A nonstationary parameter model for the sandstone creep tests

The rock masses of hydro-fluctuation belt experience seepage pressure following impoundment in the Three Gorges Reservoir; its creep behaviors are significant for reservoir bank slopes. To study the creep behaviors under seepage pressure (0, 1.45, and 1.75 MPa), we performed creep tests using representative landslide sandstone in the Three Gorges Reservoir and investigated the sandstone creep behaviors under the coupling effects of seepage pressure and stress. Previous researches on rocks have usually regarded the creep constitutive parameter as a constant; however, in this study, a nonlinear, nonstationary, plastic-viscous (NNPV) creep model which can describe the curve of sandstone creep tests is proposed. The rock-creep parameters under three levels of seepage pressure were identified, and theoretical curves using the NNPV model agreed well with the experimental data, indicating that the new model cannot only describe the primary creep and secondary creep stages under varying seepage pressures but also, in particular, perfectly describes the tertiary creep stage. Finally, the sensitivity of the NNPV model parameters is analyzed, and the result shows that the nonstationary coefficient α and the nonlinear coefficient m are main parameters affecting the tertiary creep stage.     

Acquiring high-resolution topography and performing spatial analysis of loess landslides by using low-cost UAVs

The Loess Plateau is a region in China prone to frequent geological disasters, where thousands of loess landslides can be found. Conventional field survey methods are inadequate for the requirements of fine spatial analysis of landslides. Due to its numerous advantages (fast, efficient, low cost, safe, and able to acquire high-resolution data), structure from motion (SfM) technique to photogrammetric orientation of flights and modeling applied to photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a camera has become a powerful new tool for the generation of high-resolution topography that has emerged in recent years, which has become a powerful new technique for acquiring high-resolution topographic data. In this study, we conducted nearly two months of field UAV surveys of loess landslides on the Loess Plateau, eventually established 3D digital models for 11 loess landslides, and produced high-resolution digital orthophoto maps (DOMs) and digital elevation models (DEMs). High-resolution spatial analysis of the loess landslides (mainly including characteristic parameter extraction, topography profile analysis, surface feature analysis, and hydrologic analysis) was performed using Agisoft PhotoScan, ArcGIS 10.2, Global Mapper 17, and Origin Pro 9.0. The UAV technique allows us to further understand the micro-level internal spatial and structural characteristics of loess landslides. Moreover, not only does it allow us to accurately measure the characteristic geometric parameters but also enables us to detect the surface details of loess landslides (e.g., textures, fissures, and micro-landforms). Manifestly, we can also deduce the original structural characteristics and possible inducement mechanism of landslides based on a combination of high-resolution data acquired by UAVs, proper ground surveys, and theoretical knowledge. In summary, the low-cost UAVs are highly and especially suitable for surveys and digital terrain analysis of landslides on the Loess Plateau with sparse vegetation.     

A nonlinear multiparameter prestack seismic inversion method based on hybrid optimization approach

Multiparameter prestack seismic inversion is one of the most powerful techniques in quantitatively estimating subsurface petrophysical properties. However, it remains a challenging problem due to the nonlinearity and ill-posedness of the inversion process. Traditional regularization approach can stabilize the solution but at the cost of smoothing valuable geological boundaries. In addition, compared with linearized optimization methods, global optimization techniques can obtain better results regardless of initial models, especially for multiparameter prestack inversion. However, when solving multiparameter prestack inversion problems, the application of standard global optimization algorithms maybe limited due to the issue of high computational cost (e.g., simulating annealing) or premature convergence (e.g., particle swarm optimization). In this paper, we propose a hybrid optimization-based multiparameter prestack inversion method. In this method, we introduce a prior constraint term featured by multiple regularization functions, intended to preserve layered boundaries of geological formations; in particular, to address the problem of premature convergence existing in standard particle swarm optimization algorithm, we propose a hybrid optimization strategy by hybridizing particle swarm optimization and very fast simulating annealing to solve the nonlinear optimization problem. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed inversion method by conducting synthetic test and field data application, both of which show encouraging results.     

Experimental study of the mechanical properties of expansive soil with added nanomaterials

The main purpose of this paper is to describe ways to improve the microstructure of expansive soil by adding nanomaterials. Mechanical tests were done to explore the changes in shear strength and compression index of expansive soil that was modified by adding different amounts of two kinds of nanomaterials (nano-alumina and nano-silica). The test results show that adding 1.2% nano-alumina and about 2% nano-silica to expansive soil provides the optimal compression index. The test results show that adding 1.2% nano-alumina and about 1.5% nano-silica to expansive soil provides the optimal unconfined compression stress. Scanning electron microscopy of the microstructure of expansive soil modified by nanomaterials provided a deeper understanding of the effects of nanomaterials on improving expansive soil.     

