BoDy - Boudinage Dynamics

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Janos L. Urai (†)
• Subject Area: Palaeontology ; Geophysics
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 282465652

We propose to use state of the art Discrete Element and Finite Element models integrated with a high-resolution field study of a world-class outcrop, to better understand the evolution of boudins. We will test existing kinematic models for their mechanical validity, and aim to develop a new tax- onomy with diagnostic criteria based on a complete and consistent mechanical understanding of boudinage. The goal of this project is to build towards an inversion of observations to obtain informa- tion on rheology, stress, strain, and vorticity during the formation of boudins.The importance of this project is twofold. By providing data on rheology, effective stress, strain and vorticity in natural laboratories, it will improve models of the mechanical evolution of the crust. Practi- cal applications are in the exploration of ore deposits and hydrocarbon reservoirs encased in salt, prevention of drilling problems in evaporites, and prediction of the structure of boudinaged anhydrite layers in potential sites for nuclear waste storage.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Christoph von Hagke