Size segregation and convection

TL;DR

This study uses Molecular Dynamics to explore how size segregation occurs in vibrating granular materials, revealing that convection and particle size influence the rising behavior of larger particles.

Contribution

It demonstrates that convection cells and particle size significantly affect size segregation, with new insights into the mechanisms at low frequencies.

Findings

Larger particles rise with convection cells present.

Convection can be triggered by larger particles themselves.

Rising depends on the depth of larger particles.

Abstract

The size segregation of granular materials in a vibrating container is investigated using Molecular Dynamics. We find that the rising of larger particles is accompanied by the existence of convection cells even in the case of the lowest possible frequencies. The convection can, however, also be triggered by the larger particle itself. The possibility of rising through this mechanism strongly depends on the depth of the larger particle.