Earth rheology

Earth rheology
Licence Sciences de la Terre Parcours Geology, geophysics, georesources (UFAZ) (délocalisé en Azerbaïdjan)

ComposanteÉcole et observatoire des sciences de la Terre (EOST)

Description

This course covers theoretical and practical basic concepts about Earth’s rheology. Rheology is the science that studies the mechanical behavior of materials. The Earth’s lithosphere responds to certain rheological laws depending on its composition and temperature. These laws define the brittle or ductile behavior of the rock, which will influence the way the lithosphere deforms. The course will describe how we measure rheological parameters of rocks in the lab and how to build rheological laws to describe the strength of the lithosphere. We will present and use rheological laws for Earth materials using unidirectional models. The course will use the concept of tensors, stress and strain and will require you to solve some equations.

Compétences requises

Continuum mechanics: Tensor, Stress and Strain. Matrix manipulation: diagonalization, multiplication, etc.Compute the principal stresses/strain and principal stress/strain directions. Obtain normal and shear stresses on a given plane. Concept of Elasticity 

Compétences visées

By the end of this course students should be able to:

·        Understand the concept of rheology and how it applies to Earth materials.

·        Use rheological laws to distinguish between elastic deformation, plastic deformation, creep, and the notion of fracture.

·        Model the behavior of materials according to the imposed rheological model and use those rheological models to make predictions on future deformation.

·        Relate different types of behavior to rock characteristics and thermodynamic conditions.

·        Understand how the Earth’s lithosphere is modelled through appropriate constitutive equations. 

·        Illustrate the importance of strain rate in rheology.

Syllabus

Earth Rheology, Continium Mechanics, Rheological model. 

Bibliographie

- Cornet, F. H. (2015). Elements of crustal geomechanics. Cambridge University Press.
- Tanner, R. I. (2000). Engineering rheology (Vol. 52). OUP Oxford.
- Fung, Y.C. (1993). A first course in continuum mechanics, Prentice Hall.
- Ranalli, G. (1995). Rheology of the Earth. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Burov, E. (2011). Rheology and strength of the lithosphere, Marine and Petroleum Geology, 28, 8, 1402-1443, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.05.008

Contacts

Responsable(s) de l'enseignement