Fracture initiation, growth and effect on stress field: a numerical investigation

A numerical investigation was made of the relationships between fracture initiation, growth, stress field and boundary conditions. Two-dimensional plane strain continuum models were used in which fractures appeared as zones of strain localization developed through application of a strain softening Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model. R and R′ fractures developed first, followed by Y fractures at larger strains. The models showed that equal development of conjugate R and R′ fractures is easily changed to favor one or the other set by minor variations in model initial conditions. Strength loss in fractures caused stress field rotations in regions bounded by fractures, altering the orientation of subsequent fractures. The amount and sense of stress field rotation is dependent on the strength loss during displacement on the fractures, the orientation of fractures, and on the boundary conditions. Y oriented fractures could be explained on the basis of a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion provided that stress field rotation is accounted for. Monitoring of fracture slip activity showed that, under conditions of constant boundary velocity, slip was discontinuous in time, alternating on fractures throughout the model.     

舟曲江顶崖滑坡的早期判识及风险评估研究

如何提前判识滑坡变形并对其进行早期风险评估已成为地质灾害防治领域的研究热点。文章以舟曲白龙江流域江顶崖堆积层滑坡为反分析案例,进行了滑坡变形早期判识及风险评估综合研究,提出了小基线集雷达干涉（SBAS-InSAR）技术解译分析、地质-力学联合分析、动力过程数值模拟分析三者相结合的滑坡变形早期判识与风险评估全流程分析模式。基于SBAS-InSAR技术解译能够准确地判识江顶崖滑坡的分布范围及早期形变特征,江顶崖滑坡的变形破坏模式为牵引式,滑坡体长度约680 m,宽度约210 m。基于早期识别信息,地质-力学联合分析表明:江顶崖滑坡为典型的老堆积层滑坡,前缘局部变形,破坏模式为牵引式,滑坡体平均厚度约35 m,滑床整体坡度较缓,失稳后运移速度不大。选取符合江顶崖滑坡体滑移摩擦特征的库伦摩擦模型,基于深度积分连续介质方程,分析计算滑坡体的动力学过程,结果表明:滑坡体滑移速度不大,最大值约为2.2 m/s,运动方式表现为推挤白龙江河道,堵江可能性较小,并且江顶崖滑坡体前缘错动完成后,该滑坡体滑移速度从前缘到后缘快速降为0,表现为牵引式运动特征。本次分析结果与实际相符,吻合度较高,采取的综合分析方法及研究模式可用于舟曲白龙江沿岸类似滑坡的早期判识及风险评估。     

Numerical modeling of rainstorm-induced shallow landslides in saturated and unsaturated soils

For the assessment of shallow landslides triggered by rainfall, the physically based model coupling the infinite slope stability analysis with the hydrological modeling in nearly saturated soil has commonly been used due to its simplicity. However, in that model the rainfall infiltration in unsaturated soil could not be reliably simulated because a linear diffusion-type Richards’ equation rather than the complete Richards’ equation was used. In addition, the effect of matric suction on the shear strength of soil was not actually considered. Therefore, except the shallow landslide in saturated soil due to groundwater table rise, the shallow landslide induced by the loss in unsaturated shear strength due to the dissipation of matric suction could not be reliably assessed. In this study, a physically based model capable of assessing shallow landslides in variably saturated soils is developed by adopting the complete Richards’ equation with the effect of slope angle in the rainfall infiltration modeling and using the extended Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion to describe the unsaturated shear strength in the soil failure modeling. The influence of rainfall intensity and duration on shallow landslide is investigated using the developed model. The result shows that the rainfall intensity and duration seem to have similar influence on shallow landslides respectively triggered by the increase of positive pore water pressure in saturated soil and induced by the dissipation of matric suction in unsaturated soil. The rainfall duration threshold decreases with the increase in rainfall intensity, but remains constant for large rainfall intensity.     

