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Simulating stick-slip failure in a sheared granular layer using a physics-based constitutive model

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013627· OSTI ID:1412883
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [4];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  2. Univ. of Memphis, TN (United States). Center for Earthquake Research and Information
  3. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Dept. of Physics
  4. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept. of Geosciences
+ Show Author Affiliations
In this paper, we model laboratory earthquakes in a biaxial shear apparatus using the Shear-Transformation-Zone (STZ) theory of dense granular flow. The theory is based on the observation that slip events in a granular layer are attributed to grain rearrangement at soft spots called STZs, which can be characterized according to principles of statistical physics. We model lab data on granular shear using STZ theory and document direct connections between the STZ approach and rate-and-state friction. We discuss the stability transition from stable shear to stick-slip failure and show that stick slip is predicted by STZ when the applied shear load exceeds a threshold value that is modulated by elastic stiffness and frictional rheology. Finally, we also show that STZ theory mimics fault zone dilation during the stick phase, consistent with lab observations.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
LANL Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1412883
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--16-26676
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 122; ISSN 2169-9313
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (1)

Laboratory Observations of Tremor‐Like Events Generated During Preslip journal July 2018

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Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
constitutive law
failure
friction
gouge
rate-and-state
stick slip