Artificial neural networks and nonlinear regression techniques to assess the influence of slake durability cycles on the prediction of uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of elasticity for carbonate rocks

Understanding rock material characterizations and solving relevant problems are quite difficult tasks because of their complex behavior, which sometimes cannot be identified without intelligent, numerical, and analytical approaches. Because of that, some prediction techniques, like artificial neural networks (ANN) and nonlinear regression techniques, can be utilized to solve those problems. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the cycling integer of slake durability index test on intact rock behavior and estimate some rock properties, such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and modulus of elasticity (E) from known rock index parameters using ANN and various regression techniques. Further, new performance index (PI) and degree of consistency (Cd) are introduced to examine the accuracy of generated models. For these purposes, intact rock dataset is established by performing rock tests including uniaxial compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, Schmidt hammer, effective porosity, dry unit weight, p‐wave velocity, and slake durability index tests on selected carbonate rocks. Afterward, the models are developed using ANN and nonlinear regression techniques. The concluding remark given is that four‐cycle slake durability index (I_d4) provides more accurate results to evaluate material characterization of carbonate rocks, and it is one of the reliable input variables to estimate UCS and E of carbonate rocks; introduced performance indices, both PI and Cd, may be accepted as good indicators to assess the accuracy of the complex models, and further, the ANN models have more prediction capability than the regression techniques to estimate relevant rock properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation between rock fabrics and physical properties of carbonate reservoir rocks

 Three carbonate core samples from an oil and gas reservoir of the NW German basin were chosen to study the correlation between rock fabrics and physical properties of reservoir rocks. Detailed fabric analyses and texture investigations were carried out as well as laboratory measurements of different physical properties, e.g. density, porosity, permeability, electrical conductivity, seismic compressional and shear wave velocities. Although the three core samples come from a similar depositional facies, they show great differences in the occurrence and three-dimensional distribution of the rock fabric elements. These heterogeneities are the result of various diagenetic and tectonic processes. For the correlation between the rock fabrics and the physical properties four main rock fabric types have to be considered: (a) major constituents, e.g. fossils, ooides, peloides and crystals; (b) pore space with different pore types; (c) fractures; and (d) stylolites. The results of the correlation clearly show that the values and anisotropies of the petrophysical properties are fairly related to the observed fabric elements, with their different arrangements, spatial distributions and preferred orientations. These results also provide a fundamental understanding of the petrophysical responses, such as seismics, to the different geological features (e.g. fractures) and their dynamic changes with pressure, which can be converted to different depths. The knowledge gained from such correlations may lead to an improved interpretation of geophysical data for hydrocarbon exploration and production and therefore to an advanced reservoir characterization. Received: 28 January 1999 / Accepted: 21 June 1999     

干旱化对成土碳酸盐碳同位素组成的影响

土壤碳酸盐的碳同位素组成可以作为古环境变化的指标.本文对黄土高原地区S1以来成土碳酸盐和红粘土中碳酸盐的碳同位素进行了研究.根据渭南、吉县、长武和会宁4个剖面末次间冰期以来土壤碳酸盐的碳同位素分析结果,探讨了不同气候条件下成土碳酸盐碳同位素组成的特征及其环境意义,指出气候的干湿程度可能是影响黄土地区成土碳酸盐δ13C值的主要原因;西峰红粘土序列碳酸盐的碳同位素记录表明,δ13C值在4.0Ma B.P.前后有一个明显增加的趋势,反映了我国西北地区上新世干旱化的发展,可能与青藏高原在这一时期发生较大规模的隆升有关.     

