Lesson plan
Force chain
In the study of the physics of granular materials, a force chain consists of a set of particles within a compressed granular material that are held together and jammed into place by a network of mutual compressive forces. Between these chains are regions of low stress whose grains are shielded for the effects of the grains above by vaulting and arching. A set of interconnected force chains is known as a force network. Force networks visualise inter-particle forces, which is particularly informative for spherical particle systems. For non-spherical particle systems force chain networks benefit from being supplemented by traction chain networks. Traction chains visualise inter-particle tractions, which give additional insight in inter-particle contact not captured by force chains, in particular, the role of contact area over which inter-particle forces act. Force networks are an emergent phenomenon that are created by the complex interaction of the individual grains of material and the patterns of pressure applied within the material. Force chains can be shown to have fractal properties. Force chains have been investigated both experimentally, through the construction of specially instrumented physical models, and through computer simulation.
Article summary
In the study of the physics of granular materials, a force chain consists of a set of particles within a compressed granular material that are held together and jammed into place by a network of mutual compressive forces. Between these chains are regions of low stress whose grains are shielded for the effects of the grains above by vaulting and arching. A set of interconnected force chains is known as a force network. Force networks visualise inter-particle forces, which is particularly informative for spherical particle systems. For non-spherical particle systems force chain networks benefit from being supplemented by traction chain networks. Traction chains visualise inter-particle tractions, which give additional insight in inter-particle contact not captured by force chains, in particular, the role of contact area over which inter-particle forces act. Force networks are an emergent phenomenon that are created by the complex interaction of the individual grains of material and the patterns of pressure applied within the material. Force chains can be shown to have fractal properties. Force chains have been investigated both experimentally, through the construction of specially instrumented physical models, and through computer simulation.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.