Mean Field Theory of Slip Statistics

A simple mean field model for the statistics and the dynamics of slip avalanches in slowly deformed solids is reviewed. Its universal scaling predictions are compared to experiments on slowly compressed single nanocrystals, microcrystals, bulk metallic glasses, and rocks, as well as to slowly sheared jammed granular materials, and to earthquakes. The remarkable agreement between model and experiments spanning 12 decades in length and a wide range of material structures implies that results on the slip statistics can be transferred from one solid material to another and from one scale to another. Potential applications of the results include materials testing, failure prediction, and hazard prevention.