GY360 Structural Geology

Lecture notes on the dynamic analysis of stress

 Calculation of Lithostatic Stress
Using a specified density of overburden and depth

D = 2.8g/cm3 F = ma
5 km F = VDa (where D = density, V = volume)
F =(D)(h)(b)a
F = force (where h = height of column; b = area of base)
A = area F = (2.8g/cm3)(5.0x105cm)(1.0cm2)(980cm/sec2)
m = mass
a = acceleration F = [1,372,000,000 (g)(cm)]/sec2
F = ma = 1,372,000,000 dynes
F = (1,372,000,000 dynes) / cm2 *
stress (F) = F (1.0 bar)/(1,000,000 dynes/cm2)
A
F = 1,372 bar = 1.372 kbar
Given a depth of burial of 5 km, density
of 2.8, calculate the lithostatic stress on a Pressure gradient:
one cm3 volume. (5.0 km)/(1.372 kbar) = (3.64 km)/(kbar)
a = 980 cm/sec2
 The Triaxial Stress Apparatus
Otherwise known as the “Bomb”!

maximum compressive stress F1

Piston

Copper sleeve
minimum compressive stress
Fluid
F3

Sample

pump (fluid=lithostatic)
 Calculation of Stress using
Resolution of Forces
Triaxial stress apparatus example
+Y axis
SY
balanced
5,000 psi forces
“n” unit area FYO

2=65 2
SX FOX FXO

+X axis
area=(n units)(cos 65)

area=(n units)(sin 65)

15,000 psi
FOY
 Resolution of Forces
Using the balanced forces assumption

F=F/A
tan " = opp./adj.
F=FA
tan " = 2113 psi/13595 psi
Fxo=Fox (balanced forces)
" = 8.83E
Fxo = SxA = Sx(n units)2
Fox = (5000psi)(cos 65)(n units)2
Sx(n units)2 = (5000psi)(cos 65)(n units)2 "
Sx = 2113 psi 13758 13595
Sy = (15000 psi)(sin 65)
Sy = 13595 psi 65

FOX FXO
F2 = Sx2+Sy2
F2 = (2113psi)2+(13595 psi)2 2113
F = 13758 psi area=(n units)(cos 65)

area=(n units)(sin 65)

FOY
 Resolving Stress Tensor
Components of the stress tensor parallel and perpendicular to
the potential shear plane
8.83E
13758 psi J

cos (16.17E) = (FN)/(13758 psi)

25E
FN
65E
FN = 13214 psi 65E 16.17E
sin (16.17E) = J/(13758 psi)
J = +3831 psi
 Table of Normal(F) and Shear(J) Stress
As a function of theta (2) angle from potential shear plane
2(angle
with F1) Normal Stress(F) Shear Stress(J) Ratio (J/F)
0 5000 0 0.0
5 5075 868 17.1
10 5301 1710 32.3
15 5669 2500 44.1
20 6169 3214 52.1 F3=5,000 psi
25 6786 3830 56.4
30 7500 4330 57.7
35 8289 4698 56.7
40 9131 4924 53.9
45 10000 5000 50.0
50 10868 4924 45.3 2
55 11710 4698 40.1
60 12500 4330 34.6
65 13213 3830 29.0
70 13830 3214 23.2
75 14330 2500 17.4
80 14698 1710 11.6
85 14924 868 5.8
90 15000 0 -0.0 F1=15,000 psi
Normal and Shear Stress Values
As a function of theta angle
16 60
σ1=15,000
14 σ3=5,000 50
12
40
10

8 30

6 20

4
10
2
0
0

-2 -10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
THETA

SHEAR STRESS NORMAL STRESS RATIO J/F

 Mohr Circle for Stress
General equations for F and J

SHEAR STRESS
τ
A(dextral) Lithostatic = F1+F3
Cohesive 2
1000
strength(Jo)

Tensile
strength F1 = 2700
22
1000 2000 3000 bar
NORMAL STRESS
F = F1+F3 - F1-F3 cos(22)
F3 = 450 σ
2 2

J = F1-F3 sin(22) -1000

2 B(sinistral) radius = F1-F3

NOTE: 2 is the angle between the plane and the F1 direction.

2