A study on the limit void ratio characteristics of medium to fine mixed graded sands

The minimum and maximum void ratios, corresponding to states of densest and loosest packing, of 111 systematically prepared mixed graded sand samples are determined with Method 2A and Method B according to ASTM D 4253 and ASTM D 4254 standards, respectively. Although, those standards are applicable to soils that may contain up to at most 15% fines content, for the harmony of the results even for samples having fines content greater 15%, no other methods are used throughout the experimental program. The test results show that 3rd degree polynomial equations derived from existing experimental data, as a function of packing material percentage, are quite reasonable (R² ≈ 1.0) to estimate the variation of minimum and maximum void ratios for the sands considered. Furthermore, error analysis of the limit void ratios is also carried out. It is found that predictability of maximum void ratio for the soil types and gradations considered is more accurate than that of minimum void ratio.     

基于孔压静力触探试验的水运工程土分类方法研究

土的工程分类是工程勘察和设计应用的关键问题之一。基于孔压静力触探测试（piezocone penetration test,简称CPTU）原位测试参数进行土分类是高效实用的方法。国内外现有分类方法的名称及标准与我国《水运工程岩土勘察规范》（JTS 133－2013）不符合。因此,建立基于CPTU原位测试参数、符合我国行业标准的土工程分类方法具有重要工程意义。在收集大量国内外水运工程CPTU测试资料的基础上,对比分析了616个间距小于5 m的CPTU测试孔和相应钻孔取样与室内土工试验成果。选择国内外7种常用的CPTU土分类图进行应用比较,发现这些土分类图所采用的应力修正计算方法在考虑浅层土体的有效上覆应力修正时存在一定的缺陷,通过引入新的应力修正方法和修正土分类边界线,建立了适合我国水运工程的CPTU土分类方法。对比应用分析表明,该分类图能够准确地进行水运工程土类划分,尤其适合于软土、粉细砂和中粗砂的划分,可作为我国水运工程的土工程分类方法。     

A critical state model for sands dependent on stress and density

An elastoplastic model for sands is presented in this paper, which can describe stress–strain behaviour dependent on mean effective stress level and void ratio. The main features of the proposed model are: (a) a new state parameter, which is dependent on the initial void ratio and initial mean stress, is proposed and applied to the yield function in order to predict the plastic deformation for very loose sands; and (b) another new state parameter, which is used to determine the peak strength and describe the critical state behaviour of sands during shearing, is proposed in order to predict simply negative/positive dilatancy and the hardening/softening behaviour of medium or dense sands. In addition, the proposed model can also predict the stress–strain behaviour of sands under three-dimensional stress conditions by using a transformed stress tensor instead of ordinary stress tensor. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A network model to assess base-filter combinations

Granular filters retain base material within the narrowest constrictions of their void network. A direct comparison of the base material particle size distribution (PSD) and the filter constriction size distribution (CSD) cannot easily be used to assess filter-base compatibility. Here a conceptually simple random-walk network model using a filter CSD derived from discrete element modelling and base PSD is used to assess filter-base compatibility. Following verification using experimental data the model is applied to assess empirical ratios between filter and base characteristic diameters. The effects of filter density, void connectivity and blocking in the first few filter layers are highlighted.     

Fluid flow characteristics of Bandanna Coal Formation: a case study from the Fairview Field,eastern Australia

Fluid flow characteristics of cleat systems in coalbed methane reservoirs are crucial in reservoir management and field development plans. This paper aims to evaluate the cleat system properties including cleat porosity, permeability, and aperture as well as the impact of permeability growth on production performance in the Bandanna Coal Formation of the Fairview Field, eastern Queensland. Owing to the presence of bad hole conditions and poor core recovery of the coal intervals, the petrophysical well logs and laboratory measurements cannot be used as a source of information for this purpose. Hence, a new approach is employed that utilises early water production data to measure water in place and absolute permeability of the coal. In addition, micro-computed tomography (CT) scan method is used to investigate the cleat system that is preserved in a core sample and results are compared with the ones obtained by analysis of production data. Cleat system evaluation by analysis of production data and micro-CT scan technique provides a comprehensive approach that brings confidence in measurements and helps to obtain cleat properties at the sufficient scale for reservoir engineering purposes. The necessary information including production data and core samples are collected from a dewatering well and the nearby observation well in the study area. Analysis of early water production data (single-phase flow) indicates that coal permeability is 189 mD and the average cleat porosity is approximately 5%. High cleat porosity describes the large volume of water produced over the life of the study well. The 3D model of the fossilised cleat system constructed by the micro-CT scan method reveals that coal is well-cleated and cleat spacing and mean cleat aperture are 4 and 0.136 mm, respectively. The average cleat porosity that is measured by the micro-CT scan method is 5.7%, which is fairly close to the cleat porosity measured by analysis of production data. Production data analysis indicates that effective permeability to gas starts to grow at the midlife of the well and it strongly controls the shape of the production profile. The results of this study help in future field development and infill drilling programs in the Fairview Field and provide important insights into cleat system of Bandanna Coal Formation.     

