SCALING LAWS FOR FRACTURE OF HETEROGENEOUS MATERIALS AND ROCK

Using computer simulation we show that, near the global failure point, the cumulative elastic energy released during fracturing of heterogen eous solids follows a power law with log-periodic corrections to the l eading term. This is consistent with a recently proposed scaling law t hat relates the dynamics of the precursors of large earthquakes to the ir occurrence time, thus providing a rational basis for it in terms of rupture of the rock. It is also consistent with the scaling of acoust ic emissions that precede fracture of composite materials, with the ti me, to failure, and may thus provide a basis for predicting fracture o f materials.