Effect of groundwater chemistry on the swelling behavior of a Ca-bentonite for deep geological repository

The swelling properties of buffer material for high level radioactive waste repository in a near-field environment are of particular importance for achieving the low permeability sealing function. In this study, the free swelling behavior of a potential buffer material Zhisin clay is evaluated under simulated groundwater conditions such as immersion in NaCl, CaCl₂, and Na₂SO₄ solutions at various concentrations. Experimental results indicate that Zhisin clay, being a Ca-bentonite, exhibits reduced swelling strain in salt solutions. The amount of decrease in swelling strain upon saline water intrusion is affected by both the type and concentration of electrolyte. At the same concentration, the swelling strains in CaCl₂ solution are lower than those in NaCl solution due to the quasi-crystals formed in the presence of calcium ions. Also, the swells in Na₂SO₄ solution are found to be lower than those in NaCl solution. This is attributed to the precipitation of CaSO₄, which acts as binding agent and results in aggregation of clay particles.     

Seismic analysis of deep tunnels in near fault conditions: a case study in Southern Italy

The importance of underground structures in transportation and utility networks makes their vulnerability to earthquakes a sensitive issue. Underground facilities are usually less vulnerable to earthquakes compared to above-ground structures, but the associated risk may be relevant, since even a low level of damage may affect the serviceability of a wide network. Seismic analysis of tunnels close to seismogenic faults is a complex problem, which is often neglected at the design stage for the lack of specific codes or guidelines for the design of underground structures in seismic conditions and also because, as mentioned above, underground structures are considered less vulnerable to earthquake loading. This paper investigates the seismic response of deep tunnels focusing on the required steps for a proper design under both static and dynamic loading. The study aims at contributing to improve the methods currently used for the seismic analysis of underground structures. At this purpose, the seismic response of a deep tunnel in Southern Italy has been investigated along the transversal direction. The infrastructure is part of the railway switch line connecting Caserta to Foggia in the Southern Apennines which is one of the most active seismic regions in Italy. The seismic response in the transversal direction has been analysed by using the pseudo-static approach as well as through advanced numerical modeling using the spectral element method coupled with a kinematic approach for finite fault simulations. The pseudo-static approach has been implemented using a closed-form analytical solution. The results obtained from advanced numerical modeling and the pseudo-static method have been compared to assess their validity and limitations.     

Thermal-hydrodynamic modeling of laboratory tests on the interaction of NaNO3-NaOH fluids with sandstone rock at a deep radionuclide repository site

Thermal-hydrodynamic modeling was used to reproduce laboratory tests involving sandstone samples collected from a deep radionuclide repository site at the Siberia Chemical Plant, Seversk (Russia). Laboratory tests included injection of alkaline fluids into sandstone samples at 70°C. Some minerals were forced in the model to precipitate or dissolve, according to laboratory test results. Modeling results were compared with observed test data (mineral phase changes, transient concentration data at the outlet of a sample column). Reasonable agreement was obtained between calculated and measured mineral phases (Na-smectite and kaolinite precipitation; quartz, microcline, chlorite, and muscovite dissolution). After the cation exchange option used in the model, the most abundant secondary mineral generated was dawsonite, which corresponds to sodium carbonates observed in the sample after the injection test. Time-dependent chemical concentrations (transient chemical concentration data) at the outlet of the sample column were qualitatively matched to the data observed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

2008年汶川地震近断裂区域变形场的空间分布

应用Yoshimitsu Okada及Steketee静态断裂位错模型及目前汶川地震研究成果,理论上反演龙门山近断裂区域在汶川地震中从震源深处至地表的变形(应变)场分布.通过矢量合成及坐标变换方法将Yoshimitsu Okada单一静态断裂位错模型应用于龙门山断裂带错裂研究中,重点研究汶川地震中因龙门山中央主断裂中、北段和山前断裂中段共同错动形成的应变场.模拟揭示了应变场平面和垂直分量的空间分布特征.研究发现:应变场垂直分量的幅值在震源深处大于地表,但在地表分布范围较大;应变场沿断裂走向分量的幅值和影响范围由震源深度至地表均逐渐增加;应变场垂直于断裂走向分量的变化情况类似于垂直向应变场;震源深度附近的大变形可能为龙门山断裂在地震中强烈挤压形成的塑性变形.研究表明从震源至地表,所有应变场分量从断裂两侧附近位置至远离断裂,幅值均迅速衰减;其中地表部分的最大变形与现有计算成果近似,变形场的变化特征与地表科考近似,断裂两盘变形方向与震后InSAR资料揭示的情况一致.     

