Rearrangements in a two-dimensional packing of disks

Several aspects of the dynamics of a granular two-dimensional (2D) packing of disks slowly tilted until the system loses stability and an avalanche takes place are discussed. The evolution of the system, constructed with monodisperse disks placed on a thin cell, is studied by image analysis. As in the 3D case (packing of spheres), the system undergoes several rearrangements of different magnitude before the avalanche takes place. For thick systems, not only are small rearrangements detected but also displacements of large clusters of disks are observed in the bulk and on the free surface of the packing. In particular, characteristic angles and the avalanche mass were determined for samples of different heights. On thick systems, velocity fields of large rearrangements are presented and changes in the internal structure of the packing produced by these rearrangements are analyzed. It is found that the main effects of rearrangements is to increase the disorder of the system. Also, as the disorder of the system increases its stability threshold decreases.