Based on nonlinear fracture mechanics, a continuum approach is developed, as a linear elastic-strain softening material, for modeling the tensile behavior of HFC.
The materials for model are sandstone outcrops.
The required material properties for modeling applications are derived using various empirical relations, for the known values of compressive strength.
This is an implicit analysis code suitable for modelling both material and geometric nonlinearities and has good contact modelling.
Numerous plastic materials are used for modeling.
The elastic behavior of quasi-uniform materials was utilized for modeling one-dimensional compression of 'dry' soil specimens.
A flexible, semi-transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), called Cheetah Water (produced by Ninjatek, USA), was used as the flexible, transparent material for model manufacture with a hydrophilic support structure 3D printed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
The model is based on a number of hypothesized steps (see the Supplementary Material for model equations).
However, the need for high shear strain rates to obtain the power-law rheology imposes some restrictions on the usage of such materials for geodynamic modelling.
Associated print settings allow the selection of materials for individual models, as well as model placement and cost estimation.
