The evolution of triple junctions: from failure to success

Divergent triple junctions are stable plate margins where three spreading ridges meet. Although it is accepted that this configuration is inherited from an earlier phase of continental rifting, how post-breakup triple junctions emerge from the separation of two plates remains unclear. By documenting the strain rate history recorded in the three rift-arms of several modern and ancient triple junctions, we show that deformation is episodic and localized in only one or two rifts at any given time. We further investigate this behavior in three-dimensional (3D) analog experiments of rifting, under a range of kinematic boundary conditions and containing a variety of pre-existing lithospheric heterogeneities. Deformation in the experiments is characterized by strain jumps and rift abandonment, comparable to natural observations. Boundary rotation during extension induces oblique stretching directions, along-strike strain gradients and forces significant strain jump to reduce the number of rifts segments active. Models that comprise lithospheres ranging from homogenous to containing a triple junction-like pre-existing heterogeneities, never developed a three-armed rift, where all rift segments are active at same time, at any stage. Our experimental results indicate that, unlike mature, successful, and stable oceanic triple junctions, early-stage continental rifting progresses through unstable “double-junctions” characterized by repeated strain jumps and rift failures and reactivations.

Fatigue of As-Fabricated Open Cell Aluminum Foams

This paper presents the results of the combined experimental investigation and digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of the fatigue failure of open cell aluminum foams. Compression–compression cyclic loads were applied to foam specimens under the as-fabricated condition. Following characterization of the S-N curve behavior, the macroscale deformation of the tested foam under fatigue was recorded using an in-situ digital camera. The deformation sequence was then analyzed using DIC technique. It was found that foams failed with an abrupt strain jump when shear bands were formed, and serious deformation up to more than 30% was developed in the center of the shear band. The ex-situ scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the abrupt strain jump was due to the microscale damage accumulation in struts where surface cracks were formed and propagated.

Singular Plastic Fields in Steady Penetration of a Rigid Cone

The essential features of the active plastic zone at the tip of a penetrating rigid cone are investigated for a rigid/perfectly plastic solid. An exact solution is suggested for the plastic zone. A rigid zone exists ahead of the cone and is separated from the plastic zone by a conical surface of discontinuity. It is assumed that the material yields instantaneously by going through a “shear shock” across the rigid/plastic interface. The orientation of the interface is determined by an ad hoc requirement for minimum shear strain jump at the shear shock. Results are presented for different cone angles and friction factors. The stresses within the plastic zone admit a logarithmic singularity whose level increases with cone angle and wall friction.