Unsteady granular chute flows at high inertial numbers

Abstract: We study the time-dependent flow behavior of gravity-driven free surface granular flows using the discrete element method and continuum modeling. Discrete element method (DEM) simulations of slightly polydisperse disks flowing over a periodic chute with a bumpy base are performed. A simple numerical solution based on a continuum approach with the inertial number based $\mu-I$ rheology has been proposed to predict the flow dynamics. The results of the continuum model are compared with the DEM simulation results for a wide range of chute inclinations. Solutions for the constitutive model described by the popular JFP model as well as the recently proposed modified rheological model using a non-monotonic variation of $\mu-I$ are obtained. Our results demonstrate that the popular JFP model reliably predicts the flow at low to moderate inclination angles (i.e. for $I \lesssim 0.5$). However, it fails to predict the flow properties at high inclinations. The modified rheological model, on the other hand, is very well able to predict the time-averaged flow properties for all the inclination angles considered in this study. Accounting for the presence of the slip velocity, layer dilation, and stress anisotropy are found to be crucial for accurate predictions of transient flows at high inertial numbers (i.e. for $I > 1$).