Stress fluctuations in monodisperse and bidisperse rapid granular shear flows

Local stress fluctuations are measured in annular rapid shear flows of granular medium made of steel spheres with 2 and 3 mm in diameter. Both monodisperse packing and bidisperse packing are investigated to reveal the influence of size diversity on intermittent features of granular materials. Experiments are conducted in an annulus that can contain up to 15 kg of the spherical steel balls. Shearing of granular medium takes place via the rotation of the upper plate which compresses the material loaded inside the annulus. Fluctuations of compressive force are locally measured at the bottom of the annulus based on piezoelectric phenomenon. Rapid shear flow experiments are pursued at different compressive forces and shear rates and the sensitivity of fluctuations is then investigated by different means through monodisperse and bidisperse packings.