GY403 Structural Geology

The general equations of the Mohr Circle for strain

Strain Ellipsoid
A three-dimensional ellipsoid that describes the magnitude of
dilational and distortional strain

P Assume a perfect sphere before deformation

P Three mutually perpendicular axes X, Y, and Z
X
P X is maximum stretch (SX) and Z is minimum
stretch (SZ)
P There are unique directions corresponding to
values of SX and SZ, but an infinite number of Z
Y

directions corresponding to SY
Strain
The results of deformation via distortion and dilation

P Heterogeneous strain: strain ellipsoid varies from

point-to-point in deformed body
P Homogenous strain: strain ellipsoid is equivalent
from point-to-point in deformed body
P Although hetereogenous strain is the rule in real
rocks, often portions of a deformed body behave
as homogenous with respect to strain
Homogeneous Strain Ground Rules
Characteristics of homogenous strain

P Straight lines that exist in the non-rigid body

remain straight after deformation
P Lines that are parallel in the non-rigid body
remain parallel after deformation
P In a special case of homogenous strain termed
Plane Strain, volume and area are conserved
General Strain Equations
Extension (e), Stretch (S), and Quadratic Elongation ()
These equations measure linear strain :
lO = original length
lF = final length
lF -lO
e=
lO lO = 5cm ouch!
lF
S=
lO
2
lF lF = 12cm lF 12cm
= S= = = 2.4
lO lO 5cm
e = (S-1) = 2.4 - 1 = 1.4
= S2 = (2.4)2 = 5.76
 Rotational Strain Equations
quantifying angular shear () and shear strain ()
= angle between reference line (L) and maximum stretch (X)
measured from X to A (clockwise=+; anticlockwise=-)
M =-35

L Z d=-25
M L

X
X
M
deformation Strain ellipse

L (perpendicular to L relative to M) = -40

L = tan(L) = tan(-40) = -0.839
L = d - = (-25) - (-35) = +10
angle of internal rotation
Mohr Circle for Strain
General equations as a function of X, Z, and d

1
=

X = quadratic elongation parallel to X axis of finite strain ellipse
Z = quadratic elongation parallel to Z axis of finite strain ellipse

= Z+X -Z-X cos(2d) SZ

tan d = tan
2 2 SX
Z-X sin(2d)
= = d -
2 (internal rotation)
Mohr Circle for Strain
Geometric relations between the finite strain ellipse and
the Mohr Circle for strain
SX = (lF/lO)=(1.414/1.0)=1.414
Z SZ = (lF/lO)=(0.816/1.0)=0.816
0.816
1.414 X

A d=+30
1.0 A Strain ellipse

2d=60 X = (Sx)2=(1.414)2=2.0

X= 1/= 1/2.0 = 0.5

X 1.0 Z 2.0
Z= (Sz)2 = (0.816)2=0.666

-1.0 Z= 1/ = 1/0.666 = 1.50

Mohr Circle for Strain
Reference lines in the undeformed and deformed state

b
a cde
f
g
h

k SX=1.936
m
l SZ=0.707
n
srq po
ab c d e
f g
h
i

k
l
n m
sr q po
Mohr Circle Strain Relationships
Values of quadratic elongation (), shear strain (), original angle,
angular shear (), and angle of internal rotation () as a function of
d
Line d

