颗粒形状对珊瑚砂和石英砂沉降影响的试验研究

在研究海岸侵蚀的过程中,泥沙沉速是一个重要参数,对于侵淤量的计算非常重要。近些年来,由于工程活动、海洋动力和气候等因素变化的影响,珊瑚砂海岸的侵蚀冲刷问题已不容忽视。考虑到珊瑚砂与石英砂在形状、比重上的不同会对其沉速造成影响,套用现有石英砂的沉速公式进行计算并不合适。本文针对珊瑚砂和石英砂进行沉降试验,分析形状对珊瑚砂沉速的影响。结果显示,在小粒径(d 0.5 mm)下形状对珊瑚砂沉速的影响并不明显,在大粒径(d 0.5 mm)下明显减缓了珊瑚砂的沉降速度,套用石英砂的沉降公式计算出的珊瑚砂沉速明显偏大。故通过提出动力形状因子这一参数来表征形状对沉降的影响,推导出考虑了形状影响的沉降公式,能够较为准确地计算砂粒的沉速范围,计算精度随着黏度的增大而提升。     

Evaluation of hydraulic conductivity through particle shape and packing density characteristics of sand–silt mixtures

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between saturated hydraulic conductivity with particle shape and packing density characteristics of silty sand soils. The article presents a series of hydraulics tests performed on three kinds of sand with different particles shapes (Chlef rounded sand, Fontainebleau sub-rounded sand and Hostun sub-angular sand) mixed with low plastic rounded Chlef silt in the range of 0–30% fines content. The sand–silt mixture samples were tested in the constant-head permeability device at a loose relative density (D_r = 18%) and a constant room temperature (T?=?20?°C). The obtained results indicate that the measured saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) correlates very well with the fines content (F_c), packing density in terms of [maximum void ratio “e_max,” minimum void ratio “e_min,” predicted maximum void ratio “e_max”_pr and predicted minimum void ratio “e_min”_pr] and particle shape characteristics ratios in terms of roundness ratio (R_r = R_hs/R_mixture) and sphericity ratio (S_r = S_hs/S_mixture) of the silty sand materials under consideration. Moreover, the analysis of the available data show a noticeable success in exploring the prediction of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) based on the particle shape and packing density characteristics (R_r, S_r, e_max, and e_min) of the studied sand–silt mixture samples.     

江淮气旋暴雪和海效应暴雪个例的微物理特征对比

利用雨滴谱等多源观测资料,对2023年12月山东江淮气旋暴雪和海效应暴雪的微物理特征进行了对比分析。结果表明：（1）相比于海效应暴雪,江淮气旋暴雪云系云顶高度较高,云顶亮温较低,对流强度较强。（2）江淮气旋暴雪的粒子数浓度高、粒子谱较窄、粒子体积较小、降雪强度较大;海效应暴雪的粒子数浓度低、粒子谱较宽、粒子体积较大、降雪强度较小。（3）江淮气旋暴雪的粒子下落末速度以单峰型为主,海效应暴雪则多为双峰型;江淮气旋暴雪的粒子下落末速度及其谱宽均大于海效应暴雪。（4）江淮气旋暴雪含有较多的霰粒、冰粒、雪花,海效应暴雪则以雪花及其聚合体为主。（5）两次暴雪的等效反射率因子（Z_e）-降雪强度（I_s）关系有较大差异。在降雪强度相同时,海效应暴雪的Z_e更大。     

Anomalous Decimeter Radio Noise from the Region of the Atmospheric Front: II. On the Nonthermal Mechanism of UHF Noise

The intensity and spectrum of nonthermal radiation from a cloud of oppositely charged drops as a possible explanation for the anomalous UHF radio noise originating from frontal clouds have been considered. It has been shown that the noise intensity is determined by the dimensions of charged particles and the particle electrification rate, which must equal 0.1–0.3 C/s km³. The radiation spectrum in the UHF range strongly depends on the resistance of microdischarge channels between drops. The frequency dependence of the radiation agrees with experimental data if R ≤ 377 Ω, i.e., if oscillations of the discharge current appear.     

