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.
Henkes
Silke
S
Martin Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9110, USA.
O'Hern
Corey S
CS
Chakraborty
Bulbul
B