Electromagnetic initiation of slip: Laboratory model

Abstract

In the paper, the results of laboratory experiments on the electromagnetic (EM) initiation of mechanical instability (slip) are presented. Series of strong EM pulses were applied to the mechanical system driven close to the critical state, namely, to the (dry) rock samples placed on an inclined supporting sample at the slope angle less than, but close to the critical slip angle. The elementary theoretical model founded on the analysis of ponderomotive forces in dielectrics and explaining basic experimental data is suggested.