华南西部滨海湿地调查及主要成果

通过遥感、单波束测量、地质取样、海水取样、钻探、地下水采集与监测等多种调查手段及工作方法,首次在我国华南西部开展1∶10万滨海湿地地质调查与生态环境评价工作,对滨海湿地类型及分布、滨海海域地形地貌、沉积物环境质量、海水环境质量、生态地质演化、地下水化学要素进行综合分析与研究。项目系统查明了该区滨海湿地类型、分布、生态环境现状及其主要影响因素,对湿地生态地质环境质量进行了综合评价,构建了华南西部滨海湿地地质调查技术方法体系和生态地质环境综合评价体系,提出了滨海湿地保护和恢复的建议,为后续我国南方滨海湿地调查提供了示范。     

致密砂岩气藏储渗单元研究方法与应用:以鄂尔多斯盆地二叠系下石盒子组为例

精细表征储层特征和储层结构是致密砂岩气藏开发中后期的主要技术需求。基于不同类型砂体的相似孔渗特征将辫状河沉积体系中河道充填和心滩砂体聚类为储渗单元,提出了储渗单元研究概念和研究思路,开展了辫状河沉积体系储渗单元发育模式研究。通过露头观测和测井相标志,识别出辫状河沉积体系中储渗单元发育四种叠置模式,即心滩叠置型、河道充填叠置型、心滩和河道充填叠置型、心滩或河道充填孤立型;基于储渗单元发育模式,提出了河流相致密砂岩气藏开发井型的适应性,指出辫状河沉积体系中河道叠置带是叠置型储渗单元发育的有利部位,是水平井开发的有利目标,辫状河沉积体系中的过渡带和洼地主要发育孤立型储渗单元,适合直井或丛式井组开发。鄂尔多斯盆地二叠系下石盒子组野外露头研究和苏里格气田加密井区井间干扰试验表明,辫状河沉积体系中储渗单元发育规模为顺古水流方向长600 m和垂直水流方向宽400 m左右,证实苏里格气田具备进一步加密到400×600 m的条件,预计可提高采收率15%～20%。     

基于BP神经网络的溶洞规模预测及应用

复杂岩溶地区的溶洞发育规模受地质构造、地区岩性、地下水动力系统等多种因素的影响,具有高度复杂性和非线性的特征。通过对岩溶区溶洞的赋存规律研究,确定影响溶洞发育规模的控制因素进行定量处理,收集已探明溶洞的样本数据。为克服已有研究对溶洞发育规模定性描述的模糊性,文章利用BP（Back Propagation）神经网络对自组织、自适应特性对数据样本的非线性关系揭示的能力,实现对溶洞发育规模的预测,并基于MATLAB实现BP神经网络结构的设计、训练、预测,其结果表明:BP神经网络模型对溶洞规模预测的精度高、收敛性能好。      

Identifying the determinants of access to agricultural credit in Southern Punjab of Pakistan

Based on the survey data of 250 farmers from the Multan district of Southern region of Punjab, Pakistan this study aims to empirically examine the determinants of access to agricultural credit. This study used the probit model to analyze the data. The results revealed that formal education, farm size, level of farm mechanization, farm revenue and landholding size positively and significantly influenced access to agricultural credit while the age of the farmer’s, distance, and off- farm income negatively and insignificantly influenced farmer’s accessibility to agricultural credit. The findings of the current study offer a policy guideline to streamline national policy on agricultural finance. This study also recommends that ZaraiTaraqiati Bank (ZTBL) and other Commercial Banks should improve their agricultural credit schemes to fulfil the diversified needs of small farm holders.

     

黔中隆起北缘五峰-龙马溪组页岩元素地球化学特征及其地质意义

为探讨黔中隆起北缘五峰—龙马溪组富有机质页岩的沉积环境和物源区背景,对区内两口井的样品进行了有机碳含量、微量元素和稀土元素地球化学测试和分析.结果表明,研究区五峰—龙马溪组页岩在沉积时以贫氧—厌氧环境为主,富氧环境也偶尔存在,且龙马溪组沉积水体还原程度比五峰组高.La_N/Yb_N值的变化反映沉积速率为:龙马溪组下部 < 五峰组 < 观音桥段,表明五峰—龙马溪组页岩沉积时存在沉积速率先变快后变缓的过程.Mo/TOC值显示五峰组页岩沉积时盆地滞留程度较强,进入志留纪相对减弱,盆地滞留程度对有机质富集的正向影响可能不大,海平面升降造成的氧化还原条件以及生产力条件的变化或许控制了有机质的富集.微量和稀土元素组合及比值特征,反映研究区五峰—龙马溪组沉积时的原始物质来自上地壳,五峰组沉积时存在混合物源,而龙马溪组沉积时物源相对单一,总体上源岩以长英质（花岗岩）为主.源区构造背景以主动大陆边缘为主,受到一定热液活动的影响,同时也表现出一定的大陆岛弧构造背景的特征.      

Variations of methane stable isotopic values from an Alpine peatland on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Acta Geochimica - Isotopic signature is a powerful tool to discriminate methane (CH4) source types and constrain regional and global scale CH4 budgets. Peatlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are...