The yielding of granular matter is marginally stable and critical

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Shang, Jin; Wang, Yinqiao; Pan, Deng; Jin, Yuliang; Zhang, Jie
• 署名单位: Shanghai Jiao Tong University; University of Tokyo; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Institute of Theoretical Physics, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-15360
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402843121
• 发表日期: 2024-08-13
• 关键词: nonlinear dynamics; shear bands; glass; deformation; TRANSITION

摘要

Amorphous materials undergo a transition from liquid-like to solid-like states through processes like rapid quenching or densification. Under external loads, they exhibit yielding, with minimal structural changes compared to crystals. However, these universal characteristics are rarely explored comprehensively in a single granular experiment due to the added complexity of inherent friction. The discernible differences between static configurations before and after yielding are largely unaddressed, and a comprehensive examination from both statistical physics and mechanical perspectives is lacking. To address these gaps, we conducted experiments using photoelastic disks, simultaneously tracking particles and measuring forces. Our findings reveal that the yielding transition demonstrates critical behavior from a statistical physics standpoint and marginal stability from a mechanical perspective, akin to the isotropic jamming transition. This criticality differs significantly from spinodal criticality in frictionless amorphous solids, highlighting unique characteristics of granular yielding. Furthermore, our analysis confirms the marginal stability of granular yielding by assessing the contact number and evaluating the balance between weak forces and small gaps. These factors serve as structural indicators for configurations before and after yielding. Our results not only contribute to advancing our understanding of the fundamental physics of granular materials but also bear significant implications for in various fields.