Experimental studies of stratification in a granular Hele—Shaw cell

Hernán A. Makse, Shlomo Havlin, Peter R. King, H. Eugene Stanley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We show that, when a mixture of small and large grains is simply poured in a ‘granular Hele—Shaw cell’ (two transparent slabs separated by a gap of about 5 mm), the grains spontaneously stratify in alternating layers of small and large grains parallel to the surface of the pile. The spontaneous self-stratification occurs only when the large grains have a larger angle of repose than the small grains do. Conversely, we obtain only spontaneous self-segregation, that is the large grains are found preferentially near the bottom of the cell while the small grains are found near the top, when the large grains have a smaller angle of repose than the small grains. The observed stratification might be of relevance to explain similar stratified patterns observed in Aeolian rocks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1341-1351
Number of pages11
JournalPhilosophical Magazine B: Physics of Condensed Matter; Statistical Mechanics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties
Volume77
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1998

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