Particle size distributions in natural carbonate fault rocks: insights for non-self-similar cataclasis

Storti, Fabrizio; Billi, Andrea; Salvini, Francesco

doi:10.1016/s0012-821x(02)01077-4

Cited by 178 publications

(113 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…A switch or competition between a splitting (transgranular) type breakage mechanism and abrasion type mechanism has previously been suggested from micro-structural observations of sheared glacial tills (Hooke and Iverson, 1995) laboratory and natural faults (e.g. STORTI et al, 2003;RAWLING and GOODWIN, 2003;HAYMAN, 2006;KEULEN et al, 2007;BJØRK et al, 2009) and basal shear zones of rockslides (HENDERSON et al, 2010). Our observations certainly support these interpretations, and indicate scenarios where a given comminution mechanism is likely to be favored.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…SAMMIS et al, 1987;BLENKINSOP, 1991;STORTI et al, 2003), in synthetic fault gouge generated in laboratory experiments (MARONE and SCHOLZ, 1989;BIEGEL et al, 1989) and have also been reproduced in numerical models (ABE and MAIR, 2005;MAIR and ABE, 2008). Theoretical models of grain fragmentation in sheared granular gouge (SAMMIS et al, 1987;SAMMIS and KING, 2007) indicate that progressive intra(trans)-granular fracture, that is most likely for nearest neighbour grains of similar sizes, can drive the evolution of the grain size distribution to a power law with an exponent of D = 2.6 at small strains and D = 3.0 at high strains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…However, once the power law distribution is established, grain abrasion would potentially become the dominant mechanism and by producing excess fine fragments, provide a valid way to obtain the high D-values often observed in the field (e.g. HOOKE and IVERSON, 1995;STORTI et al, 2003;HAYMAN, 2006). At low stresses, granular flow involving grain abrasion is a potential way to change grain size distributions in situations where intragranular fracture is not possible (RAWLING and GOODWIN, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…STORTI et al, 2007;HEILBRONNER and KEULEN, 2006;STÜ NITZ et al, 2010) and grain size distributions (e.g. SAMMIS et al, 1987;BLENKINSOP, 1991;RAWLING and GOODWIN, 2003;STORTI et al, 2003;BILLI, 2005;KEULEN et al, 2007;SAMMIS and KING, 2007) of the gouge grains. One feature that many fault gouges have in common is that the grain size distribution follows a power law.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Theoretical models of grain fragmentation in sheared granular gouge (SAMMIS et al, 1987;SAMMIS and KING, 2007) indicate that progressive intra(trans)-granular fracture, that is most likely for nearest neighbour grains of similar sizes, can drive the evolution of the grain size distribution to a power law with an exponent of D = 2.6 at small strains and D = 3.0 at high strains. To explain field observations of D [ 3.0 and highly rounded grains occurring in glacial tills and natural fault gouges, it has been suggested (HOOKE and IVERSON, 1995;STORTI et al, 2003;RAWLING and GOODWIN, 2003) that under certain conditions, grain boundary abrasion may be an important additional comminution process. It can, therefore, be stated that the comminution mechanisms operating during the deformation of a fault gouge leave a signature in the grain shape and size distribution which can be observed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Breaking Up: Comminution Mechanisms in Sheared Simulated Fault Gouge

Mair

Abe

2011

Pure Appl. Geophys.

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Abstract-The microstructural state and evolution of fault gouge has important implications for the mechanical behaviour, and hence the seismic slip potential of faults. We use 3D discrete element (DEM) simulations to investigate the fragmentation processes operating in fault gouge during shear. Our granular fault gouge models consist of aggregate grains, each composed of several thousand spherical particles stuck together with breakable elastic bonds. The aggregate grains are confined between two blocks of solid material and sheared under a given normal stress. During shear, the grains can fragment in a somewhat realistic way leading to an evolution of grain size, grain shape and overall texture. The 'breaking up' of the fault gouge is driven by two distinct comminution mechanisms: grain abrasion and grain splitting. The relative importance of the two mechanisms depends on applied normal stress, boundary wall roughness and accumulated shear strain. If normal stress is sufficiently high, grain splitting contributes significantly to comminution, particularly in the initial stages of the simulations. In contrast, grain abrasion is the dominant mechanism operating in simulations carried out at lower normal stress and is also the main fragmentation mechanism during the later stages of all simulations. Rough boundaries promote relatively more grain splitting whereas smooth boundaries favor grain abrasion. Grain splitting (plus accompanying abrasion) appears to be an efficient mechanism for reducing the mean grain size of the gouge debris and leads rapidly to a power law size distribution with an exponent that increases with strain. Grain abrasion (acting alone) is an effective way to generate excess fine grains and leads to a bimodal distribution of grain sizes. We suggest that these two distinct mechanisms would operate at different stages of a fault's history. The resulting distributions in grain size and grain shape may significantly affect frictional strength and stability. Our results therefore have implications for the earthquake potential of seismically active faults with accumulations of gouge. They may also be relevant to the susceptibility of rockslides since non-cohesive basal shear zones will evolve in a similar way and potentially control the dynamics of the slide.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Breaking Up: Comminution Mechanisms in Sheared Simulated Fault Gouge

