Development of an experimental system for analyzing the rheology of dense granular materials and fault gouge under seismic conditions

这笔赠款支持一项为期两年的合作，以开发一种旋转剪切设备，用于研究地震条件下致密颗粒材料和断层泥的流变性。为了同时使材料承受大滑动、流体限制、孔压升高、高滑动速度和高法向应力，该设备将结合商业上可用的加载和监测设备、PI开发的密封环形单元(将包含颗粒材料并允许在现场地震条件下加载)以及能够连续、单调地改变滑动速度的伺服控制液压系统。仪器的部件将在俄克拉荷马大学组装，但最终的仪器将在加利福尼亚州门洛帕克的美国地质勘探局安装和维护。如果成功，该装置有望产生新的实验数据，可能会促进我们对地震破裂机制的理解。

0732715RechesThis grant supports a two year collaborative effort to develop a rotary shear device for studying the rheology of dense granular materials and fault gouge under earthquake conditions. In order to simultaneously subject materials to large slip, fluid confinement, elevated pore pressure, high slip velocity, and high normal stress, the device will combine a commercially available loading and monitoring device together with a PI developed sealed annular cell that will contain the granular material and allow loading under in situ seismic conditions and a servo-controlled hydraulic system that is capable of continuous, monotonous change of slip velocity. Components of the instrument will be assembled at the University of Oklahoma though the final instrument will be housed and maintained at the USGS in Menlo Park, CA. If successful, the device is anticipated to produce novel experimental data that may lead to advances in our understanding of earthquake rupture mechanics.***