This dataset provides friction data from ring-shear tests on quartz sand SIBELCO S80 used in analogue modelling of tectonic processes as a rock analogue for the earth’s upper crust (e.g., Klinkmüller et al., 2016).

According to our analysis the material shows a Mohr-Coulomb behaviour characterized by a linear failure envelope. Peak, dynamic and reactivation friction coefficients of quartz sand S80 are µP = 0.75, µD = 0.59, and µR = 0.69, respectively (Table 5). Cohesion of the material ranges between 0-80 Pa. The material shows no rate-dependency (<1% per ten-fold change in shear velocity v).

The tested bulk material consists of quartz sand SIBELCO S80 with grain size of ~0.63-355 µm (D50 = 175 µm. Bulk and grain densities are 1300 kg/m³ and 2650 kg/m³, respectively and the hardness is 7 on Moh’s scale. S80 is sold e.g., by the company SIBELCO (sibelco.com).