Investigation of the action of hygroscopic particles on a warm convective cloud from the results of numerical simulation

The results of a numerical simulation of the action of hygroscopic particles on a warm convective cloud with the purpose of obtaining additional precipitation are presented. The one-dimensional numerical model considered in this work describes the evolution of the cloud medium in the central part of an axisymmetric convective cloud at the specified height-variable velocity of the upward air flow which forms the cloud. Our model comprehensively describes microphysical processes in the cloud medium with the use of the kinetic equation for the size distribution of cloud droplets. This model makes it possible to obtain the spatiotemporal pattern of the cloud formation and development and to analyze regular features in the cloud evolution under the action of hygroscopic reagents. The cloud characteristics calculated with the use of this model correspond to the cloud parameters observed in natural conditions of the atmosphere. The process of precipitation stimulation by hygroscopic particles in convective clouds with vertical thicknesses of 2.5–4.5 km was analyzed on the basis of the results of numerical calculations. The results of calculations of the dependence of the intensity and total amount of precipitation on the vertical cloud thickness and parameters of particles introduced into the cloud are presented. It is shown that hygroscopic particles with root-mean-cube radii of 1–1.5 μm are the most effective for acting on warm convective clouds with the purpose of obtaining additional precipitation. In this case, the required reagent expenditure is 100–200 kg/km². The conditions necessary for obtaining the maximal positive effect of the action are elucidated.     

金属离子种类对珊瑚砂微生物固化影响研究

选用巴斯德芽孢杆菌,对微生物诱导钙离子、镁离子以及铁离子形成碳酸盐固化松散珊瑚砂颗粒的效果进行对比研究。试验结果表明,在相同试验方法、相同注入次数的条件下,微生物诱导形成的碳酸钙和碳酸镁能将珊瑚砂松散颗粒固化成为整体,加入铁离子的试样因为反应过程的原因没有成功。通过渗透性、干密度变化、无侧限抗压强度及微观结构等方面进行对比分析,钙离子试样相对于镁离子试样,具有固化过程平稳、干密度增量大、强度高、微观颗粒包裹更好的优点。综合试验结果得出,钙离子是现阶段微生物固化珊瑚砂较为理想的金属离子。本试验首次探讨了金属离子种类对珊瑚砂微生物固化效果的影响,为微生物固化技术提供了一定理论基础,对该技术的进一步应用具有一定借鉴意义。     

Basin-scale distributions of stable nitrogen isotopes in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean: Contribution of diazotroph nitrogen to particulate organic matter and mesozooplankton

New N inputs via biological N₂-fixation play a critical role in supporting oceanic primary production and influencing global biogeochemical cycles. Numerous studies have documented significant N₂-fixation rates in the North Atlantic, but relatively little is known of the pathways and fluxes of new N through planktonic food webs. Here, we report the natural abundance of ¹⁵N in, and contribution of diazotroph N (N_D) inputs to, suspended particles and mesozooplankton collected along two transects in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean (STNA). Samples were collected in April-May 2000 along the two main transects to evaluate spatial trends of ¹⁵N within the Western Atlantic and across the basin. We found that N₂-fixation is a key component in supporting both primary and secondary productions throughout the STNA. N_D contribution was generally higher for suspended particles than for mesozooplankton, and we observed a high N_D contribution to suspended particles over large spatial scales in the western and central STNA. Mesozooplankton N_D incorporation suggests that diazotroph production supports oceanic food webs over longer timescales (e.g., weeks to months) than that of particle turnover (e.g., days). Larger mesozooplankton (1000-4000 ??m) generally incorporated more N_D than smaller mesozooplankton (250-1000 ??m), and thus may exert a stronger influence on an N_D movement within the water column. Spatial and vertical patterns of variation in mesozooplankton ??¹⁵N also suggest either broad geographical differences in an N_D contribution to secondary production, or temporal variations in N_D incorporation via mesozooplankton communities.     

Significance of oxides and particulate organic matter in controlling trace metal partitioning in a contaminated estuary