Air circulation in deep fractures and the temperature field of an alpine rock slope

The subsurface temperature field of a rock slope is a key variable influencing both bedrock fracturing and slope stability. However, significant unknowns remain relating to the effect of air and water fracture flow, which can rapidly transmit temperature changes to appreciable depths. In this work, we analyze a unique set of temperature measurements from an alpine rock slope at ~2400 m a.s.l. in southern Switzerland. The monitored area encompasses part of an active slope instability above the village of Randa (VS) and is traversed by a network of open cracks, some of which have been traced to >80 m depth. We first describe distributed temperature measurements and borehole profiles, highlighting deep steady temperatures and different transient effects, and then use these data to approximate the conductive temperature field at the site. In a second step, we analyze the impact of air and water circulation in deep open fractures on the subsurface thermal field. On multiple visits to the study site in winter, we consistently noted the presence of warm air vents in the snowpack following the trace of deep tension cracks. Measurements showed that venting air changed temperature gradually from ~3 to 2 °C between December and May, which is similar to the rock temperature at around 50 m depth. Comparison with ambient air temperature suggests that winter conditions favor buoyancy‐driven convective air flow in these fractures, which acts to cool the deep subsurface as the rock gives up heat to incoming air. The potential impact of this process on the local thermal field is revealed by a disturbed temperature profile in one borehole and transient signals observed at depths well below the thermal active layer. Seasonal water infiltration during snowmelt appears to have little impact on the temperature field in the monitored area. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

共线不连通断层标本变形过程中群体微破裂事件的时空演化

设计了共线不连通断层物理模型,在概念上可模拟与地震孕育相关的障碍体或强固区。开展了中等尺度辉长岩标本的双轴破裂实验,对4600余次微破裂事件进行了精确定位,据此对共线不连通断层标本变形过程中群体微破裂事件时空演化的统计特征进行初步研究。由于强闭锁作用,变形过程中在98％的峰值强度,以前围绕不连通区域显示一系列在时间上依次递进、空间上逐步收缩、长轴方向随之改变的“空区”演化图像。在峰值强度后的弱化阶段,较大的声发射事件在被动盘明显丛集,而主动盘则小AE事件呈弥散性分布,与弹性变形阶段相比。弱化阶段AE主体活动区域从主动盘迁移至被动盘,并且AE较大事件次数明显增多、应变能释放急剧增加,声发射率在不连通区域破裂前的瞬间达到最高值。b值在不连通区域破裂失稳前显示“趋势性降低—快速回升”这一典型变化过程。对比研究还表明,破裂型失稳较粘滑型失稳具有更为明显、丰富的微破裂前兆。     

微小应力对断裂带深部岩体应变能释放的触发过程模拟

1 研究背景 全球地震频发,对人们的生命财产安全造成巨大威胁,但科学家对地震发生机理仍未厘清.100多年以来,科学家们提出诸多地震理论,弹性回跳理论认为地震来源自断层运动,相变说认为在温度和压力作用下的深部岩体应力状态发生改变而激发地震波,板块构造学说认为世界地震活动多发生在地壳运动相对剧烈的板块边界区域(师皓宇,20...     

Influence of small-scale heterogeneities on contaminant transport in fractured crystalline rock

We present a sequence of purely advective transport models that demonstrate the influence of small-scale geometric inhomogeneities on contaminant transport in fractured crystalline rock. Special weight is placed on the role of statistically generated variable fracture apertures. The fracture network geometry and the aperture distribution are based on information from an in situ radionuclide retardation experiment performed at Grimsel test site (Swiss Alps). The obtained breakthrough curves are fitted with the advection dispersion equation and continuous-time random walks (CTRW). CTRW is found to provide superior fits to the late-arrival tailing and is also found to show a good correlation with the velocity distributions obtained from the hydraulic models. The impact of small-scale heterogeneities, both in fracture geometry and aperture, on transport is shown to be considerable.     

