‘Strain Reversal’: a Windows™ program to determine extensional strain from rigid–brittle layers or inclusions

An on-line Windows™-based computer program to calculate extensional strain from the separation of rigid–brittle layers or inclusions is presented. The program uses the incremental strain-reversal methodology rather than traditional finite length methodologies. This approach not only provides a better estimate of the extensional strain suffered by the system but also allows for fracture and separation histories to be studied. An example application is included based on boudinaged belemnites from the French Alps to show the facility of the program, which can be downloaded direct from the World Wide Web.