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Rupture dynamics of dense granular films: From liquidlike bursting to solidlike fracturing
Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 094301 – Published 8 September, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/c9bz-d2yg
Abstract
We investigate the bursting dynamics of dense granular films punctured at imposed controlled liquid pressure. Using high-speed imaging, we reveal a two-stage opening process. At early times, the hole expands in a liquidlike manner with a nearly circular shape and a constant velocity, though significantly lower than the Taylor-Culick speed. This velocity is modeled by a balance between surface tension and effective surface viscosity, which depends on particle size and liquid depression. We show that as liquid pressure decreases, the initial opening slows down progressively until it ultimately reaches a jamming state. As the opening progresses, the film undergoes a transition to a solidlike regime, where faceting occurs due to fracture propagation within the granular skeleton. We show that the characteristic fracture size follows a scaling, consistent with a balance between surface energy release and viscous dissipation induced by liquid redistribution within the 2D granular network. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanics of granular films and their transition between fluidlike and solidlike behaviors.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
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