Jn situ and induced stresses Sheorey (1994) developed an elasto-static thermal stress model of the earth. This model considers curvature of the crust and variation of elastic constants, density and thermal expansion coefficients through the crust and mantle, A detailed discussion on Sheorey’s model is beyond the scope of this chapter, but he did provide a simplified equation which can be used for estimating the horizontal to vertical stress ratio A, This equation is: k=02547 5.0001 where < (m) is the depth below surface and & (GPa) is the average deformation modulus of the upper part of the earth's crust measured in a horizontal direction, This direction of measurement is important particularly in layered sedimentary rocks, in which the deformation modulus may be significantly different in different directions ‘A plot of this equation is given in Figure 2 for a range of deformation moduli, The curves relating k with depth helow surface z are similar to those published by Brown and Hoek (1978), Herget (1988) and others for measured in situ stresses. Hence equation 3 is considered to provide a reasonable basis forestimating the value of & = horizontal stress / vertical stress. 0 1 2 3 4 = = 100 2 Eyara) z 10 = 0 g 20 ~ 50 100 3000 Figure 2: Ratio of horizontal to vertical stress for different deformation moduli based upon Sheorey’ s equation. (After Sheorey 1994) 3