Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Dec 02;107(23):235501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.235501. Epub 2011 Nov 28.

Slow cracklike dynamics at the onset of frictional sliding.

Physical review letters

Eran Bouchbinder, Efim A Brener, Itay Barel, Michael Urbakh

PMID: 22182097 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.235501

Abstract

We propose a friction model which incorporates interfacial elasticity and whose steady state sliding relation is characterized by a generic nonmonotonic behavior, including both velocity weakening and strengthening branches. In 1D and upon the application of sideway loading, we demonstrate the existence of transient cracklike fronts whose velocity is independent of sound speed, which we propose to be analogous to the recently discovered slow interfacial rupture fronts. Most importantly, the properties of these transient inhomogeneously loaded fronts are determined by steady state front solutions at the minimum of the sliding friction law, implying the existence of a new velocity scale and a "forbidden gap" of rupture velocities. We highlight the role played by interfacial elasticity and supplement our analysis with 2D scaling arguments.

© 2011 American Physical Society

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