Distinguishing strength from stability in a jammed granular column with interstitial fluid

A wide variety of data exists to describe structures composed of granular materials of different particle sizes and shapes for a variety of fluid saturations. These assays can be used to describe on a case by case basis the physical characteristics, such as s-wave and p-wave velocities that are dominated by either the granular structure or the interstitial fluid matrix. What is lacking is a more universal description of the granular+fluid system that can predict global characteristics such as strength and stability. We present a low-dimensional 'phase space' energy model that outlines contributions to relative strength and stability of a jammed system from both granular structure and interstitial fluids as determined by experimental parameters. While the model does not include higher order effects (spatial or temporal dependence of the parameters), it nonetheless demonstrates the overall role that granular temperature plays in both the relative strength and stability of the system in a manner that allows these two characteristics to be distinguished.