Numerical Simulation for Shallow Strata Stability of Coral Reef in the Southwest of Yongshu Reef (South China Sea)

In recent years, infrastructure construction on coral reefs has been increasingly developed. Therefore, the shallow strata stability of coral reefs in the South China Sea should be evaluated. This study aims to investigate the profiles for the shallow strata of coral reefs in the southwest of the Yongshu Reef, particularly in the hydrodynamic marine environment, and to establish a geological model for numerical simulation using Geo-Studio. The shallow strata of the coral reefs include mass gravel, sand gravel, mid-coarse sand, silty sand, fine sand, and reef limestone. The shallow reef slope near the lagoon is similar to a ‘layer cake', in which the side close to the sea is analogous to a ‘block cake'. The simulation results showed that coral reef stability depends on wave loads and earthquake strength and on the physical properties of coral reefs. The factor of safety for the outer reef is greater than 10.0 under static, wave, and seismic conditions; this indicated that the outer reefs were less affected by waves and earthquakes. However, the factor of safety next to the lagoon varied from 0.1 to 5.3. The variation was primarily caused by the thick strata of coral reefs close to the sea(reef limestone, typically with the thickness 10 m and equivalent to a block). The soil and rock layers in the coral reef strata with thicknesses 10 m showed weak engineering geological characteristics. Our findings can provide useful information to future construction projects on coral reefs.     

Regional hard coral distribution within geomorphic and reef flat ecological zones determined by satellite imagery of the Xisha Islands,South China Sea

Coral reefs in the Xisha Islands(also known as the Paracel Islands in English), South China Sea, have experienced dramatic declines in coral cover. However, the current regional scale hard coral distribution of geomorphic and ecological zones, essential for reefs management in the context of global warming and ocean acidification, is not well documented. We analyzed data from field surveys, Landsat-8 and GF-1 images to map the distribution of hard coral within geomorphic zones and reef flat ecological zones. In situ surveys conducted in June 2014 on nine reefs provided a complete picture of reef status with regard to live coral diversity, evenness of coral cover and reef health(live versus dead cover) for the Xisha Islands. Mean coral cover was 12.5% in 2014 and damaged reefs seemed to show signs of recovery. Coral cover in sheltered habitats such as lagoon patch reefs and biotic dense zones of reef flats was higher, but there were large regional differences and low diversity. In contrast, the more exposed reef slopes had high coral diversity, along with high and more equal distributions of coral cover. Mean hard coral cover of other zones was 10%. The total Xisha reef system was estimated to cover 1 060 km~2, and the emergent reefs covered ~787 km~2. Hard corals of emergent reefs were considered to cover 97 km~2. The biotic dense zone of the reef flat was a very common zone on all simple atolls, especially the broader northern reef flats. The total cover of live and dead coral can reach above 70% in this zone, showing an equilibrium between live and dead coral as opposed to coral and algae. This information regarding the spatial distribution of hard coral can support and inform the management of Xisha reef ecosystems.     

基于内外功率比的非直线坡面型边坡的稳定系数研究

在边坡稳定性上极限分析中,由于考虑了材料的理想弹塑性本构关系与相关流动法则,相比极限平衡法更符合岩土材料的特征。在以往的二维边坡极限分析上限法中,要求坡面形态为规则的直线,而无论是天然边坡还是人工边坡,边坡的坡面形态往往并非规则的直线。此外,以往的边坡极限上限分析中得到的稳定数N_s=c/γH主要针对土坡的临界高度计算,且未考虑孔压等外力对边坡施加的外功率。不同于传统极限平衡法采用静力学的平衡条件,本研究针对非直线型坡面边坡稳定性问题,假定滑动面为对数螺旋线,基于极限分析上限定理和虚功原理,提出了一种边坡发生旋转破坏时旋转中心的确定方法,推导出了非直线型坡面边坡的重力虚功功率和能量平衡方程的解析解,并提出了基于内、外功率之比的稳定系数K用以评价边坡的稳定性。通过算例比较了不同形态天然边坡的稳定性和人工削坡对边坡稳定性的影响,并分析了边坡的坡度(β)、土体的内摩擦角(φ)、黏聚力(c)以及孔压系数(r_u)对稳定系数K的影响规律。对于坡度较大的边坡,通过削坡改变坡面形态提高了边坡的稳定系数K。稳定系数K随黏聚力的增加而非线性增大,随孔压系数的增加而...     

Influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the seismic stability of cracked slopes

Cracks in rock or soil slopes influence the stability and durability of the slopes. Seismic forces can trigger slope disasters, particularly in the cracked slopes. Considering the nonlinear characteristics of materials, the more generalized nonlinear failure criterion proposed by Baker is adopted. The influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the stability of cracked slopes under earthquakes is performed using the upper bound limit analysis. The seismic displacement is calculated by adopting the logarithmic spiral failure surface according to the sliding rigid block model. Based on the existing studies, two methods for the stability analysis of cracked slopes under earthquakes are introduced: the pseudo-static method(with the factor of safety(Fs) as an evaluation index), and the displacement-based method(with the seismic displacement as an evaluation index). The pseudo-static method can only determine the instantaneous stability state of the cracked slope, yet the displacement-based methodreflects the stability variation of cracked slopes during earthquakes. The results indicate that the nondimensional strength parameters affect the factor of safety and seismic displacement of slopes significantly. The non-dimensional strength parameter(n) controlling the curvature of strength function shapes on the slope stability is affected by other parameters. Owing to cracks, the effect of non-dimensional strength parameters on seismic displacement becomes more significant.     

Rock slope stability evaluation using kinematic and kinetic methods along the Kamyaran-Marivan road,west of Iran

Interest in rock slope stability in mountainous regions has increased greatly in recent years.This issue has become a topic of major interest for geoscientists and engineering professionals,as well as for private citizens and local administrators,in many parts of the world.This paper evaluates the stability of seven rock slopes along the KamyaranMarivan tourist road,Kurdistan province,Iran,using various methods.The two main reasons for performing this research were to determine whether different methods of stability analysis provide the same results,and to determine how different factors such as the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces affect the stability of these rock slopes.Firstly,field investigations were performed to obtain the engineering characteristics of the rock masses,discontinuities,and intact rocks of the slopes.Secondly,laboratory tests were carried out on rock samples obtained from the slopes,to determine the engineering properties of the intact rocks.Then for each rock slope,the contour diagram of discontinuities and slope face was drawn in the Dips v.5.1 software environment,and the failure mechanism was determined based on the kinematic or stereographic method.Next,the factors of safety of the rock slopes were calculated using the limit equilibrium method,based on the failure mechanisms resulting from the kinematic method.The accuracy of the results obtained by these two methods was investigated using SWedge v.4.0 software.The results indicated that four rock slopes have a potential for plane,wedge,and toppling failure,and three others are stable.Also,it was found that the stability of the studied rock slopes decreases greatly in the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces.     

Limit equilibrium method (LEM) of slope stability and calculation of comprehensive factor of safety with double strength-reduction technique

When the slope is in critical limit equilibrium(LE) state, the strength parameters have different contribution to each other on maintaining slope stability. That is to say that the strength parameters are not simultaneously reduced. Hence, the LE stress method is established to analyze the slope stability by employing the double strengthreduction(DSR) technique in this work. For calculation model of slope stability under the DSR technique, the general nonlinear Mohr–Coulomb(M–C) criterion is used to describe the shear failure of slope. Meanwhile, the average and polar diameter methods via the DSR technique are both adopted to calculate the comprehensive factor of safety(FOS) of slope. To extend the application of the polar diameter method, the original method is improved in the proposed method. After comparison and analysis on some slope examples, the proposed method's feasibility is verified. Thereafter, the stability charts of slope suitable for engineering application are drawn. Moreover, the studies show that:(1) the average method yields similar results as that of the polardiameter method;(2) compared with the traditional uniform strength-reduction(USR) technique, the slope stability obtained using the DSR techniquetends to be more unsafe; and(3) for a slope in the critical LE state, the strength parameter φ, i.e., internal friction angle, has greater contribution on the slope stability than the strength parameters c, i.e., cohesion.     

