Shear banding as a dissipative structure from a thermodynamic viewpoint

Granular materials are now known to be an illustration of complex as they display emergent macroscopic properties when loaded. An initially homogenous response can bifurcate into a heterogeneous one with the appearance rich variety structured kinematical patterns. The shear banding that ensues illustrates symmetry-breaking transition multiple choices behaviours, common feature dynamical systems. Even though phenomenon has been studied for decades, this regime remains mostly mysterious in geomaterials, no convincing arguments could link it underlying microscopic mechanisms. paper investigates issue by invoking fundamental minimum entropy production theorem established Prigogine past century seek any connection second-order work theory mechanics failure. A general equation linking derivatives mechanical system is thus inferred, which leads thermodynamic interpretation bifurcations failure behaviour granular under given loading. This verified through discrete element simulations highlight role played elastic energy stored within material before bifurcation occurs, also corresponds minimization production. analysis suggests new intriguing emergence ordered dissipative structures germane nonequilibrium thermodynamics open