Mean-field description of jamming in noncohesive frictionless particulate systems

A theory for kinetic arrest in isotropic systems of repulsive, radially interacting particles is presented that predicts exponents for the scaling of various macroscopic quantities near the rigidity transition that are in agreement with simulations, including the nontrivial shear exponent. Both statics and dynamics are treated in a simplified, one-particle level description and coupled via the assumption that kinetic arrest occurs on the boundary between mechanically stable and unstable regions of the static parameter diagram. This suggests that the arrested states observed in simulations are at (or near) an elastic buckling transition. Some additional numerical evidence to confirm the scaling of microscopic quantities is also provided.