Clustering Kinetics of Granular Media in Three Dimensions

TL;DR

This study uses large-scale 3D molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the clustering behavior and energy decay in granular media during cooling, revealing exponential density distributions and power-law relations in cluster growth.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the clustering kinetics of granular media in three dimensions, including detailed statistical and dynamical characterizations.

Findings

Density probability density function follows exponential distribution at late stages

Density fluctuations and mean cluster size exhibit power-law relations over time

Energy decay rates depend on particle density and restitution coefficient

Abstract

Three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations of dissipative particles (~ 10^6) are carried out for studying the clustering kinetics of granular media during cooling. The inter-connected high particle density regions are identified, showing tube-like structures. The energy decay rates as functions of the particle density and the restitution coefficient are obtained. It is found that the probability density function of the particle density obeys an exponential distribution at late stages. Both the fluctuation of density and the mean cluster size of the particle density have power law relations against time during the inelastic coalescing process.