Jamming, Force Chains, and Fragile Matter

M. E. Cates; J. P. Wittmer; J.-P. Bouchaud; P. Claudin

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1841

Jamming, Force Chains, and Fragile Matter

M. E. Cates, J. P. Wittmer, J.-P. Bouchaud, and P. Claudin

Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1841 – Published 31 August 1998

Abstract

We consider materials whose mechanical integrity is the result of a jamming process. We argue that such media are generically “fragile,” unable to support certain types of incremental loading without plastic rearrangement. Fragility is linked to the marginal stability of force chain networks within the material. It can lead to novel mechanical responses that may be relevant to (a) jammed colloids and (b) poured sand. The crossover from fragile to elastoplastic behavior is explored.

Received 18 March 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1841

Authors & Affiliations

M. E. Cates¹, J. P. Wittmer¹, J.-P. Bouchaud², and P. Claudin²

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, JCMB King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, United Kingdom
²Service de Physique de l'Etat Condensé, CEA, Ormes des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France