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Collective alignment controls rotation frustration in granular flows of elongated particles

Antonio Pol1, Riccardo Artoni2, and Patrick Richard2

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Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064302 – Published 10 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/ckmc-x152

Abstract

Dense granular flows made of elongated particles exhibit a strong inhibition of particle rotation compared to spherical grains, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain unclear. Using three-dimensional discrete element simulations, we investigate the angular dynamics of elongated particles in dense, confined shear flows. We systematically vary particle aspect ratio, interparticle friction, and boundary conditions to elucidate their respective roles. We show that the reduction of the average angular velocity cannot be attributed to particle shape, friction, or solid fraction alone. Instead, it is controlled by the degree of collective alignment developed under shear, quantified by a nematic order parameter. Based on this observation, we propose a simple scaling law linking the average angular velocity to the local shear rate through a hampering parameter that depends solely on the orientational order via the nematic order parameter. This scaling successfully collapses data obtained for different particle properties (shape, friction), different flow patterns, and, remarkably, remains valid for two additional flow configurations.

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Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064302– Published 10 June, 2026
  • Received 13 February 2026
  • Accepted 7 May 2026
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