Mair

Abe

2011

Pure Appl. Geophys.

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Investigating Compaction by Intergranular Pressure Solution Using the Discrete Element Method

et al. 2018

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Intergranular pressure solution creep is an important deformation mechanism in the Earth's crust. The phenomenon has been frequently studied and several analytical models have been proposed that describe its constitutive behavior. These models require assumptions regarding the geometry of the aggregate and the grain size distribution in order to solve for the contact stresses and often neglect shear tractions. Furthermore, analytical models tend to overestimate experimental compaction rates at low porosities, an observation for which the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here we present a conceptually simple, 3‐D discrete element method (DEM) approach for simulating intergranular pressure solution creep that explicitly models individual grains, relaxing many of the assumptions that are required by analytical models. The DEM model is validated against experiments by direct comparison of macroscopic sample compaction rates. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the overall DEM compaction rate to the grain size and applied stress is tested. The effects of the interparticle friction and of a distributed grain size on macroscopic strain rates are subsequently investigated. Overall, we find that the DEM model is capable of reproducing realistic compaction behavior, and that the strain rates produced by the model are in good agreement with uniaxial compaction experiments. Characteristic features, such as the dependence of the strain rate on grain size and applied stress, as predicted by analytical models, are also observed in the simulations. DEM results show that interparticle friction and a distributed grain size affect the compaction rates by less than half an order of magnitude.

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Cyclic ductile and brittle deformation related to coseismic thrust fault propagation: Structural record at the base of a basement nappe (Preveli, Crete)

2013

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[1] The structural record at the base of a basement nappe (Preveli nappe, Crete, Greece) thrust upon sedimentary rocks is investigated, aimed on understanding mechanisms which result in decoupling of the thrust sheet from its original substratum. We identify several superimposed deformation stages, each with characteristic structural style and indications of episodic deformation at initially high differential stress. The final stage involves formation of a matrix supported breccia transected by pseudotachylytes, comprising the lowermost 30 m of the nappe. Brecciation and pseudotachylyte formation occurred in a single event, and structures were not modified afterward. Complete induration of breccia and composition of phengite crystallized during devitrification of pseudotachylytes place the sequence of events into the middle crust. We propose a model relating episodic deformation and cyclic stress history to propagation of a thrust fault in a limited number of seismic events. Terminal brecciation and frictional fusion record passage of the fault front beneath the site of observation and decoupling of the thrust sheet. Absence of discernible further deformation is consistent with negligible basal friction during transport as a nappe. Brecciation and pseudotachylyte formation mark the switch from a history of repeated coseismic loading and postseismic stress relaxation in the plastosphere, driven by seismic events on the approaching thrust fault, to passive transport with deformation localized in a weak thrust plane. For a sequence of superimposed ductile to brittle structures, our model provides an alternative to progressive cooling and exhumation concomitant with deformation over millions of years.Citation: Nu¨chter, J.-A., S. Wassmann, and B. Sto¨ckhert (2013), Cyclic ductile and brittle deformation related to coseismic thrust fault propagation: Structural record at the base of a basement nappe (Preveli, Crete), Tectonics, 32,

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Particle size distributions in natural carbonate fault rocks: insights for non-self-similar cataclasis

Cited by 178 publications

References 50 publications

Breaking Up: Comminution Mechanisms in Sheared Simulated Fault Gouge

Breaking Up: Comminution Mechanisms in Sheared Simulated Fault Gouge

Investigating Compaction by Intergranular Pressure Solution Using the Discrete Element Method

Cyclic ductile and brittle deformation related to coseismic thrust fault propagation: Structural record at the base of a basement nappe (Preveli, Crete)

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