Longitudinal and lateral stress measurements in shock-loaded gabbro and granite

Plate impact experiments have been performed on two igneous rocks of different grain size. Shock stresses have been measured using embedded manganin stress gauges, up to ∼12 GPa. In the coarser grained material data was obtained by impacting rock flyer plates onto previously characterized targets. Results are compared and contrasted to the existing data for other geological materials. In the finer-grained material lateral stress was also measured. In combination with the longitudinal stresses, these results have been used to obtain the materials shear strength under shock loading conditions. Results suggest that the material is deforming in an inelastic manner.