Influence of Structural Non-Stationarity of Surface Roughness on Morphological Characterization and Mechanical Deformation of Rock Joints

Summary Structural non-stationarity of surface roughness affects accurate morphological characterization as well as mechanical behaviour of rock joints at the laboratory scale using samples with a size below the stationarity threshold. In this paper, the effect of structural non-stationarity of surface roughness is investigated by studying the scale dependence of surface roughness and mechanical behaviour of rock joints. The results show that the structural non-stationarity mainly affects the accurate characterization of the surface roughness of the fracture samples. It also controls the amount and location of the contact areas during shear tests, which in turn affects the mechanical properties and asperity degradation of the samples. It is concluded that for accurate determination of the morphological and mechanical properties of rock joints at laboratory and field scales, samples with size equal to or larger than the stationarity threshold are required. Author’s address: Nader Fardin, Rock Mechanics Group, Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box: 11365/4563, Tehran, Iran     

Modeling 3D thermal fracture propagation by transient cooling using virtual multidimensional internal bonds

Thermal fracturing can play an important role in development of unconventional petroleum and geothermal resources. Thermal fractures can result from the nonlinear deformation of the rock in response to thermal stress related to cold water injection as well as heating. Before the rock reaches the final failure stage, material softening and bulk modulus degradation can cause changes in the thermo‐mechanical properties of the solid. In order to capture this aspect of the rock fracture, a virtual multidimensional internal bond‐based thermo‐mechanical model is derived to track elastic, softening, and the failure stages of the rock in response to the temporal changes of its temperature field. The variations in thermo‐mechanical properties of the rock are derived from a nonlinear constitutive model. To represent the thermo‐mechanical behavior of pre‐existing fractures, the element partition method is employed. Using the model, numerical simulation of 3D thermal fracture propagation in brittle rock is carried out. Results of numerical simulations provide evidence of model verification and illustrate nonlinear thermal response and fracture development in rock under uniform cooling. In addition, fracture coalescence in a cluster of fractures under thermal stress is illustrated, and the process of thermal fracturing from a wellbore is captured. Results underscore the importance of thermal stress in reservoir stimulation and show the effectiveness of the model to predict 3D thermal fracturing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

动力扰动下深部开挖洞室围岩分层断裂破坏机制模型试验研究

为研究动、静组合加载下深部巷道围岩分区破裂化的机制,在Instron电液伺服材料试验机上对用石膏制作的深部洞室模型进行了动、静组合加载试验。为进一步分析动、静组合加载下深部巷道围岩分层断裂化的力学本质,将动、静组合加载下深部巷道围岩近似视为若干个二维动、静组合加载试样的组合体,并用红砂岩试样进行了二维动、静组合加载试验。试验结果表明,巷道轴向应力为最大主应力且大于一定值时,围岩会发生分层断裂现象;巷道轴向应力为最大主应力且与外部扰动应力叠加达到一定值时,围岩也会发生分层断裂现象;巷道直径越大,在相同的动、静组合加载条件下,更易发生分层断裂现象;相同直径的巷道,在不同的动、静组合加载作用下,巷道围岩分层断裂化程度不同,动、静组合应力叠加值越大,分层断裂化程度越严重;应力状态对试样裂纹扩展及分布方向起着主导作用,试样破裂面一般垂直于最小主应力方向（在最小主应力面内）,与最大主应力方向一致;深部巷道围岩存在形成破裂圈的应力状态,这样的应力状态可诱发巷道围岩分区破裂现象的发生。     

Simulations of hydro-fracking in rock mass at meso-scale using fully coupled DEM/CFD approach

The paper deals with two-dimensional (2D) numerical modelling of hydro-fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in rocks at the meso-scale. A numerical model was developed to characterize the properties of fluid-driven fractures in rocks by combining the discrete element method (DEM) with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The mechanical behaviour of the rock matrix was simulated with DEM and the behaviour of the fracturing fluid flow in newly developed and pre-existing fractures with CFD. The changes in the void geometry in the rock matrix were taken into account. The initial 2D hydro-fracking simulation tests were carried out for a rock segment under biaxial compression with one injection slot in order to validate the numerical model. The qualitative effect of several parameters on the propagation of a hydraulic fracture was studied: initial porosity of the rock matrix, dynamic viscosity of the fracking fluid, rock strength and pre-existing fracture. The characteristic features of a fractured rock mass due to a high-pressure injection of fluid were realistically modelled by the proposed coupled approach.

