Granular Solid Hydrodynamics (GSH): a broad-ranged macroscopic theory of granular media

TL;DR

This paper introduces Granular Solid Hydrodynamics (GSH), a comprehensive macroscopic theory for granular media that models various behaviors including static stress, wave propagation, and flow, using a hydrodynamic approach.

Contribution

It presents the first unified continuum-mechanical theory for granular media, derived via hydrodynamics, capable of describing multiple complex behaviors.

Findings

GSH models static stress distribution accurately.

The theory captures elastic wave propagation in granular media.

Application to experiments shows qualitative agreement.

Abstract

A unified continuum-mechanical theory has been until now lacking for granular media, some believe it could not exist. Derived employing the hydrodynamic approach, GSH is such a theory, though as yet a qualitative one. The behavior being accounted for includes static stress distribution, elastic wave, elasto-plastic motion, the critical state and rapid dense flow. The equations and application to a few typical experiments are presented here.