Convection cells in vibrating granular media

Abstract

We present molecular dynamics simulations of granular material submitted to vibrations in a two-dimensional system. We find various types of convection cells, due either to the existence of walls or to spatial modulations in the amplitude of the vibration. The direction of the motion relative to the walls depends on shear friction. We measure the strength of the convection velocity and find a characteristic resonance frequency as in experiments. We propose an explanation for the mechanisms that are at the origin of the different motions.