Motifs of Networks from Frictional Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces network-based methods to analyze complex patterns of frictional interfaces, revealing universal sub-graph distribution trends and linking network motifs to shear strength and rupture dynamics.

Contribution

It develops novel network approaches to characterize contact patterns in frictional interfaces and uncovers universal motifs linked to interface properties and rupture stages.

Findings

Universal sub-graph distribution patterns observed.

Motifs correlate with residual shear strength.

Contact measurement methods yield consistent patterns.

Abstract

We have developed different network approaches to analyze complex patterns of frictional interfaces (contact area developments). Network theory is a fundamental tool for the modern understanding of complex systems in which, by a simple graph representation, the elementary units of a system become nodes, and their mutual interactions become links. With this transformation of a system into a network space, many properties of the system's structure and dynamics can be inferred. The rupture sequence of shear fractures were studied using a transformation form of contact patterns to complex networks; subsequently, sub-graph abundance within the corresponding networks was analyzed. To distinguish the different roles of collective deformation of an interface's elements, pure and non-pure contact patches (i.e., aperture) were mapped onto the nodes. The contact patches were connected with each other by using measurements of similarities as well as constrained geometrical distance and amount of net-contact area per patch, which yielded directed and non-directed networks. A universal trend in sub-graph distribution was observed. We confirmed that super-family phenomena are independent from rupture types in shear processes (as well as in slow or sub-Rayleigh fronts). Furthermore, global features of frictional interfaces as well as shear strength or hydraulic properties were scaled with motifs evolution. In particular, it was found that more common transitive motifs indicate residual shear strength stages, where fluctuations of stored potential energy surrounding rupture tip were minimal. Our approaches were tested over different available data sets, and it was found that discrete as well as real-time contact measurements resulted in the same universal patterns of sub-graphs