Complex Aperture Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a complex network approach to analyze the shear behavior of rough rock joints, revealing stable degree distributions and scaling laws related to shear strength and hydraulic conductivity.

Contribution

It presents a novel application of complex network theory to characterize shear behavior and contact profiles in rock joints, providing new insights into their structural evolution.

Findings

Degree distribution becomes Gaussian after a transition stage.

Clustering coefficient and edges scale with shear strength and hydraulic conductivity.

Contact networks follow a growing network mode.

Abstract

A complex network approach is proposed to study the shear behavior of a rough rock joint. Similarities between aperture profiles are established and a general network in two directions (in parallel and perpendicular to the shear direction) is constructed. Evaluation of this newly formed network shows that the degree distribution of the network, after a transition stage falls into a quasi stable state which is roughly obeying a Gaussian distribution. In addition, the growth of the clustering coefficient and the number of edges are approximately scaled with the development of shear strength and hydraulic conductivity, which can be utilized to estimate, shear distribution over asperities. Furthermore, we characterize the contact profiles using the same approach. Despite the former case, the later networks are following a growing network mode.