Avalanche Interpretation of the Power-Law Energy Spectrum in Three-Dimensional Dense Granular Flow

Turbulence is ubiquitous in nonequilibrium systems, and it has been noted that even dense granular flows exhibit characteristics that are typical of turbulent flow, such as the power-law energy spectrum. However, studies on the turbulentlike behavior of granular flows are limited to two-dimensional...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 122; no. 18; p. 188004
Main Authors Oyama, Norihiro, Mizuno, Hideyuki, Saitoh, Kuniyasu
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 10.05.2019
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Turbulence is ubiquitous in nonequilibrium systems, and it has been noted that even dense granular flows exhibit characteristics that are typical of turbulent flow, such as the power-law energy spectrum. However, studies on the turbulentlike behavior of granular flows are limited to two-dimensional (2D) flow. We demonstrate that the statistics in three-dimensional (3D) flow are qualitatively different from those in 2D flow. We also elucidate that avalanche dynamics can explain this dimensionality dependence. Moreover, we define clusters of collectively moving particles that are equivalent to vortex filaments. The clusters unveil complicated structures in 3D flows that are absent in 2D flows.
ISSN:1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.122.188004