Self-Driven Configurational Dynamics in Frustrated Spring-Mass Systems

Various physical systems relax mechanical frustration through configurational rearrangements. We examine such rearrangements via Hamiltonian dynamics of simple internally-stressed harmonic 4-mass systems. We demonstrate theoretically and numerically how mechanical frustration controls the underlying potential energy landscape. Then, we examine the harmonic 4-mass systems' Hamiltonian dynamics and relate the onset of chaotic motion to self-driven rearrangements. We show such configurational dynamics may occur without strong precursors, rendering such dynamics seemingly spontaneous.