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Free-volume kinetic models of granular matter

M. Sellitto·J. J. Arenzon
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Abstract

We show that the main dynamical features of granular media can be understood by means of simple models of fragile-glass forming liquid provided that gravity alone is taken into account. In such lattice-gas models of cohesionless and frictionless particles, the compaction and segregation phenomena appear as purely non-equilibrium effects unrelated to the Boltzmann-Gibbs measure which in this case is trivial. They provide a natural framework in which slow relaxation phenomena in granular and glassy systems can be explained in terms of a common microscopic mechanism given by a free-volume kinetic constraint.

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M. Sellitto, J. J. Arenzon. 2000-06-08. Free-volume kinetic models of granular matter. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.62.7793

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