Effects of geological structures on rainfall-runoff responses in headwater catchments in a sedimentary rock mountain

Clarifying rainfall-runoff responses in mountainous areas is essential for disaster prediction as well as water resource management. Although runoff is considered to be significantly affected by topography, some previous studies have reported that geological structures also have significant effects on rainfall-runoff characteristics. Particularly in headwater catchments located in sedimentary rock mountains, dips and strikes may significantly affect rainwater discharge. In this study, the effects of geological structures on rainfall-runoff characteristics were investigated based on observed discharge hydrographs from 12 catchments, which lie radially from the summit of a sedimentary rock mountain. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Even though the topographic wetness index (TWI) distributions of the 12 catchments were similar, there were significant differences in their runoff characteristics; (2) Catchments with average flow direction oriented towards the strike direction (strike-oriented catchments) are characterized by large baseflows; (3) Catchments with average flow direction oriented towards the opposite dip direction (opposite dip-oriented catchments) are steep, and this results in quick storm runoff generation; (4) Catchments with average flow direction oriented toward the dip direction (dip-oriented catchments) are gentle, and this results in delayed storm runoff generation. It was presumed that in strike-oriented catchments, large quantities of groundwater flowing along the bedding planes owing to hydraulic anisotropy, exfiltrate and sustain the large amount of the observed baseflow, that is, in strike-oriented catchments, runoff is directly controlled by geological structures. Conversely, in opposite dip-oriented and dip-oriented catchments, runoff is indirectly controlled by geological structures, that is, geological structures affect slope gradients, which result in differences in storm runoff generation. Thus, this study clearly illustrates that geological structures significantly affect rainfall-runoff responses in headwater catchments located in sedimentary rock mountains.     

Geochemical impact of a low-pH cement liner on the near field of a repository for spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste

In Switzerland the geological storage in the Opalinus Clay formation is the preferred option for the disposal of spent fuel (SF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW). The waste will be encapsulated in steel canisters and emplaced into long tunnels that are backfilled with bentonite. Due to uncertainties in the depth of the repository and the associated stress state, a concrete liner might be used for support of emplacement tunnels.Numerical reactive transport calculations are presented that investigate the influence of a concrete liner on the adjacent barrier materials, namely bentonite and Opalinus Clay. The geochemical setup was tailored to the specific materials foreseen in the Swiss repository concept, namely MX-80 bentonite, low-pH concrete (ESDRED) and Opalinus Clay. The heart of the bentonite model is a new conceptual approach for representing thermodynamic properties of montmorillonite which is formulated as a multi-component solid solution comprised of several end-members.The presented calculations provide information on the extent of pH fronts, on the sequence and extent of mineral phase transformations, and on porosity changes on cement–clay interfaces. It was found that the thickness of the zone containing significant mineralogical alterations is at most a few tens of centimeters thick in both the bentonite and the Opalinus Clay adjacent to the liner. Near both interfaces, bentonite–concrete liner and concrete liner–Opalinus Clay, the precipitation of minerals causes a reduction in the porosity. The effect is more pronounced and faster at the concrete liner–Opalinus Clay interface. The simulations reveal that significant pH-changes (i.e. pH > 9) in bentonite and Opalinus Clay are limited to small zones, less than 10 cm thick at the end of the simulations. It is not to be expected that the zone of elevated pH will extend much further at longer times.     

The evolution of clay rock/cement interfaces in a cementitious repository for low- and intermediate level radioactive waste

In Switzerland, deep geological storage in clay rich host rocks is the preferred option for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. For these waste types cementitious materials are used for tunnel support and backfill, waste containers and waste matrixes. The different geochemical characteristics of clay and cementitious materials may induce mineralogical and pore water changes which might affect the barrier functionality of host rocks and concretes.We present numerical reactive transport calculations that systematically compare the geochemical evolution at cement/clay interfaces for the proposed host rocks in Switzerland for different transport scenarios. We developed a consistent set of thermodynamic data, simultaneously valid for cementitious (concrete) and clay materials. With our setup we successfully reproduced mineralogies, water contents and pore water compositions of the proposed host rocks and of a reference concrete.Our calculations show that the effects of geochemical gradients between concrete and clay materials are very similar for all investigated host rocks. The mineralogical changes at material interfaces are restricted to narrow zones for all host rocks. The extent of strong pH increase in the host rocks is limited, although a slight increase of pH over greater distances seems possible in advective transport scenarios. Our diffusive and partially also the advective calculations show massive porosity changes due to precipitation/dissolution of mineral phases near the interface, in line with many other reported transport calculations on cement/clay interactions. For all investigated transport scenarios the degradation of concrete materials in emplacement caverns due to diffusive and advective transport of clay pore water into the caverns is limited to narrow zones.A specific effort has been made to improve the geochemical setup and the extensive use of solid solution phases demonstrated the successful application of a thermodynamically consistent union of very different materials like hydrated cement and clay phases. A reactive system utilizing a novel solid-solution approach is used, where cation exchange is an intrinsic property of the mineral phase definition. Although such features were not the primary aim of the study, they offer a large potential for studies where ion exchange and changing sorption properties are of interest.     

