Statistical Mechanics of Granular Systems

Abstract

This work is a review that deals with the possibility of application of statistical mechanics into granular systems. Some modifications of statistical mechanics concepts are introduced in order to apply statistical methods to these systems. The quadron method is proposed to determine correctly the degrees of freedom of granular systems. The total partition function is computed, and it is shown that it gives rise to an equipartition principle for granular systems. In section IV, the failure in the description of granular matter with the volume function, and a reformulation aimed at overcoming such problems is proposed. Section V discuss the possibility of using the above result in the Jamming transition problem. Finally, a personal perspective is given on this topic.