The sediment–water partitioning of radiolabelled Cd, Hg and Zn has been investigated along an estuarine salinity gradient using samples from the Mersey Estuary, UK. Partitioning was studied using untreated particles, and particles that had been extracted using either a reducing agent (NH₂OH.HCl–HOAc) or an oxidising agent (H₂O₂) in order to qualitatively evaluate the relative roles of Fe–Mn oxides and particulate organic matter (POM), respectively, on metal uptake. The extent of Cd partitioning between sediment and water, parameterised in terms of the distribution coefficient, K_D, exhibited a reduction with increasing salinity, regardless of whether or not particles had been digested. However, the magnitude of K_D decreased significantly following either chemical treatment, suggesting that both oxides and organic matter are important sorbents for Cd. The K_D for Hg in the presence of untreated particles increased with increasing salinity, and chemical reduction of the particles enhanced the uptake of Hg and reinforced this trend. Particle oxidation led to a significant reduction in the K_D for Hg, and uptake by the particles decreased with increasing salinity. These observations suggest that POM is considerably more important than Fe–Mn oxides in the removal of aqueous Hg, and that its presence is a prerequisite for enhanced sorption (or salting out) at elevated salinities. The salinity dependence of K_D for Zn displayed characteristics of both Cd (below salinities of about 5) and Hg (at greater salinities). However, the magnitude of K_D for Zn uptake was relatively insensitive to either chemical treatment, suggesting that oxides, POM, and residual phases contribute to the overall sorption of Zn by estuarine particles. Regression analyses of the metal partition data suggest that sorption to oxides and POM is nonadditive, and that the salinity dependence of metal partitioning results mainly from salinity-controlled interactions between metal and organic matter. Sequential extraction of metals bound to untreated and chemically treated particles in the partitioning experiments indicated that the exchangeability or lability of all metals increased on removal of either oxides or POM. This implies that sorption sites of relatively high energy are destroyed (or become less accessible), or sorption sites of relatively low energy are created (or become more accessible) on chemical treatment. These observations support a conceptual model for the particle surface whose integrity and binding properties are only maintained by the coexistence of and interaction between oxides and organic matter.     

波流耦合下桩周珊瑚砂冲刷机理研究

针对我国南海某岛礁珊瑚砂地基上的圆形桩基础,采用N-S方程k-ε模型、双向耦合方式跟踪流场中颗粒运动轨迹的方法,对桩周珊瑚砂的冲刷规律进行了求解,分析了桩体周围流体的速度场以及桩体表面剪应力场的分布规律,同时对桩周珊瑚砂冲刷坑的形成过程进行了模拟。计算结果表明,在桩体周围形成的马蹄形漩涡和桩柱后方的尾涡作用下,桩周土体出现了较为明显的冲刷现象,涡旋的释放显著地影响着珊瑚砂地基上桩基的冲刷坑形状;而且,由于珊瑚砂颗粒密度较石英砂小,水动力作用下桩周冲刷坑更容易形成,所以实际工程中需要考虑有效的防护措施。     

Sedimentological parameters and erosion behaviour of submarine coastal sediments in the south-western Baltic Sea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the erodibility of submarine coastal sediments for the purpose of modelling sediment dynamics in Mecklenburg Bay, south-western Baltic Sea. Erosion thresholds derived from experiments with a device microcosm on cores of fine sand (n=5, mean grain size=132 µm) and mud (n=5, medium silt size, mean=21 µm), collected at different times of the year, were compared to theoretical critical shear stress velocities based on grain-size measurements. For this purpose, a sedimentological map of natural surface sediments was constructed for the study area. Calculated values for critical shear stress velocities (u* _{cr-Hjulström} ) are 1.2 cm s^?1 for fine sand, and 3.75 cm s^?1 for cohesive mud. At the mud station, erosion experiments showed an initial transport of the fluffy surface layer (u* _cr-initial ) at a mean critical shear stress velocity of 0.39 cm s^?1. Initial rolling transport at the fine sand station for single sand grains was recorded at values of 0.5 cm s^?1. At higher shear stress velocities, the two sediment types showed diverging erosion behaviour. Measurable erosion (ε>5.0×10^?6 kg m^?2 s^?1) of fine sand starts at a mean critical shear stress velocity (u* _cr-erosion ) of 1.15 cm s^?1 whereas fluffy surface material on mud cores was eroded at mean u* _cr-erosion of 0.62 cm s^?1. This indicates that measured erosion thresholds at the fine sand site fit well to calculated critical shear stress velocities whereas calculated erosion thresholds for cohesive mud are roughly 6 times higher than measured values. As erosion behaviour at the mud station was dominated by fluffy surface material, the comparability of measured and calculated threshold values may be reduced. The underlying silt-sized sediment itself was stable due to cohesive effects. This behaviour has to be taken into consideration by using sediment types instead of mean grain sizes for mapping and modelling sediment dynamics. A comparison of the near-bottom hydrodynamic conditions in the study area and experimentally derived critical shear stress velocities suggests that particle transport is controlled by storm events whereas under calm conditions shear stress velocities do not exceed the critical values.     

