Sequential growth of deformation bands in carbonate grainstones in the hangingwall of an active growth fault: Implications for deformation mechanisms in different tectonic regimes

Deformation bands in porous sandstones have been extensively studied for four decades, whereas comparatively less is known about deformation bands in porous carbonate rocks, particularly in extensional settings. Here, we investigate porous grainstones of the Globigerina Limestone Formation in Malta, which contain several types of deformation bands in the hangingwall of the Maghlaq Fault: (i) bed-parallel pure compaction bands (PCB); (ii) pressure solution-dominated compactive shear bands (SCSB) and iii) cataclasis-dominated compactive shear bands (CCSB). Geometric and kinematic analyses show that the bands formed sequentially in the hangingwall of the evolving Maghlaq growth fault. PCBs formed first due to fault-controlled subsidence and vertical loading; a (semi-)tectonic control on PCB formation is thus documented for the first time in an extensional setting. Pressure solution (dominating SCSBs) and cataclasis (dominating CCSBs) appear to have operated separately, and not in concert. Our findings therefore suggest that, in some carbonate rocks, cataclasis within deformation bands may develop irrespective of whether pressure solution processes are involved. We suggest this may be related to stress state, and that whereas pressure solution is a significant facilitator of grain size reduction in contractional settings, grain size reduction within deformation bands in extensional settings is less dependent on pressure solution processes.     

Shear-enhanced compaction bands formed at shallow burial conditions; implications for fluid flow (Provence,France)

Field observations of highly porous and permeable sandstone in the Orange area (S-E Basin, France) show that networks of shear-enhanced compaction bands can form in a contractional regime at burial depths of about 400 m ± 100 m. These bands show equal compaction and shear displacements, are organized in conjugate and densely distributed networks, and are restricted to the coarse-grained (mean grain diameter of 0.6 ± 0.1 mm) and less porous (porosity of 26 ± 2%) sand layers. The bands are crush microbreccia with limited grain comminution and high grain microfracture density. They show reductions of permeability (mD) ranging from 0 to little more than 1 order of magnitude. They show no control on the alteration products related to meteoric water flow, which suggests that these shear-enhanced compaction bands have no or only negligible influence on subsurface fluid flow. Their selective occurrence and small (20%) reduction in transmissibility in densely populated layers prevented them from compartmentalizing the sandstone reservoirs. A comparison with compaction-band populations in the Navajo and Aztec sandtsones (western U.S.) emphasizes the role of burial depth and the presence of chemical compaction processes for the sealing potential of deformation bands.     

Influence of deformation bands on sandstone porosity: A case study using three-dimensional microtomography

This study presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis of porosity in deformation bands by applying X-ray micro-computed tomography in conjunction with microstructural analysis. Samples of compactional cataclastic bands and shear compactional bands identified in Early Cretaceous aeolian sandstones of the Paraná Basin were analyzed. The application of X-ray micro-computed tomography expanded the view of features in the porous framework of each type of deformation band studied and provided information that are not clear or was not observable with optical microscopy. The compactional cataclastic bands and shear compactional bands differ in geometry, thickness, microstructures and, mainly, in the distribution, shape and orientation of the remaining pores. Porosity analysis was also performed by comparing values of porosity (total, open and closed pores) of the parental rock and the deformation band in each sample. Results of these analyses show a reduction of total porosity and open pores and therefore an increase in the amount of closed pores in all types of deformation bands in relation to parental rock. In addition, it is observed that changes in porosity characteristics are related to the effect of different deformation mechanisms that operated in each type of deformation band.     

Changes in permeability of sand during triaxial loading: effect of fine particles production

Various mechanisms can affect the permeability of dense unconsolidated sands: Volumetric dilation can lead to permeability increase, whereas strain localization in shear bands may increase or decrease the permeability depending on the state of compaction and on the level of grains breakage inside the band. To investigate these various mechanisms, an experimental study has been performed to explore the effect of different factors such as grain size and grain shape, confining pressure, level of shear, stress path, and formation of one or several shear bands on the permeability of dense sands under triaxial loading. The experimental results show a reduction of permeability during the consolidation phase and during the volumetric contraction phase of shear loading, which can be related to the decrease of porosity. The experimental results also show that, depending on the confining pressure, the permeability remains stable or decreases during the volumetric dilation phase despite the increase of total porosity. This permeability reduction is attributed to the presence of fine particles, which result from grains attrition during pre-localization and grains breakage inside the shear band during the post-localization phase.     

