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 be tween two parallel plates, gravity flows down a rough inclined chute a nd 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 fl uctuation kinetic energy and the solid volume fraction profiles are ev aluated 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 o bserved. The study also shows that under certain conditions a plug flo w regime might form for which the granular assembly moves as a rigid b ody.