Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-767nl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-14T06:33:19.394Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Experimental study of collisional granular flows down an inclined plane

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 December 1999

EMMANUEL AZANZA
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Matériaux et Structures du Génie Civil, UMR LCPC-CNRS, 2 allée Kepler, 77 420 Champs sur Marne, France
FRANÇOIS CHEVOIR
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Matériaux et Structures du Génie Civil, UMR LCPC-CNRS, 2 allée Kepler, 77 420 Champs sur Marne, France
PASCAL MOUCHERONT
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Matériaux et Structures du Génie Civil, UMR LCPC-CNRS, 2 allée Kepler, 77 420 Champs sur Marne, France

Abstract

The collisional flow of a slightly inelastic granular material down a rough inclined plane is usually described by kinetic theories. We present an experimental study aimed at analysing the assumptions and the quantitative predictions of such theories. A two-dimensional channel coupled to a model granular material and image analysis allow detailed and complete measurement of the kinematics and structure of the flows. We determine the range of inclination and particle flux for which the flow is stationary and uniform. The characteristic profiles of solid fraction, mean velocity and granular temperature are systematically measured. Both the true collisional and the dilute kinetic regimes are examined. We show that a quasi-hydrodynamic description of these regimes seems relevant, and that the pressure and the viscosity terms are in good qualitative agreement with the prediction of the kinetic theory. The profiles are well described by the kinetic theory near the top of the flow, at low solid fraction. Conversely there are large discrepancies near the rough plane, where the material is structured in layers.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)