Abstract
This study presents an experimental analysis on the influence of the particle size distribution (psd ) on the mobility of dry granular materials. The psd obeys a power law of the form: N(L>d)=kd-Df , where N is the number of particles with diameter L greater than a given diameter d , k is a proportionality constant, and Df is the fractal dimension of the psd . No laboratory or numerical study has been conducted to date analysing how a fractal psd influences the mobility of granular flows as in the case of rock avalanches. In this study, the flow characteristics of poly-dispersed granular materials that have a fractal psd were investigated in the laboratory. Granular mixtures having different fractal psd values were placed in a hollow cylinder. The cylinder was lifted and the distance of flow of the mixture was measured with respect to the original position of the cylinder. It was determined that the distance of flow of the mixtures was directly related to their fractal psd values. That is, the larger the distance of flow of the mixture, the larger is the fractal psd of the granular mixture tested. Thus, the fractal psd in dry granular mixtures seems to have a large influence on the easiness by which dry granular mixtures move in the field.
Highlights
Granular flows in the form of dry rock avalanches are widespread in nature and are among the most impressive, powerful and destructive phenomena with respect to their capacity to modify the natural landscape and devastate engineering structures
The fractal dimension, Df, of the particle size distribution of the materials forming part of rock avalanches varied in value between 1.90 and 3.50
No laboratory or numerical study has been conducted to date analysing how a fractal particle size distribution influences the mobility of granular flows as in the case of rock avalanches
Summary
Granular flows in the form of dry rock avalanches are widespread in nature and are among the most impressive, powerful and destructive phenomena with respect to their capacity to modify the natural landscape and devastate engineering structures. Crosta [2] have determined that the particle size distribution in various rockslide deposits is fractal in nature (Table 1). The fractal dimension, Df , of the particle size distribution (psd) of the materials forming part of rock avalanches varied in value between 1.90 and 3.50. No laboratory or numerical study has been conducted to date analysing how a fractal particle size distribution influences the mobility of granular flows as in the case of rock avalanches. The flow characteristics of poly-dispersed granular materials that have a fractal particle size distribution were investigated in the laboratory
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