Failure behavior of soil-rock mixture slopes based on centrifuge model test

The stability of soil-rock mixtures(SRMs) that widely distributed in slopes is of significant concern for slope safety evaluation and disaster prevention. The failure behavior of SRM slopes under surface loading conditions was investigated through a series of centrifuge model tests considering various volumetric gravel contents. The displacement field of the slope was determined with image-based displacement system to observe the deformation of the soil and the movement of the block during loading in the tests. The test results showed that the ultimate bearing capacity and the stiffness of SRM slopes increased evidently when the volumetric block content exceeded a threshold value. Moreover, there were more evident slips around the blocks in the SRM slope. The microscopic analysis of the block motion showed that the rotation of the blocks could aggravate the deformation localization to facilitate the development of the slip surface. The high correlation between the rotation of the key blocks and the slope failure indicated that the blocks became the dominant load-bearing medium that influenced the slope failure. The blocks in the sliding body formed a chain to bear the load and change the displacement distribution of the adjacent matrix sand through the block rotation.     

基于多时间序列Landsat-8遥感影像的珊瑚礁白化监测

近年来,受人类活动和全球变暖的双重影响,我国南海区域珊瑚礁生态系统退化,发生白化现象。利用遥感技术监测和掌握珊瑚礁的白化情况,对南海生态环境的保护和治理具有重大价值。首先通过多期海表温度数据获取珊瑚礁白化预警的区域,选定西沙群岛永乐环礁中的羚羊礁作为研究对象;然后,提出了一种新型的珊瑚礁白化监测模型,分别采取水深校正、珊瑚礁分类、反射率调整以及阈值选择等方式对2013-2018年的Landsat-8遥感影像开展了多时间序列的珊瑚礁白化监测研究。最终的结果显示,该模型能够较为准确地获取珊瑚礁白化区域,为南海珊瑚礁白化现象的长时间序列监测提供依据。     

Landslides & debris flows formation from gravelly soil surface erosion and particle losses in Jiangjia Ravine

Gravelly soils are made up of gravel, sand, silt and clay. They are widely used in engineering applications such as rock-fill dams with clay cores, which are the main researches at present. The strength and mechanical properties of the gravelly soils are affected by the content of coarse grain, fine particles, and their adhesive states. These Properties can be verified by laboratory unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests with grain size less than 5 mm and by large scale direct-shear tests with original grain content. Fine particles of the loose gravelly slopes are released under rainfalls, alternated the structures and mechanical properties, even affected the slope stability. There are a series of large scale direct-shear tests with different coarse grain contents to study the influence of fine particles releasing and migration, results showed the strength behavior of the gravelly soils were affected by the coarse grain content （5） and the inflection coarse grain contents. In order to study the erosion features of the gravelly soil slopes on rainfall conditions and the slopes stability alteration, we had carried out one sort of artificial rainfall local and model experiments, the runoff sediment contents were monitored during the experiments. Result showed that the shapes of the slopes surface transformed periodically, runoff sediment contents were divided into five phases according to the experiment phenomena, runoff sediment contents maintained downtrend during the rain time and the downtrend was obviouslyinterpreted by one descend belt no matter the rainfall intensity and the slope angels. Particle size analysis released the deposit on the slope surface lost almost all of the clay, most of the silt and sand after the experiments, this meant the fine particles releasing, migration and accumulation process on condition of rainfall resulted in the instability factor of the slopes even induced landslide or debris flow.     

