A Multi-Scale Physical Model Of Granular Materials

Granular material s display a certain number of properties that have long been observed but only partially understood. Some resemble the properties of solids, some resemble properties of fluids and others are unique. The concept of "fourth state of matter" has been mentioned. This is perhaps precisely the reason why these materials are so fascinating and beautiful. Thus the aim of this work is both a better physical understanding of the causes of these phenomena in terms of the properties of individual grai ns, and the achievement of realisti c and beautiful animation sequences by the physical simulation of these grains . Multi-scale physical modeling of granular materials consists of elaborating several separate component physical models and coupling them in order to obtain the final dynamic animation sequence. Each component model is associated with a specific type of phenomenon (linear, non-linear, chaotic etc.) and above all, with a specific scale or discretization level in time, in space or in matter. This type of modeling enables us to obtain, in a quite reasonable time, a physically correct simulation even for small-scale dynamic phenomena.