     

A Microstructure-Based Model to Characterize Micromechanical Parameters Controlling Compressive and Tensile Failure in Crystallized Rock

A discrete element model is proposed to examine rock strength and failure. The model is implemented by UDEC which is developed for this purpose. The material is represented as a collection of irregular-sized deformable particles interacting at their cohesive boundaries. The interface between two adjacent particles is viewed as a flexible contact whose stress–displacement law is assumed to control the material fracture and fragmentation process. To reproduce rock anisotropy, an innovative orthotropic cohesive law is developed for contact which allows the interfacial shear and tensile behaviours to be different from each other. The model is applied to a crystallized igneous rock and the individual and interactional effects of the microstructural parameters on the material compressive and tensile failure response are examined. A new methodical calibration process is also established. It is shown that the model successfully reproduces the rock mechanical behaviour quantitatively and qualitatively. Ultimately, the model is used to understand how and under what circumstances micro-tensile and micro-shear cracking mechanisms control the material failure at different loading paths.     

Hydromechanical properties and alteration of natural fracture surfaces in the Soultz granite (Bas-Rhin, France)

Natural fractures are characterized by rough surfaces and complex fluid flows. A large distribution of apertures (residual voids) within their walls and the presence of contact points (in situ normal loads) produce heterogeneous flows (channeling). The resulting permeabilities, porosities or fluid–rock exchange surfaces cannot be realistically modeled by parallel and smooth plate models. Four natural fractures are sampled at different depths and degrees of alteration in the Soultz sandstone and granite (EPS1 drillhole, Soultz-sous-Forêts, Bas-Rhin, France). The fracture surfaces are measured with mechanical profilometry and maps of asperity heights (XYZ). Resulting local apertures (XYe) are then calculated. A statistical study of the surface profiles (XZ) show that the fractures are more or less rough and tortuous according to the types of alteration. Altered samples are characterized by smoother surfaces of fractures. Such differences imply that (i) the average fracture aperture is not representative for the whole fracture and that (ii) the different local apertures should be integrated in hydraulic and mechanical models. A hydraulic model (finite difference calculations) of fluid flow, taking into account the elastic closure (Hertz contact theory) of fractures with depth, is used. Maps of contact points and relative local loads within the fracture planes are compared to flow maps. They show different channeling of fluid flows. Strongly altered fractures are characterized by homogeneous fluxes despite the presence of numerous contact zones during the closure of fracture. By contrast, fresh fractures develop, increasing fluid flow channels with depth.Fracture closure (increasing normal stress) does not systematically increase the channeling of fluid flow. There is evidence for a general smoothing out of the irregularities of the fracture walls due to precipitation of secondary minerals, indicating that the cubic law can be commonly valid, also at great crustal depth but this validity depends on the degree of fracture alteration. Mineralogical and geochemical observations, thus, should be taken into account to perform more accurate permeability calculations and models of fluid circulation in fracture networks.     

Closure of Fracture Due to Cover Stress Re-establishment After Coal Mining

In situ measurements of deformations, stresses, and closure of fractures, affecting water inflow following coal mining, are challenging due to the inaccessibility of fractured rock. In this paper, the authors studied the closure process of the fractured rock mass with the cover stress re-establishment based on a theoretical analysis and a scale model testing. A quantitative analysis is used to study the fracture distribution in the fractured zone. A function to describe a fracture aperture distribution in the fractured zone is proposed, which takes into account the curvature and thickness of the fractured rock. The theoretical analysis and a scale model testing both indicate that the cover stress re-establishment with mining distance increasing and the relationship between the fracture closure and cover stress re-establishment both satisfy a logarithmic function. The scale model test also shows the following features: (1) the fracture ratio (which is the fracture area divided by the total area of fracture and intact rock with a unit width in the vertical or horizontal direction) in the lower part of the fractured rock mass is greater than that in the upper part; (2) the initially fast decreased of fracture ratios is then followed by a slower decrease during the cover stress re-establishment process; (3) in the upper part of the rock mass, the vertical directional fractures with small apertures are being closed with cover stress re-establishment, which indicates an increase in the water resistance reducing the seepage from these parts of the fractured zone. This study improves the general understanding of the fracture closure process and cover stress re-establishment in the fractured rock mass after coal mining ceased, and provides a theoretical basis for water resource protection in case of underground coal mining.     

