Entropy and temperature of a static granular assembly: an ab initio approach.
We construct a statistical framework for static assemblies of deformable grains which parallels that of equilibrium statistical mechanics but with a conservation principle based on the mechanical stress tensor. We define a state function that has all the attributes of entropy. In particular, maximizing this function leads to a well-defined granular temperature and the equivalent of the Boltzman distribution for ensembles of grain packings. Predictions of the ensemble are verified against simulated packings of frictionless, deformable disks.
Martin Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9110, USA.
Silke
S
Henkes
Corey S
CS
O'Hern
Bulbul
B
Chakraborty