See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Advances in Discontinuum Numerical Modeling in the Study of Earth Structure and Deformation
Abstract:
A process that may be significant in shear zones throughout much of the crust and upper mantle, and amenable to modeling with DEM, is diffusion-accommodated grain boundary sliding. Although there is little to no porosity in these rocks, grains rearrange without significant change in shape, similar to frictional granular flow. Because this viscous granular flow involves grain boundary sliding aided by diffusion and/or dislocation creep, the strength of grain contacts will depend on local stresses and grain properties in very different ways than in typical frictional sliding. We use a modified DEM code that explores a range of contact force laws designed to mimic these high temperature deformation mechanisms. We discuss the utility of the DEM method in describing evolving rheology during diffusion creep in mono- and polyphase material.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Advances in Discontinuum Numerical Modeling in the Study of Earth Structure and Deformation