Modelování mechanického chování zemské kůry

Abstract

The dissertation has focused on issues from the fields of geophysics and geomechanics, using methods, approaches and experience from applied mechanics. The introduction to the dissertation formulates the general hypothesis that the behaviour of the Earth’s crust is influenced by exogenous factors to a greater extent than has been previously thought. Based on this hypothesis, three models were created to explore two exogenous influences – cyclical temperature variation (daily and annual), and repeated atmospheric pressure changes. A new approach to modelling of the behaviour of the Earth’s crust was tested. The results indicate that the general hypothesis cannot be rejected in the case of the two investigated influences, as the theoretical basis and the methods used in the modelling are in accordance with physical principles. The dissertation also includes statistical calculations for the creation of stochastic models for the process of strain and stress on the surface of the Earth’s crust. The outputs of this model are in accordance with measurements of temperatures under the Earth’s surface, so the results can be considered relevant. The model demonstrated that small temperature changes on the surface and at shallow depths below the surface (up to approx. 30 m) influenced the variability of stress at depths of over 10 km. This dissertation represents a further step towards the creation of a geomechanical model of the planet Earth. It has demonstrated that research into the influence of exogenous factors on the behaviour of the Earth’s crust is justified, although some factors appear to be insignificant. Future research will need to go further with revealing the exceptionally complex reality inside the Earth’s crust.