Influence of Cross-section Shape on Granular Column Collapses

TL;DR

This study examines how different initial cross-section shapes of granular columns affect their collapse behavior and run-out distances, extending previous circular-focused research through finite-size analysis and proposing a universal relationship.

Contribution

It introduces a finite-size analysis for non-circular granular columns and proposes a universal relationship incorporating shape, size, and frictional properties.

Findings

Cross-section shape significantly influences run-out distances.

Finite-size analysis explains shape effects on collapse behavior.

A universal relationship links shape, size, and friction to collapse outcomes.

Abstract

We investigate granular column collapses with different column cross-sections and associate the cross-section shape influence with a finite-size analysis. Previous research, confined to initially circular configurations, reviewed the importance of granular column collapse studies and concluded that the run-out distance scales with the initial aspect ratio. In this work, granular columns with three different types of initial column cross-sections (square, equilateral triangular, and rectangular cross-sections) are simulated using the discrete element method (DEM). We explore how non-circular cross-sections lead to different run-out distances. Based on the previously obtained finite-size analysis, we further link the initial radius in different directions to the relative size of a column and perform the finite-size analysis to explain the cross-section influence. In the end, a universal relationship, which includes frictional properties, relative sizes, and the cross-section influence, is proposed. Our results are shown to have direct relevance to various natural and engineering systems.