Computation of Dense Random Packings of Hard Spheres

Abstract

A computer based method of generating a random close packing of hard spheres is described. The largest assembly that has been produced contains 5402 spheres. The packing density is approximately 62.8% for large assemblies, though the density falls slightly as the size of the assembly increases. The pair distribution has been determined for a spherical assembly of 3900 spheres. The computed assembly is compared with the ball-bearing assembly of Scott which is about 0.8% more dense. The computer method gives the sphere positions with great precision so that the first peak of the pair distribution is much sharper for the computed assembly than for the ball-bearing assembly. The split in the second peak of the pair distribution of the ball-bearing assembly is absent from the computed assemblies.