Validation of the most probable disordered packings by the experiments on the loose and close states

Civil Engineering Department, National University of Saint Agustine of Arequipa, Peru

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Published online: 1 December 2025

Abstract

The theoretical and experimental determination of the loose and close states of grain assemblages is of great importance in the behaviour of granular materials. Obviously, the most appropriate basic model to achieve this objective is the disordered packing of spheres. In this work, it is analysed the conditions under which the theory of most probable disordered packings is compatible with the careful experiments carried out by various authors. For loose packings, the theoretical data are compared with the experiments on pouring balls into a container, and liquefaction and sedimentation in water, and very dense liquid as well. For close packing, the most probable volume fraction is validated with the experimental data obtained by compression and kneading in an elastic balloon, vertical tapping, vertical compression and horizontal shear vibration. For critical packing state, granular impact and pulling force method are considered. The fundamental conclusion of the study is that the fit of the theoretical and experimental values is very good.