a -90 0.500 -0.000 -90.0 -0.0 0.0

SX=1.936
b -80 0.513 -0.152 -86.3 -8.7 6.3 SZ=0.707
c -70 0.556 -0.310 -82.4 -17.2 12.4
d -60 0.638 -0.479 -78.1 -25.6 18.1
e -50 0.779 -0.665 -73.0 -33.6 23.0
f -40 1.017 -0.868 -66.5 -41.0 26.5
g -30 1.428 -1.072 -57.7 -47.0 27.7
h -20 2.129 -1.187 -44.9 -49.9 24.9
i -10 3.134 -0.929 -25.8 -42.9 15.8
j 0 3.748 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 ab c d e
f g
k 10 3.134 0.929 25.8 42.9 -15.8 h
l 20 2.129 1.187 44.9 49.9 -24.9 i
m 30 1.428 1.072 57.7 47.0 -27.7 j
n 40 1.017 0.868 66.5 41.0 -26.5
k
o 50 0.779 0.665 73.0 33.6 -23.0
l
p 60 0.638 0.479 78.1 25.6 -18.1 sr q po
n m
q 70 0.556 0.310 82.4 17.2 -12.4
r 80 0.513 0.152 86.3 8.7 -6.3
s 90 0.500 0.000 90.0 0.0 0.0
Strain Ellipse General Equation
Values for quadratic elongation () and shear strain () as a function
of d

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0 l
k m
n
o
p
0.0 q r
a b j s
c
d
-1.0 e
f i
g h
-2.0
-90 -70 -50 -30 -10 10 30 50 70 90
d

Strain Ellipse General Equation
Values for angular shear () and internal rotation () as a function of d

60

40
f g h
e
d i
20 c
b
a j s
0 r
q
k p
-20 l m n o

-40

-60
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
d
Internal Rotation() Angular Shear()
 Example strain problem
Given a finite strain ellipse of SX=1.936 and SZ=0.707,
find for direction d=-20E values of S, , , , and
X=(1.936)2 = 3.750; Z = (0.707)2 = 0.500; X=0.267; Z=2.0

= 2.0+0.267 - 2.0 - 0.267 Cos(-40) = 1.133-(0.866)(0.766) = 0.470

2 2
= 1/ = 1/0.470 = 2.128 S = (2.128)0.5 = 1.459

2.0-0.267
= Sin(-40) = (0.866)(-0.643)(2.128) = -1.185
2
= tan-1() = tan-1(-1.185) = -49.8E
SZ SX
Tan(d) = tan() Tan() = tan(d) = -44.9E
SX SZ
= d - = (-20) - (-44.9) = +24.9E
Application of Plane Strain
Deformed oolids from the study of Cloos (1947)
Assuming plane strain: no dilational component to strain, therefore, constant
volume applies:
VS= 4/3r3 where r is the radius of the sphere
Ve= 4/3abc where (a,b,c) are the axial legths of the ellipsoid
Vs=Ve
4/3r3 = 4/3abc
Because of plane strain r = b
r2 = ac
r = (ac)0.5
Example: a=4.2mm; c=2.5mm; r=(4.2*2.5)0.5 = 3.3 Sx = 4.2/3.3 = 1.27
 Application to Deformed Strain Markers

P Markers may be original

spheres or ellipsoids
P Pebbles, sand grains,
reduction spots, ooids,
fossils, etc.
P Assume homogenous
strain domain
Measuring Length/Width Ratios (R f)

P Measure major and minor axis of each

strain ellipse
P Rf = (Major/minor) (yields a unitless ratio)
P = Angle from reference direction
(usually foliation or cleavage), positive
angles are clockwise, negative
counterclockwise
Spreadsheet setup for Rf/ analysis

Ellipse Length Width Rf

1 0.3066 0.1600 1.916 32.8
2 0.0969 0.0704 1.376 51.9
3 0.1221 0.0729 1.675 61.8
4 0.0660 0.0389 1.697 54.6
5 0.1735 0.1392 1.246 22.7
6 0.0825 0.0539 1.531 76.2
7 0.1770 0.1275 1.388 67.5
8 0.0736 0.0347 2.121 37.6
9 0.0937 0.0797 1.176 0.3
10 0.1184 0.0457 2.591 10.6

P Note: is measured relative to a chosen reference direction such

as foliation
 Hyperbolic Net

=+30
P Used to plot strain N Rf=1.6
markers that were
originally ellipsoidal
P Statistically the Rf ratios
will tend to fall along one
of the hyperbolic curves