Edge Criticality Evaluation in Complex Structures and Networks Using an Iterative Edge Betweenness

Identifying the edges that played critical roles in understanding the structure and robustness of the network. These key edges facilitate the uninterrupted connection between different network components, and their detection can prevent potential cascading collapses. Various traditional methods that are based on straightforward algorithms can enable us to evaluate the criticality of edges. A widely used method for assessing the importance of these connections is the edge betweenness method. This technique measures the criticality of edges by identifying the number of shortest paths passing through a specific edge between any pair of nodes. In our study, we are focused on enhancing the Edge Betweenness method by applying the iterative principle to refine the measurement of edge criticality, which significantly improved the efficiency of network analysis. We applied this improved method to three different benchmark networks: Zachary’s Karate Club Network, American Football College Network, and Power Grid Network. The results showed improved efficiency over other state-of-the-art methods, with performance increases of 11.17%, 39.23%, and 90.63% for each network, respectively. These results underline the effectiveness of the Iterative Edge Betweenness method in detecting edges critical to the robustness and stability of complex networks.