Avalanche precursors of failure in hierarchical fuse networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates failure precursors in hierarchical fuse networks, revealing scale-invariant avalanche activity with load-dependent power-law exponents, differing from non-hierarchical structures.

Contribution

It introduces a model for hierarchical materials and characterizes their failure precursors, highlighting unique scale-invariant avalanche behavior and morphology.

Findings

Avalanche size distributions follow power laws without cut-off.

Power-law exponents decrease with increasing load.

Hierarchical structures exhibit distinct failure patterns from non-hierarchical ones.

Abstract

We study precursors of failure in hierarchical random fuse network models which can be considered as idealizations of hierarchical (bio)materials where fibrous assemblies are held together by multi-level (hierarchical) cross-links. When such structures are loaded towards failure, the patterns of precursory avalanche activity exhibit generic scale invariance: Irrespective of load, precursor activity is characterized by power-law avalanche size distributions without apparent cut-off, with power-law exponents that decrease continuously with increasing load. This failure behavior and the ensuing super-rough crack morphology differ significantly from the findings in non-hierarchical structures.