Earthquake source nucleation process in the zone of a permanently creeping deep fault

The worldwide practice of earthquake prediction, whose beginning relates to the 1970s, shows that spatial manifestations of various precursors under real seismotectonic conditions are very irregular. As noted in [Kurbanov et al., 1980], zones of bending, intersection, and branching of deep faults, where conditions are favorable for increasing tangential tectonic stresses, serve as “natural amplifiers” of precursory effects. The earthquake of September 28, 2004, occurred on the Parkfield segment of the San Andreas deep fault in the area of a local bending of its plane. The fault segment about 60 km long and its vicinities are the oldest prognostic area in California. Results of observations before and after the earthquake were promptly analyzed and published in a special issue of Seismological Research Letters (2005, Vol. 76, no. 1). We have an original method enabling the monitoring of the integral rigidity of seismically active rock massifs. The integral rigidity is determined from the relative numbers of brittle and viscous failure acts during the formation of source ruptures of background earthquakes in a given massif. Fracture mechanisms are diagnosed from the steepness of the first arrival of the direct P wave. Principles underlying our method are described in [Lykov and Mostryukov, 1996, 2001, 2003]. Results of monitoring have been directly displayed at the site of the Laboratory (http://wwwbrk.adm.yar.ru/russian/1_512/index.html) since the mid-1990s. It seems that this information has not attracted the attention of American seismologists. This paper assesses the informativeness of the rigidity monitoring at the stage of formation of a strong earthquake source in relation to other methods.     

基于有限断层动力学模型的逆断层—三维层状沉积盆地地震动模拟

近断层效应使得沉积盆地对地震动放大效应更为复杂。本文针对逆断层发震下三维层状沉积盆地地震反应,基于波动谱元法,采用有限断层动力学模型,模拟断层动力破裂、地壳层地震波传播和层状沉积盆地对地震波散射全过程。在此基础上,对比分析了层状和均质沉积盆地对近断层地震动放大效应的影响,讨论了不同断层倾角下层状沉积盆地地震动加速度特性。结果表明：层状沉积盆地PGA空间分布与均质沉积盆地存在较大差异,由于近断层效应和盆地效应,层状沉积盆地地表局部范围竖向PGA大于水平向PGA;90°断层倾角下层状沉积盆地地表地震动放大范围与60°断层倾角结果明显不同,主要集中在盆地中心区域和断层附近,且幅值远小于60°断层倾角下结果;沿断层走向,盆地内地表地震动加速度峰值对应时刻较盆地外延后。     

北京及邻区断层形变综合信息函数研究

应用综合信息函数的理论和方法，根据形变观测点的空间非均匀分布和首都圈地区几次强震前形变场的变化规律，考虑各测点的不同地球物理性质，利用近20年来的形变资料，计算了首都圈及邻近地区1995年以来的综合信息函数值，动态地显示了在局部区域内中强地震前，形变异常的演化特征。     

红河断裂带研究区深部结构特点的地球物理研究

红河断裂带是认识板块相互运动、深部过程和地质演化的窗口，一直受到重视与关注，关于红河断裂带入海后的去向问题特一直是讨论和研究的热点.本文对15°N~25°N，102°E~112°E地区的重力、磁力数据进行了相关研究，结合哀牢山—红河断裂带地区的地震层析成像结果，对该断裂带入海之后的去向进行了讨论.并依据重力数据对莺歌海中的两条剖面重建了密度结构，认为该区浅部与深部构造存在明显的不协调性.同时认为莺歌海地区的中地壳中有一低密度层存在，推测红河断裂带在莺歌海地区的走滑，很有可能就是沿着这一层发生的.     