Evaluation of potential landslide damming: Case study of Urni landslide,Kinnaur, Satluj valley,India

This work aims to understand the process of potential landslide damming using slope failure mechanism,dam dimension and dam stability evaluation. The Urni landslide, situated on the right bank of the Satluj River, Himachal Pradesh(India) is taken as the case study. The Urni landslide has evolved into a complex landslide in the last two decade(2000-2016) and has dammed the Satluj River partially since year 2013,damaging ～200 m stretch of the National Highway(NH-05). The crown of the landslide exists at an altitude of ～2180-2190 m above msl, close to the Urni village that has a human population of about 500.The high resolution imagery shows ～50 m long landslide scarp and ～100 m long transverse cracks in the detached mass that implies potential for further slope failure movement. Further analysis shows that the landslide has attained an areal increase of 103,900 ± 1142 m^2 during year 2004-2016. About 86% of this areal increase occurred since year 2013. Abrupt increase in the annual mean rainfall is also observed since the year 2013. The extreme rainfall in the June, 2013; 11 June(～100 mm) and 16 June(～115 mm),are considered to be responsible for the slope failure in the Urni landslide that has partially dammed the river. The finite element modelling(FEM) based slope stability analysis revealed the shear strain in the order of 0.0-0.16 with 0.0-0.6 m total displacement in the detachment zone. Further, kinematic analysis indicated planar and wedge failure condition in the jointed rockmass. The debris flow runout simulation of the detached mass in the landslide showed a velocity of ～25 m/s with a flow height of ～15 m while it(debris flow) reaches the valley floor. Finally, it is also estimated that further slope failure may detach as much as 0.80 ±0.32 million m^3 mass that will completely dam the river to a height of 76±30 m above the river bed.     

Numerical analysis of an experimental pipe buried in swelling soil

This paper investigates the pipe–soil interaction for pipes buried in expansive soil when subjected to swelling soil movement due to increase in moisture content. A laboratory experiment has been undertaken on a plastic pipe in a large-scale pipe box. A three dimensional numerical model is developed to analyse the pipe response, using FLAC^3D computer program. The pipe is assumed to behave as a linearly elastic material, while the soil is modelled as a nonlinear material with Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The water flow and soil/pipe deformations are decoupled, where water flow is calculated using simplified capillary rise theory on the basis of measurements made. A reasonably good agreement between the experimental results and model predictions is reported.     

On the P-wave velocity and plate-tectonics implications for the Tyrrhenian deep-earthquake zone

P-wave velocities in the Tyrrhenian mantle have been determined for the 230–480 km depth range. Analysis of P-wave travel times for a set of Tyrrhenian deep earthquakes gives a velocity-distribution law which shows different behaviours in the 230–300 km and 300–480 km depth intervals. For the first interval the velocity gradient is 0.64 · 10⁻² sec⁻¹ and for the second one it is 0.59 · 10⁻² sec⁻¹. At a depth of 300 km the velocity decreases rapidly from 8.75 to 8.43 km/sec.The results have been analyzed in the framework of a Tyrrhenian structural model characterized by a lithospheric slab dipping 55–60° in the WNW direction.It is also pointed out that the analysis of some geodynamic features of the slabs of Pacific island arcs carried out by Oliver et al. (1973) and Sleep (1973) can be applied to the Tyrrhenian mantle geodynamic features.     

Shallow landslide hazard assessment using a physically based model and digital elevation data

 A model for the analysis of topographic influence on shallow landslide initiation is applied to an experimental mountain basin where high-resolution digital elevation data are available: the Cordon catchment (5 km²) located in northern Italy. The model delineates those areas most prone to shallow landsliding due to surface topographic effects on hydrologic response. The model is composed of two parts: a steady-state model for shallow sub-surface runoff and an infinite-slope Coulomb failure model which assumes that the soil is cohesionless at failure. An inventory of landslide scars is used to document sites of instability and to provide a test of model performance by comparing observed landslide locations with model predictions. The model reproduces the observed distribution of landslide locations in a consistent way, although spatial variations in soil strength and transmissivity, which are not accounted for in the model, influence specific distribution of landslide areas within regions of similar topographic control. Received: 15 October 1996 · Accepted: 25 June 1997     

