NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF TECTONIC DYNAMICS OF THE YANGTZE AT THE END OF INDOSINIAN EVENT

The stress field of the Yangtze area by the end of Indosinian event was simulated with the finite element numerical modeling (FEM). Compared with the density and spatial distribution of faults, we quantitatively studied the distribution patterns of the third principal stresses and the direction of principal stresses. The main factor, which influenced the tectonic features of the Yangtze area, was discussed accordingly. The faults in the model were introduced as Coulomb-type frictional zones that refer to contact analysis of FEM. By adjusting the boundary condition of the models, we found that under a NW-SE compression coming from North China Block, the distribution pattern of the third and the principal stress were related with the density and position of fault strikes.