GRAVITATIONAL STRESSES IN ANISOTROPIC RIDGES AND VALLEYS WITH SMALL SLOPES

Abstract

We present an approximate analytical solution for the effects of topography on near-surface gravity-induced stresses in symmetric anisotropic ridges and valleys. The solution can be used for laterally constrained ridges and valleys consisting of isotropic, transversely isotropic. or orthotropic rock with horizontal or vertical layers. A parametric study on the effect of anisotropy type and degree of rock anisotropy on gravity-induced stresses is presented. The magnitude of the predicted stresses is of the order of the characteristic stress rho-gH, where H is the height of the ridge or depth of the valley. The approximate solution is limited to ridges and valleys with small slopes not exceeding 10%.