Ensemble Shear Strength, Stability, and Permeability of Mixed Mineralogy Fault Gouge Recovered From 3D Granular Models

Wang, Chaoyi; Elsworth, Derek; Fang, Yi

doi:10.1029/2018jb016066

Title: Ensemble Shear Strength, Stability, and Permeability of Mixed Mineralogy Fault Gouge Recovered From 3D Granular Models

Journal Article · 24 January 2019 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2018jb016066 · OSTI ID:1614206

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Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). EMS Energy Inst., and G3 Center; DOE/OSTI
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). EMS Energy Inst., and G3 Center
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). EMS Energy Inst., and G3 Center; Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States). Inst. for Geophysics

We conduct numerical shear experiments on mixtures of quartz and talc gouge using a three-dimensional (3D) distinct element model. A modified slip-weakening constitutive law is applied at contacts. We perform velocity-stepping experiments on both uniform and layered mixtures of quartz and talc analogs. We separately vary the proportion of talc in the uniform mixtures and talc layer thickness in the layered mixtures. Shear displacements are cycled through velocities of 1 and 10 μm/s. We follow the resulting evolution of ensemble shear strength, slip stability, and permeability of the gouge mixture and explore the mesoscopic mechanisms. Simulation results show that talc has a strong weakening effect on shear strength—a thin shear-parallel layer of talc (three particles wide) can induce significant weakening. However, the model offsets laboratory-derived strong weakening effects of talc observed in uniform mixtures, implying the governing mechanisms may be the shear localization effect of talc, which is enhanced by its natural platy shape or preimposed layered structure. Ensemble stability (a – b ) can be enhanced by increasing talc content in uniform talc-quartz mixtures. Reactivation-induced permeability increase is amplified with increased quartz content before the maturation of shear localization. Postmaturation permeability enhances on velocity upsteps and diminishes on velocity downsteps. Talc enhances compaction at velocity downsteps, potentially reducing fault permeability. Evolution trends of stability relating to the composition and structure of the fault gouge are straightforwardly obtained from the 3D simulation. Local friction evolution indicates that talc preferentially organizes and localizes in the shear zone, dominating the shear strength and frictional stability of faults

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Research Organization:: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0023354

OSTI ID:: 1614206

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 124; ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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