基于相变状态的砂土本构模型的研究

为了很好地描述砂土的应力应变特征,通常利用以临界状态孔隙比为基础的状态参数建立弹塑性本构关系,但是对于密砂排水试验,临界状态参数很难测到。相变状态作为一特征状态,相关参数较容易测得。因此,本文定义了以相变状态孔隙比为基础的状态参数,并引入砂土的剪胀和边界应力比表达式,建立砂土的弹塑性本构模型。最后,利用本文提出的模型参数得到的密砂模拟结果与试验结果相吻合,较好地反映了密砂的应变强化和软化力学特征。     

Concept of critical void ratio used in estimating dynamic stability of sands

Some authors use the concept of critical void ratio of sands to describe sand behavior under dynamic load. This paper presents a new procedure of experimental determination of the critical void ratio of sands under consolidated undrained triaxial compression. At present, there is no technical possibility for determining the critical void ratio of sand under dynamic loads, particularly in shear zones. The mechanism of dynamic load is such that both pore pressure and effective stresses (indirect indicators of the change in the void ratio of sand under undrained conditions) change several times, even during one cycle. It is established that, because of dynamic loading, saturated sands of any density tend to the state of zero dynamic dilatancy when shear zones of constant thickness form in sands, where further strain accumulation is localized. The investigation into the state of zero dynamic dilatancy is fundamentally important for the estimation of the dynamic stability of sands.     

A computational procedure to assess the distribution of constriction sizes for an assembly of spheres

The effectiveness of filters to counteract internal erosion in earth structures is particularly related to their ability to capture fine particles moving under seepage flow through the porous material. More precisely, fine particles are likely to be trapped by the narrowest paths between pores: the constrictions. This paper proposes a methodology to compute the constriction size distribution of model granular filters taking into account the relative density of the material. The approach is based upon probabilistic methods which adopt stated simple geometric packing arrangements to represent the solid structure in the extreme density states. Two new models are proposed for the design of the constriction size distribution according to the type of filter grading: continuously graded or gap-graded materials. The models require the usual material characteristics: the grading curve, and the minimum and maximum void ratios for this material. Calibrated on the basis of statistical analyses over numerical assemblies of spheres generated by a discrete element method, the proposed new models constitute a promising tool to significantly improve the modeling of filtration processes in granular materials.     

Prediction of flow liquefaction instability of clean and silty sands

Adding a small amount of non-plastic silt to clean sands may lead to dramatic loss of shear strength and a noteworthy tendency toward contraction when the mechanical behavior of the mixture is compared with that of the clean host sand. Thus, simulation of the behavior of silty sands with varying fines content is still a challenging subject in geomechanics. A unified constitutive model for clean and silty sands is presented in this paper. To eliminate the factitious decrease of void ratio associated with inactive silt particles in various silty sand mixtures, the concept of equivalent void ratio is used in the model formulation instead of the global void ratio. In addition, the instantaneous soil state is expressed in terms of intergranular state parameter taking into account the combined influence of intergranular void ratio, mean principal effective stress and fines content. Then, dilatancy and plastic hardening modulus are directly linked to the intergranular state parameter. To improve the model capacity in simulation of cyclic tests, new features are added to the plastic hardening modulus. It is shown that the proposed model can reasonably reproduce the mechanical behavior as well as the onset of flow liquefaction instability of clean and silty sands using a unique set of parameters.     

干砂强夯动力特性的细观颗粒流分析

通过引进和开发二维颗粒流程序,基于相似理论建立了可以模拟砂土地基强夯加固的细观颗粒流模型,结合小比尺室内细观模型试验,从颗粒细观力学角度入手对干砂在强夯冲击加固过程中的动力反应特性进行了数值模拟。结果表明,数值模拟结果与试验结果有较好的一致性,利用颗粒流模型可以很好地模拟干砂在冲击荷载作用下的锤底动接触应力、颗粒间动接触应力和颗粒位移场分布情况,并可以实时跟踪颗粒的变位及接触应力变化,实现从细观角度揭示干砂强夯动力响应特性,研究工作为今后砂土强夯加固宏细观机制研究提供了一条新的思路。     

孟加拉湾缅甸若开盆地上新统斜坡水道复合体沉积特征

斜坡水道复合体是孟加拉湾缅甸海上若开盆地上新统最重要深水沉积结构单元之一。研究工作以地震响应与深水储层之间的对应关系为指导,二、三维地震资料中的强振幅属性用以判断水道复合体内的粗粒沉积。利用多种地震技术,包括相干切片分析、地质异常体处理以及三维可视化,将斜坡水道复合体从背景中区分出来,并从斜坡水道复合体的外部几何形态、...     

