Cross-Laboratory Benchmarking of Fault Frictional Behavior
Date: July 21, 2026
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Organizers: Srisharan Shreedharan, Tamara Jeppson, Heather Savage
SCEC Award: 26023
Registration deadline: July 7, 2026.
The 2026 SCEC Cross-Laboratory Benchmarking of Fault Frictional Behavior Workshop on July 21st, 2026 will convene a focused, interdisciplinary group of researchers to develop a community-driven strategy for benchmarking fault frictional behavior across experimental laboratories and apparatuses. Experimental rock deformation studies are foundational to earthquake science, yet there currently exists no standardized framework to compare results across labs, which limits the integration of frictional data into community efforts such as the SCEC Community Rheology Model (CRM).
This one-day virtual workshop builds on momentum from recent SCEC initiatives and the broader rock deformation community to address this gap. The workshop will bring together experimentalists, numerical modelers, and observational seismologists to identify sources of variability in friction measurements, define benchmark problems, and establish shared standards for materials, methods, and data reporting.
Through a combination of invited talks, moderated discussions, and breakout sessions, participants will work toward:
The virtual format enables broad participation from the global community, including researchers who may not typically engage directly with experimental rock deformation but rely on its outputs.
This workshop will inform the implementation plans for a cross-laboratory benchmarking exercise which will be finalized and announced at the upcoming SCEC Annual Meeting in September.
We aim to bring together participants spanning:
A particular emphasis will be placed on:
All times below are Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7).
| Time | Agenda Item |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:25 | Introduction |
| 09:30 - 11:00 | Session 1: Why Benchmarking? Lessons from Community Efforts This opening session frames the need for cross-laboratory benchmarking in experimental rock deformation. Invited talks will highlight successful community benchmarking efforts in seismology and modeling (e.g., SEAS, stress-drop validation), drawing lessons for friction research. A series of invited talks and a subsequent discussion on: Why quantifying inter-laboratory variability matters, what has worked (or not worked) in other community efforts, how benchmarking can accelerate integration into SCEC models. |
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Break |
| 11:30 - 13:00 | Session 2: Sources of Variability in Friction Measurements This session focuses on understanding why friction measurements differ across laboratories and apparatuses. Participants will examine the roles of apparatus stiffness and configuration, boundary conditions (stress, temperature, fluids, slip rate), sample preparation and material properties. Breakout discussions will identify the critical parameters that must be standardized or reported to enable meaningful comparisons during benchmarking exercises. |
| 13:00 - 13:30 | Break |
| 13:30 - 15:00 | Session 3: Toward Standard Materials and Experimental Protocols This session explores how the community can establish shared calibration standards. Discussions will focus on:
Breakout groups will propose candidate standard materials and testing protocols that can be implemented across a wide range of laboratories. |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Break |
| 15:30 - 17:00 | Session 4: Benchmark Problems, Data Sharing, and Next Steps The final session synthesizes workshop discussions into actionable outcomes. Participants will: Define benchmark problems analogous to SEAS-style exercises, discuss data-sharing infrastructure (e.g., StraboExperimental), identify timelines and responsibilities for community follow-through |
The Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) fosters a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels safe, productive, and welcome. We expect all participants in SCEC-supported events to uphold this commitment by adhering to the SCEC Activities Code of Conduct.
The SCEC Annual Meeting brings together 400-500 participants worldwide to share breakthroughs, assess progress, and chart a collaborative path for earthquake science. All of the Center activities are presented, analyzed, and woven into a set of priorities for SCEC to pursue in the future.
