Experiments on Burridge-Knopoff Model with Sandpaper Covered Surfaces

Abstract

We conducted experiments on Burridge-Knopoff model. Ten blocks connected to each other and also to a rest ceilings with springs were placed on a moving belt conveyor. Surfaces of the blocks and the belt conveyor were covered with sandpapers in order to cause stick-slip motions easily. The sum of kinetic energy of slipping blocks in a series was defined as the size of a slip event and its logarithm as the magnitude. The magnitude distribution of slip events was examined. It was clarified that the features of the magnitude-frequency plots depend on the grade of sandpapers used in the experiments.