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Clay smear processes in mechanically layered sequences — Results of water-saturated model experiments with free top surface

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The aim of this study is to improve our knowledge of the processes that lead to clay smear during faulting of a layered sand-clay sequence in an analogue sandbox model. We carefully characterized mechanical properties of the materials used by a series of geotechnical tests. Displacement field was quantified using PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry). The model is water-saturated to allow the deformation of wet clay and sand in one experiment comprising a sand package with a horizontal layer of clay above a predefined rigid basement fault. The thickness and rigidity of the clay layer are the parameters varied in this study. The model shows a range of structures that are related to competence contrast between sand and different clay types. Results show ductile shearing of soft clay with a transition to brittle fracturing of stiff clay accompanied by the formation of rotating clay blocks in the fault zone. Localized deformation is observed through time showing (i) the propagation of one active fault migrating laterally through the sediment package, and (ii) the formation of a stable prism between two or more active faults that gets progressively smaller with minor rotation of the hanging wall fault. Continuous clay smear is observed resulting from the lateral injection of clay as well as from a reworked mixture of sand and clay.

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Author notes

  1. Marc Holland

    Present address: GeoMechanics International, Emmerich-Josef-Strasse 5, 55116, Mainz, Germany

  2. Steffen Giese

    Present address: Group Technology, Bilfinger Berger AG, Carl-Reiß-Platz, 1-5, 68165, Mannheim, Germany

  3. Wouter van der Zee

    Present address: GeoMechanics International, Parkweg 2, 2585 JJ, The Hague, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics, Geological Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstrasse 4-20, 52056, Aachen, Germany

    Joyce Schmatz, Marc Holland, Wouter van der Zee & Janos. L. Urai

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  1. Joyce Schmatz
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  2. Marc Holland
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  3. Steffen Giese
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  4. Wouter van der Zee
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  5. Janos. L. Urai
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Correspondence to Joyce Schmatz.

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Schmatz, J., Holland, M., Giese, S. et al. Clay smear processes in mechanically layered sequences — Results of water-saturated model experiments with free top surface. J Geol Soc India 75, 74–88 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-010-0025-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-010-0025-9

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