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Analytical simulation of mode I fracture generation from dynamic frictional surfaces governed by slip weakening model

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Abstract

Field observations proved that tensile branches can be formed during fault growing and contribute with other types of fractures in creating a fractured zone around dynamic faults. In this study, the effects of rupture speed (c), initial stress ratio (σxxo/σyyo), and residual strength ratio (τr/τp) on the preferred direction of tensile branches around the main fault plane were investigated using the maximum tangential stress criterion (MTS-Criterion). The slip weakening model was used to regularize shear stress between fault surfaces. The analytical model indicated that tensile branches can grow through acute or obtuse angles in forward or backward directions in the extensional side of the fault, respectively. The low values of branching angle are accompanied by a high residual strength ratio, and vice versa for high values of branching angle. For rupture speeds less than 0.9 of the Rayleigh wave speed, the preferred direction of the new tensile branch is initially a function of the initial stress ratio, residual strength ratio and rupture speed. While for rupture speeds near the limiting velocity (χcr between 0.9 and 1.0), the preferred direction for the new tensile branch is independent of the initial stress state and residual strength ratio, and it is mainly a function of the rupture speed. The application of the preferred direction of tensile branches in geological and geophysical field was discussed and some field examples were shown here to validate the results of this study.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran

    Mahmoud Alneasan & Mahmoud Behnia

  2. Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria

    Mahmoud Alneasan

Authors
  1. Mahmoud Alneasan
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  2. Mahmoud Behnia
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Contributions

Mahmoud Alneasan: Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing—Original Draft, Visualization. Mahmoud Behnia: Conceptualization, Resources, Data Curation, Writing—Review and Editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Mahmoud Behnia.

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Alneasan, M., Behnia, M. Analytical simulation of mode I fracture generation from dynamic frictional surfaces governed by slip weakening model. Environ Earth Sci 83, 11 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11311-5

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