速度倒数法滑坡预警模型流变试验研究

滑坡失稳的预测预报研究是地质工程领域中的一项重要课题,准确地确定预测预报理论模型的参数是实际应用中的难点。在实际滑坡监测中通常可以观察到位移曲线呈现阶梯形,这些阶梯形位移变化点就是滑坡的变形突变点。为研究滑坡变形突变点的变形特征,进行了不同荷载作用下的天然试样以及不同荷载、不同含水率作用下的浸水试样的流变试验,得到了累计位移-时间曲线以及变形速度-时间曲线。依据秦四清的锁固段理论以及速度倒数法滑坡预警模型对试验结果进行分析。研究结果表明：荷载和含水率的变化对模型参数没有影响,模型参数是关于材料属性的函数;变形过程中突变点的变形特征与破坏时的变形特征相似,并且速度倒数法预警模型在突变点和破坏点确定的模型参数基本一致。因此,滑坡监测曲线中早期位移突变点确定的模型参数可以用于确定滑坡破坏时的预警模型。     

四川省汉源县中海村滑坡动力学特征数值分析

通过对中海村滑坡灾害现场的调查研究,阐明了滑坡的致灾因素和失稳机制,基于连续介质力学理论数值模型对滑坡进行了动力参数反演分析。研究结果表明：连续降雨和第四系昔格达半成岩的特殊岩性特征是中海村滑坡发生的关键因素,滑坡运动持续时间约70 s,滑坡孔隙水压力系数为0.8,最大堆积厚度为8 m,最大运动速度为16.2 m/s;在整个滑坡运动形态和速度演化过程中,主要堆积区域为1级平台和3级平台,运动速度出现3峰特征,阶梯型地形是出现阶段性速度峰值的主要原因。     

Lithosphere structure of European sedimentary basins from regional three-dimensional gravity modelling

A three-dimensional (3D) density model, approximated by two regional layers—the sedimentary cover and the crystalline crust (offshore, a sea-water layer was added), has been constructed in 1° averaging for the whole European continent. The crustal model is based on simplified velocity model represented by structure maps for main seismic horizons—the “seismic” basement and the Moho boundary. Laterally varying average density is assumed inside the model layers. Residual gravity anomalies, obtained by subtraction of the crustal gravity effect from the observed field, characterize the density heterogeneities in the upper mantle. Mantle anomalies are shown to correlate with the upper mantle velocity inhomogeneities revealed from seismic tomography data and geothermal data. Considering the type of mantle anomaly, specific features of the evolution and type of isostatic compensation, the sedimentary basins in Europe may be related into some groups: deep sedimentary basins located in the East European Platform and its northern and eastern margins (Peri-Caspian, Dnieper–Donets, Barents Sea Basins, Fore–Ural Trough) with no significant mantle anomalies; basins located on the activated thin crust of Variscan Western Europe and Mediterranean area with negative mantle anomalies of −150 to −200×10⁻⁵ ms⁻² amplitude and the basins associated with suture zones at the western and southern margins of the East European Platform (Polish Trough, South Caspian Basin) characterized by positive mantle anomalies of 50–150×10⁻⁵ ms⁻² magnitude. An analysis of the main features of the lithosphere structure of the basins in Europe and type of the compensation has been carried out.     

Effective porosity and specific yield of a sedimentary rock determined by a field tracing test using tritium as a tracer

Effective porosity value was analyzed from the tritium concentration of sampled groundwater using a three-dimensional groundwater-flow and advection-dispersion code based on the finite element method. The effective porosity value was about 10%. Porosity values measured from core samples were 7–15%. The groundwater flow velocity estimated from the tritium concentrations was about 1 × 10^–5 cm s^–1. Therefore, during the low groundwater flow velocity condition, effective porosity and porosity values were the same. At the same test site, a 0.48% effective porosity value, determined by another tracer test injecting Br^– solution into the aquifer during groundwater level change, was smaller than the porosity value when the flow velocity was 1.8×10^–2 cm s^–1. Thus the effective porosity value is concluded to be due to groundwater flow velocity. The specific yield value was calculated to be 0.6% by the total volume of tunnel seepage water and the total volume of the rock unsaturated during tunnel construction. However, as pore water continued to be drained after the groundwater level change was completed, the specific yield value became larger than 0.6%. Thus specific yield value is concluded to be due to drainage time.     

