ANALYSIS OF RAPID SHEAR FLOWS OF GRANULAR-MATERIALS BY A KINETIC-MODEL INCLUDING FRICTIONAL LOSSES

A kinetic model for granular flow which includes frictional losses is used to analyze several rapid flow problems. Granular Couette flows between two parallel plates, gravity flows down a rough inclined chute and a vertical channel, and granular motions on the top of a vibrating plate are studied in detail. The equations of motion are solved using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical scheme. The mean velocity, the fluctuation kinetic energy and the solid volume fraction profiles are evaluated under a variety of conditions. Particular attention was given to the effects of friction coefficient. The results are compared with the available experimental and simulation data and good agreement is observed. The study also shows that under certain conditions a plug flow regime might form for which the granular assembly moves as a rigid body.