Granular Flows in Split-Bottom Geometries

TL;DR

This paper reviews the experimental approach of generating slow granular flows with wide shear zones in split-bottom geometries, offering insights into flow behavior distinct from traditional narrow shear bands.

Contribution

It introduces and discusses a simple, general experimental protocol for creating and studying wide shear zones in granular flows using split-bottom geometries.

Findings

Wide shear zones are qualitatively different from narrow shear bands.

The protocol allows controlled generation of slow granular flows.

Insights into flow dynamics in split-bottom geometries are provided.

Abstract

There is a simple and general experimental protocol to generate slow granular flows that exhibit wide shear zones, qualitatively different from the narrow shear bands that are usually observed in granular materials . The essence is to drive the granular medium not from the sidewalls, but to split the bottom of the container that supports the grains in two parts and slide these parts past each other. Here we review the main features of granular flows in such split-bottom geometries.