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An analytical model for fracture nucleation in collapsible stratifications
Author(s) -
Heierli J.,
Zaiser M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl025311
Subject(s) - nucleation , stratification (seeds) , surface energy , materials science , fracture (geology) , fracture mechanics , elastic energy , mechanics , geology , composite material , thermodynamics , physics , seed dormancy , germination , botany , dormancy , biology
In collapsible stratifications a particular type of fracture can develop for which nucleation and propagation are governed by the transformation of gravitational energy into fracture energy. The associated nucleation problem is studied for a stratification consisting of an elastic surface layer, a collapsible intermediate layer and a rigid basal layer. An analytical model for fracture nucleation is obtained by calculating the energy (‘crack energy’) associated with a localized collapse of the intermediate layer. The size and energy of a critical crack are evaluated as functions of continuum properties of the strata. The theory is illustrated by an application to the case of whumpfs in collapsible snow stratifications.