Modeling of hardening and softening processes in Mg alloys

The tensile deformation behavior of a range of supersaturated Mg-Al solid solutions and an as-cast magnesium alloy AM60 has been studied. The Mg-Al alloys were tested at room temperature while the alloy AM60 was tested in the temperature range 293-573 K. The differences in the deformation behavior of the alloys is discussed in terms of hardening and softening processes. In order to identify which processes were active, the stress dependence of the strain-hardening coefficient was assessed using Lukac and Balik's model of hardening and softening. The analysis indicates that hardening involves solid solution hardening and interaction with forest dislocations and non-dislocation obstacles such as second phase particles. Cross slip is not a significant recovery process in the temperature range 293-423 K. At temperatures between 473 and 523 K the analysis suggests that softening is controlled by cross slip and climb of dislocations. At temperatures above 523 K softening seems to be controlled by dynamic recrystallisation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Partitioning of deformation within a subduction channel during exhumation of high-pressure rocks: a case study from the Western Alps

The metamorphic belt of the Western Alps was subjected to widespread extensional tectonism at the end of the Eocene (ca. 45-35 Ma). Extension was accommodated by hinterland-directed movements along gently inclined extensional shear zones, which facilitated rapid exhumation of high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure rocks. This deformation resulted in a normal metamorphic sequence. Extension in the inner parts of the Western Alps was coeval with shortening at the front of the belt (foreland-directed thrusts), which took place during decompression, and emplaced higher grade metamorphic units over lower grade metamorphic rocks, thus forming an inverse metamorphic sequence. Two mechanisms for this extensional episode are discussed: (1) collapse of an overthickened lithosphere, and (2) internal readjustments within the orogenic wedge due to subduction channel dynamics. We favour the latter mechanism because it can account for the development of the observed inverse and normal metamorphic sequences along foreland-directed thrusts and hinterland-directed detachments, respectively. This hypothesis is supported by published structural, metamorphic and geochronological data from four geological transects through the Western Alps. This study also emphasizes the importance of post-shearing deformation (e.g. horizontal buckling versus vertical flattening), which can modify the distribution of hinterland- and foreland-directed shear zones in orogenic belts. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finite deformation model of simple shear of fault with microrotations: apparent strain localisation and en-echelon fracture pattern

Strain localisation is a widespread phenomenon often observed in shear and compressive loading of geomaterials, for example, the fault gouge. It is believed that the main mechanisms of strain localisation are strain softening and mismatch between dilatancy and pressure sensitivity. Observations show that gouge deformation is accompanied by considerable rotations of grains. In our previous work as a model for gouge material, we proposed a continuum description for an assembly of particles of equal radius in which the particle rotation is treated as an independent degree of freedom. We showed that there exist critical values of the model parameters for which the displacement gradient exhibits a pronounced localisation at the mid-surface layers of the fault, even in the absence of inelasticity. Here, we generalise the model to the case of finite deformations characteristic for the gouge deformation. We derive objective constitutive relationships relating the Jaumann rates of stress and moment stress to the relative strain and curvature rates, respectively. The model suggests that the pattern of localisation remains the same as in the linear case. However, the presence of the Jaumann terms leads to the emergence of non-zero normal stresses acting along and perpendicular to the shear layer (with zero hydrostatic pressure), and localised along the mid-line of the gouge; these stress components are absent in the linear model of simple shear. These additional normal stresses, albeit small, cause a change in the direction in which the maximal normal stresses act and in which en-echelon fracturing is formed.