Computer modeling of folding in rocks

The results of numerical mathematical modeling of rock deformations under compression are given. The numerical solutions are obtained using discretization of the equations of the solid mechanics with the finite element method. The model of an ideal elastic-plastic material with a Huber-Mises yield surface was used in the calculations. The layered medium structure is taken into account in modeling of the compression of layers of the lower/middle crust on a local scale. The natural folds in strongly deformed metamorphic sequences were reproduced by the mathematical deformation models. It is shown that folding in the lower part of the Earth’s crust is possible, when the yield stresses of the host rocks are approximately two orders of magnitude less than those of the hard layers. The effect of the boundary conditions and thickness of the compressed rocks on the folding is shown.