Grenzen quantitativer Untersuchungen bei tektonischen Experimenten

Quantitative experimental and theoretical investigations, except basic research, should focus only to such parameters which can be measured in the field. This is shown by three examples.

1. A model of a discontinuum composed of particles, between which friction occurs during shear is presented. Even at simple shear external and internal stresses are in equilibrium; no rigid body rotation occurs. The theory is examinated experimentally.
2. In deformation experiments with clay and sand a development of anisotropy is observed, which can cause shear fractures. The orientation of the normal stress directions can be discovered from the shear sets, their angular distribution, and the rotation of the individual blocks.
3. Most folds can be traced back to the following three types, a) Similar folds, b) concentric folds, and c) box folds. b) and c) occur only near the surface and near shear planes, as shown by experiments and field observations. In all other cases the more energy-consuming similar folds are formed. Kink bands are presumably transitional between folds and shear fractures.