Use of acoustic emissions to investigate localization in high-porosity sandstone subjected to true triaxial stresses

Acoustic emissions were used to investigate the evolution of damage and strain localization in Castlegate sandstone specimens subjected to true triaxial states of stress, where the intermediate principal stress ranged from equal to minimum compression to equal to maximum compression. Three failure modes were observed: shear band formation at low mean stresses, compaction localization at intermediate stresses, and no localization at high mean stresses. For shear bands, the onset of localization consistently occurred prior to peak stress, while compaction localization initiated at the beginning of a stress plateau. The band angle (defined as the angle between the band normal and the maximum compression direction) determined by fitting a plane through the localized acoustic emission events corresponded well with the shear band angle expressed on the specimen jacket. As expected, the band angle decreased with increasing mean stress. The theoretically predicted dependence of band angle on deviatoric stress state was not confirmed; however, data scatter due to natural variations in material could obscure such a trend. Each failure mode displayed a unique acoustic emission rate response; therefore, this rate response alone can be used to determine the failure mode and the onset of localization in Castlegate sandstone.     

Undrained shear band in water saturated granular media: A critical revisiting with numerical examples

By taking into account the continuity of stresses and pore pressure across the boundaries of a shear band, it is theoretically shown that incipient localization may take place in saturated loose contractive sand in the regime of decreasing deviator stress under undrained conditions. The undrained shear band orientation primarily depends on the Poisson's ratio and the dilatancy characteristics of the material. However, under strict isochoric constraint, localization is precluded in dense dilative sand with deviator stress increasing only. If any local volume change takes place with a certain mechanism, undrained shear band would be possible in dense sand, most likely in the regime of decreasing friction angle after the peak friction angle is mobilized. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the variation of shear band inclinations with void ratios and initial consolidation pressures. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同应力路径下剪切带的数值模拟

采用回映应力更新算法,编写了基于伏斯列夫面的超固结黏土本构关系模型子程序,嵌入非线性有限元软件ABAQUS。通过对单元试验进行三轴压缩、三轴伸长及平面应变等问题的模型预测,再现了超固结黏土在不同初始超固结比和应力路径时的变形和强度特性,从而验证了子程序的正确性。借助该本构模型,对三轴压缩、三轴伸长及平面应变应力路径下超固结黏土体变形局部化问题,进行了三维数值模拟。分析结果表明：超固结黏土在三轴压缩及伸长状态时,土体变形局部化在应力-应变关系软化时出现,而平面应变状态时,在应力-应变关系硬化阶段出现,其超固结黏土的剪胀特性在剪切带的形成过程中起重要作用。     

Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust

Lineaments referred to as ridges, troughs, bands, and faults on the icy surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa, have long been interpreted as extensional structures due to brittle fracturing of ice and intrusion of mobile materials from the interior of the satellite. Based on detailed mapping and possibly analogous structures present on Earth, we propose that the kinematics and failure mechanisms of these structures are variable and more complex than previously thought. A dense network of structures of multiple generations, forming the background on the surface of the planet, is here interpreted as localized zones of volumetric strain, likely compaction and/or dilation bands. The next class of linear failure structures is shear bands with significant offset of pre-existing markers. A few additional phases of less pervasive but more prominent volumetric deformation bands overprint the shear zones and background network. The mode of younger features can be characterized as sharp, dilational, brittle fracturing and subsequent shearing, thereby producing comminution and fragmentation in various sizes, leading to a series of younger faults with detectable lateral, as well as vertical, offset. This rich variability in the nature of the distribution, localization, kinematics, and formation mechanisms, if true, suggests that the conditions prevailing within the crust of Europa must have changed dramatically over time. The implication of this conclusion is that structures interpreted to be compaction/dilation bands and shear bands on Europa are composed of deformed materials similar to the surrounding ice, whereas only the younger faults, developed by brittle fracturing and fragmentation, may be conduits for mobile substrate to reach the surface and thus offer the highest potential for recovering evidence for life in the satellite.     

