Coupled consolidation of a porous medium with a cylindrical or a spherical cavity

This paper presents a theoretical approach to analyse coupled, linear thermoporoelastic fields in a saturated porous medium under radial and spherical symmetry. The governing equations account for compressibility and thermal expansion of constituents, heat sink due to thermal dilatation of water and thermal expansion of the medium, and thermodynamically coupled heat–water flow. It has been reported in the literature that thermodynamically coupled heat–water flows known as thermo-osmosis and thermal filtration have the potential to significantly alter the flow fields in clay-rich barriers in the near field of a underground waste containment scheme. This study presents a mathematical model and examines the effects of thermo-osmosis and thermal-filtration on coupled consolidation fields in a porous medium with a cavity. Analytical solutions of the governing equations are presented in the Laplace transform space. A numerical inversion scheme is used to obtain the time-domain solutions for a cylindrical cavity in a homogeneous or a non-homogeneous medium. A closed form time-domain solution is presented for a spherical cavity in a homogeneous medium. Selected numerical solutions for homogeneous and non-homogeneous media show a significant increase in pore pressure and displacements due to the presence of thermodynamically coupled flows and a negligible influence on temperature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gamma-ray bursts as a result of the interaction of a shock from a supernova and a neutron-star companion

A supernova explosion in a close binary system in which one of the components is a compact magnetized object (neutron star or white dwarf) can form a narrow “tail” with length l _t ～10⁹ cm, width h _t ～10⁸ cm, and magnetic field B _t ～10⁶, due to the resulting shock wave flowing around the magnetosphere of the compact object. The energy released by the reconnection of magnetic field lines in this tail can accelerate electrons to relativistic speeds (γ≈10⁴), creating the conditions required for powerful synchrotron radiation at energies from hundreds of keV to several MeV, i.e., for a gamma-ray burst (GRB). The duration of this radiation will depend on the power of the shock that forms during the supernova. If the shock is not sufficiently powerful to tear off the magnetosphere tail from the compact object, the duration of the GRB will not exceed l _t /V _A ≤1 s, and the conditions necessary for an “afterglow” at softer energies will not arise. If the shock is more powerful, the tail can be torn from the magnetosphere, forming a narrow ejection, which is perceived in its relativistic motion toward the observer(Γ～10⁴) as an afterglow whose duration grows from tens of seconds at gamma-ray energies to tens of days in the optical. This may explain why afterglows are observed only in association with long GRBs (T ₉₀>10 s). Very short GRBs (T ₉₀<0.1 s) may be local, i.e., low-power, phenomena occurring in close pairs containing compact, magnetized objects, in which there is again an interaction between the magnetosphere of the compact object and a shock wave, but the shock is initiated by a flare on the companion, which is a red-dwarf cataclysmic variable, rather than by a supernova.     

Scattering of a plane wave by a lined cylindrical cavity in a poroelastic half-plane

The focus of this contribution is to develop a complex variable function method to solve the two-dimensional scattering of plane waves by a lined cylindrical cavity in the poroelastic half-plane. The poroelastic half-plane is based on Biot’s dynamic theory, and the governing equations are solved by reduction to three Helmholtz equations. The lining structure can be treated as an elastic material and decoupled into two Helmholtz equations. Here, the large circle assumption is applied to simulate the half-plane boundary. By using appropriate boundary conditions and continuity conditions, the unknown coefficients in the potentials can be determined. Selected numerical results are presented in this paper.     

