Development of a Pressure Vessel for Hydrothermal Control in Biaxial Deformation Experiments at the Penn State Rock Mechanics Laboratory

0345813Marone从这个补助金的支持将促进定制设计的双轴变形装置，将允许在地壳上部到中部的温度，压力和孔隙流体条件下，当受到断层带应力的地球材料的行为的基础研究的建设。 压力容器、载荷框架和热液控制系统将在宾夕法尼亚州立大学内部使用现有的机械车间和电子设备和专业知识建造。 该系统将由专门的技术人员在PI Chris Marone的监督下在两年时间内组装。 研究真实地震震源条件下地球材料的性质，将大大提高我们对地震断层破裂启动过程的认识。 相关的实验数据较少，该仪器的研制成功将为岩石力学领域增添新的经验数据。 将使用该装置获得的实验数据与计划中的对圣安德烈亚斯断层带材料所经历的机械和物理环境的原位观察高度互补（即，SAFOD钻探项目）。

0345813MaroneSupport from this grant will facilitate construction of a custom-design biaxial deformation apparatus that will allow for fundamental studies of the behavior of earth materials at upper- to mid-crustal temperatures, pressures, and pore fluid conditions when subjected to fault zone stresses. Pressure vessels, a load frame, and hydrothermal control systems will be built in-house at Penn State using existing machine shop and electronics equipment and expertise. The system will be assembled by a dedicated technician within a two-year time period under the supervision of PI Chris Marone. Study of the properties of earth materials under realistic earthquake hypocentral conditions will greatly improve our understanding of earthquake fault rupture initiation processes. Relevant experimental data is sparse and successful development of this apparatus will add new empirical data to the field of rock mechanics. Experimental data that will be obtained with this device is highly complementary to planned in situ observation of the mechanical and physical environment experienced by San Andreas fault zone materials (i.e., the SAFOD drilling project).***