Large scale sand simulation (Dune Sandworm effect), how to achieve?

[mois23]

 

I would like to open a discussion about the effect obtained in the 2021 movie Dune, when the sandworm sails in the desert. I have read some articles online explaining that DNEG has created an internal tool written from scratch.

From a less professional point of view, how would you approach this effect? In your opinion, is it possible to obtain a similar effect by playing with the FLIP solver? Or is it necessary to proceed with pop grain or vellum grain

After all, on a large scale, sand can behave like a fluid when the cohesive forces are broken by the passage of a collider. In geotechnics it is defined as liquefaction, that is when the effective stresses cancel out due to shear vibrations. Can the same argument be applied in a general way to a FLIP solver?

I would like to hear your opinions.

 

Edited August 16 by mois23