Computer simulations of the collapse of a granular column

Recently, two independent groups reported experimental results on the process of collapse of a cylindrical granular column. It was found that the shape of the final deposit depended mostly on column aspect ratio; surprisingly, the frictional properties of the material appeared not to influence the results significantly. In this investigation, making use of discrete element code, simulations of an equivalent two-dimensional system were carried out. The numerical results qualitatively reproduce the behavior observed in experiments. Performing an energy balance of the system, the different deposit regimes can be discerned.