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651-4076-00L 3 Credits MSC D-USYS , D-ERDW

Anisotropical behaviour and rheology of rocks

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Karsten Kunze, PD Dr. Luigi Burlini
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:06

Abstract

Anisotropy of rocks: from laboratory measurements to numerical prediction. Link between structural geology, petrology and geophysics.Rheology of rocks: from laboratory measurements to flow laws used for numerical modelling. Special emphasis on plastic deformation.

Objective

Give laboratory experience for the determination of physical properties of rocks and comparison with the numerical prediction.

Content

Description of physical properties (seismic, thermal and electrical conductivity, permeability etc.) Elasticity in isotropic media. Microscopic aspects of anisotropy. Elasticity and seismic velocities in crystals. Elasticity in polyphase rocks. Exercises with software (Mainprice) to calculate seismic properties. Methods for the measurements of seismic properties of rocks in Laboratory. Practice on the bench with the oscilloscope. Anisotropy at different scales. Rheology and deformation mechanism: from single phase to polyphase rocks (solid state). Measurements and elaboration of LPO, SPO using OIM, Beartex, Surfor and Paror software. Introduction to rheology and flow laws. Deformation mechanism maps, crustal strength profiles and extrapolation from experiment to nature . Experimental rock deformation techniques (stress-strain curves etc.). Experimental deformation in Laboratory. Practice using uniaxial experimental set-up. Example in the brittle field. Experimental deformation practical in the Paterson gas rig.

Resources

Literature

Properties of earth and planetary materials at high pressure and temperature (M. Manghnani and T. Yagi eds.) (1998). AGU Geophys. Monograph. 101, Washington DC. p562 Handbook of physical constants (P. Sydney and JR Clark eds.) (1966). GSA Memoir 97, New Haven, p587 Wave fields in real media: wave peropagation in anisotropic, anelastic and porous media. M. Carcione. (2001). Pergamon press, Amsterdam, p390 Experimental rock deformation. The brittle field. M.S. Paterson. (1978). Springer Verlag, Berlin, p254. Phisical properties of crystals. J.F. Nye (1972) University press, Oxford. p322. Mineral physics and crystallography: a handbook of physical consants. (T.J. Ahrens ed.). 1995. AGU reference shelf 2, Washington DC, p354 Rock physics and phase relations: a handbook of physical consants. (T.J. Ahrens ed.). 1995. AGU reference shelf 3, Washington DC, p236 Introduction to the physics of the earth’s interior. J.-P. Poirier. (1991) Cambridge University press. Cambridge p264 Introduction to the physics of rocks. Y. Gueguen and V. Palciauskas.(1994). Princeton University press. Princeton p294 Physical properties of rocks and minerals. (R.S.Charmicael ed.). (1989). CRC press. Boca Raton, p741. Seismic anisotropy in the earth. V. Babuska and M. Cara (1991). Kluwer. Dordrtecht. p217.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Anisotropical behaviour and rheology of rocks
  • Tue 10:15-12:00 (CAB G 56)
2 h weekly

Offered In