SHEAR-INDUCED CLUSTERING IN A SIMPLE DRIVEN DIFFUSIVE MODEL

We study a simple lattice model of shear-induced clustering in two dim ensions in which clusters of particles aggregate under an imposed shea r flow and fragment stochastically. Two non-equilibrium steady states are identified: an unjammed state and a jammed slate characterised by a system-spanning cluster. A discontinuous jamming transition with str ong hysteresis occurs as the shear rate is increased or fragmentation rate decreased. We study the kinetics of jamming and measure power law cluster size distributions. We also consider some general simulation issues including the role of Galilean invariance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.