Domains growth and packing properties in driven granular media subject to gravity

Abstract

We study the dynamical properties of recently introduced frustrated lattice gas models (IFLG and Tetris) for granular media under gentle shaking. We consider both the case where grains have inter-grain surface interactions other than contact forces and the case where they have not, corresponding, for instance, to the presence or absence of moisture in the packs. To characterise the grains packing structure, we discuss the properties of density distribution. In particular, we consider the phenomenon of grains domain formation under compaction. New results amenable to experimental check are discussed along with some important differences between the dynamics of the present models.