On collapse of 2D granular columns: A grain-scale investigation

Abstract

This study uses the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to investigate the grain-scale mechanisms that give rise to the diverse flow phenomena of granular material, particularly the collapse of granular columns. The small-scale 2D experiments conducted with aluminium rods are used as benchmarks. It is found that the stiffness or the viscous dissipation at the contacts are not important factors to influence the kinetic, but the apparent friction angle is the dominant one, which is contributed by several sources.