Computer Simulation for Sandbox Experiments

Summary Structural deformation (e.g. folds and faults) of geological strata has been analyzed by analog modeling techniques for nearly a century. Recent knowledge suggests that sandbox experiment is the most appropriate to model brittle behavior of the upper crust. This type of physical experiments using granular materials can also be done as numerical simulation (digital modeling) on the computer with the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Two types of geological settings, the extension case and the contraction case, are investigated and compared with the sandbox experiments results. It is concluded that the DEM approach to the geological deformation study can be a powerful tool