Hydrodynamic Theory of Granular Solids: Permanent, Transient and Granular Elasticity

Although fully elastic when static, granular media become transiently elastic when being slowly sheared – during which both the elastic energy and stress relax. Starting from this observation, we cogently derive the framework for granular hydrodynamics, a set of differential equations consistent with general principles of physics, especially reversible and irreversible thermodynamics. In addition, an expression for the granular elastic energy is reviewed and further discussed.