Propagation of a shear crack in a compressed plane with a circular hole

The problem of the equilibrium of a plane with a circular hole and a shear crack is considered to model failure of an excavation (borehole or circular opening) in rocks weakened by discontinuities (planes of weakness). It is assumed that sliding occurs in a part of the plane of weakness when the Mohr–Coulomb friction criterion is satisfied due to the stress redistribution caused by the excavation. The method of singular integral equations is employed to solve the boundary value problem. Geomechanical problems concerning borehole breakout and rockburst caused by fault-opening interaction are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

露头处具有淤泥层的滨海含水层系统中海潮引起的水头波动

滨海地区社会与经济的发展引发了各种各样的水文地质问题, 因此对滨海地区的水文地质条件, 尤其是地下水与海水之间的水力联系的研究尤为重要.本文考察了海底露头处具有淤泥层的滨海含水层系统中由海潮引起的水头波动.该系统由潜水含水层、承压含水层和介于其间的弱透水层构成.建立了该系统的数学模型, 得到了该模型的解析解.该解析解包含2个无量纲参数: 弱透水层的相对越流系数和淤泥层的相对透水系数.解析解表明, 淤泥层使各处的水头波幅被缩小了一个常数倍(波幅缩减因子), 并使各处的波动相位产生了一个不超过45°的正位移常数(时滞).该时滞对半日潮不超过1.5h, 对全日潮不超过3h.波幅缩减因子和正位移常数只与弱透水层的相对越流系数和淤泥层的相对透水系数有关.当这两个无量纲参数取某些特殊值时, 本次研究的解和前人考虑的几种较简单情形所对应的解一致.承压含水层中水头波幅随着淤泥层的相对透水系数的递增而严格递增, 随弱透水层的相对越流系数的递增而严格递减; 波动相位随着这2个无量纲参数的递增均严格递减.分析表明弱透水层的越流和淤泥层的存在均对承压含水层水头波动有显著影响.      

Impact force to a rigid obstruction from a granular mass sliding down a smooth incline

The impact force to a rigid obstruction from a granular mass sliding down a smooth incline provides insights into the solid-like and fluid-like behaviors of granular avalanches and useful information for risk assessment and engineering design against landslides. In this study, a series of 2-D flume tests were performed to systematically investigate the effects of inclination angle, sliding distance, and initial relative density on the flow front velocity and impact force on a rigid obstruction. The experimental results show that for inclination angles smaller than the critical state friction angle of sand, an increase in the sliding distance and/or initial relative density results in smaller impact forces; for higher inclination angles, the trend is reversed. Based on the experimental results, an analytical equation is proposed to estimate the flow front velocity and an empirical approach is presented to estimate the maximum impact force based on elastic solid and hydrodynamic methods. The proposed equations are found to provide more accurate predictions for the maximum impact force than similar equations in the literature.     

Asia: a frontier for a future supercontinent Amasia

Asia is the world’s largest but youngest continent, in which Pacific-type (P-type) and collision-type (C-type) orogenic belts coexist with numerous amalgamated continental blocks. P-type orogens represent major sites of continental growth through tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite type (TTG-type) juvenile granitoid magmatism and accretion of oceanic crust and intra-oceanic arcs. The Asian continent includes several P-type orogenic belts, of which the largest are the Central Asian and Western Pacific. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt is dominated by P-type fossil orogens arranged with a regular northward subduction polarity. The Western Pacific is characterized by ongoing P-type orogeny related to the westward subduction of the Pacific plate. Asia has a multi-cratonic structure and its post-Palaeozoic history has witnessed amalgamation of the Laurasia composite continent and Pangaea supercontinent. Nowadays, Asia is surrounded by double-sided subduction zones, which generate new TTG-type crust and supply oceanic crust and microcontinents to its active margins. The TTG-crust can be tectonically eroded and subducted down to the mantle transition zone to form a ‘second’ continent, which may generate mantle upwelling, plumes, and extensive intra-plate volcanism. Moreover, recent plate movements around Asia are dominated by northward directions, which resulted in the India–Eurasia and Arabia–Eurasia collisions beginning at 50–45 and 23–20 Ma, respectively, and will result in Africa–Eurasia collision in the near future. Therefore, Asia is the best candidate to serve as the nucleus for a future supercontinent ‘Amasia’, likely to form 200–250 Ma in the future. In this paper we unravel a puzzle of continental growth in Asia through P-type orogeny by discussing its tectonic history and geological structure, subduction polarity in P-type orogens, tectonic erosion of TTG-type crust and arc subduction at convergent margins, generation of mantle plumes, and prospects of Asia growth and overgrowth.     

