31259 - Foundations of Geophysics 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will possess a solid background in continuum mechanics, the basic concepts of tensor algebra, the main properties of the strain and stress tensors and the constitutive relationships of elastic materials, their use to describe elastic waves, the state of stress within the Earth, faulting and intrusion processes. In particular, the student will be able - to distinguish and characterize the stress regimes present in different regions of the Earth - to solve 2-D dislocation problems .

Course contents

Module 1 (M.E. Belardinelli)

Mechanics of continuum media. Stress and strain. Conservation laws. Thermo-Elastic materials. Elastic and adiabatic moduli.

Isotropic elastic media. Constraints on elastic moduli. Equations of motion (Cauchy-Navier). Elastic waves: polarization, boundary conditions at a free surface, a compositional interface, a solid-fluid interface.

Stress within the Earth, uniaxial and plane configurations, tectonic environments, theories of faulting. Elastostatic plane problems in a half-space: the Airy stress function.

Potentials in the theory of elasticity. Solution of elastostatic problems : pressurized spherical shell, response to a point force in a full space (Somigliana tensor).

Module 2

Elastic dislocations and their representation.

Darcy's law and poroelasticity.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes (Proff. Maurizio Bonafede, M.E. Belardinelli) which will be available online (on Virtuale platform).

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures using slides.

Assessment methods

Oral examination: typically 3 questions are proposed to assess the student's theoretical knowledge of the Mechanics of elastic solids and its application to the study of the interior of the Earth. The duration of the examination is about 1 hour. The candidate is likely to be requested both to prove the main theoretical results and to estimate some of the physical parameters of the Earth interior.

Teaching tools

Slides will be available online (on Virtuale platform).

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it): it will be their responsibility to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, 15 days in advance, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elina Belardinelli

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