Duration - 01/09/2011 - 31/08/2015
PhD student - Ting Zhang
Funding - PhD funded by ENS (Earth and Natural Sciences) PhD Programme, PRTLI Cycle 5.
Research Partners
Project description
One of the responses of the uppermost part of the earth's brittle crust to uplift and associated extension is the formation of populations of fractures within rock masses, which together form what are referred to as joint systems. This project will investigate the nature of the processes and factors which control the 3D growth and geometrical properties of joint systems within multi-layered sequences, a long-standing issue in structural geology and many application areas. Despite their significance in controlling both the strength and flow properties of rocks, existing models of joint systems are relatively simple. Recent work using a Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) approach has provided an improved mechanical rationale for the basic scaling properties of joints. Near regular joint spacing, which scales with layer thickness, can be shown to be related to a combination of mechanical properties and conditions, including layer and layer-interface properties, confining pressure and pore fluid pressure (Schöpfer et al. 2011, Journal of Structural Geology). The proposed project will extend existing DEM modelling capability into 3-D, providing a basis for investigating the broader range of processes and factors controlling the 3D growth and geometrical properties of joint systems within layered sequences. Modelling results will be linked to detailed descriptions of the 3-D geometry of joint systems contained within the Carboniferous limestones of the Burren and the Carboniferous sandstones of Donegal/Sligo (Mullaghmore sandstone), which represent some of the best exposures of joint systems in Europe.
Contact: Conrad Childs
Tel: +353 1 716 2606
Email