Abstract
In granular physics, numerical simulations are often used to better explain the link between microscopic interaction mechanisms (e.g. contact forces between beads) and macroscopic laws (e.g. the maximum load at the bottom of a silo). Here we study the mechanical properties of a pile such that all the grains are in a static equilibrium. This paper presents a multi-agent approach that solves this problem. The main idea of this algorithm is to consider a grain as a reactive agent which goal is to reach its own static equilibrium. This algorithm can compute piles in practice in a complexity that is linear with respect to the number of grains. The performance of our algorithm has paved the way for the development of GranuLab, a virtual laboratory for scientific experiments in the domain of granular physics. We present both the algorithm and our validation processes.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Collinot, A., Drogoul, A.: La Méthode de Conception Multi-Agent Cassiopée: Application à la Robotique Collective. Rapport LAFORIA n° 96/25, 1996, LIP6.
Drogoul, A., Dubreuil, C.: A Distributed Approach to N-Puzzle Solving. Distributed Artificial Intelligence Workshop, 1993, USA.
Duran, J.: Sables, Poudres et Grains: Introduction à la Physique des Milieux Granulaires. Eyrolles, 1997.
Eloy, C., Clément, E.: Stochastic Aspect of the Force Network in a Regular Granular Piling. J. de Phys. I, 7,1541, 1997, France.
Ferber, J., Drogoul, A.: Using Reactive Multi-Agent Systems in Simulation and Problem Solving. Distributed Artificial Intelligence: Theory and Praxis, 1992, p. 53–80, N. M. Avouris and L. Gasser, Bruxelles et Luxembourg, ECSC-EEC-EAEC.
Fron, A.: Programmation par Contraintes. Addison-Wesley, 1994, France.
Kolb, E., Mazozi, T., Clément, E., Duran, J.: Force Fluctuations in a Vertically Pushed Granular Layer. Eur. Phys. J. B, 8, 483, 1999.
Liu, C.-H. et al.: Force Fluctuations in a Bead Pack. Science 269, 1995, p 513.
Miller, B., O.Hern, C., Behringer, R.P.: Stress Fluctuations for Continuously Sheared Granular Materials. Phys. Rev. Lett 77, 1996, p. 3110.
Ngadi, A., Rajchenbach, J.: Intermitency in the Compression Process of a Granular Medium. Phys. Rev. Lett., 80, 1998, p. 273–276.
Ouagenouni, S., Roux, J.-N.: Force Distribution in a Frictionless Granular Pile at the Rigidity Threshold. Europhys. Lett., 39, 1997, p. 117.
Radjai, F. et al.: Force Distribution in a Two Dimensional Granular System. Phys. Rev. Lett., 77, 1996, p. 274.
Servat, D., Perrier, E., Treuil, J.-P., Drogoul, A.: Towards Virtual Experiments Laboratories: How Multi-Agent Simulations Can Cope with Multiple Scales of Analysis and Viewpoints. Virtual Worlds’98, 1998.
Shrager, J., Langley, P.: Computational Approaches to Scientific Discovery. Computational Models of Scientific Discovery and Theory Formation, 1990, Shrager J. & Langley P. (Eds), Morgan Kaufmann.
Travers, T., Bideau, D., Gervois, A., Messager, J.C., J. Phys. A, 19,L1033, 1986.
Treuil, J.-P., Perrier, E., Cambier, C.: Directions pour une Approche Multi-Agent de la Simulation de Processus Physiques Spatialisés. JFIADSMA’97, 1997, p. 211–228.
Valdes-Perez, R.E.: Conjecturing Hidden Entities by Means of Simplicity and Conservation Laws: Machine Discovery in Chemistry. Artificial Intelligence, 65, 1994, p. 247–280.
Valdes-Perez, R.E.: Principles of Human Computer Collaboration for Knowledge Discovery in Science. Artificial Intelligence, 107(2), 1999, p. 335–346.
Vanel, L., Clément, E.: Pressure Screening and Fluctuations at the Bottom of a Granular Column. Eur. Phys. J. B, 1999, 8, 483.
Vanel, L., Howell, D., Clark, J., Behringer, R.P., Clément, E.: Effects of the Construction History on the Stress Distribution under a Sand-Pile. submitted, 1999.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Breton, L., Jean-Daniel, Z., Clément, E. (2000). A Multi-Agent Based Simulation of Sand Piles in a Static Equilibrium. In: Moss, S., Davidsson, P. (eds) Multi-Agent-Based Simulation. MABS 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 1979. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44561-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44561-7_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-41522-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-44561-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive