Simple shear of deformable square objects

Finite element models of square objects in a contrasting matrix in simple shear show that the objects deform to a variety of shapes. For a range of viscosity contrasts, we catalogue the changing shapes and orientations of objects in progressive simple shear. At moderate simple shear (gamma = 1.5), the shapes are virtually indistinguishable from those in equivalent pure shear models with the same bulk strain (R-S = 4), examined in a previous study. In theory, differences would be expected, especially for very stiff objects or at very large strain. In all our simple shear models, relatively competent square objects become asymmetric barrel shapes with concave shortened edges, similar to some types of boudin. Incompetent objects develop shapes surprisingly similar to mica fish described in mylonites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.