On the concept of jammed configurations from a structural mechanics perspective

Applying a method that is widely known in nonlinear structural mechanics, the paper offers an alternative approach for the jamming analysis of granular assemblies. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that deformable particles with general shapes can be handled with it, in contrast to the previous methods that are restricted to rigid grains with spherical shape. The paper first gives an overview on the existing concepts of jammed states. Then an alternative set of definitions is proposed; the definitions are based on the stability analysis of the considered assemblies. After that, a calculation method (restricted to elastic contacts) is introduced for the jamming analysis. The method is based on determining the eigenvalues of the stiffness matrix that contains the effect of the particle properties as well as the already existing contact forces that are present in the system.