Year: 2000
Type: article
Abstract: 3D computer simulations and experiments are employed to study random packings of compressible spherical grains under external confining stress. In the rigid ball limit, we find a continuous transition in which the stress vanishes as $(\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{c}{)}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ is the (solid phase) volume density. The value of ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{c}$ depends on whether the grains interact via only normal forces (giving rise to random close packings) or by a combination of normal and friction generated transverse forces (producing random loose packings). In both cases, near the transition, the system's response is controlled by localized force chains.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2090216453