Experimental Investigation of Mass-Shedding in Highly Concentrated Particle-Laden Thin Films

We investigate particle-laden thin films moving down a straight inclined surface. In highly concentrated flows, particles at the slurry front can transition from a fluid-like to a solid-like state, separating from the bulk fluid—a phenomenon we refer to as mass shedding. We conduct experiments using ceramic and glass particles of varying densities and sizes, mixed with silicone oil, across different inclination angles and volume fractions. Using the experimental data, we propose a statistical model to describe the mass-shedding process. Our findings have potential applications in modeling natural disasters with similar characteristics, such as mudslides and avalanches.