The Impact of Roundness of Granular Materials on Physical Modeling Results

Abstract:

The physical modeling, which developed rapidly and applied widely, has been widely accepted as an effective method to study the deformation mechanism and the process of tectonic evolution. Granular materials, which were widely used in the physics modeling, were commonly used to analog the deformation of the upper crust. Some attribute of different materials play an important role in the physical modeling. Many previous studies suggested that the granule roundness determined the angle of internal friction. The detail of their impact, however, is still obscure and poorly understood. Microspheres, beach quartz sand, and artificial quartz sand are used to investigate the impact of the roundness on physical modeling in this case study, using three models with some similar parameters. The present study shows that the microsphere with perfect roundness made it easy to roll, leading to the profile of fold-thrust belt round. Some deformation details are difficult to decode, and the strain distribution was dispersed. The model with artificial quartz sand uplifted highest, due to the angular roundness and the granule are difficult to move. The strain was most concentrated, suggesting significant discrepancy of strain value among different part of the deformation area. Beach quartz sand with appropriate roundness, however, showed the medium performance what we expect in structure physics modeling.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 602-604)
• Pages: 1814-1817
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.602-604.1814
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Chong Qing Liu, Jian Xun Zhou, Jian Liu
• Keywords: Angle of Internal Friction, Granular Materials, Physical Modeling, Stress Distribution

References

[1] J X Zhou, F Y Xu, T C Wang, A F Cao, C M Yin: Cenozoic deformation history of the Qaidam Basin, NW China: Results from cross-section restoration and implications for Qinghai–Tibet Plateau tectonics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Vol. 243 (2006), p.195

DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.11.033

[2] H.A. Koyi, A.Bahroudi: Tectono-sedimentary framework of the Gachsaran Formation in the Zagros foreland basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology. Vol. 21 (2004), p.1295

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2004.09.001

[3] J.P. Burg: Shortening of analogue models of the continental lithosphere: New hypothesis for the formation of the Tibetan platean. Tectonics. Vol. 13 (1994),p.475

DOI: 10.1029/93tc02738

[4] P.R. Cobbold, F.O. Marques: Effects of topography on the curvature of fold-and-thrust belts during shortening of a 2-layer model of continental lithosphere. Tectonophysics. Vol. 415 (2006), p.65

DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2005.12.001

[5] K.K. Agarwal, G.K. Agrawal: Analogue Sandbox Models of Thrust Wedges with Variable Basal Frictions. Gondwana Research. Vol. 5 (2002), p.641

DOI: 10.1016/s1342-937x(05)70635-3

[6] C.B. Ana: Recess drawn by the internal zone outer boundary and oblique structures in the paleomargin-derived units (Subbetic Domain, central Betics): An analogue modelling approach. Journal of Structural Geology. Vol. 30 (2008), p.65

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2007.09.009

[7] M. Bonini: Deformation patterns and structural vergence in brittleeductile thrust wedges: An additional analogue modelling perspective. Journal of Structural Geology. Vol. 29 (2007), p.141

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2006.06.012

[8] E. Costa, B.C. Vendeville: Experimental insights on the geometry and kinematics of fold-and-thrust be1ts above weak. viscous evaporitic decollement. Vol. 24 (2002), p.1729

DOI: 10.1016/s0191-8141(01)00169-9

[9] M. Bonini: Deformation patterns and structural vergence in brittleeductile thrust wedges: An additional analogue modelling perspective. Journal of Structural Geology. Vol. 29 (2007), p.141

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2006.06.012

[10] M. Lujan, F. Rossetti, F. Storti: Flow trajectories in analogue viscous orogenic wedges: Insights on natural orogens. Tectonophysics. Vol. 484 (2010), p.119

DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2009.09.009

[11] M. Bonini: Detachment folding, fold amplification, and diapirism in thrust wedge experiments. Tectonics. Vol. 22 (2003), p.1065

DOI: 10.1029/2002tc001458

[12] S.E. Lallemand, P. Schnuerle, J. Malavieille : Coulomb theory applied to accretionary and non-accretionary wedges; possible causes for tectonic erosion and/ or frontal accretion. Journal of Geophysical Research. Vol. 99 (6), p.12033

DOI: 10.1029/94jb00124

[13] M.A. Gutscher, N. Kukowski, J. Malavieille, S. Lallemand: Cyclical behavior of thrust wedges; insights from high basal friction sandbox experiments. Geology. Vol. 24 (1996), p.135

DOI: 10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0135:cbotwi>2.3.co;2

[14] P.R. Cobbold: Sand as an analogue material in tectonics; advantages, limitations and future developments. European Union of Geosciences Conference Abstracts. Vol.104 (1999), p.602.

[15] W.P. Schellart: Shear test results for cohesion and friction coefficients for different granular materials: scaling implications for their usage in analogue modelling. Tectonophysics. Vol. 324 (2000), p.1

DOI: 10.1016/s0040-1951(00)00111-6