Rate and state frictional parameters are typically determined using two types of experimental protocols: velocity steps and slide‐hold‐slide events. Here we take a new approach by examining the frictional response to controlled, harmonic oscillations in load point velocity. We present a Matlab graphical user interface software package, called RSFitOSC, that allows users to easily determine frictional parameters by fitting oscillation events using the rate and state friction equations. We apply our new methods to a set of ice‐rock friction experiments conducted over a temperature range of −16.4°C to −2°C, and described in a companion paper: McCarthy et al. (2021,
- Award ID(s):
- 1854629
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10252048
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Seismological Research Letters
- ISSN:
- 0895-0695
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract https://doi.org/10.1002/essoar.10509831.110.1002/essoar.10509831.1 ). Values of the frictional stability parameter (a –b ) determined from oscillations reveal dominantly velocity‐weakening behavior across the entire range of experimental conditions. However, values of (a–b ) determined from velocity steps in the same experiments yield velocity‐strengthening behavior. We also show that the elastic stiffness of the ice‐rock system depends on the temperature, and is unlikely to be explained by changes in the elastic properties of ice. Load point velocity oscillations induce oscillations in applied shear stress. Many natural fault systems exhibit slip behaviors that depend on harmonic oscillations in applied tidal stresses. Our new method provides a way to study how frictional properties directly depend on parameters relevant to tidal forcing, and how oscillatory loading must be considered when extracting friction parameters. -
Abstract The constitutive behavior of faults is central to many interconnected aspects of earthquake science, from fault dynamics to induced seismicity, to seismic hazards characterization. Yet, a friction law applicable to the range of temperatures found in the brittle crust and upper mantle is still missing. In particular, rocks often exhibit a transition from steady‐state velocity‐strengthening at room temperature to velocity‐weakening in warmer conditions that is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of competing healing mechanisms on the evolution of frictional resistance in a physical model of rate‐, state‐, and temperature‐dependent friction. The yield strength for fault slip depends on the real area of contact, which is modulated by the competition between the growth and erosion of interfacial micro‐asperities. Incorporating multiple healing mechanisms and rock‐forming minerals with different thermodynamic properties allows a transition of the velocity‐ and temperature‐dependence of friction at steady‐state with varying temperatures. We explain the mechanical data for granite, pyroxene, amphibole, shale, and natural fault gouges with activation energies and stress power exponent for weakening of 10–50 kJ/mol and 55–150, respectively, compatible with subcritical crack growth and inter‐granular flow in the active slip zone. Activation energies for the time‐dependent healing process in the range 90–130 kJ/mol in dry conditions and 20–65 kJ/mol in wet conditions indicate the prominence of viscoelastic collapse of microasperities in the absence of water and of pressure‐solution creep, crack healing, and cementation when assisted by pore fluids.
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