title: Monte Carlo results in time-dependent hierarchical fiber-bundle models of fracture.
abstract: Is there any time threshold of stability in a time-dependent hierarchical load-transfer structure formed by N elements, in the limit N --> infinity? There is no rigorous proof, but the consensus to this question is yes. Here we extend our previous work on these systems up to a size N = 10(6), using a power law breakdown rule and a new more efficient Monte Carlo method. The new results confirm this positive consensus.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain. ggomez@unizar.es
authors.forename: Javier B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Amalio F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pacheco