The evolution of pebble size and shape in space and time

Author:

Domokos G.1,Gibbons G. W.2

Affiliation:

1. Department of Mechanics, Materials, and Structures, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp.3, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary

2. DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK

Abstract

We propose a mathematical model which suggests that the two main geological observations about shingle beaches, i.e. the emergence of predominant pebble size ratios and strong segregation by size, are interrelated. Our model is based on a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) called the box equations that describe the evolution of pebble ratios. We derive these ODEs as a heuristic approximation of Bloore's partial differential equation (PDE) describing collisional abrasion and verify them by simple experiments and by direct simulation of the PDE. Although representing a radical simplification of the latter, our system admits the inclusion of additional terms related to frictional abrasion. We show that non-trivial attractors (corresponding to predominant pebble size ratios) only exist in the presence of friction. By interpreting our equations as a Markov process, we illustrate by direct simulation that these attractors may only be stabilized by the ongoing segregation process.

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

General Physics and Astronomy,General Engineering,General Mathematics

Reference37 articles.

Cited by 33 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3