Percolation on coupled networks with multiple effective dependency links

The ubiquitous coupled relationship between network systems has become an essential paradigm to depict complex systems. A remarkable property in the coupled complex systems is that a functional node should have multiple external support associations in addition to maintaining the connectivity of the local network. In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework to study the structural robustness of the coupled network with multiple useful dependency links. It is defined that a functional node has the broadest connectivity within the internal network and requires at least M support link of the other network to function. In this model, we present exact analytical expressions for the process of cascading failures, the fraction of functional nodes in the stable state, and provide a calculation method of the critical threshold. The results indicate that the system undergoes an abrupt phase transition behavior after initial failure. Moreover, the minimum inner and inter-connectivity density to maintain system survival is graphically presented at different multiple effective dependency links. Furthermore, we find that the system needs more internal connection densities to avoid collapse when it requires more effective support links. These findings allow us to reveal the details of a more realistic coupled complex system and develop efficient approaches for designing resilient infrastructure.

Automated summary

This paper studies the structural robustness of coupled networks with multiple useful dependency links, presents exact analytical expressions for the process of cascading failures, the fraction of functional nodes in the stable state, and the critical threshold, and finds that the system needs more internal connection densities to avoid collapse under different multiple effective dependency links.