Cascading failures model based on the node efficiency

In this paper, we propose a simple cascading failures model based on the node efficiency in complex networks. The model shows how a small initial shock, such as the removal of a single node, can trigger avalanches mechanisms and even collapse a system. We propose the network efficiency E(G) to evaluate the influence degree of the cascading failures. Simulation results show that both the node capacity and tolerance ability of overload can influence the transmission of cascading failures. We also notice the important role of node removal strategy and the characteristics of complex systems, which can also change the ability to resist cascading failures for complex networks.