基于数字图像测量系统的饱和细砂渐进破坏特性研究

基于亚像素角点检测的数字图像测量系统能够记录三轴试样表面方块角点的位移,从而获得试样表面每一时刻的局部应变及应变场。分析了试样不同位置的局部径向应变在剪切过程中的变化,获得了以不同初始成样含水率制备的松砂和密砂试样在不同特征时刻的应力与应变的特征值。通过轴向应变场的变化分析了从应变局部化出现到剪切带发育、形成的这一完整的渐进破坏过程,总结了剪切带形成时的局部最大轴向应变特征值,并定性地分析了剪切带内、外土体在渐进破坏过程中不同的轴向应变增长率。试验结果表明：在应变场中试样应变局部化明显,并可以依此确定应变局部化的出现、剪切带的形成;对于密砂及初始含水率为0%制备的松砂试样,应力在应变局部化出现之初即达到峰值,剪切带形成时应力已经开始下降,进入应变软化阶段;以初始含水率为6%和12%制备的松砂试样在达到应力峰值时剪切带已经形成;剪切带内土体的局部轴向应变增长幅度比剪切带外的土体大得多。试样整体轴向应变的增大主要是由剪切带内土体剪切破坏产生的较大轴向应变所致。     

基于应变梯度理论的韧性剪切带理论研究

地质领域中存在的大量事实都可以归为应变局部化范畴,韧性剪切带是剪切应变局部化带。本文首次应用应变梯度塑性理论对韧性剪切带进行了理论分析。获得了韧性剪切带内部局部剪应变(率)分布规律,剪切带错动总位移及剪切带法向位移的理论表达式,以及韧性剪切带内部体积应变(率)和孔隙率分布规律。剪应变局部化导致了体积应变和孔隙率局部化。随着应变软化的加剧,剪应变、体积应变和孔隙率局部化加剧;随着应力率绝对值的增加,剪应变率、体积应变率集中程度增强。      

Pattern of deformation around the central Aeolian Islands: evidence from multichannel seismics and GPS data

The tectonics of the central Aeolian Islands, which are located within the Tyrrhenian backarc basin, has been investigated through a marine seismic reflection survey. We find that compressional structures dominate around the islands, whereas extensional faults occur only to the north of Salina and Filicudi, towards the Marsili basin. This pattern of deformation, although different from previously reported, is in agreement with the strain field and stress regime obtained from GPS measurements and seismological data. Age constraints suggest that contractional deformation was active since middle Pleistocene, being coeval with the building of the volcanic edifices of the Aeolian Islands, and is superimposed on pre‐existing extensional deformation. Compressional and extensional regimes, therefore, can coexist within a backarc setting. Seismic profiles show that the Tindari‐Letojanni fault, considered as a major tectonic element, does not extend to the north towards the island of Vulcano as a throughgoing fault; rather, deformation is accommodated in a broader belt displaying greater structural complexity.     

辽南中生代造山期缩短滑脱与晚造山伸展拆离构造

该区的构造格局主要由早期近东西向紧闭的褶皱带和晚期北北东向构造组成。早期的南北向缩短构造以龙王庙平卧褶皱和大小长山岛的直立紧闭褶皱为代表,分别具有扇状间隔性压溶劈理和透入性轴面片理,褶面倒向以北为主。北北东向构造切割近东西向构造,表层表现为北西西向薄皮逆冲推覆构造,浅层构造具有扇状压溶劈理的紧闭褶皱,深层表现为基底与盖层间的拆离断层及其下的韧性剪切带。早期的研究者将该断层作为辽南推覆构造底部的滑脱面,现今则压倒性地采用变质核杂岩的构造理念。根据相关剪切带早期面内褶皱发育,晚期伸展褶劈理发育,通过运动学涡度和应力状态分析,论证早期滑脱-推覆到晚期伸展拆离的演化过程。野外观测证明,辽南基底变质岩西侧的金州断层为一伸展拆离断层,它切割东侧的董家沟断层,前者平行于下伏糜棱岩中的同向伸展褶劈理,后者平行下伏糜棱岩的糜棱面理。金州拆离断层的形成及其东侧的隆起标志着辽南构造体制从缩短到伸展的转折。根据相关的年代学研究,这一构造体制转化发生在早白垩世(约120～107 Ma)。该区最新的构造事件是北东-南西向的缩短,相关的北北东向的右行走滑断层与晚白垩世以来的郯庐断层活动方式一致。     

