Strain patterns and strain accumulation along plate margins

Observations of strain accumulation along plate margins in Japan, New Zealand, and the United States indicate that: (1) a typical maximum rate of secular strain accumulation is on the order of 0.3 ppm/a, (2) a substantial part of the strain accumulation process can be attributed to slip at depth on the major plate boundary faults, and (3) some plastic deformation in a zone 100 km or more in width is apparently involved in the strain accumulation process

Strain accumulation in the Santa Barbara Channel, 1971-1987

Geophysical evidence suggests a significant amount of north-south convergence occurs across the Santa Barbara Channel. Tectonic studies indicate a discrepancy between observed fault slip in California and the North American-Pacific plate motion. Newer plate motion models (NUVEL-1) yield a lower rate of convergence. Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1987, when combined with 1971 trilateration measurements, should be sufficient to resolve the present-day convergence rate. In early 1987. from January 3 to 7, GPS data were collected at 14 sites in California and at 5 additional stations throughout North America. The data can be used to estimate the rate of crustal deformation (convergence) ocurring across the Santa Barbara Channel. The GPS baselines were computed with the Bernese 2nd generation software. A comparison was made between baseline lengths obtained with the Burnese and MIT softwares. Baseline changes from 1971 to January, 1987 (GPS-Bernese) across the Santa Barbara Channel were computed. A uniform strain model was calculated from the baseline changes. The present-day rate of convergence across the Santa Barbara Channel was determined to be 8 to 10 mm/yr. This conclusion is obtained from changes in the baseline length measured with a 1971 trilateration survey and a January, 1987, GPS survey. The rapid convergence rate, in addition to the history of large seismic events, suggests this region is a prime target for future geodetic and geophysical studies

Interseismic strain accumulation: Spin-up, cycle invariance, and irregular rupture sequences

Using models of infinite length strike-slip faults in an elastic layer above linear viscoelastic regions, we investigate interseismic deformation. In the models we investigate, interseismic strain accumulation on mature faults is the result of the cumulative effects of all previous ruptures and is independent of the fault loading conditions. The time for a fault to spin-up to a mature state depends on the rheologies and the fault loading conditions. After the model has spun-up, the temporal variation of shear stresses is determined by the fault slip rate and model rheologies. The change in stress during spin-up depends on the slip rate, rheologies, and fault loading conditions but is independent of the magnitude of the initial stress. Over enough cycles such that the cumulative deformation is block-like, the average mature interseismic velocities are equal to the interseismic velocities of an elastic model with the same geometry and distribution of shear moduli. In a model that has spun-up with the fault rupturing periodically, the cumulative deformation is block-like at the end of each seismic cycle, and the interseismic deformation is cycle-invariant (i.e., the same in all cycles). When the fault ruptures nonperiodically, the fault spins up to a mature state that is the same as if the fault had ruptured periodically with the mean slip rate. When the fault slip rate within each cycle varies, the interseismic deformation evolves toward the cycle-invariant deformation determined by the most recent fault slip rate. Around a fault whose slip rate has been faster (slower) than average, interseismic velocities are larger (smaller) than the cycle-invariant velocities and increase (decrease) from cycle to cycle

Strain accumulation and surface deformation along the San Andreas, California

The goal of this project remains to be the achievement of a better understanding of the regional and local deformation and crustal straining processes in western North America, particularly the effect of the San Andreas and nearby faults on the spatial and temporal crustal deformation behavior. Construction of theoretical models based on the mechanics of coupled elastic plate/viscoelastic foundation and large scale crack mechanics provide a rational basis for the interpretation of seismic and aseismic anomalies and expedite efforts in forecasting the stability of plate boundary deformations. In the present period, special focus is placed on the 3-D effect of irregular fault locked patches on the ground measured deformation fields. Specifically, use is made of a newly developed 3-D boundary element program to analyze the fault slip and vertical ground motion in the Parkfield area on the San Andreas

Strain accumulation and surface deformation along the San Andreas, California

Stressing and rupture of a locked zone adjacent to a creeping fault segment was studied with special reference to strength heterogeneity depthwise and along-strike. The resulting precursory temporal and spatial variations of surface strain rate profiles were compared to geodetic measurements on the San Andreas fault in central California. Crustal deformation in great California earthquake cycles was also studied with special reference to the temporal decay of strain rate observed since the 1957 and 1906 great earthquakes, and comtemporary surface strain rate and velocity profiles at several locations along the San Andreas. The effect of viscoelastic response in the deep aseismic shear zone on the surface deformation behavior was examined. Work was begun on a fundamental reformulation of the crustal deformation problem focusing on the crustal deformation process affected by deep aseismic slip as the slip zone progresses toward an instability and as deep seismic slip continues postseismically, the 3-D nature of the problem due to geometry and material heterogeneity, and the time-dependent source coming from the lithosphere/astenospheric coupling process

Experimental study of strain accumulation of silica sand in a cyclic triaxial test

The experimental and phenomenological investigation of the elasto-plastic long-term behaviour of soils under dynamic loading is important for the development of risk analysis tools and numerical accumulation models for settlement prediction. Soil parameters, test equipment and loading conditions have a significant influence on strain accumulation, therefore a parameterization of the silica sand and a description of the re-engineered cyclic triaxial test device are performed in this paper. Long term cyclic triaxial tests are performed on a silica sand to investigate the influence of the number of cycles, the initial void ratio, the mean pressure and packages of cycles on the accumulation of residual strains. Empirical formulations of existing strain accumulation models are validated with test results on dry test samples

Tension fatigue analysis and life prediction for composite laminates

A tension fatigue life prediction methodology for composite laminates is presented. Tension fatigue tests were conducted on quasi-isotropic and orthotropic glass epoxy, graphite epoxy, and glass/graphite epoxy hybrid laminates. Edge delamination onset data were used to generate plots of strain energy release rate as a function of cycles to delamination onset. These plots were then used along with strain energy release rate analyses of delaminations initiating at matrix cracks to predict local delamination onset. Stiffness loss was measured experimentally to account for the accumulation of matrix cracks and for delamination growth. Fatigue failure was predicted by comparing the increase in global strain resulting from stiffness loss to the decrease in laminate failure strain resulting from delaminations forming at matrix cracks through the laminate thickness. Good agreement between measured and predicted lives indicated that the through-thickness damage accumulation model can accurately describe fatigue failure for laminates where the delamination onset behavior in fatigue is well characterized, and stiffness loss can be monitored in real time to account for damage growth

Characterization of the material response in the granular ratcheting

The existence of a very special ratcheting regime has recently been reported in a granular packing subjected to cyclic loading \cite{alonso04}. In this state, the system accumulates a small permanent deformation after each cycle. After a short transient regime, the value of this permanent strain accumulation becomes independent on the number of cycles. We show that a characterization of the material response in this peculiar state is possible in terms of three simple macroscopic variables. They are defined that, they can be easily measured both in the experiments and in the simulations. We have carried out a thorough investigation of the micro- and macro-mechanical factors affecting these variables, by means of Molecular Dynamics simulations of a polydisperse disk packing, as a simple model system for granular material. Biaxial test boundary conditions with a periodically cycling load were implemented. The effect on the plastic response of the confining pressure, the deviatoric stress and the number of cycles has been investigated. The stiffness of the contacts and friction has been shown to play an important role in the overall response of the system. Specially elucidating is the influence of the particular hysteretical behavior in the stress-strain space on the accumulation of permanent strain and the energy dissipation.Comment: 13 pages, 20 figures. Submitted to PR