The geometry and mineralization features of small left-lateral strike-slip faults and associated fractures in Lake Edison Granodiorite of the central Sierra Nevada, California, were examined in order to model the three-dimensional structure of strike-slip faults. These faults, which are reactivated joints, were also examined to determine fault sizes, starting joint size, and evidence for fluid flow. The associated secondary fractures are usually found in the dilational quadrants of fault-tip regions. The longest fault-segment trace is 32.14 m; the longest joint trace is 22 m. The joint population length (l) is represented by a power-law distribution (l-n) and it is l-1.22. The fault-segment distributions are l-0.23~0.79, and the compiled fault-segment distribution is l-1.18. The data on fracture and fault spacing, along with the joint power-law distribution, will aid in the simulation and analysis of fault evolution. The splay-fracture traced in the faults are linear at depth and the average splay-fracture angle is 39° ± 13°. The dihedral angle of the splay plane and fault plane ranges from 20° to 65°. There is a high concentration of splay fractures near the fault. As distance increases perpendicular form the fault, the splay-fracture spacing increases and splay-fracture frequency decreases. The splay tracelength distributions have a high short tracelength concentration with a rapid decrease of long tracelengths. The maximum tracelength of multiple splay-fracture groups is restricted by their distance orthogonal to the fault trace. The three-dimensional relationship between the splay-fracture plane and fault plane can be inferred from these data. When present, mineralized quartz appears largely as lenses and few as single continuous veins along the faults. No consistent pattern exists between fault displacement and the locations and dimensions of quartz cavities. There is no visible damage zone near the fault termination or around the faults. Microstructures in the fault zone consist of cataclasites and patchy gouges, and zones of dynamically recrystallized fault walls. The three-dimensional geometry, along with quartz cavity distribution and thin section analysis, has led to the conclusion that fluid migrates vertically among the faults and fractures.

[pt] Grande parte dos minerais e consequentemente das rochas são anisotrópicas, ou seja, possuem propriedades físicas que mudam com a direção. Neste sentido, este trabalho visa a obtenção de um melhor entendimento do papel da anisotropia nas propriedades das rochas. Para isto, o mesmo pretende avaliar a tenacidade à fratura do sienogranito que foi obtido em uma pedreira da cidade de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim no Espírito Santo. A tenacidade consiste em uma propriedade mecânica intrínseca das rochas, sendo indicativa da resistência à iniciação ou propagação de uma fratura e indica a quantidade de energia que a rocha absorve até que frature. Visando avaliar a anisotropia da tenacidade à fratura no modo I foi realizado o ensaio sugerido pela ISRM (1995), denominado CCNBD (Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Disc). Foram testadas vinte e cinco (25) amostras sendo o ensaio realizado em quatro (4) direções diferentes: corrida, contra, trocho e direção aleatória (inclinada). Além deste ensaio foi também realizado o ensaio de tração indireta (ensaio Brasileiro), para fins de caracterização da amostra, sendo este realizado com um total de quinze (15) amostras em três (3) direções diferentes: corrida, contra e trocho. Os ensaios e a preparação de amostras foram realizados no Laboratório de Estruturas e Materiais (LEM-DEC) e a obtenção dos índices físicos foi processada no Laboratório de Geotecnia e Meio Ambiente (LGMA), ambos localizados na PUC-Rio. Analisando os resultados obtidos para a tenacidade à fratura das rochas graníticas nas diferentes direções de corte foi possível constatar pouca anisotropia na rocha estudada. / [en] A considerable amount of minerals and, subsequently, rocks, are anisotropic, and as such, possess physical properties that vary with direction. Considering this, the present study seeks to obtain a better understanding of the role of anisotropy in the properties of rocks. In this regard, it intends to evaluate the fracture toughness of a syenogranite, obtained from a quarry in the city of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim in the state of Espirito Santo. Fracture toughness consists of an intrinsic mechanical property of rocks and indicates the resistance to the initiation or propagation of a fracture as well as the amount of energy the rock absorbs until its fracture. In order to evaluate mode I fracture toughness anisotropy, the Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Disc (CCNBD) test was conducted, following ISRM (1995). Twenty-five (25) samples were tested considering four (4) different orientations: short transverse, arrester, divider and a random direction (inclined). In addition, the indirect tensile strength test (Brazilian test) was also conducted, in order to characterize the samples. The test was performed on fifteen (15) samples and in three (3) different orientations: short transverse, arrester and divider. The tests and sample preparation were carried out at the Structural and Materials Laboratory (LEM-DEC), and the physical properties were obtained at the Geotechnical and Environmental Laboratory (LGMA), both located at PUC-Rio. Analyzing the results obtained for fracture toughness of granitic rocks in different cutting directions, little anisotropy was found in the studied rock.