Thermodynamic approach to dense granular matter: a numerical realization of a decisive experiment

TL;DR

This paper numerically tests Edwards' thermodynamic theory for dense granular matter using a realistic model, providing strong evidence in favor of its validity.

Contribution

It offers the first conclusive numerical validation of Edwards' thermodynamic approach for dense granular systems.

Findings

Numerical results support the thermodynamic description.

The model replicates laboratory conditions accurately.

Results reinforce the theoretical framework's applicability.

Abstract

Years ago Edwards proposed a thermodynamic description of dense granular matter, in which the grains (the `atoms' of the system) interact with inelastic forces. The approach is intriguing but is not justified from first principles, and hence, in the absence of conclusive tests of its validity, it has not been widely accepted. We perform a numerical experiment with a realistic granular matter model specially conceived to be reproducible in the laboratory. The results strongly support the thermodynamic picture.