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The granular dynamic and flow regime transition of wet granular materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2025

Guowei Dai Open the ORCID record for Guowei Dai [Opens in a new window] ,
Aibing Zhang ,
Yuxiang Hu ,
Wuwei Mao ,
Yu Huang ,
Yunsong Hua ,
Hui Yang ,
Jie Zhang Open the ORCID record for Jie Zhang [Opens in a new window]  and
Hu Zheng Open the ORCID record for Hu Zheng [Opens in a new window]
Guowei Dai
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Aibing Zhang
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Yuxiang Hu
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Wuwei Mao
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China Key Laboratory of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Yu Huang
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China Key Laboratory of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
Yunsong Hua
Affiliation:
School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
Hui Yang
Affiliation:
School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
Jie Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, PR China Institute of Natural Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
Hu Zheng*
Affiliation:
Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China Key Laboratory of Geotechnical and Underground Engineering of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
*
Corresponding author: Hu Zheng, zhenghu@tongji.edu.cn
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Abstract

Understanding the flow behaviour of wet granular materials is essential for comprehending the dynamics of numerous geological and physical phenomena, but remains a significant challenge, especially the transition of these flow regimes. In this study, we perform a series of rotating drum experiments to systematically investigate the dynamic observables and flow regimes of wet mono-dispersed particles. Two typical continuous flows including rolling and cascading regimes are identified and analysed, concentrating on the impact of fluid density and rotation speed. The probability density functions of surface angles, $\theta _{\textit{top}}$ and $\theta _{\textit{lo}w\textit{er}}$, reveal distinct patterns for these two flow regimes. A morphological parameter thus proposed, termed angle divergence, is used to characterise the rolling–cascading regime transition quantitatively. By integrating quantitative observables, we construct the flow phase diagram and flow curve to delineate the transition rules governing these regimes. Notably, the resulting nonlinear phase boundary demonstrates that higher fluid densities significantly enhance the likelihood of the system transitioning into the cascading regime. This finding is further supported by corresponding variations in flow fluctuations. Our results provide new insights into the fundamental dynamics of wet granular matter, offering valuable implications for understanding the complex rheology of underwater landslides and related phenomena.

JFM classification

Granular media: Granular media Granular media: Wet granular material Geophysical and Geological Flows: Rotating flows

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Type
JFM Papers
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Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1022 , 10 November 2025 , A26
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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