In this letter, we address the relationship between the statistical fluctuations of grain displacements for a full quasistatic plane shear experiment, and the corresponding anomalous diffusion exponent, α. We experimentally validate a particular case of the so-called Tsallis-Bukman scaling law, α = 2/(3 − q), where q is obtained by fitting the probability density function (PDF) of the measured fluctuations with a q-Gaussian distribution, and the diffusion exponent is measured independently during the experiment. Applying an original technique, we are able to evince a transition from an anomalous diffusion regime to a Brownian behavior as a function of the length of the strain-window used to calculate the displacements of grains in experiments. The outstanding conformity of fitting curves to a massive amount of experimental data shows a clear broadening of the fluctuation PDFs as the length of the strain-window decreases, and an increment in the value of the diffusion exponent -anomalous diffusion. Regardless of the size of the strain-window considered in the measurements, we show that the Tsallis-Bukman scaling law remains valid, which is the first experimental verification of this relationship for a classical system at different diffusion regimes. We also note that the spatial correlations show marked similarities to the turbulence in fluids, a promising indication that this type of analysis can be used to explore the origins of the macroscopic friction in confined granular materials. Turbulence is one of the most complex, but ubiquitous, phenomena observed in Nature and it is related with the underlying mechanisms responsible for the micro-macro upscale causing wide-ranging effects on classical systems, like macroscopic friction in granular solids or turbulent flow regime in fluids [1][2][3][4]. The presence of multiple scales in time and space is an additional defy to a comprehensive theoretical description, and a particular effort is made in the literature to perform experiments and simulations in order to validate the proposed theoretical descriptions, particularly Tsallis nonextensive (NE) statistical mechanics [5][6][7][8].A paradigmatic work relating anomalous diffusion and turbulent-like behavior in confined granular media was presented by Radjai and Roux [4], using numerical simulations, and confirmed qualitatively by experiments by Combe and collaborators [7,8]. Radjai and Roux coined a new expression to characterize the analogies between fluctuations of particle velocities in quasistatic granular flows and the velocity fields observed in turbulent fluid flow in high Reynolds number regime, the "granulence". Most of the evidences of the granulence are based in simulations using discrete element method (DEM) but, unfortunately, one can verify a lack of quantitative experimental verification in the last years, limiting the knowledge of the micromechanics of this system based almost exclusively on numerical evidences.In the present work, we aim exactly to fill this gap by contributing with the experiment...

We focus herein on the mechanical behavior of highly crushable grains. The object of our interest, named shell, is a hollow cylinder grain with ring cross-section, made of baked clay. The objective is to model the fragmentation of such shells, by means of discrete element (DE) approach. To this end, fracture modes I (opening fracture) and II (in-plane shear fracture) have to be investigated experimentally. This paper is essentially dedicated to mode I fracture. Therefore, a campaign of Brazilian-like compression tests, that result in crack opening, has been performed. The distribution of the occurrence of tensile strength is shown to obey a Weibull distribution for the studied shells, and Weibull's modulus was quantified. Finally, an estimate of the numerical/physical parameters required in a DE model (local strength), is proposed on the basis of the energy required to fracture through a given surface in mode I or II.

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This paper summarises the numerical and experimental studies of brittle, hollow, cylindrical particles, called shells. It addresses the influence of shell properties both at the particle and assembly scales. Extreme compressibility has been recorded in the oedometer tests. Due to the large internal porosity of the shell, the breakage phenomena lead to highly compressive deformations with a significant stress dissipation. Using the Discrete Element Method (DEM), we have investigated in depth the micro-mechanical phenomena governing this macroscopic response. By quantifying the breakage and separating the double-porosity of the material, the foundations of a future constitutive model have been established throughout a simple prediction model applicable to the engineering practice.

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This paper is devoted to the micro-mechanical origins of the high compressibility of brittle tubular particle assemblies. The material is extremely porous due to the presence of a large hole within the tube-shaped particle. The release of the inner void, protected by a fragile shell, gives the material a very strong ability to compress. The compressive response is investigated by means of the Discrete Element Method, DEM, using crushable-elements. To address the complexity of the model, a step-by-step break-down is developed.The paper comprises the comparison of the numerical results with both results obtained by the authors and existing experiments. With the insights provided by the DEM, we have sought to better understand the phenomena that originate at the grain scale, and that govern macroscopic behaviour. Grain breakage was proven to control the compressive behaviour, and thus, the importance of internal pores dominates the inter-particle voids. Then, a novel concept of compressibility analysis has been proposed using the separation of the double porosity and the quantification of the pore collapse through primary grain breakage. Finally, a general, geometrical development of a semi-analytical model has been proposed aiming the prediction of the evolution of double porosity vs axial strain.