STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF STATIC GRANULAR PACKINGS UNDER GRAVITY

Abstract

Despite the large use of granular materials in the industry, and the large number of natural phenomena where granular materials are involved, a comprehensive theoretical framework of their physics is still missing. An important perspective was proposed almost 20 years ago by S.Edwards, which suggested the possibility of a statistical mechanics description of granular materials at rest in their mechanically stable states. This article focuses on the theoretical foundations and current understanding of a statistical mechanics approach of granular materials under gravity. Experimental and numerical results discussing such an approach and clarifying its limit of validity are described as well.