Traveling wave effect on the seismic response of a steel arch bridge subjected to near fault ground motions

In the 1990s, several major earthquakes occurred throughout the world, with a common observation that near fault ground motion (NFGM) characteristics had a distinct impact on causing damage to civil engineering structures that could not be predicted by using far field ground motions. Since then, seismic responses of structures under NFGMs have been extensively examined, with most of the studies focusing on structures with relatively short fundamental periods, where the traveling wave effect does not need to be considered. However, for long span bridges, especially arch bridges, the traveling wave (only time delay considered) effect may be very distinct and is therefore important. In this paper, the results from a case study on the seismic response of a steel arch bridge under selected NFGMs is presented by considering the traveling wave effect with variable apparent velocities. The effects of fling step and long period pulses of NFGMs on the seismic responses of the arch bridge are also discussed.     

Computed tomography scan imaging of natural open fractures in a porous rock; geometry and fluid flow

Computed tomography scan imaging techniques have been used on core samples to investigate the effect of natural open fractures on reservoir flow in the Snøhvit Gas Condensate Field. Firstly, computed tomography (CT) scanning was used to describe the 3D geometrical properties of the fracture network including orientation and fracture density. Two types of fractures were observed: F1 fractures are short and stylolite related and F2 fractures are longer, cross-cutting the core and without any obvious relationship to stylolites. Secondly, monitoring of single and two phase flow experiments on samples containing these two types of natural open fractures was performed under 10 and 80 bar net confining pressure while using CT scanning. 1-phase miscible flooding experiment shows approximately 3 times higher flooding velocity in an open F2 fracture than in the matrix. 2-phase flooding by gas injection into a 100% water saturated core gave early gas breakthrough due to flow in the fracture and thereafter very little water production. The flow experiments showed that the presence of open fractures has a significant local effect on fluid flow even in a case with relatively high matrix porosity (200–300 mD). The sample containing F1 fractures showed a complex flow pattern influenced both by open fractures and stylolites. The CT scan data enables an exact representation of the fracture network in core scale simulation models and therefore improves the understanding of fracture influence on flow in a fractured porous medium. CT scanning of core samples provides an effective tool for integrating geology and fluid flow properties of a porous fractured medium.     

Investigating dynamic mechanisms of geological phenomena using methodology of computational geosciences: An example of equal-distant mineralization in a fault

This paper presents a research methodology associated with approximately a decade old computa- tional geosciences. To demonstrate how it can be used to investigate the dynamic mechanisms of geological phenomenon, we use as an example the equal-distant distribution of gold deposits in a three-dimensional permeable fault within the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. The related numerical results demonstrate that: (1) convective pore-fluid flow in fluid-saturated porous media is the control- ling dynamic mechanism leading to the equal-distant distribution of gold deposits along the fault; (2) the main characteristic of the new methodology is to change the traditionally used empirical, descrip- tive and qualitative methodology into the fundamentally scientific principles based predictive and quantitative methodology. Thus, this new methodology provides a modern scientific research tool for investigating the dynamic mechanisms associated with observed geological phenomena in nature.     

北京地区区域性形变场与近期强震危险性研究

分析1998－2000年期间水准和GPS测量给出的北京地区区域性形变场的背景值及其与定点断层形变观测值的关系。结果表明：（1）该地区的大面积垂直形变速率及速率梯度值在华北地区的通常 数值之下，也低于若干大地震前的相应异常特征值；（2）该区由GPS方法显示的大面积水平形变速率也属于较低水平；（3）定点观测的断层形变速率（垂直向和水平向）与区域性的背景值相当；（4）根据大面积形变场的 断层形变异常水平，预计近期（1－3年内）北京地区不会发生较强地震。     

Large amplification of ground motion at rock sites within a fault zone in Nocera Umbra (central Italy)

During the two mainshocks of September 26, 1997 inthe Umbria-Marche border a strong-motion accelerographrecorded peak ground accelerations as large as 0.6 g,approximately, in the town of Nocera Umbra, atdistances of 10 to 15 km from the epicentres. Thisvalue is significantly larger than expected on thebasis of the usual regressions with magnitude anddistance. A broad-band amplification up to a factor of10 was consistently estimated in previous papers,using both weak and strong motion data recorded at theaccelerograph site during local moderate earthquakes.To study the cause of this amplification we deployedsix seismologic stations across the tectonic contactbetween the Ceno-Mesozoic limestone and the Mesozoicmarly sandstone where the accelerograph is installed.Seismograms of 21 shallow aftershocks in the magnituderange from 2.2 to 4.0 and a subcrustal M_w = 5.3event are analysed. Regardless of epicentre location,waveforms show a large complexity in an approximately200 m wide band adjacent to the tectonic contact. Thisis interpreted as the effect of trapped waves in thehighly fractured, lower velocity materials within thefault zone.