TOPOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CONTACT NETWORK OF GRANULAR MATERIALS

Abstract

The force networks of different granular ensembles are defined and their topological properties studied using the tools of complex networks. In particular, for each set of grains compressed in a square box, a force threshold is introduced that determines which contacts conform network. Hence, the topological characteristics of the network are analyzed as a function parameter. The characterization of the structural features thus obtained, may be useful understanding of the macroscopic physical behavior exhibited by this class of media.