Deformation of Rocks- When rocks are put under directed pressures, they may respond to the applied pressure in several ways:
Force : An action exerted by one body on another
Stress: A force acting upon a surface is referred to as pressure or stress.
Rocks are affected by four kinds of stress which differ in their directional properties.
1. Compressional Stress: Occurs when a rock is squeezed and the opposing forces are directed toward one another.
2. Tensional Stress: Develops when a rock is pulled apart, with the forces directed away from each other.
Behavior of Rocks during Deformation
Strain: The change in size and shape of a body resulting from the action of an applied stress field. Expressed as Dilation or distortion or a combination of both.
-In the saturated zone, the water at any given height is under greater pressure beneath a hill than beneath a valley.~~The water tends to move towards points where the water pressure is least.
3. Brittle Deformation- During brittle deformation deforming stresses overcome a material’s cohesive strength and the material breaks or fractures.