The stress-strain behaviour of rock material related to fracture under compression

Fracture is the main reason for the non-linear behaviour of hard rocks. The fracture mechanics of rock is studied in this article by analysis of the fracture process under compression. A constitutive model that describes the relationship between the macro deformation of rock and the micro fracture within rock is developed. The propagation of microcracks, the non-linearity of deformation, the loading-and-unloading hysteresis and the variation of the apparent Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are studied using the developed model. The model simulations demonstrate that: (1) the fracture toughness, initial crack length, crack density, and Young's modulus are four crucially important parameters that affect the deformation behaviour of rock; (2) the elastic parameters (E and v) of the rock matrix should be measured in triaxial tests. If they are measured in uniaxial tests, the upper straight unloading portion of the stress-strain curve is suggested to be used for the purpose, unless the closure effect of open cracks will be included in the estimations. In addition (3), the slope of the reloading stress-strain curve is a measure of the damage in material.     

深埋隧道层状围岩变形特征分析

层状岩体在地下工程中经常遇到的,它具有明显的各向异性力学性质。结合共和隧道现场监测和数值模拟相结合的方法对层状岩体的破坏特征进行了分析,研究结果表明：围岩的变形位移、破坏区都主要集中隧道拱顶右侧,即靠河侧大于靠山侧。隧道围岩变形破坏区不在最大主应力方向上,而是在岩体层理垂直方向。层状岩体中洞室变形破坏特征除了因地形产生的偏压影响外,更重要的是受地层结构特征的影响,即与层状岩体的力学性质极大相关,其结果可为指导隧道的施工和设计提供有效依据。     

Flow Of Groundwater From Soil To Crystalline Rock

Knowledge of groundwater flow from soil or surface water to crystalline bedrock has usually been derived from indirect studies of drawdown in soil due to underground constructions, as well as from analysis of water chemistry and from tracer experiments. Infiltration into the bedrock occurs at specific sites where suitable combinations of geological and hydrological variables exist. Flow from soil to rock in the saturated zone occurs where conductors in the bedrock, such as fractures and fracture zones, are hydraulically connected to a groundwater reservoir in permeable soil or to horizons of permeable and constructive material in heterogeneous soil. Of particular importance for infiltration are the hydraulic conditions of the contact zone between soil and rock. A thin layer of silt on the bedrock surface often blocks the water flow. The micro-topography of the bedrock surface is important since fracture zones usually give depressions in the surface, in which accumulations of sorted and conductive material often can be found. A strong heterogeneity in the infiltration from soil to rock is evidenced by statistical analyses of the flow related to various geological and hydrogeological variables, as well as from analyses of groundwater chemistry and tracer experiments. In order to estimate the infiltration from soil to rock and to carry out mathematical modelling of the groundwater flow, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the hydraulic conditions of the superficial rock and soil as well as of the conditions at the soil/bedrock contact zone. Information on the saturated flow from soil to rock is essential for calculation of water budgets, for assessments of spread of pollutants and for estimations of leakage into underground constructions.

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Résumé: Les connaissances sur les écoulements souterrains des sols ou des eaux de surface res le substratum cristallin ont été généralement établies par des études indirectes sur le drainage des sols par des constructions souterraines, ainsi que par l'etude du chimisme des eaux et par des expériences de tra?age. L'infiltration dans le substratum se produit en des lieux particuliers oè les variables géologiques et hydrologiques possèdent en même temps des valeurs favorables. L'écoulement du sol vers la roche en milieu saturé intervient là où les axes drainant du substratum, tels que les fractures et les zones fracturées, sont hydrauliquement connectés à une nappe dans un sol perméable ou à des horizons de matériel perméable dans un sol hétérogène. Les conditions hydrauliques régnant au contact sol/roche jouent un r?le capital pour l'infiltration. Un fin niveau de silt à la surface du substratum suffit souvent à empêcher l'écoulement. La microtopographie de la surface du substratum est importante, car souvent des zones de fractures produisent des dépressions, où sont fréquemment observées des accumulations de matériel trié et perméable. Une forte hétérogénéité de l'infiltration du sol vers la roche est mise en évidence grace à des analyses statistiques de différentes variables géologiques et hydrologiques déterminant l'écoulement, ainsi que grace au chimisme de l'eau souterraine et aux tra?ages. Les information sur les écoulements en milieu saturé du sol vers la roche sont nécessaires pour calculer les bilans hydriques et la dispersion des polluants et pour estimer les fuites vers les ouvrages souterrains.

