Time to failure of hierarchical load-transfer models of fracture.
The time to failure, T, of dynamical models of fracture for a hierarchical load-transfer geometry is studied. Using a probabilistic strategy and juxtaposing hierarchical structures of height n, we devise an exact method to compute T, for structures of height n+1. Bounding T, for large n, we are able to deduce that the time to failure tends to a nonzero value when n tends to infinity. This numerical conclusion is deduced for both power law and exponential breakdown rules.
Vázquez-Prada
M
M
Departamento de Física Teórica, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Gómez
J B
JB
Moreno
Y
Y
Pacheco
A F
AF