SCEC Award Number 07109 View PDF
Proposal Category Individual Proposal (Integration and Theory)
Proposal Title Rupture Dynamics on a Bi-material Interface for Dipping Faults
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
Gregory C. Beroza Stanford University
Other Participants Shuo Ma (Postdoctoral Associate)
SCEC Priorities B4, A9, A7 SCEC Groups FARM, GMP, SHRA
Report Due Date N/A Date Report Submitted N/A
Project Abstract
 We propose to model dynamic rupture propagation on thrust and normal faults with a bimaterial interface. Both the material contrast and the dipping fault geometry will cause the normal stress variations on the fault. Using a 3D finite element method we will investigate how the normal stress variations caused by each factor add or cancel each other under simple configurations. We will also explore how the normal stress variations affect rupture propagation, resultant ground motion and stress distribution on the fault. This is the first study of effects of material contrasts on the dynamics of dipping faults. The results of this study will help us better understand not only the physics of faulting on dip-slip faults in southern California, but also larger, subduction zone earthquakes and other dip-slip events where a strong material contrast across the fault is likely.