     

Fully coupled hydro-mechanical numerical manifold modeling of porous rock with dominant fractures

Coupled hydro-mechanical (HM) processes are significant in geological engineering such as oil and gas extraction, geothermal energy, nuclear waste disposal and for the safety assessment of dam foundations and rock slopes, where the geological media usually consist of fractured rock masses. In this study, we developed a model for the analysis of coupled hydro-mechanical processes in porous rock containing dominant fractures, by using the numerical manifold method (NMM). In the current model, the fractures are regarded as different material domains from surrounding rock, i.e., finite-thickness fracture zones as porous media. Compared with the rock matrix, these fractured porous media are characterized with nonlinear behavior of hydraulic and mechanical properties, involving not only direct (poroelastic) coupling but also indirect (property change) coupling. By combining the potential energy associated with mechanical responses, fluid flow and solid–fluid interactions, a new formulation for direct HM coupling in porous media is established. For indirect coupling associated with fracture opening/closure, we developed a new approach implicitly considering the nonlinear properties by directly assembling the corresponding strain energy. Compared with traditional methods with approximation of the nonlinear constitutive equations, this new formulation achieves a more accurate representation of the nonlinear behavior. We implemented the new model for coupled HM analysis in NMM, which has fixed mathematical grid and accurate integration, and developed a new computer code. We tested the code for direct coupling on two classical poroelastic problems with coarse mesh and compared the results with the analytical solutions, achieving excellent agreement, respectively. Finally, we tested for indirect coupling on models with a single dominant fracture and obtained reasonable results. The current poroelastic NNM model with a continuous finite-thickness fracture zone will be further developed considering thin fractures in a discontinuous approach for a comprehensive model for HM analysis in fractured porous rock masses.     

Geomechanical model for fracture deformation under hydraulic, mechanical and thermal loads

Hydraulic flow and transport (heat and solute) within crystalline rocks is dominated by the fracture systems found within them. In situ stress conditions have a significant impact on the hydraulic, mechanical and thermal coupled processes, and quantification of these processes provides a key to understanding the often transient time-dependent behaviour of crystalline rocks. In this paper, a geomechanical model is presented which describes fracture closure as a function of effective stress and the changes in parameters such as storage, permeability, porosity and aperture. Allowing the fracture closure to be defined by the change in normal effective stress provides a link to the numerical consideration of parametrical changes due to rock stress alterations caused for example by changes in fracture fluid pressure, stress release, tectonic stress, thermal stress, orientation of the natural fracture in the pervasive stress system and local changes in a rock mass due to stress alteration. The model uses geometrical considerations based on a fractal distribution of apertures on the fracture surface, and applies well-established analytical elastic deformation solutions to calculate the deformation response to changes in effective stress. Analysis of the fractal generation method allows a standard normal distribution of fracture apertures to be predicted for all common fractal dimensions relating to a 2D surface. Changes in the fracture aperture are related to hydraulic functions such as permeability, storage and porosity of the fracture. The geomechanical model is experimentally validated against laboratory scale experimental data gained from the closure of a fractured sample recovered at a depth of 3,800 m from the KTB pilot borehole. Parameters for matching the experimental data were established externally, the only fitting parameters applied were the minimum and maximum contact area between the surfaces and the number of allowable contacts. The model provides an insight into the key processes determining the closure of a fracture, and can act as a material input function for numerical models linking the effects of changes in the stress field, hydraulic or thermal conditions, to the flow and transport parameters of a fractured system.