Factors affecting the durability of selected weak and clay-bearing rocks from Turkey, with particular emphasis on the influence of the number of drying and wetting cycles

Weathering can induce a rapid change of rock material from initial rock-like properties to soil-like properties. The resistance of a rock to short-term weathering is described through a durability parameter called the slake durability index. As durability is an important engineering parameter, particularly for weak and clay-bearing rocks, it was assessed by a number of tests. The main purpose of this study is to assess the influence of the number of drying and wetting cycles and controls of mineralogical composition and strength on durability. For this purpose, 141 samples of different types of weak and clay-bearing rocks were selected from different parts of Turkey, and relationships between the above-mentioned rock characteristics were statistically investigated. The samples were subjected to multiple-cycle slake durability testing, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and uniaxial compression testing. In addition, to assess the influence of mineralogical composition on durability, the mineral contents of the original material and the material passing from the drum of the slake durability apparatus after each cycle were also determined by XRD. The results indicate that the type and amount of clay minerals are the main factors influencing the variations of the slake durability index in all samples. The durability of the clay-bearing rocks studied correlates best with the amount of expandable clay minerals. A strong relationship between the uniaxial compressive strength and the fourth-cycle slake durability index is found only for the marls among the rock types studied. Assessment of gradation results of the spoil pile materials consisting of clay-bearing rocks also reveals that the increase in percentage of fines in old piles is indicative of material degradation, as is evident by multiple-cycle slaking. It is emphasized that two-cycle conventional slake durability testing did not appear to offer an acceptable indication of the durability of weak and clay-bearing rocks when compared with multiple-cyclic wetting and drying. Comments on the performance of the test are made that aim to make the testing process and interpretation of the results more reliable.     

Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of the Vendian-Cambrian carbonate rocks and paleoecological reconstructions

The carbon isotopic composition of carbonate rocks is widely used for the reconstruction of sedimentation paleoenvironment. Of special interest is the study of the Upper Proterozoic-Cambrian interval—the turning point in the Earth’s geological evolution. Rocks of this age show the widest variations in the carbon isotopic composition of carbonates typically correlated with epochs of global glaciations and change in the CO₂ regime. In this paper, we attempted to show that carbon isotopic variations often indicate postsedimentary alterations of carbonates and reflect the specific geochemical transformations of the rocks. Study of variations of carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions in the Vendian-Cambrian rocks provide insight into lithogenetic processes.     

Comments on the interpretation of deformation textures in rocks

In rocks that undergo ductile deformation, preferred orientation develops as a result of intracrystalline slip and mechanical twinning. The orientation distribution is a consequence of the microscopic mechanisms and of the strain path. It can be used to get some insight into the deformation history; however it is never unique. The interpretation relies largely on polycrystal plasticity theory. The concepts of stress equilibrium and strain compatibility, which are two extreme assumptions made to model deformation, are discussed. New approaches such as the viscoplastic self-consistent theory are a compromise and may be applicable to mineral systems which display a high degree of plastic anisotropy. Important extensions allow for heterogeneous deformation in the polycrystal from grain to grain and even within grains in correspondence with microstructural observations. All these theories defy the popular notion which is becoming entrenched in the geological literature, that the microscopic slip plane normal aligns with the axis of maximum principal compressive stress, and that in simple shear the crystallographic slip plane rotates into the macroscopic shear plane and the slip direction into the macroscopic shear direction, an orientation referred to by geologists as ‘easy glide’. It is emphasized that future work on texture development of rocks should be based on rigorous physics rather than ingenious intuition, in accordance with an old recommendation of Walter Schmidt.     

The isotopic composition of strontium in non-marine carbonate rocks: the Flagstaff Formation of Utah*

The isotopic composition of strontium in surface water in continental basins is determined primarily by the geology of the basin and to a lesser extent by climatic conditions. Consequently, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of brines in such basins can change only as a result of changes in the geology or climate. This principle of isotope geology was studied by analysis of a suite of non-marine carbonate rocks from the Flagstaff Formation (Palaeocene-Eocene) of Utah. The samples were collected from a section in Fairview Canyon of Sanpete County. They include both limestone and dolomite and were selected to have low non-carbonate residues. The concentrations of strontium in calcites averages 383 ± 128 p.p.m., while those of dolomites increase from 354 ± 74 p.p.m. in the lower 43 m of section to a maximum of 2259 p.p.m. higher up. The increase in the strontium content of dolomite is interpreted as evidence for a change from steady-state to progressively more evaporitic conditions. Two dolomites have isotopic compositions of oxygen expressed as δ¹⁸O = -2.75‰ (relative to the PDB standard) and are enriched in ¹⁸O relative to two calcites whose average δ¹⁸O value is -9.9‰. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the carbonate minerals range from 0.70890 to 0.71260. These values are clearly greater than the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of marine carbonates of Early Eocene age which is 0.70744. The variation of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in this section of the Flagstaff Formation is real and reflects the occurrence of geological events which changed the isotopic composition of Sr entering Lake Flagstaff. The non-carbonate fractions of six carbonate rocks and one sandstone fit a straight line on the strontium mixing diagram in co-ordinates of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and 1/Sr concentration. These results suggest that the isotopic composition of strontium in Lake Flagstaff may have been modulated by periodic input of volcanogenic detritus of felsic composition.     