Propagation of a shear band in sandstone

Closed‐loop, servo‐controlled experiments were conducted to investigate the development of a shear band in Berea sandstone at various confining pressures. The tests were performed with the University of Minnesota Plane‐Strain Apparatus, which was designed to allow the shear band to develop in an unrestricted manner. Measured load and displacements provided estimates of the stress and deformation states whereby dilatancy and friction were evaluated prior to localization. Experiments were stopped at various stages of shear‐band development within the strain‐softening regime. The specimens displayed a progression of deformation from inception, where the shear band was characterized by a high density of intragranular microcracks and crushed grains, to the tip where the intragranular microcracks were significantly less dense and separated by intact grains. Decreased slip deformation towards the tip of the shear band indicated that localization developed and propagated in plane. Thin‐section microscopy showed porosity increase within the shear band was 3–4 grain diameters wide. Increased porosity did not extend beyond the tip of the shear band. A cohesive zone model of shear fracture, used to examine the stress field near the tip, showed similarities to principal compressive stress orientations interpreted from intragranular microcracks. Thus, propagation of the shear band could be associated with in‐plane mode II fracture. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

盆地-山岭耦合体系与地球动力学机制

盆山耦合分析应该将地球动力学环境和板块运动学序列结合起来, 根据地球动力学环境所提出的: 伸展构造体系、挤压构造体系、走滑构造体系和克拉通构造体系进行定性与定量分析; 依照板块运动学序列所划分的主要旋回: 裂解阶段、俯冲阶段、碰撞阶段和后造山阶段进行定位与定时分析.伸展构造体系在离散期为陆内裂陷盆地及伸展造山带; 在聚合期为弧后裂陷盆地及张性岩浆弧造山带; 在后造山期为后继裂陷盆地及晚期伸展造山带.挤压构造体系在俯冲期为弧后前陆盆地及俯冲造山带; 在碰撞期为周缘前陆盆地及碰撞造山带; 在再活动期为再生前陆盆地及再生造山带.走滑构造体系在伸展期为走滑拉分盆地及剪张山岭; 在挤压期为走滑挠曲盆地及剪压造山带.克拉通构造体系在裂解期为克拉通内部盆地; 在拼合期为克拉通边缘盆地.      

Influence of relative density,particle shape,and stress path on the plane strain compression behavior of granular materials

Two types of stress path-controlled plane strain compression tests were performed on both loose and dense specimens of angular and sub-angular sands and two rounded glass beads with different particle sizes. Digital image correlation method was used to analyze local deformation developments, especially shear band patterns. The material behavior in response to shearing has been found to be dependent on the relative density, particle shape, and stress path. The results of analysis on local deformation developments showed that the onset of shear bands occurred prior to their peak strengths in both dense and loose specimens. The growth rates of local maximum shear strain along a shear band were approximately consistent with an increasing global axial strain after the onset of shear band. The shear band width was influenced by both the mean particle size and the particle shape. The measured shear band inclination angles were in between those estimated by Coulomb’s and Roscoe’s formulas.     

谈调整构造

调整构造是伸展型沉积盆地和造山带中普遍存在的构造，它与走向构造一起，控制了沉积盆地或造山带的基本轮廓与内部结构。调整构造横切走向构造，并与之共同控盆、控岩、控矿，并间隔开两侧不同的构造样式。它以长时期、多阶段活动，具有高渗透性为主要特征，是控制矿带展布与矿床就位的重要构造，也是固定成矿预测区与找矿靶区的重要依据之一，本文以鲁西、中亚及乌拉山—大青山地区、兰坪─思茅盆地区及右江盆地区为例，论述了调整构造的基本特征及控矿作用。     

Centrifuge model tests on sand specimen under extensional load

The appearance of shear banding in granular materials has been investigated intensively during the last decades and is still of ongoing importance in terms of understanding the stress–strain behaviour of the material, the localization phenomena and the interaction between soil and structure. Only less attention has been paid to the occurrence of systems of shear bands although such systems can be identified in geotechnical structures as well as in geological formations. In this paper we present results of experiments on sand specimens under extensional load in natural gravity as well as in increased gravity in the centrifuge where the influence of the stress level on the geometry of a shear band pattern, specified by the spacing of the shear bands and the angle between failure surfaces and minor stress direction, has been investigated. X‐ray technique has been used to visualize the failure zones inside the specimen, an optical measurement system called Digital Image Correlation has been applied to identify and observe the appearing deformation mechanism on the sides of the specimens in natural gravity as well as during the flight in the centrifuge. It can be shown that the geometry of the shear band pattern is sparsely influenced by the change of the stress level. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Viscous Energy Dissipation and Strain Partitioning in Partially Molten Rocks