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Résumé L’écoulement et le transport (chaleur et soluté) dans les roches cristallines sont dominés par les systèmes de fracture. Les conditions de stress in-situ ont un impact significatif sur l’hydraulique, les processus couplés de mécanique et thermique et la quantification de ces processus apportent une clé pour comprendre le comportement transitoire des roches cristallines. Dans cet article un modèle géomécanique est présenté, modèle qui décrit la fermeture des fractures comme une fonction de la contrainte effective et des changements de paramètres tels le coefficient d’emmagasinement, la perméabilité, la porosité et l’ouverture. En s’accordant que la fermeture des fractures est définit par les changements de la contrainte effective normale, on apporte le lien avec la considération numérique des changements paramétriques dus aux altérations de la contrainte des roches, causés par exemple par des variations de la pression des fluides dans les fractures, du dégagement de la contrainte, des contraintes tectoniques et thermiques, des orientations des fractures naturelles dans le système de contraintes pénétrantes, et des changements locaux dans un massif de roches dus à l’altération des contraintes. Le modèle utilise des considérations géométriques basées sur une distribution fractale des ouvertures à la surface des fractures, et permet d’établir des solutions analytiques de la déformation élastique pour calculer la réponse de la déformation à la contrainte effective. L’analyse de la méthode par génération fractale permet de prédire une distribution normale standard de l’ouverture des fractures, pour toutes les dimensions fractales en relation avec les surfaces 2D. Les changements dans l’ouverture des fractures sont mis en relation avec les fonctions hydrauliques tels la perméabilité, l’emmagasinement et la porosité de la fracture. Le modèle géoméchanique est expérimentalement validé à l’échelle du laboratoire sur un échantillon fracturé récupéré à une profondeur de 3,800 mètres sur le puits du site pilote KTB. Les paramètres du calibrage des données expérimentales ont été établies extérieurement, les seuls paramètres utilisés étant les surfaces de contact minimum et maximum, et le nombre de contacts permis. Le modèle apporte une connaissance perspicace sur le processus clé déterminant la fermeture des fractures, et peut servir de fonction input dans les modèles numériques reliant les effets des variations de la contrainte du terrain, les conditions hydrauliques ou thermales, les paramètres de l’écoulement et du transport et les systèmes de fracture.

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Resumen El flujo hidráulico y transporte (de calor y solutos) dentro de rocas cristalinas está dominado por los sistemas de fracturas que se encuentran en ellas. Las condiciones de esfuerzos in-situ tienen un impacto significativo en los procesos aparejados termales, mecánicos e hidráulicos y la cuantificación de estos procesos aporta una clave para entender el frecuente comportamiento transitorio dependiente de las rocas cristalinas. En este artículo se presenta un modelo geomecánico que describe el cierre de fracturas en función del esfuerzo efectivo y los cambios en parámetros tal como almacenamiento, permeabilidad, porosidad y apertura. El definir el cierre de fractura mediante el cambio en esfuerzo normal efectivo aporta un vínculo con la consideración numérica de cambios paramétricos ocasionados por alteraciones de esfuerzos en la roca causadas, por ejemplo, por cambios en presión de fluidos en fractura, liberación de esfuerzo, esfuerzo tectónico, esfuerzo termal, orientación de fracturas naturales en el sistema de esfuerzos penetrante, y cambios locales en una masa rocosa ocasionados por alteración de esfuerzos. El modelo utiliza consideraciones geométricas basadas en la distribución fractal de aperturas en la superficie de fractura y aplica soluciones analíticas bien establecidas de deformación elástica para calcular la respuesta de deformación a cambios en el esfuerzo efectivo. Los análisis del método de generación fractal permiten predecir una distribución normal standard para la distribución de aperturas de fracturas para todas las dimensiones fractales comunes que se relacionan con una superficie 2D. Los cambios en la apertura de fractura se relacionan con funciones hidráulicas tal como permeabilidad, almacenamiento y porosidad de la fractura. El modelo geomecánico se ha validado experimentalmente en contra de datos experimentales a escala de laboratorio obtenidos a partir del cierre de una muestra fracturada recuperada a una profundidad de 3,800 m en el pozo piloto KTB. Se establecieron externamente parámetros que se ajustan a los datos experimentales, con los parámetros de ajuste aplicados que fueron el área máxima y mínima de contacto entre las superficies y el número de contactos permisibles. El modelo arroja luz sobre los procesos clave que determinan el cierre de una fractura y puede actuar como un material de función de entrada para modelos numéricos que vinculan los efectos de cambios en el campo de esfuerzos, condiciones termales o hidráulicas, con los parámetros de flujo y transporte de un sistema fracturado.

