Application of Finite Elements Method in Space for Deformation Analysis of the Territory of Bulgaria

Abstract

The paper presents a study of the earth crust movements for the territory of Bulgaria by applying the Finite Elements Method on the base of results from GPS data processing. The theoretical base of the developed by the authors FEM for the space is presented shortly. As an appropriate method for deformation analysis of large territories the proposed finite elements model is applied for the territory of Bulgaria using estimated Cartesian coordinates of BULiPOS GNSS network stations. One week GPS data from each of the five years 2009 - 2013 of BULiPOS network stations have been processed with Bernese software, version 5.0. The estimated Cartesian coordinates of the stations have been transformed into the system ETRF2000. These relative to the Eurasia stable plate station coordinates have been used in the finite elements model. On the base of the obtained results several areas of compressions and extensions could be distinguished but not quite clear. Generally it can be suggested that deformations in part of central, central-east and south-east Bulgaria are of compression, in north-west, south-west and in part of central Bulgaria – of extension. More stations over the territory of the country will contribute to better clarification of deformation processes.