A minimal model for slow dynamics: Compaction of granular media under vibration or shear

Based on experiments of the compaction of granular materials under periodic shear of a packing of glass beads, a minimal model for the dynamics of the packing density as a function of time is proposed. First, a random “energy landscape” is created by a random walk (RW) in energy. Second, an ensemble of RWs is performed for various temperatures in different temperature-time sequences. We identify the minimum (mean) of the energy landscape with the maximum (random) density. The temperature scaled by the step-size of the energy landscape determines the dynamics of the system and can be regarded as the agitation or shear amplitude. The model reproduces qualitatively both tapping and shear experiments.