We develop a steady-state fluid-mechanical analysis describingthe effect of strain partitioning on viscous energy dissipation.As observed in experimental studies of shear deformation ofpartially molten rocks, strain partitions when melt segregatesbecause viscosity is reduced in regions of elevated melt fraction.The equations derived here are based on parameters measuredin experiments, describing the evolution of melt distributionand rheological properties. We find that the dissipation dependsstrongly on the configuration of the melt-rich network of shearzones, including the average angle, volume fraction of meltand amplification of strain rate in the melt-rich bands. Minimain energy dissipation as a function of band angle develop, correspondingto configurations of melt networks that minimize the differencein mean stress between the band and the non-band regions. Wepropose that the organization of band networks occurs by theinterplay between strain localization and viscosity variationsassociated with melt segregation. The band networks maintaina steady-state angle during shear by continuously pumping meltthrough the network. The development of strain partitioningin melt-rich networks will modify the energetics of meltingand melt transport by efficiently extracting melt and reducingeffective viscosity. KEY WORDS: melt transport; rheology; self-organization; strain localization; strain partitioning     

Deformation Localization-A Review on the Maximum- Effective-Moment (MEM) Criterion

The essential difference in the formation of conjugate shear zones in brittle and ductile deformation is that the intersection angle between brittle conjugate faults in the contractional quadrants is acute(usually ~60°) whereas the angle between conjugate ductile shear zones is obtuse(usually 110°). The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, an experimentally validated empirical relationship, is commonly applied for interpreting the stress directions based on the orientation of the brittle shear fractures. However, the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion fails to explain the formation of the low-angle normal fault, high-angle reverse fault, and the conjugate strike-slip fault with an obtuse angle in the σ1 direction. Although it is ten years since the Maximum-Effective-Moment(MEM) criterion was first proposed, and increasingly solid evidence in support of it has been obtained from both observed examples in nature and laboratory experiments, it is not yet a commonly accepted model to use to interpret these antiMohr-Coulomb features that are widely observed in the natural world. The deformational behavior of rock depends on its intrinsic mechanical properties and external factors such as applied stresses, strain rates, and temperature conditions related to crustal depths. The occurrence of conjugate shear features with obtuse angles of ~110° in the contractional direction on different scales and at different crustal levels are consistent with the prediction of the MEM criterion, therefore ~110° is a reliable indicator for deformation localization that occurred at medium-low strain rates at any crustal levels. Since the strain–rate is variable through time in nature, brittle, ductile, and plastic features may appear within the same rock.     

Extensional deformation structures within a convergent orogen: The Val di Lima low-angle normal fault system (Northern Apennines,Italy)

A low-angle extensional fault system affecting the non metamorphic rocks of the carbonate dominated Tuscan succession is exposed in the Lima valley (Northern Apennines, Italy). This fault system affects the right-side-up limb of a kilometric-scale recumbent isoclinal anticline and is, in turn, affected by superimposed folding and late-tectonic high-angle extensional faulting.The architecture of the low-angle fault system has been investigated through detailed structural mapping and damage zone characterization. Pressure-depth conditions and paleofluid evolution of the fault system have been studied through microstructural, mineralogical, petrographic, fluid inclusion and stable isotope analyses. Our results show that the low-angle fault system was active during exhumation of the Tuscan succession at about 180°C and 5 km depth, with the involvement of low-salinity fluids. Within this temperature - depth framework, the fault zone architecture shows important differences related to the different lithologies involved in the fault system and to the role played by the fluids during deformation. In places, footwall overpressuring influenced active deformation mechanisms and favored shear strain localization.Our observations indicate that extensional structures affected the central sector of the Northern Apennines thrust wedge during the orogenic contractional history, modifying the fluid circulation through the upper crust and influencing its mechanical behavior.