Related papers: Force distribution in granular media studied by an…
This paper presents a molecular dynamics simulation of an inelastic gas, where collisions between molecules are characterized by a coefficient of restitution less than unity. The simulation employs an event-driven algorithm to efficiently…
We study theoretically the complex network of forces that is responsible for the static structure and properties of granular materials. We present detailed calculations for a model in which the fluctuations in the force distribution arise…
The transmission of kinetic energy through chains of inelastically colliding spheres is investigated for the case of constant coefficient of restitution \epsilon=const and impact-velocity dependent coefficient \epsilon(v) for viscoelastic…
These lecture notes cover the statics and glassy dynamics of granular media. Most of the lectures were in fact devoted to `force propagation' models. We discuss the experimental and theoretical motivations for these approaches, and their…
We study the elasticity of random stiff fiber networks. The elastic response of the fibers is characterized by a central force stretching stiffness as well as a bending stiffness that acts transverse to the fiber contour. Previous studies…
The linear Boltzmann equation for elastic and/or inelastic scattering is applied to derive the distribution function of a spatially homogeneous system of charged particles spreading in a host medium of two-level atoms and subjected to…
The static as well as the dynamic behaviour of granular material are determined by dynamic {\it and} static friction. There are well known methods to include static friction in molecular dynamics simulations using scarcely understood…
A granular gas composed of inelastic hard spheres or disks in the homogeneous cooling state is considered. Some of the particles are labeled and their number density exhibits a time-independent linear profile along a given direction. As a…
As a model of composite materials, a bundle of many fibers with stochastically distributed breaking thresholds for the individual fibers is considered. The bundle is loaded until complete failure to capture the failure scenario of composite…
We consider a particle moving on the half line $x>0$ and subject to a constant force in the $-x$ direction plus a delta-correlated random force. At $x=0$ the particle is reflected inelastically. The velocities just after and before…
We discuss recent developments in the formulation of a Statistical Mechanics approach to non thermal systems, such as granular media. We review a few important numerical results on the assessment of Edwards' theory and, in particular, we…
We study fragmentation numerically using a simple model in which an object is taken to be a set of particles that interact pairwisely via a Lennard-Jones potential while the effect of the fragmentation-induced forces is represented by some…
A statistical study of crumpled paper is allowed by a minimal 1D model: a self-avoiding line bent at sharp angles -- in which resides the elastic energy -- put in a confining potential. Many independent equilibrium configurations are…
Photoelastic techniques are used to make both qualitative and quantitative measurements of the forces within idealized granular materials. The method is based on placing a birefringent granular material between a pair of polarizing filters,…
Vertical loads acting on the surface of a half-space made of discrete and elastic particles are supported by a network of force chains that changes with the specific realization of the packing. These force chains can be transformed into…
Our understanding of the elasticity and rheology of disordered materials, such as granular piles, foams, emulsions or dense suspensions relies on improving experimental tools to characterize their behaviour at the particle scale. While 2D…
We describe experiments that probe the response to a point force of 2D granular systems under a variety of conditions. Using photoelastic particles to determine forces at the grain scale, we experimentally show that disorder, packing…
We consider a one-dimensional "gas" of inelastically colliding particles where kinetic energy is dissipated by the excitation of vibrational degrees of freedom. In our model the coefficient of restitution is a stochastic quantity whose…
The response to a localized force provides a sensitive test for different models of stress transmission in granular solids. The elasto-plastic models traditionally used by engineers have been challenged by theoretical and experimental…
To obtain further insight on possible power law generalizations of Boltzmann equilibrium concepts, a stochastic collision model is investigated. We consider the dynamics of a tracer particle of mass $M$, undergoing elastic collisions with…