. These statistical considerations also show that formulation of boundary conditions needs special attention. The frictional-collisional constitutive behavior in which both Coulomb-type rubbing contact and collisional encounters are significant are discussed. There is as yet no rigorous formulation. We finally present a phenomenological approach that describes rapid flows of granular materials under simultaneous transport of heat and close with a summary of stability analyses of the basic flow down an inclined plane.Dedicated to Professor Dr.-Ing. Franz Gustav Kollmann on the occasion of his sixtieth brithday     

On mechanics of saturated granular materials

A continuum theory of saturated granular materials is formulated. The basic balance laws for the solid phase as well as for the fluid phase are presented. The constitutive equations are derived and the basic equations of motion of the solid and fluid continua are obtained. Several cases of interest, such as incompressible granules saturated with liquids are discussed. It is shown that the theory contains, as its special cases, the Mohr-Coulomb criterion for a granular material as well as Darcy's law of flow through porous media.     

A thermo-mechanical continuum theory with internal length for cohesionless granular materials

A thermodynamically consistent continuum theory for single-phase, single-constituent cohesionless granular materials is presented. The theory is motivated by dimensional inconsistencies of the original Goodman-Cowin theory [1–3]; it is constructed by removing these inconsistencies through the introduction of an internal length ℓ. Four constitutive models are proposed and discussed in which ℓ is (i) a material constant (Model I), (ii) an independent constitutive variable (Model II), (iii) an independent dynamic field quantity (Model III) and (iv) an independent kinematic field quantity (Model IV). Expressions of the constitutive variables emerging in the systems of the balance equations in these four models in thermodynamic equilibrium are deduced by use of a thermodynamic analysis based on the Müller-Liu entropy principle. Comments on the validity of these four models are given and discussed; the results presented in the current study show a more general formulation for the constitutive quantities and can be used as a basis for further continuum-based theoretical investigations on the behaviour of flowing granular materials. Numerical results regarding simple plane shear flows will be discussed and compared in Part II of this work.     

A thermo-mechanical continuum theory with internal length for cohesionless granular materials

This article continues Part I. Here the non-equilibrium responses of the constitutive variables t (Cauchy stress tensor), q (heat flux vector), h (equilibrated stress vector), Γ (flux term associated with the internal length ℓ), Π (production term associated with ℓ) and f (equilibrated intrinsic body force) as well as the Helmholtz free energy Ψ are postulated by use of a quasi-linear theory for three of four models deduced in Part I. In so doing, together with the equilibrium responses gained in Part I, a complete set of constitutive equations for the constitutive quantities for each model is obtained. The implemented models are applied to investigate typical isothermal steady granular shearing flows with incompressible grains, namely, simple plane shear flow, inclined gravity-driven flow and vertical channel-flow. The emphasis is on the models in which ℓ is considered a material constant (Model I) and an independent dynamic field quantity (Model III). Numerical results show that Model III is more appropriate than Model I since in the former model the effect of the motion of an individual grain can better be taken into account. Such a result is in particular significant for avalanches, since it verifies the existence of a thin layer immediately above the base of an avalanche, in which the grains are colliding strongly with one another, and provides a quantitative means to measure such a thin layer.     

Evolving internal length scales in plastic strain localization for granular materials

A numerical model in the Cosserat continuum for strain localization phenomena in granular materials is developed and proposed in this paper. The model assumes a constant internal length scale that is used to describe the shear band thickness. However, it is observed that the internal length scales need to change to accommodate the possible change in the contact surface between the particles, damage of the particles or/and any change in the local void ratio within the domain, which will change the shear band thickness. The mathematical formulations used in the present numerical model were equipped with evolution equations for the length scales through the Micropolar theory, those formulations are proposed and discussed in this paper. The evolution equations of the internal length scales describe any possible change in the contact surface between the particles, damage of the particles if exists and/or any change in the local void ratio within the domain. Hence, the strain localization described by the enhanced model with evolving internal length scales is more accurate and closer to the real solution. The solution for the shear bands thickness shows more accurate correlation with the experimental results and less dependency on the mesh size when such evolution equations are used. Moreover, the shear band thickness and inclination evolve during the deformation process.     

On the internal work in generalized hyperelastic materials

We propose a notion of internal work for a generalized hyperelastic material, taking into account the topological structure of its singular locus via the Maslov class. This is based on the interpretation of the crossing of the singular locus as a phase transition.

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Sommario In questa nota proponiamo una nozione di lavoro delle forze interne per un materiale iperelastico generalizzato che tiene conto della struttura topologica del suo insieme singolare per mezzo della classe di Maslov. Questa si ottiene interpretando l'attraversamento di tale insieme singolare come una transizione di fase.

