Cascading failures in scale-free interdependent networks

Area of Science:

• Complex Systems Science
• Network Science
• Statistical Physics

Background:

• Large cascades are prevalent in natural and engineered complex systems.
• Understanding cascade propagation is vital for system robustness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cascade propagation across realistic multilayer network topologies.
• To identify key network properties that mitigate large cascade sizes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld sandpile model.
• Employed realistic network topologies with heterogeneous degree distributions.
• Analyzed intra- and interlayer degree correlations.

Main Results:

• Scale-free degree distribution, internal network assortativity, and cross-network hub-to-hub connections are necessary to reduce large cascade sizes.
• Network structure correlations significantly influence dynamical cascading processes.
• Correlations can prevent failure propagation across connected network layers.

Conclusions:

• Multilayer network topology plays a critical role in cascade dynamics.
• Optimizing internal and cross-network structures enhances the robustness of interconnected systems.