Oscillatory and accumulative motions of sand particles around a vertical pile subjected to lateral vibrations

We conducted a two-dimensional experiment to investigate sand particle motions around a laterally vibrated pile structure. By recording and processing data of sand particle motions using particle image velocimetry and Particle Tracking Velocimetry, we have revealed and explained the mechanism of oscillatory and accumulative motions of sand particles at two different time scales. Our findings suggest that the velocity magnitudes of sand accumulation motions, or convection, are minimal compared to the sand oscillatory motions.