Granular segregation studies for the development of a radar-based three-dimensional sensing system

bstract The behavior of dense granular materials is difficult to measure in three-dimensions due to the opacity of the materials. We present a new radar-based sensing system that has the capability of measuring three-dimensional particle movement throughout the bulk of high solids fraction granular systems. A key component of the new system involves retroreflectors imbedded in objects resembling the particles in the bulk granular systems. These embedded retroreflectors may be used as tracers in systems comprised of relatively large particles. However, in systems of smaller particles the most versatile use of this new sensing system requires an understanding of the details of relative particle movement based on particle size and other particle properties. Towards this, we present new ongoing experimental and computational results toward building a versatile sensing system for high solids fraction granular systems. We then comment on additional research needed on the behavior of the components in granular mixtures for a fully versatile sensing system.