HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BRUNELLE, E. J. Search for Related Content

Surface instability due to initial compressive stress

DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, TROY, NEW YORK 12181

Abstract

Utilizing a linearized theory of isotropic, homogeneous elasticity that includes the effects of initial stress, it is demonstrated that Rayleigh and Love surface instabilities occur when the compressive stress reaches appropriate critical values. The Rayleigh surface instability exists for a half-space, as well as for a finite slab, and the critical stress value depends only on Poisson's ratio. The Love surface instability exists for a layer and a substratum, and the critical stress value depends on two parameters: the ratio of the shear moduli and a nondimensional number related to the geometry of the layer. It is suggested that these two instabilities may offer possible, although highly idealized, mechanisms for earthquake initiation and prehistoric land-mass formations such as mountain chains.