Sr isotopic composition of Paleoproterozoic C-rich carbonate rocks: The Tulomozero Formation,SE Fennoscandian Shield

Rb–Sr systematics has been studied in ¹³C-rich carbonate rocks of the Paleoproterozoic (2.09 ± 0.07 Ga) Tulomozero Formation in the northern Onega Lake area, the SE Fennoscandian Shield. The formation is divided into eight members (A–F) consisting of greenschist-facies-grade, variegated sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, stromatolitic dolostones and subordinate crystalline limestones. Samples of carbonate rocks were obtained from two overlapping drillholes intersecting the entire thickness of the Tulomozero Formation. Prior to isotope analysis, the rocks powders were treated with 1N ammonium acetate for partial removal of the late epigenetic carbonate phases. Major resetting of the Rb–Sr systems in the Tulomozero carbonate rocks appears to take place during the Svecofennian regional metamorphic event, and it was screened by using Mn/Sr, Fe/Sr, Mg/Ca, and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios. High Sr content (up to 2080 μg/g in limestones, and 530 μg/g in dolostones) coupled with low Fe/Mn (<0.40) ratios in the Tulomozero carbonate rocks of Members A, B (the lower part), D, F, and E are consistent with accumulation of original carbonate sediments in evaporitic lacustrine, playa, and sabkha environments. A decrease in the Sr content with concurrent increase in the Fe/Mn ratio (>0.40) in dolostones of the upper part of Member B, and of Members G and H is indicative of seawater influxes (sea transgression) into the Tulomozero basin. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in the least altered (Mn/Sr < 2.0) marine dolostones are 0.70418–0.70442 and 0.70343–0.70409 for the earlier and late phases of the marine transgression, respectively. The decrease in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in ca. 2.1 Ga seawater is attributable to an increase in hydrothermal flux Sr into the Palaeoproterozoic ocean.     

碳酸盐岩旋回沉积的形成机制

为了更好地理解碳酸盐岩旋回沉积的形成机制,计算机模拟可谓是一种既直观又定量的好方法。我们重点选择了与沉积相有关的五个重要参数：（１）与水深相关的沉积速率;（２）时滞（Ｌａｇｔｉｍｅ）;（３）盆地线性沉降速率;（４）潮差;（５）海平面振荡幅度与周期等。由于碳酸盐岩沉积物对海平面变化非常敏感,因此研究中特别注意了海平面振荡幅度与周期的变化对碳酸盐岩旋回沉积的控制和影响。一个几米厚的潮坪旋回层序通常是由海平面的低幅振荡形成的,振荡幅度也就是几米,时滞亦较短。当海平面振荡幅度较大时,在海平面下降期间,滨线向海迁移的速率会超过潮坪的侧向加积速率,因此在内陆棚上缺乏潮坪沉积物。海平面振荡幅度的增加也能造成海平面下降快于潮坪的沉降,滨线向海迁移速率比潮坪进积的速率要快得多,从而在旋回层序内发育较厚的渗流带以及不整合界面。某些高幅振荡（１００ｍ或更大）还可造成碳酸盐岩台地的早期淹没以及沉积旋回内部的深水相与浅水相并置     

