Sequential growth of deformation bands in the laboratory

We investigate the formation and evolution of localised faulting in high porosity sandstone by laboratory triaxial compression of intact 100-mm-diameter core samples. Experiments were carried out dry, at constant confining pressure (34 MPa), constant axial strain rate (5×10−6s−1) and increasing axial strain (1.5–11.2%). Tests generated fault zones consisting of sets of distinct pale granulated strands, separated by lenses of apparently undamaged...