Inner structures of rapid free-surface granular avalanche over a small bump obstacle: Expansion fan, oblique shock wave, and contact anisotropy

Abstract

This study investigates the inner flow characteristics of a rapid granular avalanche passing over a small bump obstacle fixed on an inclined chute using the discrete element method. Both the cross-sectional mean flow properties, such as free-surface height, mean flow velocity, and mean stresses, and the inner local flow properties, including granular temperature, coordination number, pressure, contact force orientation, and granular fabrics, were comprehensively investigated. Upstream of the obstacle, a wide compression region where mean stresses strengthen and exhibit anisotropy was observed. Employing the kinetic theory of granular gas, we revealed a smooth supersonic-to-subsonic transition near the obstacle, a phenomenon distinct from typical gas dynamics. These upstream flow phenomena are attributed to the generation of stream-wise-oriented contact force chains as the flow impacts the obstacle. Downstream of the obstacle, a complex non-monotonic expansion–compression–expansion process was observed. We demonstrated that this non-monotonic flow process reflects an inner gasdynamic-like phenomenon characterized by an expansion fan followed by an oblique shock wave. Moreover, the force chains and the inner shock structure were found to significantly influence the evolution of stream-wise velocity profiles. These findings underscore the significance of inner flow structures in shaping the dynamics of granular avalanche flow interacting with obstacles.