考虑水阻力的涉水滑坡运动速度计算模型研究

对于高速运动的涉水滑坡,水阻力是影响其运动速度大小的重要因素。论文设计了包括运动装置、传感装置、速度控制装置和传动装置的块体水下运动阻力的实验系统,分别进行了6块面积不同的块体分别以5种不同速度在水下运动实验,水下运动速度选取5个水平值,分别为0.5ms-1、0.8ms-1、1.0ms-1、1.5ms-1、1.8ms-1; 通过实验分析了压强水头增量与运动速度之间的相关关系,导出了水下运动块体迎水面的压强水头计算模型和迎水面阻力计算模型; 以曲线滑动型涉水滑坡为模型,分析了涉水滑坡水上部分和涉水部分受力模式; 基于滑坡动力学和运动学方程,结合条分方法,提出了曲线滑动型涉水滑坡运动速度的计算模型; 以2007年6月15日发生的清江北岸的大堰塘滑坡为例,分考虑迎水面水阻力和不考虑迎水面水阻力2种情况,分别计算了滑坡的运动速度,定量分析了水阻力对滑坡速度的影响。     

Numerical analysis of soilbags under compression and cyclic shear

This paper presents a finite element model for analysing the behaviour of granular material wrapped with polyethylene bags under vertical compression and cyclic shearing. The simple Mohr–Coulomb model is used to represent the soil behaviour. The polyethylene bag is represented by a linear-elastic–perfect-plastic model. The soil-bag interface is modelled with contact constraints. The main purpose of the numerical analysis is to validate the anticipated performance of soilbags under various loading conditions and hence the effectiveness of soilbags as a method of ground improvement.     

Upper mantle structure of the Northern Eurasia from peaceful nuclear explosion data

Several long-range seismic profiles were carried out in Russia with Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNE). The data from 25 PNEs recorded along these profiles were used to compile a 3-D upper mantle velocity model for the central part of the Northern Eurasia. 2-D crust and upper mantle models were also constructed for all profiles using a common methodology for wavefield interpretation. Five basic boundaries were traced over the study area: N1 boundary (velocity level, V = 8.35 km/s; depth interval, D = 60–130 km), N2 (V = 8.4 km/s; D = 100–140 km), L (V = 8.5 km/s; D = 180–240 km) and H (V = 8.6 km/s; D = 300–330 km) and structural maps were compiled for each boundary. Together these boundaries describe a 3-D upper mantle model for northern Eurasia. A map characterised the velocity distribution in the uppermost mantle down to a depth of 60 km is also presented. Mostly horizontal inhomogeneity is observed in the uppermost mantle, and the velocities range from the average 8.0–8.1 km/s to 8.3–8.4 km/s in some blocks of the Siberian Craton. At a depth of 100–200 km, the local high velocity blocks disappear and only three large anomalies are observed: lower velocities in West Siberia and higher velocities in the East-European platform and in the central part of the Siberian Craton. In contrast, the depths to the H boundary are greater beneath the craton and lower beneath in the West Siberian Platform. A correlation between tectonics, geophysical fields and crustal structure is observed. In general, the old and cold cratons have higher velocities in the mantle than the young platforms with higher heat flows.Structural peculiarities of the upper mantle are difficult to describe in form of classical lithosphere–asthenosphere system. The asthenosphere cannot be traced from the seismic data; in contrary the lithosphere is suggested to be rheologically stratified. All the lithospheric boundaries are not simple discontinuities, they are heterogeneous (thin layering) zones which generate multiphase reflections. Many of them may be a result of fluids concentrated at some critical P–T conditions which produce rheologically weak zones. The most visible rheological variations are observed at depths of around 100 and 250 km.     

