Title: On the role of fluids in stick-slip dynamics of saturated granular fault gouge using a coupled computational fluid dynamics-discrete element approach: STICK-SLIP IN SATURATED FAULT GOUGE

Abstract

The presence of fault gouge has considerable influence on slip properties of tectonic faults and the physics of earthquake rupture. The presence of fluids within faults also plays a significant role in faulting and earthquake processes. In this study, we present 3-D discrete element simulations of dry and fluid-saturated granular fault gouge and analyze the effect of fluids on stick-slip behavior. Fluid flow is modeled using computational fluid dynamics based on the Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible fluid and modified to take into account the presence of particles. Analysis of a long time train of slip events shows that the (1) drop in shear stress, (2) compaction of granular layer, and (3) the kinetic energy release during slip all increase in magnitude in the presence of an incompressible fluid, compared to dry conditions. We also observe that on average, the recurrence interval between slip events is longer for fluid-saturated granular fault gouge compared to the dry case. This observation is consistent with the occurrence of larger events in the presence of fluid. It is found that the increase in kinetic energy during slip events for saturated conditions can be attributed to the increased fluid flow during slip. Finally, our observationsmore » emphasize the important role that fluid flow and fluid-particle interactions play in tectonic fault zones and show in particular how discrete element method (DEM) models can help understand the hydromechanical processes that dictate fault slip.« less

Authors:

Dorostkar, Omid  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7758-4919"

Guyer, Robert A. ^[2]; Johnson, Paul A.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Johnson, Paul A."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-0927-4003"

Marone, Chris  ^[4];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-4515-4500"

Carmeliet, Jan ^[5]

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1. Chair of Building Physics, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich Switzerland; Laboratory for Multiscale Studies in Building Physics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Zurich Switzerland; Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich Switzerland
2. Solid Earth Geophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos New Mexico USA; Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno Nevada USA
3. Solid Earth Geophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos New Mexico USA
4. Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park Pennsylvania USA
5. Chair of Building Physics, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Zurich Switzerland; Laboratory for Multiscale Studies in Building Physics, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Zurich Switzerland

Publication Date:

Mon May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC); ETH Zurich (Switzerland)

Contributing Org.:

Swiss Federal Lab. for Materials Science and Technology, Zurich (Switzerland); Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States); Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

1356156

Report Number(s):

LA-UR-17-23011
Journal ID: ISSN 2169-9313

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC52-06NA25396

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 122; Journal Issue: 5; Journal ID: ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:

American Geophysical Union

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

58 GEOSCIENCES; Earth Sciences