The Behaviour of a Reinforced Soil Mattress Spanning a Cavity Modelled in a Geotechnical Centrifuge

Sinkholes can occur on land underlain by dolomite and cause substantial damage to buildings and even loss of life. More than four million people work or reside on dolomite land in South Africa and it is therefore important to be able to construct safely on dolomite land and to minimise the risk of damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Compacted soil mattresses are often used to found structures on areas underlain by dolomite. This study investigated the effect of tensile reinforcement on the behaviour of a soil mattress spanning an underlying water filled cavity designed to impose a cover subsidence sinkhole. Three small-scale models, each consisting of a soil mattress with a cover subsidence sinkhole forming underneath, were constructed and tested in a geotechnical centrifuge. In the first test, an unreinforced soil mattress was tested and in two more tests, reinforced soil mattresses with different reinforcement strengths were tested. The settlement of the unreinforced soil mattress was initially less than that of the reinforced soil mattresses up to the point at which it failed suddenly. Neither of the reinforced soil mattresses failed suddenly, but both experienced large surface settlements that would have led to substantial damage to an overhead structure.     

Non-Darcian flow to a partially penetrating well in a confined aquifer with a finite-thickness skin

Non-Darcian flow to a partially penetrating well in a confined aquifer with a finite-thickness skin was investigated. The Izbash equation is used to describe the non-Darcian flow in the horizontal direction, and the vertical flow is described as Darcian. The solution for the newly developed non-Darcian flow model can be obtained by applying the linearization procedure in conjunction with the Laplace transform and the finite Fourier cosine transform. The flow model combines the effects of the non-Darcian flow, partial penetration of the well, and the finite thickness of the well skin. The results show that the depression cone spread is larger for the Darcian flow than for the non-Darcian flow. The drawdowns within the skin zone for a fully penetrating well are smaller than those for the partially penetrating well. The skin type and skin thickness have great impact on the drawdown in the skin zone, while they have little influence on drawdown in the formation zone. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the drawdown in the formation zone is sensitive to the power index (n), the length of well screen (w), the apparent radial hydraulic conductivity of the formation zone (K _r2), and the specific storage of the formation zone (S _s2) at early times, and it is very sensitive to the parameters n, w and K _r2 at late times, especially to n, while it is not sensitive to the skin thickness (r _s).     

Spreading of a NAPL lens in a double-porosity medium

Spreading of a non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) denser than water (DNAPL) lens (mound) in the unsaturated zone of double-porosity aquifer above an impervious plane boundary is investigated. The double-porosity aquifer is conceptualized as a fracture network surrounding pervious blocks. Vertical gravity equilibrium is assumed to prevail in each one of the two media, fractures and blocks. Through vertical integration, two coupled partial differential equations for the DNAPL content in each medium are obtained. The mass exchange rate between high- and low-permeability media is considered as a function of NAPL content. The dominant effect is gravity, whereas capillary forces are negligible. Analytical solutions for one-dimensional and axisymmetric problems of mound spreading are obtained.     

Strain analysis of a shear zone in a granodiorite

A ductile shear zone in a late Precambrian granodiorite, from the Rouergue (southwest part of the French Massif Central) has been studied.A single episode of deformation is responsible for the formation of a foliation and a well-defined lineation which are localized into an elongated zone, a few decimeters wide.The strain features can be attributed to a simple-shear mechanism (Ramsay and Graham, 1970), so that the main parameters of the deformation are defined.At stages of increasing deformation, the quartz isotropic sub-fabric of the undeformed host rock is progressively transformed into an anisotropic fabric composed of a single oblique girdle while the subgrain size progressively decrease and the dislocation density remains constant. It is suggested that the gliding planes of quartz are the basal plane (0001) and a predominant prismatic plane 101&#x0304;0 the slip directions may be a for both glide-planes.The results obtained in this investigation provide a basis for a high voltage electron microscope (H.V.E.M.) study which shows that the fabrics development may be related to dislocation processes. The difference of strain rates in the host rock and in the shear zone is calculated from the dislocation microstructures.     