Lessons from a joint interpretation of vibroseis wide-angle and near-vertical reflection data in the northeastern Yilgarn, Western Australia

A wide-angle reflection seismic experiment was carried out in the Eastern Goldfields granite–greenstone terrane of the Archaean Yilgarn Craton during 2001. This was the first time in Australia that wide-angle data were collected using a vibrator source and with a high density of observations. Unlike other wide-angle surveys carried out in other parts of the world, our survey used both a smaller number of sweeps, and shorter sweeps. We recorded three sweeps (each with its own frequency range) at each vibration point. The experiment demonstrated that the sum of three 12 s sweeps using 3 large vibrators provides enough energy to record signal at offsets up to up to 60–70 km. A comparison of individual shot gathers from near-vertical data and receiver gathers from wide-angle data demonstrated higher reflectivity in near-vertical data. This may be due to differences in the frequency bands of the recording equipment. The after stack section obtained from dense wide-angle data is different from that obtained from conventional near-vertical reflection data. The conventional reflection section provides higher quality image of the crust compared to the wide-angle section. This could be explained by the low-fold in wide-angle data and differences in the acquisition and processing methodology. The wide-angle survey, which was coincident with a regional vibroseis seismic reflection transect, was focused on the Leonora–Laverton region. The survey was designed to supplement the deep seismic reflection studies with velocity information. This also created an opportunity to compare velocity model derived from wide-angle reflection seismic data with a structural image obtained from the deep common mid-point seismic reflection data, and thus refine our geological understanding of the area. A high velocity body reaching a maximum thickness of 2 km was identified exclusively from the seismic velocity model derived from wide-angle study. This body is interpreted as mafic rocks within the Archaean Granite–Greenstone Belt. The joint interpretation also shows that structural boundaries do not always follow lithological boundaries in our study area. The combination of wide-angle reflection and near-vertical reflection data has facilitated a more complete geological interpretation of the seismic data.     

Geophysical characterization of the lithological control on the kinematic pattern in a large clayey landslide (Avignonet,French Alps)

Lithology variation is known to have a major control on landslide kinematics, but this effect may remain unnoticed due to low spatial coverage during investigation. The large clayey Avignonet landslide (French Alps) has been widely studied for more than 35 years. Displacement measurements at 38 geodetic stations over the landslide showed that the slide surface velocity dramatically increases below an elevation of about 700 m and that the more active zones are located at the bottom and the south of the landslide. Most of the geotechnical investigation was carried out in the southern part of the landslide where housing development occurred on lacustrine clay layers. In this study, new electrical prospecting all across the unstable area revealed the unexpected presence of a thick resistive layer covering the more elevated area and overlying the laminated clays, which is interpreted as the lower part of moraine deposits. The downslope lithological boundary of this layer was found at around 700 m asl. This boundary coincides with the observed changes in slide velocity and in surface roughness values computed from a LiDAR DTM acquired in 2006. This thick permeable upper layer constitutes a water reservoir, which is likely to influence the hydromechanical mechanism of the landslide. The study suggests a major control of vertical lithological variations on the landslide kinematics, which is highlighted by the relation between slide velocity and electrical resistivity.     

Numerical modeling of seismic triggering,evolution, and deposition of rapid landslides: Application to Higashi–Takezawa (2004)

A mathematical model is developed for the dynamic analysis of earthquake‐triggered rapid landslides, considering two mechanically coupled systems: (a) the accelerating deformable body of the slide and (b) the rapidly deforming shear band at the base of the slide. The main body of the slide is considered as a one‐phase mixture of Newtonian incompressible fluids and Coulomb solids sliding on a plane of variable inclination. The evolution of the landslide is modeled via a depth‐integrated model of the Savage–Hutter type coupled with: (a) a cyclic hysteretic constitutive model of the Bouc–Wen type and (b) Voellmy's rheology for the deformation of the material within the shear band. The original shallow‐water equations that govern the landslide motion are appropriately reformulated to account for inertial forces due to seismic loading, and to allow for a smooth transition between the active and the passive state. The capability of the developed model is tested against the Higashi–Takezawa landslide. Triggered by the 2004 Niigata‐ken Chuetsu earthquake, the slide produced about 100m displacement of a large wedge from an originally rather mild slope. The mechanism of material softening inside the shear band responsible for the surprisingly large run‐out of the landslide is described by a set of equations for grain crushing‐induced pore‐water pressures. The back‐analysis reveals interesting patterns on the flow dynamics, and the numerical results compare well with field observations. It is shown that the mechanism of material softening is a crucial factor for the initiation and evolution of the landslide, while viscoplastic frictional resistance is a key requirement for successfully reproducing the field data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lake Tai: The limnology of a shallow lake in China

