Formula Sheet for Structural Geology and Tectonics

Ductile deformation flow laws Progressive strain and flow

Plastic (Von Mises) Creep de
Longitudinal strain rate e! =
σ d = C (constant) dt
where σd is differential stress. dγ
Shear strain rate γ! =
Viscous (Newtonian) flow dt
Strain rate e! ∝ σ d ⎛ L11 L12 L13 ⎞
where σd is differential stress. Alternatively: Velocity gradient matrix L = ⎜ L21 L22 L23 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
σ d = ηe ⎜⎝ L31 L32 L33 ⎟⎠
where η = viscosity.
! L L13 $
or (in 2 dimensions) L = ## 11 &&
Specific equation for diffusional creep " L31 L33 %
( )
e = Aσ d exp −E * RT d − r Velocity at any point x is given by v = Lx
! v $ ! L
where d is the grain size and r is 2 for grain- L13 $! x1 $
or ## 1 && = ## 11 &&## &&
boundary diffusion and 3 for volume " v3 % " L31 L33 %" x3 %
diffusion
Stretching and rotation components of L
Power Law Creep
n ⎛ e! 1
γ! ⎞ ⎛ 0 1
γ! ⎞
e ∝ σ d L= S+W = ⎜ 1
11 2
⎟ +⎜
2
⎟
⎜⎝ 2 γ! e!33 ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ −
1
γ! 0 ⎟⎠
where k and n are constants 2

or more specifically Kinematic vorticity number:

(
e = Aσ dn exp −E * RT ) Wk = rotation rate/distortion rate = cos(α)
where α is the angle between the eigenvectors of L
where A and n are constants for the material, E*
is the activation energy, R is the gas Simple shear zones
constant and T is the absolute temperature. If γ = shear strain, orientation θ of finite extension
Exponential Creep axis s1 to shear-zone boundary is given by: tan(2θ)
e ∝ exp(σ d ) = 2/γ

or more specifically:
(
e! = A exp (σ ) exp −E *
d RT )
where A is a constant for the material, E* is the
activation energy, R is the gas constant and
T is the absolute temperature

Page 7 © J.W.F. Waldron 2016, November 27, Sunday