Discrete Element Investigation of the Influence of Shallow Soil Density on the Manifestations of Strike-Slip Surface Fault Rupture.
Saved in:
| Title: | Discrete Element Investigation of the Influence of Shallow Soil Density on the Manifestations of Strike-Slip Surface Fault Rupture. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Garcia, Fernando E.1 (AUTHOR), Baden, Curtis2 (AUTHOR) cbaden@usgs.gov, Nevitt, Johanna2 (AUTHOR) jnevitt@usgs.gov |
| Source: | Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering. Jul2026, Vol. 152 Issue 7, p1-17. 17p. |
| Subjects: | Soil density, Surface fault ruptures, Shear zones, Computer simulation, Strike-slip faults (Geology), Soil mechanics, Discrete element method |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the influence of soil relative density on strike-slip surface fault rupture manifestations using three-dimensional numerical simulations performed with the discrete element method (DEM). The simulations capture the formation of distinctive fault strands within complex flower structures using tens of millions of grains. The tendency for dense soils to localize shear manifests as multiple localized shear bands within wide zones of deformation in strike-slip fault rupture, whereas diffuse shear deformation develops within narrow zones in loose soils. The spatial extents of soil deformation are consistent between simulations having similar relative densities but with different quantities of grains. However, individual shears are more distinguishable in assemblages of finer grains than in assemblages of coarser grains. The simulations show the progressive development of new shears within the bounds of previously developed shears. Shear activity transitions inward as fault activity diminishes along the outermost shears and continues along newly developed shears until a vertically dipping throughgoing shear structure develops that accommodates most of the fault displacement thereon. The throughgoing fault develops at smaller fault displacements in looser soils because the first shear rupture propagates closer to the vertical direction and does not undergo as much inward translation of shear activity, as is observed in denser soils. In all simulations, ground surface uplift develops between nonintersecting active shears, and ground surface subsidence tends to develop where new shears intersect previous shears. The surface traces in these simulations are shown to be consistent with analog models and case histories of surface fault rupture occurring in different shallow subsurface materials. Although computationally costly, these modeling results are valuable for providing a strong numerical supplement to traditional analog models used to represent the mechanics of strike-slip zones in soil, and they provide quantifiable stresses and large-strain deformations throughout the model domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering is the property of American Society of Civil Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 193805211 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Discrete Element Investigation of the Influence of Shallow Soil Density on the Manifestations of Strike-Slip Surface Fault Rupture. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Garcia%2C+Fernando+E%2E%22">Garcia, Fernando E.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Baden%2C+Curtis%22">Baden, Curtis</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> cbaden@usgs.gov</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nevitt%2C+Johanna%22">Nevitt, Johanna</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> jnevitt@usgs.gov</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Geotechnical+%26+Geoenvironmental+Engineering%22">Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 152 Issue 7, p1-17. 17p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Soil+density%22">Soil density</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surface+fault+ruptures%22">Surface fault ruptures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Shear+zones%22">Shear zones</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation%22">Computer simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Strike-slip+faults+%28Geology%29%22">Strike-slip faults (Geology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Soil+mechanics%22">Soil mechanics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discrete+element+method%22">Discrete element method</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This study investigates the influence of soil relative density on strike-slip surface fault rupture manifestations using three-dimensional numerical simulations performed with the discrete element method (DEM). The simulations capture the formation of distinctive fault strands within complex flower structures using tens of millions of grains. The tendency for dense soils to localize shear manifests as multiple localized shear bands within wide zones of deformation in strike-slip fault rupture, whereas diffuse shear deformation develops within narrow zones in loose soils. The spatial extents of soil deformation are consistent between simulations having similar relative densities but with different quantities of grains. However, individual shears are more distinguishable in assemblages of finer grains than in assemblages of coarser grains. The simulations show the progressive development of new shears within the bounds of previously developed shears. Shear activity transitions inward as fault activity diminishes along the outermost shears and continues along newly developed shears until a vertically dipping throughgoing shear structure develops that accommodates most of the fault displacement thereon. The throughgoing fault develops at smaller fault displacements in looser soils because the first shear rupture propagates closer to the vertical direction and does not undergo as much inward translation of shear activity, as is observed in denser soils. In all simulations, ground surface uplift develops between nonintersecting active shears, and ground surface subsidence tends to develop where new shears intersect previous shears. The surface traces in these simulations are shown to be consistent with analog models and case histories of surface fault rupture occurring in different shallow subsurface materials. Although computationally costly, these modeling results are valuable for providing a strong numerical supplement to traditional analog models used to represent the mechanics of strike-slip zones in soil, and they provide quantifiable stresses and large-strain deformations throughout the model domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering is the property of American Society of Civil Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=193805211 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1061/JGGEFK.GTENG-14052 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 17 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Soil density Type: general – SubjectFull: Surface fault ruptures Type: general – SubjectFull: Shear zones Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer simulation Type: general – SubjectFull: Strike-slip faults (Geology) Type: general – SubjectFull: Soil mechanics Type: general – SubjectFull: Discrete element method Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Discrete Element Investigation of the Influence of Shallow Soil Density on the Manifestations of Strike-Slip Surface Fault Rupture. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Garcia, Fernando E. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Baden, Curtis – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Nevitt, Johanna IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 10900241 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 152 – Type: issue Value: 7 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
