Finite-Size Analysis of the Collapse of Dry Granular Columns

TL;DR

This study investigates how the size of dry granular columns affects their collapse behavior, revealing a phase transition-like scaling law that relates run-out distances to the size ratio, with implications for geophysical and engineering systems.

Contribution

It introduces a finite-size analysis using DEM to derive a general scaling equation with critical exponents for granular column collapse.

Findings

Column radius/grain size ratio strongly influences collapse dynamics

Identifies a phase transition-like behavior in size effects

Links size effect to force network and correlation length scale

Abstract

In this letter, we focus on the size effect of granular column collapses, which are potentially connected to the dynamics of complex geophysical flows, even if the link between microscopic structures of granular assemblies and their macroscopic behaviors is still not well understood. Using the sphero-polyhedral discrete element method (DEM), we show that the column radius/grain size ratio has a strong influence on the collapse behavior. A finite-size analysis, which is inspired by a phase transition around an inflection point, is performed to obtain a general scaling equation with critical exponents for run-out distances. We further link the size effect with the strong force network and formalize a correlation length scale that exponentially scales with the effective aspect ratio. Such a scaling solution shows similarities with the percolation problem of two-dimensional random networks and can be extended to other similar natural and engineering systems.