THE STATISTICAL-MECHANICS OF GRANULAR SYSTEMS COMPOSED OF ELONGATED GRAINS

In this paper we will suggest a model for the packing properties and phase behaviour of a granular material whose constituents are elongated in nature, using the concepts of configurational statistical mechanics. We will show that, depending upon the shape of the grains, the system need not necessarily undergo a discontinuous first-order phase transition (even at miniumum close packing). We will also briefly discuss the relationship between this model and more conventional models, such as Onsager's hard rod model.