Sliding Blocks Revisited: a Simulational Study

Received (received date) Revised (revised date) A computational study of sliding blocks on inclined surfaces is presented. Assuming that the friction coefficient µ is a function of position, the probability P (λ) for the block to slide down over a length λ is numerically calculated. Our results are consistent with recent experimental data suggesting a power-law distribution of events over a wide range of displacements when the chute angle is close to the critical one, and suggest that the variation of µ along the surface is responsible for this.