Title of research project: Multiple fracture of solids: development of theory based on modern concepts of renormalisation groups and intermediate asymptotics and applications to the intermediate-term prediction of earthquake

Reference number of the grant: INTAS-93-809

Period of performance: 1995 to 1999

Project Coordinator: Prof. G.I. Barenblatt (DAMTP, University of Cambridge, UK)

Principal Investigator: Prof. V.I. Keilis-Borok

Summary:

The formation and evolution of cascade of defects and cracks in solid with various properties under the general type of loading were studied using the modern methods of fracture mechanics, material science and non-linear science (bifurcation theory, intermediate asymptotics, renormalization groups). Fracture (and large earthquake) is associated with global collapse of the cascade; local instabilities of cracks, forming the cascade are associated with acoustic emission in multiple fracture, foreshocks and aftershocks. The results lead simultaneously to new interpretation of seismic data and acoustic emission in fracture of structures.