Reversing the Brazil nut effect.
We propose a lattice model for studying the Brazil Nut Effect (BNE), i.e. the phase segregation occurring when a granular material is vertically shaked. The model considers the tap intensity and the mobility mu of the grains as the main physical parameters. Different mobilities for different grain species lead to segregation (BNE) patterns, reverse segregation (RBNE) patterns, "sandwhich" layered structures or vertical domains. A phase diagram (decompaction chi, mobility difference between both species Delta mu) is obtained in which the different phases are emphasized. In a narrow region of the diagram, different phases coexist. It is shown that the BNE segregation could be reversed by increasing the tap intensity or the characteristics of the grains. Numerical results are compared with earlier experimental works.
Ludewig
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GRASP, Institut de Physique B5a, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium. f.ludewig@ulg.ac.be
Vandewalle
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