     

Size-Scale Effects on Strength,Friction and Fracture Energy of Faults: A Unified Interpretation According to Fractal Geometry

Summary.  Experimental results clearly indicate that large faults involved in earthquakes possess low strength, low friction coefficient and high fracture energy, in comparison with data obtained from small scale laboratory tests on rock samples. The reasons for such an unexpected anomalous behaviour have been the subject of several studies in the past and are still under debate in the Scientific Community. In this paper we propose a unifying interpretation of these size-scale effects on the basis of fractal geometry, which represents the proper mathematical framework for the analysis of multi-scale properties of rough surfaces in contact. A rather good agreement between the proposed scaling laws and the experimental data ranging from the laboratory scale up to the planetary scale typical of natural faults is achieved. Author’s address: Marco Paggi, Politecnico di Torino, Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy     

Micromechanical model of weakly‐cemented sediments

Experiments indicate that the bulk stiffness of weakly‐cemented granular materials increases significantly with the applied load, a nonlinearity which is not captured by most micromechanical models. Here, we study the deformation of weakly‐cemented materials through grain‐scale simulations. We show that the frequently‐made assumption of linear‐elastic cement and intergranular contact area which varies according to a Hertzian‐type model cannot explain the observed nonlinearity of the bulk response. We introduce the micromechanical effect of mechanisms such as closure and opening of microcracks, granular cement and material heterogeneity through an effective contact stiffness which depends on the local deformation. We find that an exponential dependence between the effective stiffness and the local deformation, with a high exponent value, provides bulk stiffness which is in good agreement with experimental data. The inability of models with weaker intergranular stiffness‐deformation dependence to reproduce the experimental data demonstrates the highly‐nonlinear nature of the intergranular deformation. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for grain‐scale mechanisms in modeling granular materials, and provide a plausible explanation for the nonlinear behavior of weakly‐cemented sediments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Bonded Particle Model Simulation of Shear Strength and Asperity Degradation for Rough Rock Fractures

Different failure modes during fracture shearing have been introduced including normal dilation or sliding, asperity cut-off and degradation. Attempts have been made to study these mechanisms using analytical, experimental and numerical methods. However, the majority of the existing models simplify the problem, which leads to unrealistic results. With this in mind, the aim of this paper is to simulate the mechanical behaviour of synthetic and rock fracture profiles during direct shear tests by using the two-dimensional particle flow computer code PFC2D. Correlations between the simulated peak shear strength and the fracture roughness parameter D _R1 recently proposed by Rasouli and Harrison (2010) are developed. Shear test simulations are carried out with PFC2D and the effects of the geometrical features as well as the model micro-properties on the fracture shear behaviour are studied. The shear strength and asperity degradation processes of synthetic profiles including triangular, sinusoidal and randomly generated profiles are analysed. Different failure modes including asperity sliding, cut-off, and asperity degradation are explicitly observed and compared with the available models. The D _R1 parameter is applied to the analysis of synthetic and rock fracture profiles. Accordingly, correlations are developed between D _R1 and the peak shear strength obtained from simulations and by using analytical solutions. The results are shown to be in good agreement with the basic understanding of rock fracture shear behaviour and asperity contact degradation.     

川西九龙黄牛坪铍矿床地质特征及找矿潜力

通过在川西九龙三岔河地区开展综合地质调查工作,发现该区桥棚子花岗岩体与三叠系围岩接触带及其附近具有较好的铍矿化,初步圈定了4条铍矿体,主要沿岩体接触带呈NNW向延伸,BeO品位最高可达0.698%,初步预测BeO资源量可达大型规模,矿石矿物主要为绿柱石,围岩蚀变以电气石化为主。花岗岩体顶部是含铍伟晶岩的重要成矿部位,野外可采用遥感先行的技术手段查找异常,再对遥感异常开展大比例尺追索,进一步采用工程手段进行验证。结果表明,九龙地区具有明显锂、铍异常,且与地质体套合度高。研究区外围东部发现稀有金属矿化显著的打枪沟锂铍矿床,南部乌拉溪地区追索到大量含锂辉石矿化伟晶岩转石,表明该区具有良好的稀有金属成矿条件及找矿潜力。     

