The aim of the research is to accurately capture the rheological response of granular flows composed of

complex grain shapes. The investigations are part of a European collaborative effort (MC ETN Network).

The PhD student will design and build model experimental (imaging/rheological) set-ups, and perform

experiments to produce accurate experimental data. This is then going to be accurately matched with

numerical models under development and will help to calibrate the numerical code. Tasks: (1) To

execute non-spherical grain flow experiments in hoppers, chutes and sheared assemblies on anisotropic

grains. (2) To develop calibration procedures/multiple setups, preferable realizing greatly different

dimensionless numbers to probe relevant regimes. (3) To perform 3D particle tracking using MRI/X-ray

tomography (secondment at Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg). (4) Compare experimental data

with numerical simulations (secondment at University of Navarra, Pamplona).