Effects of vertical vibration on surface intruder loading in a multiple-size granular system

Abstract

We investigate the behaviors of the large porous-alumina particles on the free surface of the small glass-grain system under vertical vibration. The experiments are performed using cylindrical container with diameter Φ = 240 mm, loaded with small glass beads to a static depth h =100 mm. We control the shaker to vibrate at the various frequencies f , from 40 to 80 Hz, and dimensionless acceleration Γ = (4π 2 Af 2 )/g from 2 to 6. When the glass granular system is at rest, porous alumina particles are placed on its free surface. A parameter critical frequency fu is defined to distinguish two kinds of diffusion in particles. When the vibration frequency is less than fu , quasi-two-dimensional surface diffusion can occur in porous alumina particles, surface granules clusters formed under certain condition. The frequency and dimensionless acceleration of the vibration are varied to view their effect on the clustering and surface particle-distribution. When the vibration frequency is larger than fu , the surface diffusion disappears and a three-dimensional diffusion appears.