High-resolution three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) simulations of sandbox-scale models of accretionary wedges performed in this study suggest thrusts follow a variety of propagation processes and orientations in the wedges depending on a number of factors including the stage of development of the wedge (precritical vs. critical), basal friction, and type of thrust (forward vs. backward-vergent). In terms of propagation processes, two clear mechanisms are identified. The first involves propagation from the decollement to the wedge top, similar to the standard model of thrust propagation seen in many kinematic models, and in the second, thrusts grow downward from an initial nucleation point just below the top surface of the wedge as well as upward from the decollement joining in the middle. In terms of orientation, forward-vergent thrusts initially form at  Roscoe or Arthur orientations, and over shortening, form at Coulomb orientations. To arrive at these results, a wide array of continuum parameters and fields were extracted from the granular assembly of the DEM simulations, including stress, strain, strain rate, kinetic energy, Mohr-Coulomb parameters, and proximity to yielding using the Drucker-Prager criterion to visualize thrust nucleation and propagation. Lastly, the advantages and disadvantages of these continuum proxies for discerning failure in the granular assembly are considered, and the spatial and temporal relationship between proximity to yielding and strain localization (both pre-peak and persistent shear banding) in the granular model of an accretionary wedge is explored.

This repository contains the LAMMPS simulation scripts used for running all granular simulations whose results are reported in the manuscript titled " Strain localization patterns and thrust propagation in 3-D discrete element method (DEM) models of accretionary wedges." These include the simple shear simulations and the accretionary wedge simulations. The repository also contains the scripts used for calculating continuum fields from the discrete grains of the LAMMPS simulation results, such as stress, strain, strain rate, and kinetic energy. These files are available as Jupyter notebooks.