巴楚地区碳酸盐岩中深成侵入岩特征及其对储层发育的影响

为了深入探讨深部岩浆活动对碳酸盐岩储层发育的影响,文中通过显微鉴定、地球化学分析以及流体包裹体测试,对巴楚地区和3井奥陶纪钻遇的火成岩进行了详细研究。和3井碳酸盐岩中的火成岩是紫苏辉长岩,为深成侵入岩体,辉长岩的w(SiO2)介于44.89%～45.39%,w(K2O+Na2O)为4.04%～4.67%,w(Na2O)/w(K2O)为2.16～4.23,属钠质碱性系列,形成于板内构造环境。微量元素分配模式以Ba富集Sr亏损为特征。∑REE介于163.43×10-6～215.99×10-6,LREE/HREE介于5.14～5.58,LaN/YbN介于5.192～5.980,δEu介于0.926～1.002,稀土配分模式属轻稀土富集型,通过对和3井碳酸盐岩孔隙度、渗透率以及其中流体包裹体的分析,孔隙度和渗透率的变化与辉长岩的分布有关,流体包裹体温度介于62～161℃,和3井碳酸盐岩受到过热事件的影响,辉长岩的侵入改善了和3井碳酸盐岩的储层物性。     

碳酸盐岩与泥质烃源岩生气规律对比研究

配制了两套成熟度相近的碳酸盐岩和泥质岩丰度系列样品。采用半封闭外加温加压式热压模拟装置对碳酸盐岩的生烃情况进行了热模拟实验，研究了碳酸盐岩生气量随成熟度和温度变化的趋势，探讨了碳酸盐岩生气的变化规律。碳酸盐岩与泥质岩的生烃潜力是有机质质量和有机质丰度的函数，与岩性无关；碳酸盐岩的产气规律与泥质岩相似，而且两者产烃的量级也相当，并不存在碳酸盐岩生排烃效率高的现象；碳酸盐岩和泥质岩总有机碳(TOC)含量在热模拟过程中基本上不发生变化；不同岩性的有机质的产烃效率主要受温度和有机质类型决定。     

Routine staining of drill core to determine carbonate mineralogy and distinguish carbonate alteration textures

Carbonate staining has long been utilized with thin sections. Similar techniques are also extremely useful for distinguishing the mineralogy and texture of different carbonate minerals in drill cores. The simplest method for routine staining of whole drill core utilizes a dilute hydrochloric acid solution containing both alizarin red S and potassium ferricyanide. This solution is painted on to the drill core to allow for the rapid identification of calcite, ferroan calcite, ferroan dolomite (ankerite), and rhodochrosite. Production-scale staining of whole drill core rapidly provides a wealth of information on carbonate mineralogy and textural relationships in a number of deposit types. Examples from the Irish Zn-Pb district, the McArthur River Zn-Pb-Ag district, the Ruby Creek Cu-Co deposit, and the Kansanshi copper deposit are presented to illustrate the type of information that can be gained through use of this inexpensive and rapid technique.     

The description of the primary textures of “Cordilleran” granitic rocks

Variation in the primary textures of “Cordilleran” granitic rocks is described relative to three identifiable stages of the crystallisation interval; namely: (1) crystallisation in suspension; (2) growth of a touching crystal framework; (3) interstitial crystallisation. Crystals that initially grow in isolation will start to impinge and form small clusters as crystallisation proceeds and the volume of solid material increases, eventually forming a continuous interconnected crystal framework. Subsequent crystallisation involves solidification of the melt occupying the interstices of the framework, and therefore shows similarities to the way in which the porosity occludes in sedimentary systems. A case study of textural development in Cordilleran granitic rocks from the zoned Linga superunit of the Peruvian Coastal Batholith, reveals that compositional zonation from granodiorite through to syenogranite is accompanied by a systematic variation in the textures, specifically those of the three felsic phases (plagioclase, quartz and alkali feldspar). Plagioclase was the first phase to appear on the liquidus, and was joined by the other two phases as crystallisation proceeded and the melt evolved. The melt fraction at which quartz and alkali feldspar started to crystallise influenced the early growth of plagioclase, and the way in which the texture developed through each stage of the crystallisation interval. The geometry of plagioclase progressively changes from a touching framework of crystals in the granodiorite, to small aggregates or isolated crystals suspended in an equant mosaic of the other felsic phases in the syenogranite. This variation can be explained by an earlier evolution of the melt to the cotectic (i.e. at higher melt fractions) as the rocks become more acidic, and hence a greater contribution of alkali feldspar and quartz to the growth of the framework at the expense of plagioclase and the mafic phases. Textural observations are comparable to the crystallisation pathways of the felsic phases modelled in the quaternary An-Ab-Or-Qz system from the bulk compositions. All compositions lie in the plagioclase volume, and evolved to three-phase saturation on the cotectic via either the quartz/plagioclase divariant surface (granodiorites) or the alkali feldspar/plagioclase divariant surface (monzogranite and syenogranite).     