239,240Pu and137Cs in the East China and the Yellow Seas

The distribution and inventory of artificial radionuclides,^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs were determined in the East China and the Yellow Seas in 1987. Almost all of^239,240Pu and 50 to 80% of¹³⁷Cs in the continental shelf area are retained in the sediment column.^239,240Pu sediment inventory in the sea area is larger than the fallout input and tends to increase southwardly. This excess^239,240Pu and the lateral distribution are attributable to the supply of^239,240Pu by the Yangtze River discharge. On the contrary,¹³⁷Cs sediment inventory shows a decrease to the south, and the fact can be accounted for by the southward dispersion of fine silt particles discharged from the Yellow River. Total¹³⁷Cs inventory is smaller than the estimated fallout input, and the fact seems to indicate dispersion of¹³⁷Cs out of the shelf region. Vertical profiles of^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs contents in sediments differ from that of natural²¹⁰Pb, implying the effect of varied accumulation rates of the artificial radionuclides over the sediment particle mixing by benthic organisms. Apparent maximum sediment particle mixing coefficient (D _B ) calculated from the excess²¹⁰Pb profiles in stations located between the inner and outer shelves ranged from 1.4 to 8.3 cm²y^–1. ThisD _B value is higher than that in the Okinawa Trough (1.0 cm²y^–1), but lower than previously estimatedD _B value (26 cm²y^–1) in the outer shelf mud.     

“12·14”山东暴雪过程降水相态的多源观测分析

基于毫米波云雷达、降水天气现象仪、风廓线雷达、双偏振雷达、自动气象站等多源观测资料及欧洲中期天气预报中心（European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts,ECMWF）第五代大气再分析（ECMWF Reanalysis v5,ERA5）资料,对2023年12月14日山东暴雪过程的环流背景和降水粒子微物理参数进行分析,探讨新型观测资料在降水相态监测与预报中的应用。结果表明：（1）此次过程受高空槽、低空西南急流和江淮气旋影响,伴随地面气温下降和中层暖层消退,出现雨、雨夹雪、冰粒和雪等相态。（2）降水天气现象仪探测发现,雪和雨的下落末速度均较小,雪粒子直径超过8 mm,雨粒子直径大多在4 mm以下。（3）毫米波云雷达观测到反射率因子、径向速度、谱宽和垂直液态水含量降低时,雨夹雪转为雪。（4）风廓线雷达显示雨夹雪和冰粒阶段对应强的低空西南急流和最大垂直速度（4~5 m·s^-1）,转雪时3 km以下垂直速度降低至2 m·s^-1左右。（5）相关系数（C_c）、差分反射率（Z_DR）和水平极化反射率因子（Z_h）等双偏振参量可判断融化层亮带,亮带的下降和消失可指示此次过程雨向雪的转换。     

Experimental study on the coefficient of lateral pressure at rest for calcareous soils

Abstract

The coefficient of lateral pressure at rest (k₀) is a key parameter required to determine the horizontal stress distribution on subsoils. In this paper, k₀ was measured from consolidation test for calcareous and siliceous sand, and the effect of water contents on k₀ of calcareous sand was also discussed. Comparison of k₀ values measured and calculated based on empirical formulas were carried on. Results indicated that (1) the reduction rate of k₀ for calcareous sand with an increase in relative density was less than that of siliceous sand. The k₀ at low water content was generally smaller than that of siliceous sand, and it was similar to that of siliceous sand for high-water content; (2) the k₀ of calcareous sand increased with increasing initial water content initially, and then decreasing. However, the magnitude of variation was small. So the impact of water content on the k₀ of calcareous sand was limited; (3) the formulas proposed by Abdelhamid and Krizek (1976 Abdelhamid, M. S., and R. J. Krizek. 1976. At-Rest Lateral Earth Pressure of Consolidating Clay. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division 102 (7): 721–738. [Google Scholar]) for estimation of the k₀ was highly applicable to calcareous fine sand.

• Highlights

• The k₀ of calcareous fine sand was investigated.

• The k₀ of calcareous and siliceous sand were compared.

• Shape parameters of sand particles for calcareous and siliceous sand were analyzed.

• Effects of related density and initial water content on the k₀ were discussed, respectively.

• The applicability of various empirical formulas for calculating k₀ of calcareous fine sand was evaluated.

