Numéro
J. Phys. I France
Volume 2, Numéro 4, April 1992
Page(s) 389 - 392
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jp1:1992104
DOI: 10.1051/jp1:1992104
J. Phys. I France 2 (1992) 389-392

Instabilities in a sandpile under vibration

B.K. Chakrabarti and M. Acharyya

Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Calcutta-700064, India


(Received 25 November 1991, accepted in final form 15 January 1992)

Abstract
We Consider the mechanical stability of a (static) pile or heap of grains, modelled as hard spheres. We consider the limiting stability of a random (stochastic) heap of hard spheres with perfectly smooth surfaces. Roughness of the surface of the spheres gives additional contribution to the angle of repose. These considerations for the stability of the heap are then extended for vibrations and a scenario is developed to explain the convective current in the vibrating heap.



© Les Editions de Physique 1992