Seismic stability analysis of slopes with pre-existing slip surfaces

In analyzing seismic stability of a slope with upper bound limit analysis method, the slip surface is often assumed as a log-spiral or plane slip surface. However, due to the presence of a weak layer and unfavorable geological structural surface or a bedrock interface with overlying soft strata, the preexisting slip surface of the slope may be irregular and composed of a series of planes rather than strictly log-spiral or plane shape. A computational model is developed for analyzing the seismic stability of slopes with pre-existing slip surfaces. This model is based on the upper bound limit analysis method and can consider the effect of anchor bolts. The soil or rock is deemed to follow the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. The slope is divided into multiple block elements along the slip surface. According to the displacement compatibility and the associated flow rule, a kinematic velocity field of the slope can be obtained computationally. The proposed model allows not only calculation of the rate of external work owing to the combined effect of self-weight and seismic loading, but also that of the energy dissipation rate caused by the slip surface, interfaces of block elements and anchorage effect of the anchors. Considering a direct relationship between the rate of external work and the energy dissipation rate, the expressions of yield acceleration and permanent displacement of anchored slopes can be derived. Finally, the validity of this proposed model is illustrated by analysis on three typical slopes. The results showed that the proposed model is more easily formulated and does not need to solve complex equations or time consuming iterations compared with previous methods based on the conditions of force equilibrium.     

Evaluation of the stability of vegetated slopes according to layout and temporal changes

Vegetation in slopes can effectively improve slope stability.However,it is difficult to estimate the effects of vegetation on slope stability because of variations in plant species and environmental conditions.Moreover,influences of plant growth on slope stability change with time,resulting in changes in the safety factor.This study was conducted to evaluate the stability of vegetated slopes with time and investigate the effects of different layouts of plant species on slope stability.Here,we used a plant growth model and slope stability analysis to build an evaluation model.To accomplish this,one species of tree,shrub and grass was chosen to set six layout patterns.A slope with no vegetation served as a control.The safety factors of the seven slopes were then calculated using the developed evaluation model and differences in the safety factors of slopes were compared and discussed.The slope vegetated with Platycladus orientalis reached the most stable state at the age of 60 years.Shrub slope(Vitex negundo)had the maximum safety factor after 20 years.Overall,the safety factor of vegetated slopes increased from 12.1%to 49.6% compared to the slope with no vegetation.When wind force was considered,the safety factor value of the slope changed from 3.5%to 43.5%.Vegetation mixtures of trees and grasses resulted in the best slope stability.Planting grasses on slopes can improve slope stability of trees to a greater degree than that of slopes with shrubs in the early stage of growth.     

平面剪切岩质边坡滑裂面的确定及稳定性分析

由于传统搜索方法对岩质边坡滑裂面的确定无法兼顾效率与精度, 如何迅速准确确定潜在滑裂面仍然是个难题。极限平衡法在岩质边坡稳定性分析中备受认可, 采用岩质边坡平面剪切滑动模型, 以滑裂面的倾角来表征潜在滑裂面的位置; 基于极值法, 推导了极限平衡条件下平面剪切破坏型岩质边坡潜在滑裂面的解析解, 并结合香港秀茂坪路边坡对其准确性进行了验证, 进一步对四川宜宾打营盘山公路多级边坡进行了整体稳定性分析。结果表明: 香港秀茂坪边坡采用本文方法确定的边坡潜在滑裂面倾角与实际滑坡倾角基本一致。实际工程应用中, 采用Slide软件中布谷鸟搜索法和模拟退火法两种搜索方法得到的滑裂面倾角分别为38.0°和37.0°, 本解析法所得倾角为34.8°; 选用Janbu法、Morgenstern-Price法和Sarma法分别计算对应的稳定系数, 结果均为1.04左右, 本文所得稳定系数为1.15, 可见本文方法所得结果基本准确。通过参数敏感性分析发现, 随着黏聚力的增加, 边坡滑裂面倾角越来越小, 稳定系数也随之增加; 而当内摩擦角增大时, 边坡滑裂面倾角和稳定系数也随之增大。      

Inversion analysis of the shear strength parameters for a high loess slope in the limit state

It is difficult to obtain reliable shear strength parameters for the stability analysis and evaluation of high loess slopes.Hence,this paper determines slope elements and physical parameter of 79 slopes with heights of[40,120]m based on the measured loess slopes in the Ganquan and Tonghuang subregions of northern Shaanxi Province,China.In the limit state of the loess slope(stability factor Fs is 1.0),a fitting equation for the slope height and width is established.Then,the model is developed by stability analysis software-SLOPE/W,and the comprehensive shear strength parameters corresponding to different slope heights of the high slope in the study area are obtained by inversion using the Morgenstern-Price method.The results show that when the height of the slope increases,the cohesion c increases in the soil,and the internal friction angle j decreases.This change is consistent with the characteristics reflected in the composition and physical properties of the slopes,and the comprehensive strength parametric curves are very similar between the Ganquan subregion and the Tonghuang subregion.A landslide that occurred in Miaodian-zaitou of Jingyang County,Shaanxi Province,is selected to verify this inversion method,and the results show that the calculated shear strength parameters of the inversion are consistent with the measured value of the actual slope.     