     

On probabilistic aspects in the dynamic degradation of ductile materials

Dynamic loadings produce high stress waves leading to the spallation of ductile materials such as aluminum, copper, magnesium or tantalum. The main mechanism used herein to explain the change of the number of cavities with the stress rate is nucleation inhibition, as induced by the growth of already nucleated cavities. The dependence of the spall strength and critical time with the loading rate is investigated in the framework of a probabilistic model. The present approach, which explains previous experimental findings on the strain-rate dependence of the spall strength, is applied to analyze experimental data on tantalum.     

Kinematic hardening of granular materials

Summary Some recently developed constitutive equations (yield function, loading criteria, flow rule) for kinematic hardening of granular materials are discussed and some relevant material dependent parameters are determined on the basis of test results.

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Kinematische Verfestigung granularer Stoffe

Übersicht Einige in jüngster Zeit entwickelte konstitutive Beziehungen (Fließbedingung, Belastungsbedingung und Fließregel) für kinematisch verfestigende granulare Stoffe werden diskutiert und einige relevante materialabhängige Parameter werden auf der Grundlage experimenteller Ergebnisse bestimmt.

     

Couette flow of granular materials

The flow of granular materials between rotating cylinders is studied using a continuum model proposed by Rajagopal and Massoudi (A method for measuring material moduli for granular materials: flow in an orthogonal rheometer, DOE/PETC/TR90/3, 1990). For a steady, fully developed condition, the governing equations are reduced to a system of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations. The resulting boundary value problem is non-dimensionalized and is then solved numerically. The effect of material parameters, i.e., dimensionless numbers on the volume fraction and the velocity fields are studied.     

On the time-dependence of the erosion rate—a probabilistic approach to erosion

A highly simplified model is presented of the erosion process under liquid impact. The theory outlined allows the mathematical expectation of the erosion rate as a function of time (erosion curve) to be predicted.This simplified theory of erosion is based on the statistical nature of the repetitive loading due to liquid impact. It employs a classification of individual impacts according to their quality of or effectiveness in removing material. The specific loss of material (per impact) is considered to be a random variable, which assumes different, discrete values depending on the order of repetitions of effective impacts at the same location on the target (surface). The probabilities of producing any of these repetitions are calculated. For particular applications, the theory requires characteristic data for the specific loss of material as well as typical data concerning the hydrodynamic loading conditions.For the case of a ductile erosion process, a very approximate solution is presented. Nevertheless, it exhibits the typical features of erosion curves as presented in the literature.     

Numerical solution to the shearing flow of granular materials between two plates

We study the shearing flow of granular materials between two horizontal flat plates where the top plate is moving with a constant speed. The constitutive relation used for the stress is based on the continuum model proposed by Rajagopal and Massoudi (DOE Report, DOE/PETC/TR-90/3, 1990). The material coefficients such as viscosity and normal stress coefficients are based on the model of Boyle and Massoudi (Int. J. Eng. Sci 28 (1990) 1261). The governing equations are non-dimensionalized and the resulting system of non-linear differential equations is solved numerically using finite difference technique.     

Change of scale in granular materials

This paper analyzes relationships allowing global variables to be deduced from local ones in granular materials. This change of scale is now clear for static variables but rather confusing for kinematic variables. This paper compares the various established formulations for kinematic variables and also proposes original formulations. By running numerical simulations all the formulations in question are compared and the basic premises to define the change of scale for kinematic variables in granular media put forward.     

Effective thermal conductivity of granular materials

Calculations are made of the effective thermal conductivity for macroscopic heat transfer in a composite material consisting of a continuous medium (binder) with spherical particles (filler) randomly distributed through it.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 4, pp. 57–66, July–August, 1973.     

关于采用粗粒化提高颗粒材料多尺度模拟守恒特性的研究

连续体-颗粒耦合方法常用来描述连续-非连续颗粒行为或解决颗粒材料与其他可变形构件间相互作用问题。粗粒化coarse-graining (CG)是基于统计力学的均匀化方法,由离散的颗粒运动定义连续的宏观物理场。本文利用粗粒化(CG)推导有限元-离散元(FEM-DEM)表面和体积耦合的一般性表达式。对于表面耦合,CG可以将耦合力分布到颗粒-单元接触点以外的位置,如相邻的积分点;对于体积耦合,CG可以将颗粒尺度的运动均匀化到耦合单元上。由粗粒化推导出的耦合项仅包含一个参数,即粗粒化宽度,为均匀化后的宏观场定义了一个可调整的空间尺度。当粗粒化宽度为零时,表面和体积耦合表达式简化为常规局部耦合。本文通过弹性立方体冲击颗粒床和离散-连续介质间波传播两个数值算例,展示使用粗粒化方法提高耦合系统能量守恒的优势,并结合其他耦合参数(如体积耦合深度)讨论了粗粒化参数对数值稳定性和计算效率的影响。