An efficient approach to generating DEM samples having coincident void ratios with actual sand

The ranges of initial void ratios that can be achieved for numerical samples with the same grading as actual sand under gravity are explored using three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM). A corrected compressible accumulation model is proposed to predict the packing density of sand. Compared with the measured results, the errors of the prediction results are small. For three-dimensional DEM samples, when the ratio of sample size to particle size L/R is equal to or larger than 30, the maximum and the minimum void ratios are minimally affected by the sample size L. The maximum void ratios and the minimum void ratios of numerical samples with spherical particles are much smaller than those of actual sands. The generation method for numerical samples with non-spherical particles is proposed based on the theory of CPM. The variations of void ratios of numerical samples with non-spherical particles are wider than actual sands. So it can meet all the need of DEM simulation on the void ratio of actual sand.     

杏北油田低弯度分流河道储层构型及其控制的剩余油分布模式

低弯度分流河道储层是杏北油田的重要储层类型,深入研究其储层构型特征对于油田调整挖潜意义重大。综合密井网岩心、测井和生产动态等资料,采用“层次分析和模式指导”的方法,分“复合河道和溢岸砂体、单期河道及其相互接触关系”两个主要层次开展储层构型精细解剖,构建了三维储层构型模型。基于密闭取心井、水淹层测井解释资料和生产动态数据分析了不同时期的水淹特征和剩余油分布,并通过基于三维构型模型的油藏数值模拟对剩余油分布模式进行验证,最终总结出不同储层构型控制下的剩余油富集模式。结果表明,在河道内,剩余油在顶部、边部、河道间夹层控制部位以下以及仅与低渗溢岸砂连通造成注采不完善的河道内部富集;在河道外,剩余油在河间物性较差的溢岸砂内、注采不完善的溢岸砂末端和孤立砂体内富集。     

Formulation of a unified constitutive model for clays and sands

This paper presents a new generalized effective stress model, referred to as MIT-S1, which is capable of predicting the rate independent, effective stress–strain–strength behaviour of uncemented soils over a wide range of confining pressures and densities. Freshly deposited sand specimens compressed from different initial formation densities approach a unique condition at high stress levels, referred to as the limiting compression curve (LCC), which is linear in a double logarithmic void ratio, e, mean effective stress space, p′. The model describes irrecoverable, plastic strains which develop throughout first loading using a simple four-parameter elasto-plastic model. The shear stiffness and strength properties of sands in the LCC regime can be normalized by the effective confining pressure and hence can be unified qualitatively, with the well-known behaviour of clays that are normally consolidated from a slurry condition along the virgin consolidation line (VCL). At lower confining pressures, the model characterizes the effects of formation density and fabric on the shear behaviour of sands through a number of key features: (a) void ratio is treated as a separate state variable in the incrementally linearized elasto-plastic formulation: (b) kinematic hardening describing the evolution of anisotropic stress–strain properties: (c) an aperture hardening function controls dilation as a function of ‘formation density’; and (d) the use of a single lemniscate-shaped yield surface with non-associated flow. These features enable the model to describe characteristic transitions from dilative to contractive shear response of sands as the confining pressure increases. This paper summarizes the procedures used to select input parameters for clays and sands, while a companion paper compares model predictions with measured data to illustrate the model capability for describing the shear behaviour of clays and sands. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于钻孔数据的地层三维建模与可视化研究

地质体三维建模是地学信息系统核心课题之一,对现有建模方法进行分析,结合地层特点,提出首先引入虚拟钻孔,利用Kriging插值方法建立地层三维模型;其次把虚拟钻孔参数的调试结果及专家知识等资料在建模流程中予以充分体现,从而建立相对精确的三维地层模型;最后基于本文建模方法开发了一个三维地层模型,并用实际资料进行了验证,能有效满足工程需求。     

钙质砂与硅质砂液化特性对比试验研究

钙质砂颗粒具有形状不规则、多孔隙、强度低、易破碎等特点,较硅质砂表现出更为复杂的液化变形特性.本文对相同级配的钙质砂和硅质砂进行了物性试验、不排水循环三轴试验、轻型动力触探试验,研究两种砂在物理性质、抗液化能力和贯入阻力三方面的差异,分析实验结果得到结论如下:(1)钙质砂比硅质砂具有更大的孔隙比和内摩擦角,这与钙质砂颗...     