西安白鹿塬北缘黄土边坡稳定的可靠度分析

在西安白鹿塬北缘实测了14个黄土自然边坡断面,建立了地质模型,通过采样测试并收集已有的测试资料,获得了各时代黄土地层的物理力学参数,将Morgenstern-Price法稳定性计算公式作为极限状态方程,分别采用Monte-Carlo法和Duncan法进行了边坡稳定的可靠度分析。结果表明:采用Monte-Carlo法和Duncan法得到的14个边坡稳定系数分别为1.11～1.41和1.09～1.33,显示这些边坡处于基本稳定—稳定状态;采用上述两种方法得到的边坡可靠指标分别为0.56～1.79和0.39～1.60,得到的失效概率分别为3.4%～29.0%和5.5%～34.8%,并且共有75%的边坡失效概率大于10%,失效可能性较大。统计结果表明:白鹿塬区边坡的坡高和坡度存在负相关性。低而陡的边坡潜在最危险滑面剪出口较高,失效概率较小;坡高达到50m及以上时,边坡高而缓,剪出口较低,失效概率较大,其中河流下切深,有N2泥岩出露的极高边坡,稳定性最差。Duncan法求解的稳定系数略小于Monte-Carlo法求得的结果,而前者求解的失效概率略大于后者,两种方法计算结果较为接近。由于Duncan法理论简单,计算量小,更宜于在实际工程中应用。     

Hydro-mechanical analysis of rainfall-induced fines migration process within unsaturated soils

Seepage-induced fines migration under rainfall infiltration is a main cause leading to shallow failures in loose colluvial slopes. To describe the full process of fines migration within unsaturated soils during rainfall infiltration and the associated hydro-mechanical behaviors, a seepage-erosion-deformation coupled formulation is proposed in this paper. The governing equations proposed are implemented into a finite element code and used to investigate the influences of skeleton deformation on the rainfall infiltration process through unsaturated soil columns. The numerical results were presented in detail for a better understanding of the rainfall-induced fines migration process within unsaturated soils. Further, the obtained results are integrated into an infinite slope model for slope stability analysis. The results show that, the skeleton deformation will affect the rainfall infiltration rate and hence the timing of slope failures; meanwhile their influences are more evident if the fines deposition process is taken into account. Moreover, the slope stability could be reduced gradually due to the soil strength loss along with loss of fine particles. Therefore, particular attentions should be paid to analyzing the stability of soil slopes susceptible to internal erosion.     

Permanent displacement models of earthquake-induced landslides considering near-fault pulse-like ground motions

The permanent displacement of seismic slopes can be regarded as an effective criterion for stability estimation. This paper studied the characteristics of permanent displacements induced by velocity pulse-like ground motions and developed an empirical model to readily evaluate the stability of seismic slopes in a near-fault region. We identified 264 velocity pulse-like ground motions from the Next Generation Attenuation(NGA) database using the latest improved energy-based approach. All selected ground motions were rotated to the orientation of the strongest observed pulse for considering the directivity of the pulse effect, so that the most dangerous condition for slopes was considered. The results show the velocity pulse-like ground motions have a much more significant effect on permanent displacement of slopes than non-pulse-like ground motions. A regression model based on a function of peak ground velocity(PGV), peak ground acceleration(PGA) and critical acceleration(ac), was generated. A significant difference was found by comparing the presented model with classical models from literatures. This model can be used to evaluate the seismic slope stability considering the effects of nearfault pulse-like characteristics.     

