ec 2 00 4 Transition from Stick - Slip to Uniform Motion in the Rice - Ruina Model ∗

We analyze the Rice-Ruina state and rate dependent friction model. The system consists of a block driven by a spring with constant velocity on a dry, rough surface. Our discussion is limited to the creep-like motion, when the driving velocity is small. Two regimes of motion are observed: stick-slip and steady sliding. The stability of the steady sliding depends on the model parameters. Numerical and analytical results show a transition between two regimes. Hopf-like oscillations are not observed: the system passes directly from uniform to stick-slip motion. The calculations are performed also for two driven blocks. Then, the transition has the same character and it appears at the same point.