| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614165 | Tribology International | 2016 | 11 Pages |
•A large number of micro-fractures generate reminiscently during shearing of zigzag gouge.•Approaching to final failure, tangential force drop, AE and duration gradually reduce.•Prior to zigzag failure, duration shows obvious steadiness verifying the “foreshock” effect.•Influencing level of zigzag size on shear process and intensity is extremely significant.•Normal force significantly affects duration among slips instead of shear intensity of zigzag.
We sheared layers of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by traditional double-direct shear tests, and synchronously measured the acoustic emissions (AE) generated by shear-slip and friction. Laboratory observations of simulated fault by PMMA materials with zigzag-type gouge showing repetitive, shear-slip events that are reminiscent of earthquakes were verified. In addition, the influencing rules of zigzag size and normal force on shear-slip process and intensity, as well as AE were revealed. Especially, prior to final failure of zigzag, the duration among shear-slip events gradually decreases and shows significant steadiness, which may prove the probability of the obvious foreshock effect to a larger earthquake. Maybe, this work can interpret the shear-slip mechanism of earthquakes and even provide warnings of failure and instability of fault.
