Title: Contact forces, jamming and unjamming in granular systems

Author (Invited): Trushant Majmudar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract:

Granular systems can exist in solid-like, liquid-like, and gas-like states. Statistical description of granular systems in these various phases, and transition from one phase to another remains a challenge. Experimental approaches differ depending on the dimensionality of the system and the specific questions under investigation. I will focus here on two-dimensional, quasi-static granular system. I will report measurements of inter-particle contact forces using photoelasticity, which alllows stress visualization. I will then present results on the distribution of normal and tangential forces in compressed and sheared systems. I will present results on the jamming transition in compressed systems, and the evolution of the system under shear.