     

Transport processes of uniform and mixed sands in oscillatory sheet flow

New experiments were carried out in the Large Oscillating Water Tunnel of WL|Delft Hydraulics (scale 1:1) using asymmetric 2nd-order Stokes waves. The main aim was to gain a better understanding of size-selective sediment transport processes under oscillatory plane-bed/sheet-flow conditions. The new data show that for uniform sand sizes between 0.2 < D < 1.0 mm, measured net transport rates are hardly affected by the grain size and are proportional to the third-order velocity moment. However for finer grains (D = 0.13 mm) net sand transport rates change from the ‘onshore’ direction into the ‘offshore’ direction in the high velocity range. A new measuring technique for sediment concentrations, based on the measurement of electro-resistance (see [McLean, S.R., Ribberink, J.S., Dohmen-Janssen, C.M. and Hassan, W.N.M., 2001. Sediment transport measurements within the sheet flow layer under waves and currents. J. Waterw., Port, Coast., Ocean Eng., ISSN 0733-950X]), was developed further for the improved measurement of sediment dynamics inside the sheet-flow layer. This technique enabled the measurements of particle velocities during the complete wave cycle. It is observed that for long period waves (T = 12.0 s), time-dependent concentrations inside the sheet-flow layer are nearly in phase with the time-dependent flow velocities. As the wave period decreases, the sediment entrainment from the bed as well as the deposition process back to the bed lags behind the wave motion more and more. The new data show that size-gradation has almost no effect on the net total transport rates, provided the grain sizes of the sand mixture are in the range of 0.2 < D < 1.0 mm. However, if very fine grains (D = 0.13 mm) are present in the mixture, net total transport rates of graded sand are generally reduced in comparison with uniform sand with the same D₅₀. The transport rates of individual size fractions of a mixture are strongly influenced by the presence of other fractions in a mixture. Fine particles in sand mixtures are relatively less transported than in that uniform sand case, while the opposite occurs for coarse fractions in a mixture. The relative contribution of the coarse grains to the net total transport is therefore larger than would be expected based on their volume proportion in the original sand mixture. This partial transport behaviour is opposite to what is generally observed in uni-directional (e.g. river) flows. This is caused by vertical sorting of grain sizes in the upper bed layer and in the sheet flow and suspension layers. Kinematic sorting is believed to be responsible for the development of a coarse surface layer on top of a relatively fine sub-layer, providing in this way a relatively large flow exposure for the coarser sizes. Furthermore fine grains are suspended more easily than coarse grains to higher elevations in the flow where they are subject to increasing phase-lag effects (settling lags). The latter also leads to reduced net transport rates of these finer sizes.     

Kinetic studies of the rate of dissolution of silica and diatom tests in sea water

Kinetic studies have been carried out on the dissolution of 10μm beads of silica and of the siliceous tests of two species of diatoms (Thalassiosira fluviatus andSkeletonema costatum) in sea water at 10–50°C and over the pH range 6–9. At all temperatures dissolution of the biogenous silica occurred most rapidly at pH 8 and most slowly at pH 6. First order kinetics were closely followed when the silica was present in a considerable excess over that required for saturation, the rate being proportional to the area of the silica. Apparent deviation from this type of kinetics occurred when there was insufficient silica to bring about saturation. This was undoubtedly due to the progressive decrease in the surface area which takes place as the particle dissolves. Application of the rather simplistic model developed by Kamataniet al. (1980), which makes allowance for this decrease, gave a close correspondence with the data until ∼ 90% of the silica had dissolved.     

Modeling of Motion of Particle Clouds Formed by Dumping Dredged Material

The motion of particle clouds formed by dumping dredged material into quiescent waters is experimentally and numerically studied. In the numerical model, the particle phase is modeled by the dispersion model, and turbulence is calculated by the large eddy simulation. The governing equations, including the filtered Navier-Stokes equations and mass transport equation, are solved based on the operator-splitting algorithm and an implicit cubic spline interpolation scheme. The eddy viscosity is evaluated by the modified Smagorinsky model including the buoyancy term. Comparisons of main flow characteristics, including shape, size, average density excess, moving speed and the amount of particles deposited on the bed, between experimental and computational results show that the numerical model well predicts the motion of the cloud from the falling to spreading stage. The effects of silt-fence on the motion of the particle cloud are also investigated.     

