The effect of stress barriers on unconventional-singularity-driven frictional rupture

Abstract

Whether or not energy dissipation is localized in the vicinity of the rupture tip, and whether any distal energy dissipation far from the crack tip has a significant influence on rupture dynamics are key questions in the description of frictional ruptures, in particular regarding the application of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) to earthquakes. These questions are investigated experimentally using a 40-cm-long experimental frictional interface. Three independent pistons apply a normal load with a fourth piston applying a shear load, enabling the application of a heterogeneous stress state and stress barriers. After loading the frictional interface to a near-critical state, subsequent unloading of one normal-load piston leads to dynamic ruptures which propagate into the heterogeneous stress fields. The ruptures in these experiments are found to be driven by unconventional singularities, characterized by an ever-increasing breakdown work with slip, and as a result do not conform to the assumptions of LEFM. As these experimental stress barriers inhibit slip, they therefore also reduce the breakdown work occurring outside of the cohesive zone. It is shown that this distal weakening, far from the crack tip, must be considered for the accurate prediction of rupture arrest length. These experiments are performed in the context of a proposed stimulation technique for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs). It has previously been suggested, through theoretical arguments, that stress barriers could be induced through the manipulation of pore pressure such that there is reduced seismic hazard during the shear stimulation of EGSs. This stimulation technique, known as preconditioning, is demonstrated here to reduce the mechanical energy flux to the crack tip, $G$, while also increasing the fracture energy, $G_c$. Preconditioning is shown to be capable of arresting seismic rupture and reducing co-seismic slip, slip velocity, and seismic moment at preconditioning stresses which are reasonably achievable in the field. Due to the fully-coupled nature of seismic rupture and fault slip, preconditioning also reduces distal weakening and its contribution to the propagation of induced seismic ruptures. In a similar vein, heterogeneous pore pressure fields associated with some seismic swarms can be used to explain changes in stress drop within the swarm without recourse to material or total-stress heterogeneity.