Coupled finite‐element simulation of injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir

This paper presents a finite‐element (FE) model for simulating injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir. In injection well testing, the bottom‐hole pressure (BHP) is monitored during the injection and shut‐in period. The flow characteristics of a reservoir can be determined from transient BHP data using conventional reservoir or well‐testing analysis. However, conventional reservoir or well‐testing analysis does not consider geomechanics coupling effects. This simplified assumption has limitations when applied to unconsolidated (uncemented) oil sands reservoirs because oil sands deform and dilate subjected to pressure variation. In addition, hydraulic fracturing may occur in unconsolidated oil sands when high water injection rate is used. This research is motivated in numerical modeling of injection well testing in unconsolidated oil sands reservoir considering the geomechanics coupling effects including hydraulic fracturing. To simulate the strong anisotropy in mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of unconsolidated oil sands induced by fluid injection in injection well testing, a nonlinear stress‐dependent poro‐elasto‐plastic constitutive model together with a strain‐induced anisotropic permeability model are formulated and implemented into a 3D FE simulator. The 3D FE model is used to history match the BHP response measured from an injection well in an oil sands reservoir. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

砂类土最大动剪切模量的新预测模型

根据不同级配的南沙和西沙群岛珊瑚砂最大动剪切模量G0的共振柱试验结果,发现相同有效围压 下不同级配、不同海洋珊瑚砂的G0分布范围存在上、下界限。最大孔隙比emax和最小孔隙比emin是可以综合反映砂类土级配和颗粒形状特性的状态参量,G0界限值与极限孔隙比（emax和emin）状态下的G0外推结果相吻合。相同的 下,珊瑚砂的G0下限值G0min随emax的增大而减小,G0上限值G0max随emin的增大而减小。根据不同 下G0min与emax及G0max与emin关系建立了预测珊瑚砂G0界限值的经验公式,不同孔隙比e状态下的G0可以根据界限值G0min、G0max按相对密实度Dr非线性插值获得。新的G0预测模型对同一类别、不同级配的砂土具有较好的普适性。对于不同类别的砂土,引入与矿物组分有关的系数a对模型进行修正,采用文献中大量的G0试验结果对模型进行了验证,新的G0预测模型的普适性明显优于传统Hardin模型。     

Characterization of Architectural Elements of Ordovician Fractured-cavernous Carbonate Reservoirs,Tahe Oilfield,China

A new method for characterizing architectural elements of fractured-cavernous carbonate reservoirs was proposed, with application to an Ordovician reservoir in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim basin. The new method integrates observations from outcrop analogs and concepts from modern karst theory for the mapping and modeling of fractured-cavernous reservoirs. In this paper, fractured-cavernous reservoirs were divided into 4 architectural element types—underground river caverns, sinkholes, discrete internal caverns, and faults. Architectural elements of the Ordovician reservoir in Tahe oilfield were identified and characterized by integrating well logs and seismic data. A new method constrained by faults, karst zones, and seismic acoustic impedance data, was introduced to build a 3D model of architectural elements of fractured-cavernous reservoir in the S48 unit of Tahe Oilfield. A porosity model was then derived from the architectural element model using facies-constrained method. The research provides a work-flow for the characterization of fracturedcavernous reservoirs and determining optimal methods for maximizing oil recovery in the study area or in similar areas.     

Modeling and calculating for the compaction characteristics of waste rock masses

Bearing and deformation behaviors of waste rock masses (WRM) are more usually considered in stress distribution in caved waste. As WRM is widely located in hidden and dangerous environments, herein, numerical calculation is the preferred research method, but there are no modules specifically designed to simulate WRM, and the distribution of blockiness size, void, and properties of WRM in existing programs is still immature. A construction and subdivision method for modeling WRM is proposed in this paper. That is on the basis of the intact rock mass numerical model established in 3D Voronoi, the blocks in the intact rock mass are removed at random to achieve the purpose of retrieving the WRM structure by means of predetermined porosity. Also, the Weibull distribution is introduced to describe the properties of joints randomly, and a uniaxial compression experiment is used to research the compaction characteristics of WRM. The modeling and parametric methods can more accurately reflect fragmentation characteristics, bulking characteristics, and compaction characteristics of WRM. Compared with the existing theoretical and experimental results, this method has a high degree of consistency with them. This experimental study provides a new and effective method for the safety control of backfilling technics of WRM in coal mines.