Topological properties of the contact network of granular packings

The force networks of different granular ensembles are defined and their topological properties studied using the tools of complex networks. In particular, for each set of grains compressed in a square box, it is introduced a force threshold that determines which contacts conform the network. Hence, the topological characteristics of the network are analyzed as a function of this parameter. The characterization of the structural features thus obtained, may be useful in the understanding of the macroscopic physical behavior exhibited by this class of media.