川西九龙黄牛坪铍矿床地质特征及找矿潜力

通过在川西九龙三岔河地区开展综合地质调查工作,发现该区桥棚子花岗岩体与三叠系围岩接触带及其附近具有较好的铍矿化,初步圈定了4条铍矿体,主要沿岩体接触带呈NNW向延伸,BeO品位最高可达0.698%,初步预测BeO资源量可达大型规模,矿石矿物主要为绿柱石,围岩蚀变以电气石化为主。花岗岩体顶部是含铍伟晶岩的重要成矿部位,野外可采用遥感先行的技术手段查找异常,再对遥感异常开展大比例尺追索,进一步采用工程手段进行验证。结果表明,九龙地区具有明显锂、铍异常,且与地质体套合度高。研究区外围东部发现稀有金属矿化显著的打枪沟锂铍矿床,南部乌拉溪地区追索到大量含锂辉石矿化伟晶岩转石,表明该区具有良好的稀有金属成矿条件及找矿潜力。     

An Integrated Numerical Modelling–Discrete Fracture Network Approach Applied to the Characterisation of Rock Mass Strength of Naturally Fractured Pillars

Naturally fractured mine pillars provide an excellent example of the importance of accurately determining rock mass strength. Failure in slender pillars is predominantly controlled by naturally occurring discontinuities, their influence diminishing with increasing pillar width, with wider pillars failing through a combination of brittle and shearing processes. To accurately simulate this behaviour by numerical modelling, the current analysis incorporates a more realistic representation of the mechanical behaviour of discrete fracture systems. This involves realistic simulation and representation of fracture networks, either as individual entities or as a collective system of fracture sets, or a combination of both. By using an integrated finite element/discrete element–discrete fracture network approach it is possible to study the failure of rock masses in tension and compression, along both existing pre-existing fractures and through intact rock bridges, and incorporating complex kinematic mechanisms. The proposed modelling approach fully captures the anisotropic and inhomogeneous effects of natural jointing and is considered to be more realistic than methods relying solely on continuum or discontinuum representation. The paper concludes with a discussion on the development of synthetic rock mass properties, with the intention of providing a more robust link between rock mass strength and rock mass classification systems.     

岩体破裂尺度与频率特征关系及其工程实证研究

将S变换时频分析技术引入微震信号波形分析领域,通过震源破裂尺度,研究微震信号频率特征与岩体变形破坏之间的联系。以西南地区3个水电工程作为研究对象,将大量微震监测数据作为统计样本以减小外部因素对参数计算的影响。在该基础上统计、分析岩体破裂尺度与微震信号频率之间的关系,结合大渡河猴子岩水电站地下厂房微震与多点位移计监测资料进行工程实证研究。研究结果表明,当岩体破裂尺度增大时微震信号高频成分减少,表现出低频特征;在围岩变形过程中微震信号高频成分呈现出先减少再增加的演化规律,围岩发生明显变形前微震信号出现由高频向低频转移的现象,因此,可将聚集区域内微震信号频率降低作为该区域岩体宏观变形破坏的前兆信息。研究结果可为基于微震监测的岩体工程稳定性分析及其灾害预测预报提供参考。     

应力腐蚀和压力溶解引起的裂隙开度-刚度变化对THMM耦合过程影响的数值模拟

在使用Yasuhara等建立的裂隙开度的应力腐蚀和压力溶解模型的基础上,考虑裂隙闭合量对裂隙刚度的影响,针对一个假设的位于非饱和双重孔隙-裂隙岩体中且有核素泄漏的高放废物地质处置模型,拟定两种计算工况：（1）裂隙的刚度系数是裂隙闭合量的线性函数;（2）裂隙刚度为常数,进行热-水-应力-迁移耦合的二维有限元数值模拟,考察了岩体中的温度、裂隙开度的闭合速率、闭合量、孔（裂）隙水压力、地下水流速、核素浓度、裂隙刚度和正应力的变化、分布等情况。结果表明,两种工况岩体中的温度场、孔（裂）隙水压力、地下水流速、核素浓度无明显差别;裂隙闭合基本由应力腐蚀产生;在相同计算时间内两种工况的裂隙闭合量较为接近,工况1略大;工况1中离玻璃固化体越近,裂隙刚度值越高,并且在玻璃固化体附近的应力值较大,且集中程度较高。