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On Probabilistic Distribution of Forces in Granular Materials: A Statistical Mechanics Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

Alfonso H.W. Ngan
Alfonso H.W. Ngan*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, PR., CHINA.
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Abstract

The contact force distribution in stressed grain piles under simple compaction or gravity has been studied intensively in recent years. In the present investigation, by performing discrete element simulations, it is found that the contact force distribution in a stressed granular packing can be described by a generalized form the Second Law of Thermodynamics involving minimization of a free energy functional containing an energy and an entropy component. The relative importance of energy and entropy is controlled by a parameter known as the “mechanical temperature”.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 759: Symposium MM – Granular Material-Based Technologies , 2002 , MM2.2
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

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References

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