Jamming, Force Chains and Fragile Matter

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of fragility in jammed materials, linking their mechanical stability to force chain networks and examining the transition from fragile to elastoplastic behavior.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that jammed materials are inherently fragile due to marginal stability of force chains, providing a new perspective on their mechanical response.

Findings

Jammed materials are generally fragile and cannot support certain loads without rearrangement.

Fragility is associated with the marginal stability of force chain networks.

The transition from fragile to elastoplastic behavior is characterized and analyzed.

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. Such ideas may be relevant to jammed colloids and poured sand. The crossover from fragile (when particles are rigid) to elastoplastic behavior is explored.