"MIT Engineers Uncover Landslide and Earthquake Mechanisms with Experimental Technique"

MIT engineers have developed a new experimental technique that allows for detailed 3D experiments to probe the mechanisms of landslides and earthquakes by revealing how forces are transmitted through granular materials and how the shapes of the grains can dramatically change the outcomes. The method involves using photoelastic particles and computed tomography to visualize the internal stresses in a granular material as loads are applied, providing insights into the strength and stability of different grain types. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of landslides, improved control of granular materials in industrial processes, and potential applications in various fields, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.