An assembly of solid objects of typical size, a fraction of a millimeter is not sensitive to thermal agitation. Indeed, these elements are too massive to be moved by the molecular chaos. However, such a stack is likely to reorganize under the influence of ambient temperature variations. The latter lead to changes in length relatively small (coefficient of expansion typical of order 10-5 K-1), but, due to the rigidity of these materials (Young's modulus of about 1011Pa) deformations associated are sufficient to create stresses capable of moving grain irreversibly.We study experimentally the compaction of a column of glass beads subjected to temperature cycles. The temperature variations imposed by a stretched wire placed at the center of the column supplied by a high frequency sinusoidal current minimize the effects of expansion of the container. The dynamic of the system is studied for different heating and mechanical conditions.Moreover, from a theoretical point of view, we consider the effects of temperature variations on a discrete model system, sliders connected by springs in frictional contact with an inclined plane. We study the influence of the inclination angle and the characteristics of temperature variations on the creep of the system. We observe that close to a critical amplitude, between motion and rest, the system exhibits an intermittent dynamic.