The use of discrete fracture networks for modelling coupled geomechanical and hydrological behaviour of fractured rocks

We present a discussion of the state-of-the-art on the use of discrete fracture networks (DFNs) for modelling geometrical characteristics, geomechanical evolution and hydromechanical (HM) behaviour of natural fracture networks in rock. The DFN models considered include those based on geological mapping, stochastic generation and geomechanical simulation. Different types of continuum, discontinuum and hybrid geomechanical models that integrate DFN information are summarised. Numerical studies aiming at investigating geomechanical effects on fluid flow in DFNs are reviewed. The paper finally provides recommendations for advancing the modelling of coupled HM processes in fractured rocks through more physically-based DFN generation and geomechanical simulation.     

碳酸盐岩微生物溶蚀作用特征及意义

为研究微生物对碳酸盐岩的溶蚀作用,将灰岩在细菌、放线菌、真菌环境下进行溶蚀试验,并利用扫描电子显微镜对试验前后的岩样进行扫描,以研究其微观溶蚀形态及机理.结果表明:加入微生物后,岩样的溶蚀显著加强,其中真菌的溶蚀能力最强、放线菌次之、而细菌的最弱;不同微生物作用下的岩样其微观溶蚀形态不同,细菌溶蚀后的样品表面呈蜂窝状溶蚀,放线菌的呈线状溶蚀,而真菌的呈絮状溶蚀,这与微生物本身的形态有关.     

三峡地区碳酸盐岩化学组分与溶蚀速率的响应关系

文章通过室内静水溶蚀实验测定了三峡地区香溪河流域震旦-三叠系碳酸盐岩的化学溶蚀速率,探讨了碳酸盐岩的化学溶蚀速率对岩石化学组分的响应关系,为区域岩溶量化研究与地层含水性评价等提供了科学依据。研究结果表明:较纯碳酸盐岩的溶蚀速率受到CaO、SrO的促进作用和MgO的抑制作用共同控制,而这三者对纯灰岩的溶蚀速率影响较小;碳酸盐岩中的酸不溶物对化学溶蚀过程呈现出抑制的趋势。碳酸盐岩的化学溶蚀速率受到多化学组分的共同影响,综合决定了碳酸盐岩的可溶性。      

碳酸盐岩溶蚀模拟实验技术进展及应用

碳酸盐岩溶蚀作用是指流动的侵蚀性流体与碳酸盐岩之间相互作用的过程及由此产生的结果,从地表到深埋藏地层中均可发生。碳酸盐岩溶蚀模拟实验是指通过模拟地层环境来再现碳酸盐岩溶蚀作用的过程和结果,是研究碳酸盐岩储层规模溶蚀有利条件和分布规律的重要方法。中国石油集团碳酸盐岩储层重点实验室自主研发高温高压溶解动力学模拟装置,最终建成由岩石内部溶蚀、岩石表面溶蚀和高温高压原位可视化检测组成的碳酸盐岩溶蚀模拟实验技术。利用高温高压溶解动力学模拟实验装置,开展了碳酸盐岩埋藏溶蚀温度窗口和孔隙演化样式的实验研究,取得2个方面的认识:①高盐度流体背景模拟实验表明,随着温度增加,碳酸盐岩的溶蚀量具有缓慢下降—缓慢上升—快速下降的特征,由于地层水两种相反离子效应的作用,在80～110℃范围内存在一个有利于碳酸盐岩溶蚀的温度窗口;②通过粒间孔隙型、晶间孔隙型、溶蚀孔洞型、鲕模孔隙型和格架孔隙型5种碳酸盐岩溶蚀模拟的对比实验,认识到连通孔隙是埋藏溶蚀发生的先决条件和有利区域,碳酸盐岩内部组构差异会进一步加剧储集空间在孔、洞和缝组合上的复杂性。