Stick-slip Transition in the Scalar Arching Model

TL;DR

This paper adapts the Scalar Arching Model to describe stick-slip motion in granular silos, revealing a phase transition between jammed and sliding states influenced by mechanical noise.

Contribution

It introduces a modified Scalar Arching Model to explain stick-slip phenomena and characterizes the phase transition between jammed and sliding states.

Findings

Identifies a mean-field type transition between phases.

Describes statistical properties of stick-slip motion.

Shows dependence on system sensitivity to noise.

Abstract

When some granular material contained into a silo is pushed upwards with a piston, an irregular stick-slip motion of the system of grains is observed. We show how one can adapt the `Scalar Arching Model' -- proposed as a model for giant stress fluctuations in silos -- in order to describe this stick-slip phenomenon. As a function of the sensitivity of the system to mechanical noise, the system exhibit two different phases: a `jammed' phase, and a `sliding' phase where irregular stick-slip is observed. We analyze the transition, which is found to be of mean-field type, and study the statistical properties of the intermittent stick-slip motion.