Elastic Rebound Theory of Rupture

 Elastic Rebound Theory of Rupture

Vibrations of earth's surface caused by waves coming from a source of disturbance inside the earth are described as 'Earthquakes.

Figure 1.illustrates the phenomenon of rupture as is attributed to the elastic rebound theory.

By far the most important earthquakes from an engineering standpoint are of tectonic origin, that is, those associated with phenomenon is termed Elastic Rebound Theory. It explain that the strain energy that accumulates due to deformation in earth mass, get released through rupture when it exceeds the resilience of the storing material. The energy thus released is propagated in the form of waves which impact energy to the media through which they pass and vibrate the structures standing on the earth’s surface.

figure 1:  Elastic Rebound Theory of Rupture