DYNAMICS OF GRANULAR MATTER

Granular matter is a typical example of a new topic in statistical (ph enomenology) mechanics. Reconsidering granular matter from the physica l point of view, several new aspects have been clarified, although gra nular matter has been studied by engineers for a long (period of) time . This review examines three topics: (1) pattern dynamics of sand ripp les and dunes, (2) mathematical structure of a fluidized bed, and (3) convection and turbulence in a Librating bed. investigating these topi cs, it is found that the dynamics of granular matter exhibits many typ ical nonlinear phenomena, for example, formations of pattern. localize d states. and turbulence.