Briefing: A new tool to analyse forces of discrete-particle media

This paper presents a new tool to analyse the distribution of forces inside discrete-particle media, using a method similar to a stereographic representation, but adding a third dimension associated with the force in the contacts between particles. This tool makes it possible to observe whether a preferential stress path of force distribution exists inside the medium or not. In addition, this tool permits looking inside the medium by knowing the force that is developed along a dip and a dip direction inside it. This new tool is explained and a practice example of application is presented, along with a discussion of the results obtained.