Physical properties of a horizon of a white hole and a Kruskal wormhole

The possible application of a Rindler type reference frame for studies of physical processes near the horizons of black and white holes is considered. New similar reference frames inside black and white holes in the region T of a Kruskal wormhole are introduced.     

Effects of a mudcake on Stoneley waves in a fluid-filled porous formation around a borehole

A mudcake formed on the borehole wall between a fluid-filled porous formation and the borehole fluid can affect Stoneley wave propagation used to estimate the formation permeability. The mudcake effect on the permeability dependence of radial oscillations of borehole fluid is investigated in a system with a source generating radial acoustic waves in the borehole and hydrophones (pressure sensors) that record the respective attenuating oscillations of the borehole fluid. The permeability of the porous formation is estimated from theoretical permeability dependence of the attenuation exponent, knowing the time dependence of the exponential attenuation of borehole fluid oscillations.     

Mechanical stratigraphy as a factor controlling the development of a sandbox transfer zone: a three-dimensional analysis

In thrust belts, fold–fault terminations are common features of the structural architecture and can pose complicated problems to unravel, in particular when two or more terminations are in close proximity. Such terminations usually reflect pre-existing attributes. Amongst the many factors, lateral variations in the mechanical stratigraphy can control along-strike geometry and kinematics of fault-related folds.A displacement transfer zone was produced in a compressional sandbox model by means of two adjacent, mechanically different stratigraphic domains. The experiment allowed two discrete chains to develop in the different domains, so that a complex structural setting occurred in the connecting area. Periclinal folds, oblique thrust fronts and oblique ramps developed in the resulting transfer zone. The interaction between periclines in the transfer zone produced lateral culminations in the folded structures. The analysis of displacement across the structural domains revealed that a significant loss of slip along the faults occurred in the relay zone. In this area, imbricate faulting was partially replaced by layer-parallel shortening. A linear relationship appears to exist between the bed length of the thrust sheet and the related fault slip.     

