Reservoir Quality Assessment of the Upper Permian Chhidru Formation,Salt and Surghar Ranges,Pakistan

The Late Permian succession of the Upper Indus Basin in northeastern Pakistan is represented by the carbonate-dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of the Amb, Wargal and Chhidru formations, which accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of the hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of the mixed clastic-carbonate Chhidru Formation (CFm) are evaluated based on petrography, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features are recognized, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling, and stylolites). Major porosity types include fracture and moldic, while inter- and intra-particle porosities also exist. Observed visual porosity ranges from 1.5%–7.14% with an average of 5.15%. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) has the highest average porosity of 10.7%, whereas the siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) shows an average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) show the lowest porosities of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities; however, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the CFm in the Nammal Gorge, Salt Range shows promise and at Gula Khel Gorge, Trans-Indus, the lowest porosity.     

Photometric observations and light curve analysis of ST Aquarii

The system of ST Aquarii has been observed inB andV filters at KOTTAMIA Observatory in Egypt. Two light curves have been obtained and new times of minima have been calculated.The light curves have been analysed using the theory of Fourier transform of light changes in frequencydomain, and new geometrical and physical elements have been obtained.     

Optimal set of photometric elements of the eclipsing variable TZ Bootis

The eclipsing system of W UMa-type TZ Bootis has been examined on the basis of six light curves analyzed by the means of the Fourier techniques. An optimal resulting set of geometric elements for the system is obtained from both minima, through there magnitudes variations during the periods 1967, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1978, and 1980.The intrinsic variability of the system has been discussed in the light of the behaviour of the light curves.     

Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of Lower Crustal Intrusions: the Chilas Complex, Kohistan (NW Pakistan)

Mineral major and trace element data are presented for the mainrock units of the Chilas Complex, a series of lower crustalintrusions emplaced during initial rifting within the MesozoicKohistan (paleo)-island arc (NW Pakistan). Detailed field observationsand petrological analysis, together with geochemical data, indicatethat the two principal units, ultramafic rocks and gabbronoritesequences, originate from a common parental magma, but evolvedalong different mineral fractionation trends. Phase petrologyand mineral trace element data indicate that the fractionationsequence of the ultramafic rocks is dominated by the crystallizationof olivine and clinopyroxene prior to plagioclase, whereas plagioclaseprecedes clinopyroxene in the gabbronorites. Clinopyroxene inthe ultramafic rocks (with Mg-number [Mg/(Fe_tot + Mg] up to0·95) displays increasing Al₂O₃ with decreasing Mg-number.The light rare earth element depleted trace element pattern(Ce_N/Gd_N 0·5–0·3) of primitive clinopyroxenesdisplays no Eu anomaly. In contrast, clinopyroxenes from thegabbronorites contain plagioclase inclusions, and the traceelement pattern shows pronounced negative anomalies for Sr,Pb and Eu. Trace element modeling indicates that in situ crystallizationmay account for major and trace element variations in the gabbronoritesequence, whereas the olivine-dominated ultramafic rocks showcovariations between olivine Mg-number and Ni and Mn contents,pointing to the importance of crystal fractionation during theirformation. A modeled parental liquid for the Chilas Complexis explained in terms of mantle- and slab-derived components,where the latter component accounts for 99% of the highly incompatibleelements and between 30 and 80% of the middle rare earth elements.The geochemical characteristics of this component are similarto those of a low percentage melt or supercritical liquid derivedfrom subducted mafic crust. However, elevated Pb/Ce ratios arebest explained by additional involvement of hydrous fluids.In accordance with the crystallization sequence, the subsolidusmetamorphic reactions indicate pressures of 0·5–0·7GPa. Our data support a model of combined flux and decompressionmelting in the back-arc. KEY WORDS: Kohistan; Island arc; gabbro; trace element modelling; lower crustal intrusion     

Seismic ground amplification induced by box-shaped tunnels

The growing use of underground structures, specifically to facilitate urban transportation, highlights the need to scrutinize the effects of such spaces on the seismic ground response as well as the surrounding buildings. In this regard, the seismic ground amplification variations in the vicinity of single and twin box-shaped tunnels subjected to SV waves have been investigated by the finite difference method. To evaluate the effects, generalizable dimensionless diagrams based on the results of parametric numerical analysis considering factors such as variations in the tunnels’ depth, the distances between the tunnels, tunnel lining flexibility, and input wave frequency, have been presented. In addition, to assess the effects of underground box-shaped tunnels on the response spectrum of the ground surface, seven selected accelerograms have been matched based on a specific design spectrum for the stiff soil condition of Eurocode 8 (CEN, 2006). The results underline the significant amplification effect of the box-shaped tunnels on the ground motions, specifically in the case of horizontal twin tunnels, which should be given more attention in current seismic design practices for surface structures.

     

ASTER Spectral Analysis for Host Rock Associated with Porphyry Copper-molybdenum Mineralization

This study is an attempt to understand the application of spectral image processing methods to ASTER data for mapping host rock associated with porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralization. The application of remote sensing in identifying variations in surface mineralogy, structural elements, and lithologic contacts can help in identifying such relations. Signatures collected from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data is used to map the host rock of Zafarqand area. The study area is located in the central segment of the Urumieh–Dokhtar volcanic belt of Iran. The Urumieh-Dokhtar is a potential zone for exploration of new porphyry copper deposits. Band ratio, band math, false colour composites and principal component analysis techniques are used to refine the different lithologic units in the area. These methods showed the discrimination of acidic igneous rock from intermediate igneous rock and the boundary between igneous rocks using the shortwave infrared bands (SWIR) of ASTER at regional scale. Results have proven to be effective and in accordance with the results of field observations, ore microscopy examination and with reference geological map. In conclusion, the image processing methods used can provide cost-effective information to discover possible locations of porphyry copper and epithermal gold mineralization prior to detailed and costly ground investigations. The extraction of spectral information from ASTER data can produce comprehensive and accurate information for copper and gold resource investigations around the world, including those yet to be discovered.     

