We conduct numerical simulations of random packings of frictionless particles at $T=0\mathrm{}$. The packing fraction where the pressure becomes nonzero is the same as the jamming threshold, where the static shear modulus becomes nonzero. The distribution of threshold packing fractions narrows, and its peak approaches random close packing as the system size increases. For packing fractions within the peak, there is no self-averaging, leading to exponential decay of the interparticle force distribution.

• Received 31 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.075507