MultiBox - UHH-Tec lab

3D ModelNoAI

In order to simulate any deformation regime of continental crust, we designed the Multifunctional analogue modelling Box (MultiBox). The MultiBox is made of transparent acrylic glass and consists of two halves, a fixed one and a mobile one, each of which is equipped with a piston. Horizontal shear can be imposed by moving the mobile box half relative to the fixed one parallel to the box midline. Convergence and divergence is achieved by motion of the pistons. Therefore, the MultiBox allows us to simulate any deformation regime including pure shear, simple shear and any chosen components of transpression and transtension. The large size of the box (1 m x 1 m x 40 cm) guarantees high accuracy of length scaling. Computer-controlled stepper motors driving all mobile parts of the MultiBox ensure precise reproducibility of kinematic boundary conditions of an experiment series. Fluids can be injected through a feeder valve in the base plate near the box midline during an ongoing experiment.