Model for creep failure with healing

Abstract

To understand the general properties of creep failure with healing effects, we study a mean-field fiber bundle model with probabilistic rupture and rejoining processes. The dynamics of the model are determined by two factors: bond breaking and the formation of new bonds. Steady states are realized due to the balance between breaking and healing beyond a critical healing factor, below which the bundle breaks completely. Correlation between the fluctuating value of strain generated in the model with time at the steady-state leads to a characteristic time that diverges in a scale-free manner as we approach the critical healing factor. Transient behaviors in strain rate also involve a power law with a non-universal exponent.