C. Lamouroux et al., RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCK INFERRED FROM THE GEOMETRY AND MICROSTRUCTURES IN 2 NATURAL SHEAR ZONES, Mechanics of materials, 18(2), 1994, pp. 79-87
We describe the geometric and kinematic characteristics of natural iso
lated shear zones developed in two different rock-types (granodiorite
arid limestone) under the same low temperature conditions. Profiles of
shear strain (gamma) across the shear zones have a gaussian or trapez
oidal shape. From these shapes, we infer rheological changes during th
e progressive strain, with strain softening in the limestone (a monomi
neralic rock) and strain hardening in the granodiorite (a polyminerali
c rock).