Coal as a source rock for oil: a review

The geological debate about whether, and to what extent, humic coals have sourced oil is likely to continue for some time, despite some important advances in our knowledge of the processes involved. It is clear that not only liptinites, but also perhydrous vitrinites have the potential to generate hydrocarbon liquids in the course of natural coalification. Some liptinites, especially alginite, cutinite, and suberinite, contain a higher proportion of aliphatic moieties in their structure than other liptinites such as sporinite and resinite and are, therefore, more oil-prone. It is of potential value to be able to predict the several environments of deposition in which coals with high liptinite contents or containing perhydrous vitrinites may have been formed. Review of the distribution of oil-prone coals in time and space reveals that most are Jurassic–Tertiary with key examples from Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. Methods based both on experimental simulations and the examination of naturally matured samples have been used to determine the order of generation of hydrocarbons from different macerals. Results are not entirely consistent among the different approaches, and there is much overlap in the ranges of degradation, but it seems probable that in the natural environment vitrinites begin to generate early, followed by labile liptinites such as suberinite, then cutinite, sporinite, and, finally, alginite.Petroleum potential may be determined by experimental simulation of natural coalification or inferred through various micro-techniques, especially fluorescence and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, or bulk techniques such as elemental analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The latter three techniques enable a measure of the polymethylene component of the coal, which now appears to be one of the best available approaches for determining petroleum potential. No method of experimental simulation of petroleum generation from coals is without criticism, and comparative results are highly variable. However, hydrous pyrolysis, confined pyrolysis, and forms of open-system hydrous pyrolysis approach acceptable simulations.Whether, and to what degree generated liquid hydrocarbons are expelled, has long been the central problem in ‘oil from coal’ studies. The structure of vitrinite was believed until recently to contain an interconnected microporous network in which generated oil would be contained until an expulsion threshold was attained. Recent studies show the pores are not interconnected. Combined with a dynamic model of pore generation, it now seems that expulsion of hydrocarbons is best explained by activated diffusion of molecules to maceral boundaries and ultimately by cleats and fractures to coal seam boundaries. The main reason for poor expulsion is the adsorption of oil on the organic macromolecule, which may be overcome (1) if coals are thin and interbedded with clastic sediments, or (2) if the coals are very hydrogen-rich and generate large quantities of oil.The existence of oil in vitrinite is attested to by solvent extractions, fluorescence properties, and by microscopic observations of oil and bitumen. Experimental simulation of expulsion of oil from coals has only recently been attempted. The relative timing of release of generated CO₂ and CH₄ could have considerable importance in promoting the expulsion of liquid hydrocarbons but the mechanism is unclear. As it is universally agreed that dispersed organic matter (DOM) in some shales readily generates and expels petroleum, it is curious that few consistent geochemical differences have been found between coal macerals and DOM in interbedded shales.Unambiguous evidence of expulsion from coals is limited, and in particular only a few commercial oil discoveries can be confidently correlated to coals. These include Upper Cretaceous Fruitland Formation coals in the USA, from which oil is produced; New Zealand Tertiary coals; and Middle Jurassic coals from the Danish North Sea. It is likely that coals have at least contributed to significant oil discoveries in the Gippsland Basin, Australia; in the Turpan Basin, China; and in the Kutei and Ardjuna basins in Indonesia, but this remains unproven. Early reports that early Jurassic coals in mid-Norway were a major source of the reservoired oils have been shown to be inaccurate.None of the proposed ‘rules of thumb’ for generation or expulsion of petroleum from coals seem particularly robust. Decisions on whether a particular coal is likely to have been an active source for oil should consider all available geological and geochemical information. The assumptions made in computational models should be well understood as it is likely with new understandings of processes involved that some of these assumptions will be difficult to sustain.     

Fracture Initiation and Propagation in a Brazilian Disc with a Plane Interface: a Numerical Study

In the present study, fracture initiation and propagation from a pre-existing plane interface in a Brazilian disc is investigated using a finite-discrete element combined method. Different fracture patterns, depending on the frictional resistance of the pre-existing crack or interface, are observed from the numerical simulation. It is found that when there is no or very little frictional resistance on the surfaces of the pre-existing crack, the primary fractures (wing cracks), which are tensile in nature and are at roughly right angles to the pre-existing crack, start from the tips of the pre-existing crack. As the friction coefficient increases, the wing cracks’ initiation locations deviate from the crack tips and move toward the disc center. Secondary fractures, which are also tensile in nature, initiate from the disc boundary and occur only when the length of the pre-existing crack is sufficiently long. The secondary fractures are roughly sub-parallel to the pre-existing crack. The failure load is found to be influenced by the friction coefficient of the pre-existing crack. A 38 % failure load increase can result when the friction coefficient changes from 0 to 1. A good understanding of the fracture initiation and propagation in the forms of primary and secondary fractures provides insight into explaining some fracture patterns observed underground.     

Environmental policy as a factor in a new security policy

Environmental policy is increasingly becoming an indispensable part of modern policy to maintain peace and security. After the end of the East-West conflict, a new cold war between North and South is looming on the horizon. It is caused by a steadily widening gap between the poverty of the South and the wealth of the North, which has been gained not least at the expense of the environment worldwide, and thus also of the South.There is a need for a parallel development between the disarmament process in the classical sense and a disarmament process in a material sense to promote an economic, social and ecological development which is consistent in itself and coordinated with regard to its effects.Appropriate instruments to achieve this, besides international conventions, include the opening up of markets, ecologically honest prices, technical cooperation and not least the enforcement of environmentally compatible and resource-saving forms of industry and ways of life in the industrialised countries.     

