Semi-brittle flow of rocks: cracks, dislocations and strain hardening

Strain hardening is a key feature observed in many rocks deformed in the so-called ‘semi-brittle’ regime, where both crystal plastic and brittle deformation mechanisms operate. Dislocation storage has long been recognized as a major process leading to strain hardening. Here, it is suggested that tensile microcracks may be viewed as dislocation sinks, by offering internal free surfaces where dislocations can escape individual crystals within an aggregate. Strain hardening is modelled with a conventional approach, combining Taylor’s equation relating stress to dislocation density, and a dislocation density evolution law based on dislocation mean-free path and dynamic recovery. The initiation of microcracks is modelled as a function dislocation density, assuming dislocation pile-ups at grain boundaries. Microcrack growth is modelled using linear elastic fracture mechanics. The model captures important qualitative features observed in calcite marble deformation experiments: pressure-dependency of strength in the ductile regime and a reduction in hardening linked to an increase in crack growth with decreasing confining pressure. Grain size dependency of strength and hardening is also captured but requires significant toughening (or limitation to crack growth) at small grain sizes. The model can be improved significantly once detailed, systematic microstructural observations become available.