Geometry Poorly Predicts Contact Realization in Granular Force-Network Ensembles

This repository accompanies the preprint: “Geometry Poorly Predicts Contact Realization in Granular Force-Network Ensembles” We investigate whether coordinate geometry predicts realized contact structure and force predictability in photoelastic granular force-network ensembles (FNE). Across four experiments, geometric changes carry essentially no predictive signal for force changes, whereas realized contact-network information consistently provides predictive value. Relational models substantially outperform geometric models in static force prediction, and contact incidence (degree) explains most of the predictive gain, with higher-order topology providing secondary refinement. The repository contains the manuscript PDF, LaTeX source files, figures, reproducibility scripts, and supplementary materials associated with the study.