Numerical modeling of fault rupture propagation through two-layered sands

The fault rupture propagation phenomenon, spreading from the base rockthrough dierent layers of soil, is a matter of concern in many natural and man-madesoil structures. the focus of this paper is to investigate reverse fault rupture propagationthrough two layers of sand deposit by means of numerical modeling. for this purpose,analyses are carried out for dierent permutations of three typical materials: dense sand,medium dense sand and loose sand, considering ve fault dip angles: 30, 45, 60, 75 and90 degrees, respectively. the validity of the numerical model was veried by simulating anexperimental model of a homogeneous soil layer subjected to reverse faulting. further to thegeneral trends found in fault rupture propagation in a single layer of soil, special attentionis devoted to the refraction of the fault path in the interface of two materials, as well asits concavity in the continuation. moreover, four patterns of fault rapture propagation intwo-layered sands, depending on their arrangements and fault dip angles, were concludedfrom the results.