Experimental Study of Granular Clogging in Two-Dimensional Hopper

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the clogging process of granular materials in a two-dimensional hopper, and present a self-consistent physical mechanism of clogging based on preformed dynamic chain structures in the flow. We found that these chain structures follow a specific modified restricted random walk, and clogging occurs when they are mechanically stable enough to withstand the flow fluctuations, resulting in the formation of an arch at the outlet. We introduce a simple model which can explain the clogging probability by incorporating an analytical expression for chain formation and its transition into an arch. Our results provide insight into the microscopic mechanism of clogging in hopper flow.