Critical stress difference and orientation of faults in rocks with strength anisotropies: the two-dimensional case

Abstract

Equations are derived for the critical stress difference on thrust, normal and strike-slip faults with finite cohesive strength, both in homogeneous, isotropic rock, and along pre-existing strength anisotropies with different cohesion and coefficient of friction, subject to the limitation that the plane of anisotropy contains the intermediate axis of stress. The range of orientations for which sliding occurs along pre-existing planes of weakness rather than along a new fault is given as a function of material parameters and critical stress difference for the intact rock. Given the principal stress directions, the equations allow the direct calculation of the stress and orientation conditions for the three faulting regimes.