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Correlation of plume morphologies on joint surfaces with their fracture mechanic implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2008

D. BAHAT*
Affiliation:
Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences Ben Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653 Beer Sheva, 84105Israel, and the Deichmann Rock Mechanics Laboratory of the Negev
A. RABINOVITCH
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653 Beer Sheva, 84105Israel, and the Deichmann Rock Mechanics Laboratory of the Negev
V. FRID
Affiliation:
Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences Ben Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653 Beer Sheva, 84105Israel, and the Deichmann Rock Mechanics Laboratory of the Negev
*
Author for correspondence: bahat@bgu.ac.il

Abstract

The fractography and conditions of propagation of joints that cut Devonian siltstones in the Appalachian Plateau, New York, and Eocene chalks from the Beer Sheva Syncline, Israel, are investigated. The joints cutting the siltstones are marked by S-type and C-type plumes, and the joints cutting the Lower Eocene and Middle Eocene chalks are marked by coarse and delicate plumes, respectively. The four plume types propagated under sub-critical (slow propagation) conditions. On the semi-quantitative fracture velocity (v) versus the tensile stress intensity (KI) curves, the S and C plume types fall in the KI=0.073–0.79 MPa m1/2 and v=2×10−4–10−2 m/s and KI=0.073–0.79 MPa m1/2 and v=10−6–10−4 m/s ranges respectively. The coarse and delicate plumes fall in the KI=0.03–0.17 MPa m1/2 and v=10−6–4×10−5 m/s and KI=0.03–0.17 MPa m1/2 and v=10−4–5×10−3 m/s ranges, respectively. Generally, slow plumes are relatively short, show periodicity, and typically exhibit superposition of arrest marks. On the other hand, faster plumes are longer and continuous, occur particularly in thinner layers, and show no superposition of arrest marks. There is a clear distinction between two en échelon segmentation end-members in the joint fringe, the ‘discontinuous breakdown type’ and the ‘continuous breakdown type’. There are also ‘transitional’ variations between the end-members. Only curved ‘discontinuous breakdown type’ boundaries of en échelon fringes can be equated with mirror boundaries.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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