| Rock Mechanics Laboratory |
| Our research is focused on the physics of earthquakes and faulting and the mechanics of frictional sliding. Work includes laboratory experiments, analysis of field data, and numerical studies of faulting and dynamic rupture. Our laboratory work is focused on frictional and rheologic properties of brittle materials. The goal of this work is to develop a set of friction constitutive laws to describe the rheology of brittle deformation. A key part of the laboratory work has been identifying and documenting the effects of dilatancy and shear localization on second order variations in friction. We also devote significant effort to the scaling problems inherent in applying laboratory data to seismogenic faults. Connecting laboratory observations to field data and theoretical studies is a critical part of modern experimental studies. |
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