Complex Network Modeling and Analysis of Microfracture Activity in Rock Mechanics

This study employs rock triaxial acoustic emission laboratory tests to investigate the activity of microfractures in plagiogranite from the Yebatan hydropower station dam area. By integrating interdisciplinary theories—including spatiotemporal single-link groups, fractal theory, complex networks, and graph theory—we develop a complex network model of rock microfractures. Results demonstrate that the microfracture network, characterized by the average degree (<k>) and clustering coefficient (<c>), undergoes distinct evolutionary stages during rock deformation and failure. The complex network parameters <k> and <c> undergo abrupt increases and decreases. These changes serve as characteristic indicators of the transition from stable to unstable states in rock deformation and failure, providing new insights into predicting rock failure and instability.