English

Numerical simulation of multiscale fault systems with rate- and state-dependent friction

Numerical Analysis 2022-01-17 v2 Numerical Analysis

Abstract

We consider the deformation of a geological structure with non-intersecting faults that can be represented by a layered system of viscoelastic bodies satisfying rate- and state-depending friction conditions along the common interfaces. We derive a mathematical model that contains classical Dieterich- and Ruina-type friction as special cases and accounts for possibly large tangential displacements. Semi-discretization in time by a Newmark scheme leads to a coupled system of non-smooth, convex minimization problems for rate and state to be solved in each time step. Additional spatial discretization by a mortar method and piecewise constant finite elements allows for the decoupling of rate and state by a fixed point iteration and efficient algebraic solution of the rate problem by truncated non-smooth Newton methods. Numerical experiments with a spring slider and a layered multiscale system illustrate the behavior of our model as well as the efficiency and reliability of the numerical solver.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2110.14429,
  title  = {Numerical simulation of multiscale fault systems with rate- and state-dependent friction},
  author = {Carsten Gräser and Ralf Kornhuber and Joscha Podlesny},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2110.14429},
  year   = {2022}
}