Characterization of force networks in a dense high-shear system

Journal article, 2018

We detect the strong force networks in a dense high shear system and we study their structure and stability in response to the variation of the shearing rate. The presence of strong force networks, which are usually of heterogeneous structure, restricts particle movements and can impose non-local mechanisms of momentum transfer. We identify such networks in a dense high shear system through the algorithm of community detection. Moreover, we explain the association between the mechanisms of momentum transfer and the structure, population, strength and stability of the force networks by tracking the spatial and temporal evolution of the detected networks. In addition, we show that the assumption of a monodispersed assembly of particles leads to an unrealistic enlargement of the force networks, underestimating both the rate of energy dissipation and the rate of mixing.