Distribution and origin of sediments on the northern Sunda Shelf, South China Sea

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Assessment of rock slope stability by probabilistic-based Slope Stability Probability Classification method along highway cut slopes in Adilcevaz-Bitlis (Turkey)

Rock slope stability is of great concern along highway routes as stability problems on cut slopes may cause fatal events as well as loss of property. In rock slope engineering, stability evaluations are commonly performed by means of analytical or numerical analyses, principally considering the factor of safety concept. As a matter of fact, the probabilistic assessment of slope stability is progressively getting popularity due to difficulties in assigning the most appropriate values to design parameters in analytical or numerical methods. Additionally, the effect of heterogeneities in rock masses and discontinuities on the analysis results is minimized through the probabilistic concept. In this study, slope stability of high and steep sedimentary rock cut slopes along a state highway in Adilcevaz-Bitlis (Turkey) was evaluated on the basis of probabilistic approach using the Slope Stability Probability Classification (SSPC) system. The probabilistic assessment indicates major slope stability problems because of discontinuity controlled and discontinuity orientation independent mass movements. Almost all studied cut slopes suffer from orientation-independent stability problems with very low stability probabilities. Additionally, the probability of planar and toppling failures is significantly high with respect to the SSPC system. The stability problems along the investigated rock slopes were also verified by field reconnaissance. Remedial measures such as slope re-design and reinforcement at the studied locations should be taken to prevent hazardous events along the highway. On the other hand, the probabilistic approach may be a useful tool during rock slope engineering to overcome numerous uncertainties when probabilistic and analytic results are compared.     

黄土高原边坡特征与破坏规律的分区研究

为了研究黄土高原自然边坡的特征及破坏规律,按山系与水系或水系的分水岭、地貌单元、地层岩性特征等条件,将黄土高原划分为8个区:临洮—永靖区、天水—通渭区、兰州—会宁区、陇东区、靖边—安塞区、隰县—离石区、甘泉—吉县区和汾渭区.根据极限状态边坡的4个野外判别标准,测量了8个区510个自然极限状态黄土边坡断面,分区采用指数模型回归边坡坡高与坡宽的相关关系,计算各区20、50、100m坡高的边坡稳定系数和失效概率.结果表明:黄土高原的边坡特征与破坏形式具有分区特征,且南北差异性明显.临洮—永靖区边坡坡高与坡宽呈线性关系,表明该区边坡坡度不随坡高变化,边坡稳定性受内摩擦角控制;兰州—会宁区和靖边—安塞区高坡陡,低坡缓,高坡不稳定,易发生错落式滑坡;天水—通渭区、甘泉—吉县区和汾渭区高坡缓,低坡陡,稳定性计算结果显示高坡和低坡都较为稳定,但由于地层结构和地貌的特点,高边坡易发生低速蠕变型滑坡或高速远程滑坡;陇东区边坡整体上较为稳定;隰县—离石区受黏粒含量较高的Q1地层控制,高边坡稳定性较差;50m左右坡高的黄土边坡稳定性对强度指标内聚力、内摩擦角的敏感度都高,易于失稳.     

Effect of lithology and structure on seismic response of steep slope in a shaking table test

Studies on landslides by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake showed that topography was of great importance in amplifying the seismic shaking, and among other factors, lithology and slope structure controlled the spatial occurrence of slope failures. The present study carried out experiments on four rock slopes with steep angle of 60° by means of a shaking table. The recorded Wenchuan earthquake waves were scaled to excite the model slopes. Measurements from accelerometers installed on free surface of the model slope were analyzed, with much effort on timedomain acceleration responses to horizontal components of seismic shaking. It was found that the amplification factor of peak horizontal acceleration, RPHA, was increasing with elevation of each model slope, though the upper and lower halves of the slope exhibited different increasing patterns. As excitation intensity was increased, the drastic deterioration of the inner structure of each slope caused the sudden increase of RPHA in the upper slope part. In addition, the model simulating the soft rock slope produced the larger RPHA than the model simulating the hard rock slope by a maximum factor of 2.6. The layered model slope also produced the larger RPHA than the homogeneous model slope by a maximum factor of 2.7. The upper half of a slope was influenced more seriously by the effect of lithology, while the lower half was influenced more seriously by the effect of slope structure.