As a simplified way to study size segregation mechanisms, the rise of a single large sphere in a vibrated bed of smaller monodisperse spheres is investigated. The time it takes for the ball to rise from the bottom of the bed to the surface is measured in a very wide range of vibration amplitude, frequency and acceleration. Rise regimes are identified and are classified according to the macroscopic behaviors displayed by the granular bed: heaping, convection without heaping and crystallization. The influence of the large sphere\u27s size on the rise velocity is described. The scaling features of the vibration amplitude dimensioned by the diameter of the bed particles are presented.
A tracking technique has been used to follow the three-dimensional motion of the large sphere inside the bed. Trajectories corresponding to various vibrational states of the granular bed are described. Possible adaptations of the tracking technique are suggested
