We study segregation and coarsening dynamics of dry granular materials and slurries in tubes with circular and square cross sections. Space-time plots show key differences between the four cases, including band splitting and wave formation, depending upon the rotational speed. However, the fraction of the surface occupied by bands of small-rich particles is nearly constant in all experiments, leading to quasi-1D behavior, and the rate of coarsening, when it occurs, is logarithmic in all cases. Coarsening rates are very similar except in the case with the longest development time.

• Received 14 May 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.244301