Force Distributions in Frictional Granular Media

Abstract

We report a joint experimental and theoretical investigation of the probability distribution functions (pdf's) of the normal and tangential (frictional) forces in amorphous frictional media. We consider both the joint pdf of normal and tangential forces together, and the marginal pdf's of normal forces separately and tangential forces separately. A maximum entropy formalism is utilized for all these cases after identifying the appropriate constraints. Excellent agreements with both experimental and simulational data are reported. The proposed joint pdf (which appears new to the literature) predicts giant slip events at low pressures, again in agreement with observations.