ES3101: Advanced Structural Geology

Lecture 19: Material Properties of Deformed Rocks

Reference: Structural Geology , Fossen, Chapter 6

Course Outline

General Introduction
Primary structures in rocks & their role in deciphering rock deformation
Unconformity
Deformation
Strain & strain analyses in deformed rocks
Stress
Material properties of deformed rocks
Fracture criteria & Faulting & Paleostress analysis
Joints, Veins
3D structure of faults
Structures in Convergent Boundaries
Structures in Divergent Boundaries
Strike-Slip structures
Foliations & Lineations
Mechanics of folding, Superposed folding
Fold thrust belt Structural Geology

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Introduction to Mechanics & Concepts of Balanced Cross sections

Microstructures & deformation mechanisms

Shear zones

Module 4

Rheology
Response of Rocks to Deformation:
Quartz: Frictional regime ~ 300-350C (10-12 km)
Feldspar: Frictional regime ~ 500C (20-30 km)
Olivine: Frictional regime ~ 50km
Two flow laws: Brittle-plastic transition
(Gradual & recurring)

Crystallography anisotropy
Temperature
Confining Pressure
Pore pressure
Strain rate
Chemical environment

Nonrecoverable
Visco-Plastic material (Bingham material): Linear
viscous behavior above yield stress
e.g. wet paint certain yield stress for it to flow
that prevents it from running down after a thin
application

Liquid silicic lava behaves as a visco-plastic material over a significant range of T

Nonrecoverable

Visco-Elastic material (Maxwell material): Permanent

strain accumulates viscously. It begins as soon as stress is

applied first as elastic deformation, then gradually viscously.
It behaves like elastic material for loads of short duration &
as a viscous material for loads of long duration -- Crust &
Mantle

Stress is released, spring will try to return

to original position, movement delayed
by dashpot

Load on Water soaked sponge

But, generally, non-linear material behavior

n>1

Ductile deformation experiments

Constant Strain Rate Experiments

Extrapolations to geologically
meaningful lower strain rate

Ductile deformation experiments

Constant Strain Rate Experiments

Extrapolations to geologically
meaningful lower strain rate

Ductile deformation experiments

Constant Strain Rate Experiments

Strength of a rock depends on its structural fabric (anisotropy)

Work-hardening & Work-softening (rocks do not behave as

perfectly plastic material during plastic deformation)

Steady state

Work-hardening: greater differential stress required to accumulate permanent strain

-> rocks become stronger Strain-hardening
Work-softening: lower differential stress needed to accumulate permanent strain
-> Strain-softening

Constant Stress Experiments (Creep)

Creep: Slow, continuous deformation. Plastic deformation of a material that is subjected
to a persistent and constant stress when that material is at a high homologous T (Th= T/Tm)

Failure/Rupture

I Primary or transient creep; strain rate decreases at constant

stress (work hardening/strain hardening); material less ductile
with increasing strain

II Secondary or steady state creep; strain rate constant

III Tertiary or accelerated creep; strain rate goes up

Problems of using Brittle & Ductile

Refer to deformation style

Frictional & Plastic microstructural deformation mechanisms

Course Outline

General Introduction
Primary structures in rocks & their role in deciphering rock deformation
Unconformity
Deformation
Strain & strain analyses in deformed rocks
Stress
Material properties of deformed rocks
Fracture criteria & Faulting & Paleostress analysis
Joints, Veins
3D structure of faults
Structures in Convergent Boundaries
Structures in Divergent Boundaries
Strike-Slip structures
Foliations & Lineations
Mechanics of folding, Superposed folding
Fold thrust belt Structural Geology

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Introduction to Mechanics & Concepts of Balanced Cross sections

Microstructures & deformation mechanisms

Shear zones

Module 4

Fracture Criteria

Reference: Chapter 7: Fossen

Chapter 10; Marshak & Mitra
Chapter 8: Twiss & Moore

 Failure: Rock is unable to support stress increase without permanent deformation

Brittle Failure Rock breaks to form continuous fractures resulting in the loss of
cohesion.
Ductile Failure Material deforms permanently without losing cohesion.

Brittle Failure 1. Development of new fracture in an intact rock

2. Slip on a pre-existing fracture in a previously fractured rock

Different Types of Fractures

Relative displacement is
perpendicular to fracture

Relative displacement is
Parallel to the fracture;
perpendicular to edge of fracture

Relative displacement is
Parallel to the fracture;
parallel to edge of fracture

Fracture criterion for Shear Fractures

Criterion that could predict the state of stress at which a given rock under compression is at the
verge of failure (critically stressed).
Critical shear stress (s) & normal stress (n) acting on a potential fracture at the moment of failure

ls l = n
(Amontons Law)
s = critical shear stress
= coefficient of internal friction
=tan 0.6 (for rocks)
=angle of internal friction
For loose sand, relates friction between sand grains & critical slope angle of the sand (angle
of repose ~30)

Fracture criterion for Shear Fractures

Fracture forms only when the internal strength or cohesion (c) of the rock is exceeded

Navier-Coulomb/ Mohr-Coulomb fracture criteria

ls l = c + n
s = critical shear stress
c = cohesion/cohesive strength= critical
shear stress along a surface across
which n=0

= coefficient of internal friction

=tan 0.6 (for rocks)
=angle of internal friction
From experimental data, a shear fracture
envelope on Mohr Diagram can be constructed
that separates stable from unstable states of
stress.

Fracture criterion for Shear Fractures

From experimental data, a shear fracture envelope on Mohr Diagram can be constructed that
separates stable from unstable states of stress.

Navier-Coulomb/ Mohr-Coulomb fracture criteria

ls l = c + n
s = critical shear stress
c = cohesion/cohesive strength= critical
shear stress along a surface across
which n=0

= coefficient of internal friction

=tan 0.6 (for rocks)
=angle of internal friction
For loose sand, T=C=0 ls l = n
(Amontons Law)
More sand lithifies, higher T, C,
Higher mean stress (confining P) higher
differential stress required to create fracture
T, C, vary from one rock to another

Fracture criterion for Shear Fractures

From experimental data, a shear fracture envelope on Mohr Diagram can be constructed that
separates stable from unstable states of stress.

Navier-Coulomb/ Mohr-Coulomb fracture criteria

Coulomb Failure envelope

Fracture criterion for Shear Fractures

From experimental data, a shear fracture envelope on Mohr Diagram can be constructed that
separates stable from unstable states of stress.

Navier-Coulomb/ Mohr-Coulomb fracture criteria

Most rocks develop shear fractures at angles < 45 to 1

(Competing effects of minimum normal stress &

maximum shear stress)

Most rocks develop shear fractures with planes oriented at 30 to 1

Stress Distribution & Faulting

Andersons Fault Theory (1940s)

Assumptions:

Earth surface has no shear stress

Earth surface is a principal plane of stress; principal stresses are
normal & parallel to it
Principal axis is perpendicular to earths surface
Coaxial Deformation
Isotropic material

Andersons Fault Theory (1940s)

Normal fault

Dip of the fault =60

Andersons Fault Theory (1940s)

Reverse fault

Dip of the fault =30

Andersons Fault Theory (1940s)

Strike-slip fault

Dip of the fault =90