Investigation of Soil Conditioning Tests with Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling

Due to the diverse and complex structure of soil and the variety of foam-modifier materials that are used, it is difficult to provide a model to predict the laboratory behavior of modified soils. For example, several studies have shown independently that the amount of the foam-modified soil depends on several factors, such as the internal friction angle and normal stiffness. Of late, modeling by numerical methods has become popular in engineering sciences and the modeling of complex material behavior is possible with the help of numerical methods. In this research, the performance and efficiency of the numerical method in the modeling of laboratory tests such as the slump test and the uniaxial compressive strength test were investigated and it was found that numerical modeling performs very well in predicting the results of these tests for foam-modified sand samples. In order to achieve this goal, the slump test and the uniaxial compressive strength test were performed in the laboratory on several modified sand samples in order to obtain the laboratory results for these samples. Then, numerical simulation of these experiments was carried out using PFC^3D software. The results of numerical modeling were compared with the experimental results, and good agreement was observed. Finally, after calibration of the numerical model using the experimental results, the effect of changes in the internal friction angle and the normal stiffness of the modified sand in the amount of the slump was investigated. According to the results of this sensitivity analysis, it was determined that by increasing both effective parameters the amount of the slump of foam-modified sand decreases and that the parameters are the most important factors in controlling the slump value.     

A proposed spatial index to prioritize damaged buildings for allocating USAR operations

A spatial index using fuzzy hierarchical analysis (FAHP) is proposed in this study for prioritizing damaged buildings in the allocation of search and rescue operations after the earthquake disaster. The relevant prioritization criteria have been identified through literature review and interviews with 22 relief managers; the relative importance of these criteria and sub criteria has been computed using the FAHP method. The GIS layers equivalent to the selected criteria were prepared and integrated with one another after normalization in the GIS platform. The proposed method to prioritize the damaged buildings was implemented in the city of Varzeghan in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. The obtained priority map, with five prioritization classes, is presented. Single-parameter sensitivity analysis method identifies the criteria ‘hazardous facilities’, ‘degree of building blockage’ and ‘chance of survival’ as the most effective criteria for prioritizing damaged buildings.     

A new equation for estimating the maximum surface settlement above tunnels excavated in soft ground

Nowadays, due to urbanization and population increase, need for metro tunnels, has been considerably increased in urban areas. Common characterization of urban area tunnels is that they are excavated in very shallow depths and soft ground. In such excavations, main challenge for tunneling is low bearing capacity and easy deformation characteristic of the ground. Tunnel face instability and the potential surface settlement are the most hazardous factors that should be considered in all tunneling methods applied in urban areas. Incorrect estimation of the maximum surface settlement value can lead to irreparable damages to the buildings and other nearby structures. There are several published relationships concerned with field measurements and analytical solutions to estimate the amount of the maximum surface settlement value due to tunneling. These relationships are not precise for calculating the aimed values. Therefore, providing accurate equations for estimation of these values is certainly useful. First purpose of this study is to determine the effective parameters such as geotechnical factors (cohesion, internal friction angle, density, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio), and engineering factors (tunnel depth, tunnel diameter and face support pressure) on the maximum surface settlement value. In this study, three metro project constructions namely Istanbul, Tehran, Mashhad in the Middle East were chosen. FLAC3D (Itasca Consulting Group 2002) was used for detailed numerical analysis. The second aim is to present better equations in estimating the maximum surface settlement-based actual data set from several tunnel projects and numerical modeling. The results from the new estimation equation are compared with results of empirical and field observations. The maximum surface settlement values obtained from the new equation have good agreement with the actual results for three different metro case studies.     

Application of frequency ratio,statistical index,and weights-of-evidence models and their comparison in landslide susceptibility mapping in Central Nepal Himalaya

The Mugling–Narayanghat road section falls within the Lesser Himalaya and Siwalik zones of Central Nepal Himalaya and is highly deformed by the presence of numerous faults and folds. Over the years, this road section and its surrounding area have experienced repeated landslide activities. For that reason, landslide susceptibility zonation is essential for roadside slope disaster management and for planning further development activities. The main goal of this study was to investigate the application of the frequency ratio (FR), statistical index (SI), and weights-of-evidence (WoE) approaches for landslide susceptibility mapping of this road section and its surrounding area. For this purpose, the input layers of the landslide conditioning factors were prepared in the first stage. A landslide inventory map was prepared using earlier reports, aerial photographs interpretation, and multiple field surveys. A total of 438 landslide locations were detected. Out these, 295 (67 %) landslides were randomly selected as training data for the modeling using FR, SI, and WoE models and the remaining 143 (33 %) were used for the validation purposes. The landslide conditioning factors considered for the study area are slope gradient, slope aspect, plan curvature, altitude, stream power index, topographic wetness index, lithology, land use, distance from faults, distance from rivers, and distance from highway. The results were validated using area under the curve (AUC) analysis. From the analysis, it is seen that the FR model with a success rate of 76.8 % and predictive accuracy of 75.4 % performs better than WoE (success rate, 75.6 %; predictive accuracy, 74.9 %) and SI (success rate, 75.5 %; predictive accuracy, 74.6 %) models. Overall, all the models showed almost similar results. The resultant susceptibility maps can be useful for general land use planning.