Discrete mechanics of sediment transport

Usually a granular medium is being represented by a continuous approximation in which the degrees of freedom of individual grains are averaged away in favor of a partial differential equation (PDE). To do this we need a constitutive equation. This paper describes an impact process which is slove sensitive, since unit surface elements oriented into the wind receive more impact per unit time than surface elements oriented downwind. Although the systems simulated in the paper are small compared to the expanse of a sand dune surface, the stratigraphic patterns generated in each small sample are diagnostic of mechanical conditions (wind velocity etc.) prevailing at deposition, and therefore may serve as indicators of

Duke Scholars

Author Peter K. Haff Earth and Climate Sciences