Deciphering D’Alemberts dream: New tools for uncovering rules for self-organized pattern formation in geomaterials

Abstract

Techniques from Complex Networks are used to study the evolving topology and functional connectivity in various granular systems in both two and three dimensions. A generic process of self-organization in all samples is realized and is characterized by the co-evolutionary synergy between force chains and 3-cycles. Three-cycles provide force chains a twofold benefit: (i) they prop-up force chains in the way that a counterfort or buttress supports a wall, and (ii) they frustrate rolling at contacts which is a critical mechanism for buckling. All samples reflect an inherent structural hierarchy where cyclic (minimal cycles) and linear (force chains) motifs of various length scales serve as basi..