Overshoot effect in the Janssen granular column:: A crucial test for granular mechanics -: art. no. 060302

We present experimental results on the mechanical behavior of static granular assemblies confined in a vertical column. Our measurements confirm the universal Janssen scaling for the stress saturation curve. We show consequently, in the context of isotropic elasticity, a relation between the Poisson ratio and the granular packing fraction. Moreover, using a systematic study of the overshoot effect created by a top mass equal to the saturation mass, we show behaviors that are reproduced qualitatively by isotropic elastic materials but of a spectacular amplitude in the case of a granular assembly. These experimental results are strong tests for any theory of granular matter.