'Race' as a scientific and organizational construct: a critique

'Race' for many years has been a major construct of science and society. While its importance as such has not historically been particularly pronounced on a global scale, the emergence of its most forceful architects, the Anglophone countries, to pre-eminence since World War II has significantly extended its geographical range and added to its significance as an idea within commercialized culture as well as within social organization.In the present paper, 'race' is critically examined from the following angles: 1) its role in the behavioral and medical sciences; b) its historical origins and manifestations within the Anglophone countries, particularly the United States; and c) its emergence as a 'liberal' concept and operating principle since World War II. Questions of why and how 'race' arose and its continued use in science, society and culture drive both the trajectory and depth of this research. 'Race' is found to be a modern construct which arose as a consequence of colonialism and slavery, and was substantially constructed in its present form and substance by England and its off-spring societies, particularly the United States. 'Race' was not used as a term expressing a social idea until modern times, and had no basis in the primordial civilizations which greatly influenced modern Western societies (e.g., ancient Greece and Rome). Efforts undertaken by liberals – particularly in the United States – to 'humanize' the concept of 'race' since the 1960's have been largely unsuccessful. 'race' is viewed as inherently hierarchical, a fact which is evident from its historical and present role in science and society.     

Microplankton metabolism along a trophic gradient in a shallow-temperate estuary

Microplankton metabolism was studied in the Urdaibai estuary from June 1996 to May 1997 to investigate the factors that control the autotrophic-heterotrophic balance in three zones of contrasting trophic status. Gross primary production (GPP) and dark oxygen consumption (R) were measured from the upper eutrophic reaches to the lower marine segment for unfractionated samples as well as for nanoplankton (<20 μm) and ultraplankton (<5 μm). Microplankton composition differed in the three segments and the peaks of abundance were uncoupled. Microplankton biomass both as carbon content and chlorophylla concentration decreased seaward. Size-fractionated metabolism was to a great extent conducted by the dominant species in the upper and middle reaches, where GPP and R rates were frequently coupled. In the lower marine estuary GPP experienced marked seasonal changes while R rates were rather constant and uncoupled to GPP. In the upper and lower estuary the gross primary production:respiration (P:R) ratio of the nonfractionated samples were >1 only during peak values of production, whilst in the middle estuary they were almost always ≥1. Ultraplankton was generally heterotrophic in the three zones. The relative importance of the <5 μm fraction increased seaward for both GPP and R rates. This size class was responsible for most of the oxygen consumption in the middle and lower estuary, while in the upper estuary the 5–20 μm size fraction was also relevant. During periods of enhanced phytoplankton growth, less than 20% of the total GPP was instantaneously respired in the three segments. In periods between peaks, only in the middle estuary was some percentage of the GPP not instantaneously processed. The percentage of the fractionated primary production respired in each size fraction was highly variable, although the highest values were found in the <5 μm for all stations.     

Vertical vibrations of a rigid circular body on a non-homogeneous half-space interrupted by a frictionless plane

An exact formulation is presented for the problem of a rigid circular body performing harmonic vibrations on an elastic half-space whose shear modulus increases linearly with depth and is interrupted at some finite depth by a frictionless horizontal plane. The static case is derived in the limit of zero frequency vibrations while the known result for the uninterrupted half-space is recovered in either extreme limit of the horizontal frictionless plane coinciding with the surface or when it is pushed down to an infinite depth. It is shown that the maximum effect of the interruption occurs when the frictionless plane is at a depth where the shear modulus is about 1·6 times the surface shear modulus. Furthermore, this maximum effect is equivalent to a reduction of about 5 per cent of the surface shear modulus or a reduction of about 2½ per cent in the natural frequency of the rigid body on an uninterrupted half-space. The important conclusion, therefore, is that irrespective of the depth at which a half-space isso interrupted, the surface shear modulus is still the dominant parameter and that both the increase in shear modulus with depth and the interruption are not only secondary but also opposing effects.