On the efficient and reliable numerical solution of rate-and-state friction problems

Abstract

We present a mathematically consistent numerical algorithm for the simulation of earthquake rupture with rate-and-state friction. Its main features are adaptive time-stepping, a priori mesh-adaptation, and a novel algebraic solution algorithm involving multigrid and a fixed point iteration for the rate-and-state decoupling. The algorithm is applied to a laboratory scale subduction zone which allows us to compare our simulations with experimental results. Using physical parameters from the experiment, we find a good fit of recurrence time of slip events as well as their rupture width and peak slip. Preliminary computations in 3D confirm efficiency and robustness of our algorithm.