Self-similar grain size distribution in three dimensions: A stochastic treatment

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 1037-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.S. Pande ◽  
G.B. McFadden
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Self Similar

scholarly journals A laboratory study of sediment deformation: stress heterogeneity and grain-size evolution

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 167-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal R. Iverson ◽  
Thomas S. Hooyer ◽  
Roger Leb. Hooke
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Large Strains ◽  
Self Similar ◽  
Deformation Stress ◽  
Stress Heterogeneity

In shearing sediment beneath glaciers, networks of grains may transiently support shear and normal stresses that are larger than spatial averages. Consistent with studies of fault-gouge genesis, we hypothesize that crushing of grains in such networks is responsible for surrounding larger grains with smaller grains. At sufficiently large strains, this should minimize stress heterogeneity, favor intergranular sliding and abrasion rather than crushing, and result in a self-similar grain-size distribution.This hypothesis is tested with a ring-shear device that slowly shears a large annular sediment sample to high strains. Shearing and comminution of weak equigranular (2.0–3.3 mm) sediment resulted in a self-similar grain-size distribution with a fractal dimension that increased with shear strain toward a steady value of 2.85. This value is significantly larger than that of gouges produced purely by crushing, 2.6, but it is comparable to values for tilts thought to be deforming beneath modern glaciers, 2.8 to nearly 3.0. At low strains, under a steady mean normal stress of 84 kPa, variations in normal stress measured locally ranged in amplitude from 50 to 300 kPa with wavelengths that were 100 times larger than the initial grain diameter. Crushing of grains, observed through the transparent walls of the device, apparently caused the failure of grain networks. At shearing displacements ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 m, the amplitude of local stress fluctuations decreased abruptly. This change is attributed to fine sediment that distributed stresses more uniformly and caused grain networks to fail primarily by intergranular sliding rather than by crushing of grains. Sliding between grains apparently produced silt by abrasion and resulted in a fractal dimension that was higher than if there had been only crushing.A size distribution with a fractal dimension greater than 2.6 is probably a necessary but not sufficient condition for determining whether a basal till has been highly deformed. Stress heterogeneity in subglacial sediment that is shearing through its full thickness should contribute to the erosion of underlying rock.

Topology Based Growth Law and New Analytical Grain Size Distribution Function of 3D Grain Growth

2007 ◽  
Vol 558-559 ◽  
pp. 1183-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Streitenberger ◽  
Dana Zöllner
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Distribution Function ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Growth ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Size Distribution Function ◽  
Change Rate ◽  
Grain Sizes ◽  
Self Similar

Based on topological considerations and results of Monte Carlo Potts model simulations of three-dimensional normal grain growth it is shown that, contrary to Hillert’s assumption, the average self-similar volume change rate is a non-linear function of the relative grain size, which in the range of observed grain sizes can be approximated by a quadratic polynomial. In particular, based on an adequate modification of the effective growth law, a new analytical grain size distribution function is derived, which yields an excellent representation of the simulated grain size distribution.

Computer Simulations and Statistical Theory of Normal Grain Growth in Two and Three Dimensions

2004 ◽  
Vol 467-470 ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Zöllner ◽  
Peter Streitenberger
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Grain Size ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Growth ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Mean Field Theory ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Monte Carlo Algorithm ◽  
Geometric Properties

A modified Monte Carlo algorithm for single-phase normal grain growth is presented, which allows one to simulate the time development of the microstructure of very large grain ensembles in two and three dimensions. The emphasis of the present work lies on the investigation of the interrelation between the local geometric properties of the grain network and the grain size distribution in the quasi-stationary self-similar growth regime. It is found that the topological size correlations between neighbouring grains and the resulting average statistical growth law both in two and three dimensions deviate strongly from the assumptions underlying the classical Lifshitz- Sloyzov-Hillert theory. The average local geometric properties of the simulated grain structures are used in a statistical mean-field theory to calculate the grain size distribution functions analytically. By comparison of the theoretical results with the simulated grain size distributions it is shown how far normal grain growth in two and three dimensions can successfully be described by a mean-field theory and how stochastic fluctuations in the average growth law must be taken into account.

scholarly journals A laboratory study of sediment deformation: stress heterogeneity and grain-size evolution

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 167-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal R. Iverson ◽  
Thomas S. Hooyer ◽  
Roger Leb. Hooke
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Grain Size Distribution ◽  
Local Stress ◽  
Large Strains ◽  
Self Similar ◽  
Deformation Stress ◽  
Stress Heterogeneity

In shearing sediment beneath glaciers, networks of grains may transiently support shear and normal stresses that are larger than spatial averages. Consistent with studies of fault-gouge genesis, we hypothesize that crushing of grains in such networks is responsible for surrounding larger grains with smaller grains. At sufficiently large strains, this should minimize stress heterogeneity, favor intergranular sliding and abrasion rather than crushing, and result in a self-similar grain-size distribution.This hypothesis is tested with a ring-shear device that slowly shears a large annular sediment sample to high strains. Shearing and comminution of weak equigranular (2.0–3.3 mm) sediment resulted in a self-similar grain-size distribution with a fractal dimension that increased with shear strain toward a steady value of 2.85. This value is significantly larger than that of gouges produced purely by crushing, 2.6, but it is comparable to values for tilts thought to be deforming beneath modern glaciers, 2.8 to nearly 3.0. At low strains, under a steady mean normal stress of 84 kPa, variations in normal stress measured locally ranged in amplitude from 50 to 300 kPa with wavelengths that were 100 times larger than the initial grain diameter. Crushing of grains, observed through the transparent walls of the device, apparently caused the failure of grain networks. At shearing displacements ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 m, the amplitude of local stress fluctuations decreased abruptly. This change is attributed to fine sediment that distributed stresses more uniformly and caused grain networks to fail primarily by intergranular sliding rather than by crushing of grains. Sliding between grains apparently produced silt by abrasion and resulted in a fractal dimension that was higher than if there had been only crushing.A size distribution with a fractal dimension greater than 2.6 is probably a necessary but not sufficient condition for determining whether a basal till has been highly deformed. Stress heterogeneity in subglacial sediment that is shearing through its full thickness should contribute to the erosion of underlying rock.

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