Visualization of characteristics of the contact network between spheres in 3D assembly

Analysis of geometrical features of 3D granular assemblies poses difficulties in visualization of the effects taking place within the volume of the sample. This work presents the method for visualization of spatial distribution of the contact points in a monodisperse; frictional assembly composed of spheres and generated using three filling methods for a cuboidal or cylindrical container. The visualization is based on the projection of the contact points between particles on a hypothetical sphere followed by their representation on the plane. The proposed method was found to adequately visualize differences in the spatial structure of assemblies generated using various filling methods.