Gas-solid fluidized beds are widely used for their excellent characteristics of heat and mass transfer. An active pulsating air flow is introduced into a dense gas-solid fluidized bed, forming a dense gas-vibro fluidized bed (DGVFB), to modify the fluidization quality. Interaction between the bubbles and particles in the DGVFB was investigated based on the results of numerical simulations and experiments. Micro bubbles in the DGVFB were regarded as springs, and therefore, the interaction between the bubbles and particles was considered to be equivalent to a linear vibration system with n degrees of freedom. A dynamic model for the vibration system was developed, and modal analysis was conducted. Results of this theoretical analysis showed that the dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations in the DGVFB was equal to the frequency of active pulsating air flow. The dynamic model described the interaction between the bubbles and particles effectively in the DGVFB at low gas pulsating frequency, and shallow fluidized beds. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.