A force model for dense granular flows and particle segregation

Abstract: Dense granular flows are a common occurrence throughout nature and industry, but still exhibit phenomena that are not fully understood. One of these phenomena is the segregation of particles that constitute a dense granular flow, where particles separate due to differences in properties such as size and density. This work approaches segregation from a new perspective by developing a force model for a single particle based on the observation that there are two opposing drag forces acting on the particle. Validation of the model in mono-disperse flows reveals a family of velocity profiles, including a Bagnold profile. Further validation is done by comparing with known particle scaling laws in literature. The force model shows that the mechanism of segregation is always present in dense granular flows and that mono-disperse flows are a unique case where it is not distinctly visible. The insights in this paper prove a fundamental new way of thinking about dense granular flows and its individual particles, opening the field for new research directions.