  We use numerical simulations to demonstrate a local rheology for sheared,
vibrated granular flows. We consider a granular assembly that is subjected to
simple shear and harmonic vibration at the boundary. This configuration allows
us to isolate the effects of vibration, as parameterized by granular
temperature. We find that friction is reduced due to local velocity
fluctuations of grains. All data obey a local rheology that relates the
material friction coefficient, the granular temperature, and the dimensionless
shear rate. We also observe that reduction in material friction due to granular
temperature is associated with reduction in fabric anisotropy. We demonstrate
that the temperature can be modeled by a heat equation with dissipation with
appropriate boundary conditions, which provides complete closure of the system
and allows a fully local continuum description of sheared, vibrated granular
flows. This success suggests local rheology based on temperature, as suggested
previously, combined with the new, empirical heat diffusion equation may
provide a general strategy for dense granular flows.
