Rheological Controls on Fold Shape and Strain Distribution

层状岩石中褶皱的形成和发展是一种基本现象，但这一过程涉及到一系列复杂的可能变量。本项目通过线性和非线性粘性材料的建模，继续研究层状材料中的折叠。有限元模型将研究单层和多层褶皱中的形状和应变分布如何随粘度对比度、幂函数型本构关系中的指数以及初始形状、波长和层间距的变化而变化。结果应该会增加对在自然条件下变形的岩石流变性的基本控制的理解。

The initiation and development of folds in layered rocks is a fundamental phenomena, however the process involves a complex set of possible variables. This project continues research on folding in layered materials by modeling in linear and non-linear viscous materials. Finite element models will study how shape and strain distribution in single-layer and multilayer folds vary as a function of viscosity contrast, the exponent in a constitutive relation of power-law type, and initial shape, wavelength and layer spacing. Results should increase understanding of the fundamental controls on the rheology of rocks deformed under natural conditions.