1999/04/13 by N. Vandewalle, Nicolas Vandewalle, Vandewalle, N. +3
Engineering · Environmental Science · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes #Landslides and related hazards #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft) #Soil and Unsaturated Flow #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/9904180
20 pages, including 6 figures in ps format
arxiv created 1999/04/13 · openalex publication_date 1999/04/13 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Sandpiles have become paradigmatic systems for granular flow studies in statistical physics. New directions of investigations are discussed here. Rather than varying the nature of the pile (sand, salt, rice,..) we have investigated changes in the boundary conditions. We have investigated experimentally and numerically sandpile structures on bases having a fractal perimeter. This type of perimeter induces the formation of a quite complex set of ridges and valleys. A screening effect of the valleys is observed and depends on the angle of repose. Binary granular systems have also been investigated on such bases: a spectacular demixing is obtained along the valleys. This type of phase segregation is discussed with respect to numerical studies.