title: Force distributions in a triangular lattice of rigid bars.
abstract: We study the uniformly weighted ensemble of force balanced configurations on a triangular network of nontensile contact forces. For periodic boundary conditions corresponding to isotropic compressive stress, we find that the probability distribution for single-contact forces decays faster than exponentially. This superexponential decay persists in lattices diluted to the rigidity percolation threshold. On the other hand, for anisotropic imposed stresses, a broader tail emerges in the force distribution, becoming a pure exponential in the limit of infinite lattice size and infinitely strong anisotropy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Center for Nonlinear and Complex Systems, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Tighe
authors.forename: Joshua E S
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Socolar
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.forename: W Garrett
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Mitchener
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Huber