Mini-symposium S3

S3: Constitutive and Large-Deformation Modelling of Regime Transition in Granular Materials

Co-chairs: 

Zhiwei Gao (University of Glasgow)*

Keywords: Regime transition; Granular materials; Constitutive modelling; Large deformation modelling

ABSTRACT

Regime transitions between solid-like, fluid-like, and gas-like behaviour are a key characteristic of granular materials. These transitions are affected by loading conditions, material strength, particle size distribution and density. Transition between the solid-like and fluid-like behaviour is particularly important, as it has a significant influence on the development of landslides/dam breaks, evolution of landscapes (with processes like coastal/surface erosion, sediment transport, and deposition), optimisation of relevant industrial processes and designing rovers landing on the Moon and Mars [1]. During a landslide, for instance, soil on a slope may initially hold together and deform slowly like a solid (quasi-static). As movement accelerates, the grains begin to slide and rearrange, producing a dense granular flow. If the slope fully collapses and material entrains water or air, the grains lose most contacts and rush downslope like a fluid, similar to a debris flow. Capturing these regime transitions is a central challenge in constitutive model development and large deformation modelling [2]. This mini-symposium will address theoretical and computational frameworks that seek to represent these behaviours, including constitutive modelling and novel methods for large deformation modelling of granular material behaviour at different regimes. We invite contributions presenting new constitutive models, multiscale approaches, and numerical or experimental studies that address regime transitions in granular materials.

REFERENCES

[1] Marveggio, P., Zerbi, M., Redaelli, I., & di Prisco, C. (2024). Granular material regime transitions during high energy impacts of dry flowing masses: MPM simulations with a multi‐regime constitutive model. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 48(15), 3699-3724. 

[2] Wang, X., Zhu, H. P., Luding, S., & Yu, A. B. (2013). Regime transitions of granular flow in a shear cell: A micromechanical study. Physical Review E—Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 88(3), 032203.