Experimental study on the hydraulic conductivity of calcareous sand in South China Sea

Characterization of the hydraulic property of a specific geomaterial is of fundamental importance in engineering design and application. This paper reports an experimental investigation to the hydraulic conductivity of a typical marine sand, i.e., calcareous sand, which becomes increasingly popular as sea-filling material for land reclamation or construction of artificial islands. A series of permeability tests have been performed using the calcareous sand collected from Nansha islands in South China Sea. Using the home-made permeability test apparatus (so-called velocity-controlled pressure-differential acquisition flow apparatus), the relationship between flow velocity and hydraulic gradient was obtained and the hydraulic conductivity of calcareous sand was then determined accordingly. The effects of important parameters, including particle shape and particle size distribution on the hydraulic conductivity of calcareous sand, were assessed. To investigate the effect of particle size distribution on the hydraulic conductivity of calcareous sand, two often-used parameters, i.e., nonuniformity coefficient and curvature coefficient were considered in this study. To quantitatively evaluate the irregularity of soil particle, a particle-shape parameter was introduced and it was able to consider sphericity and circularity of highly irregular particle. Two materials, namely, Fujian quartz sand and glass beads consisting of particles of characteristic shape, were also used in the permeability tests, and they were used to compare with calcareous sand. Through the comparison, the effect of particle shape of calcareous sand on its hydraulic conductivity was examined based on the newly introduced particle shape parameter. The test results indicate that the particle size distribution has a significant influence on the hydraulic conductivity of calcareous sand. The quite irregular particle shape is able to reduce the hydraulic conductivity of the calcareous sand. A comparative study of hydraulic conductivity between the theoretical prediction and experimental measurement was performed, and it is concluded that an improvement of theoretical model for prediction of the hydraulic conductivity of the porous media consisting of particles with highly irregular shapes, such as the calcareous sand, is still required.     

Comparison of flow patterns in the near wake of a circular cylinder and a square cylinder placed near a plane wall

The flow patterns in the near wake of a cylinder (either circular or square in shape, D=25 mm) placed in the proximity of a fully developed turbulent boundary layer (thickness δ=0.4D) are investigated experimentally using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The effects of changing the gap height (S) between the cylinder bottom and the wall surface, over the gap ratio range S/D=0.1–1.0, have been investigated. The results show that both the ensemble-averaged and instantaneous flow fields are strongly dependent on S/D. The flow patterns for the two types of cylinders share many similarities with respect to the change in S/D, such as the reduced recirculation length and increased velocity fluctuation in the near wake with increasing S/D, as well as the trend of suppression of vortex shedding at small S/D and onset of vortex shedding at large S/D. However, developments of the shear layers, in terms of wake width, flow curvature, etc., are considerably different for these two types of cylinders. In general, the wake development and momentum exchange for the square cylinder are slower those for the circular cylinder at the same gap ratio. Correspondingly, it is shown that the periodic vortex shedding is delayed and weakened in the case of square cylinder, as compared to that of the circular cylinder at the same S/D.     

海洋白浪寿命的定义及测量结果

通过对国内外白浪研究和应用的分析,首次提出了有效白浪寿命的定义,给出了计算白浪寿命的公式及测量方法和结果,并报告了以此方法在渤海实测的结果,得到了白浪寿命ＴＬ与海面风速Ｕ１０的关系为ＴＬ＝０．２６Ｕ１０以及白浪寿命概率分布近于瑞利分布等。     

Gradation affects basic mechanical characteristics of Chinese calcareous sand as airport subgrade of reefs

Abstract

Construction of the reefs in the South China Sea is a significant foundation to the secure stability and economic development of China. The construction of an airport runway is necessary for this realization. The calcareous sand is the main primary material in the runway construction. A certain type of calcareous sand near a certain reef of the South China Sea was studied in this paper. To investigate this specific calcareous sand, quartz sand was used as a reference for comparison. Microscopic 3-D imaging, compression and triaxial tests were conducted to test the micro, squeezing and shear properties. The effect mechanism of gradation on the calcareous sand’s compressibility and shear characteristics are discussed from a mesoscopic viewpoint using 3-D morphology. Calcareous sand particles are multiangular and flatter in comparison with quartz sand. The larger the particle sizes are, the more different the two sands’ morphologies are. The compressibility of calcareous sand is greater, and the effect of the coarse fraction (5–1?mm) content in the gradation plays the most significant role in this feature. When the coarse particles’ content is less than 25% and the mass ratio of the middle and fine particles (M) is constant, there is the worst coarse fraction content causing the calcareous sand to be most likely compressed. The worst coarse fraction content decreases with the increase in M, and an empirical formula is proposed. When the gradation, relative density and confining pressure are the same, the peak shear stress and strain of calcareous sand are all at a high level. The effect of confining pressure is manifested in calcareous sand. The shear strength and dilation of calcareous sand are also most affected by the medium coarse fraction (5–0.25?mm) content.