Automatic detection of particle aggregation in particle code simulations of rock deformation

We explore whether it is possible to determine the initial stages of localization of deformation during a numerical experiment on a “virtual” rock purely through observation and interpretation of geometrical rearrangements of the particles. We study the spatial arrangements of particle via two tools: first, by viewing the virtual rock as a network, we look for local clusters of edges (particle contacts); second, by analyzing the distribution of the directions of motion of the particles, we recognize that the main particle aggregations are characterized by directions which are statistically meaningful. More important, the locations of edge clusters and particle aggregations coincide, suggesting that the tools presented could be routinely used to detect emergent structures in particle assemblages.