Lake Tai (Tai Hu) is located in the S part of the Yangtze River delta, has a surface area of 2,425 km², a mean depth of 2.12 m, and a volume of 5.15 km³. The climate of the region is characterised by an average annual air temperature of 15.7°C, precipitation of 1,178 mm and evaporation from the water surface of about 1,024 mm. The average annual water temperature is 17.1°C. A positive and a negative thermocline may occur in one day, a characteristic of polymictic lakes. The average water level is 3.03 m above Wusong datum. Total annual inflow was 8.7 km³ with a total outflow of 9.0 km³ and a residence time about 212 days during an average water year. Influent-effleunt currents and wind currents both occured in the lake with a velocity of between 0,1 and 0,3 m s^–1; the height of wind generated waves up to 1 m when the wind velocity was about 13 m s^–1. The average transparency of lake was 0.39 m and the water colour about XV-XVI. The salinity of water was 157.66 mg 1^–1, alkalinity 1.22 meq 1^–1, total hardness 1.523 meq 1^–1 and the pH 8.0. The lake water belonged to calcium bicar-bonate and calcium-sodium bicarbonate types during the study period. The biota had 114 genera of phytoplankton, 122 species of zooplankton, 68 species of benthos, 61 species of aquatic macrophytes and 106 species of fish. Ten species were considered predominant:Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena spiroides, Chroomonas acuta, Strobilidum velox, Tintinnopsis conicus, Corbicula fluminea, Zizania latifolia, Phragmites communis, Coilia ectenes taihuensis, and Protosalanx hyalocranius.     

基于多期DEM数据的滑坡变形定量分析

滑坡的定量变形分析是滑坡研究中的难点问题.为揭示黑方台灌区滑坡的变形演化过程,借助1977年、1997年、2001年和2010年4个时期测制的地形图资料,以ArcGIS为平台,建立了基于多期DEM数据的滑坡变形定量分析模型,并对黑方台塬边32处滑坡分阶段进行了变形量与变形速率计算.1977-1997年,滑坡后壁后移侵蚀速率平均为4.47m/a;1997-2001年,后移侵蚀率平均为3.46m/a;2001-2010年,后移侵蚀率平均为1.10m/a.同时建立了灌溉量与滑坡变形量的相关关系式,并对滑坡的变形演化趋势进行了预测,到2015年,滑坡后壁后移距离平均为0.79m,到2020年,滑坡后壁后移距离可减少到0.20m.     

深圳“12.20”渣土场远程流化滑坡动力过程分析

文章采用DAN3D数值方法对深圳人工堆填体滑坡运动过程进行了模拟研究,探讨了深圳“12.20”滑坡远程动力成灾过程。通过研究得到以下几点结论:（1）滑坡后破坏运动主要分为两个阶段:前一阶段为滑源区内运动,体现了高孔隙水压力下滑剪切;后一阶段为在流通区和堆积区内运动,体现了高饱和度滑体流动（涌动）剪切。（2）饱水渣土滑坡远程流化运动分析中,摩擦模型适合模拟孔隙水压力作用下的滑源区渣土体的失稳下滑运动过程;宾汉姆模型适合模拟非牛顿流体饱和渣土体的流化剪切过程;摩擦-宾汉姆组合模型更适用于该类型滑坡全过程的反演运动分析。（3）深圳滑坡后破坏运动速度变化主要经历了“启动-加速-持速-减速”的运动过程,高含水渣土的固-流转化致使滑坡远程运动,并造成巨大伤亡损失。（4）模拟结果显示:堆积区平均堆积厚度为11 m,堆积范围为0.4 km 2,最大运动速度为30 m/s,最大速度发生于距滑坡后缘620 m处,堆积范围、堆积厚度和运动速度同滑坡实际值基本一致。上述研究思路和方法对城市地质中渣土滑坡灾害的危险区划和渣土场科学选址评估具有一定借鉴意义。