Investigating the angle or response and maximum stability of a cohesive granular pile

In this thesis, I investigate the static and dynamic properties of a granular heap made cohesive by an interstitial fluid. I present the results of experimental work measuring the maximum angle of stability and the angle of repose of such a pile in a rotating drum geometry. I discuss existing models for the stability of a cohesive granular pile and present a new model that predicts the maximum angle of stability from the pile's geometry and from the cohesive forces between grains. This model agrees well with experiment and suggests that friction is insignificant in determining the maximum angle of stability. In addition, I investigate the effect of the viscosity of the interstitial fluid on the dynamic properties of a granular pile. In particular, I examine the transition from stick-slip motion to continuous motion as well as the effect of viscosity on the angle of repose of the granular pile. I offer a qualitative explanation for my observations of these phenomena.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Nowak, Sara Alice, 1982-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Arshad Kudrolli.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32757

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32757