A ground reaction curve based upon block theory

Summary Discontinuities in a rock mass can intersect an excavation surface to form discrete blocks (keyblocks) which can be unstable. Once a potentially unstable block is identified, initial normal and shear stresses on each block face are calculated using elastic theory, and are then modified by discontinuity deformations as the keyblock displaces. The modified stresses are summed into resultant forces to evaluate block stability. Since the resultant forces change with displacement, successive increments of block movement are examined to see whether the block ultimately becomes stable or fails. Calculated keyblock stability increases with larger in situ stress magnitudes, larger lateral stress ratios, and larger shear strengths. Discontinuity stiffness controls block displacement more strongly than it does stability itself. Large keyblocks are less stable than small ones, and stability increases as blocks become more slender.     

Finite element analysis of crack initiation in a block model experiment

SummaryFinite Element Analysis of Crack Initiation in a Block Model Experiment A Sand-plaster plate with two perpendicular joint sets loaded biaxially was studied by Rosenblad. A finite element simulation was achieved using two levels of iteration. Iteration with varying joint properties produced a convergent stress state (a solution) everywhere respecting the non-linear joint deformability and strength laws. But since this solution depends upon the biaxial loading of the model, the external load to initiate cracking of any block is itself the object of iterations. Close agreement was achieved between the physical and numerical models in many details.

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ZusammenfassungFinite Elemente Analysis der Rieinleitung in einem Block-Modellversuch Eine biaxial belastete Sand-Gips-Platte mit zwei vertikalen Kluftscharen wurde von Rosenblad untersucht. Durch die Anwendung von zwei Iterationsstufen wurde eine Simulation des Problems mit der Methode der finiten Elemente erreicht. Iterationen mit variierten Klufteigenschaften konvergierten und führten zu Spannungszuständen, welche den Gesetzen der nicht-linearen Kluftdeformation und den Festigheitsgesetzen entsprachen. Da diese Lösung von der biaxialen Belastung des Modells abhängt, ist die äußere Belastung, welche zur Rißeinleitung jedes Blocks führt, daher selbst Gegenstand von Iterationen. Man fand gute Übereinstimmung zwischen dem physikalischen und numerischen Modell, auch im Detail.

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RésuméEtude par éléments finis du début de la fracturation, dans un assemblage de blocs en contrainte biaxiale Une plaque d'un mélange sable—plâtre, avec deux systèmes de discontinuités orthogonales, a été etudiée en contrainte biaxiale par Rosenblad. On a etudié le problème avec un modèle d'éléments finis qui itère à deux niveaux. Une série d'itérations sur les propriétés des discontinuités produit une solution, en termes de contraintes, qui respecte les lois non-linéaires de déformabilité et de résistance. Cependant, cette solution dépend du chargement du modèle; donc, la charge nécessaire au commencement de la fracturation fait elle-même l'objet d'itérations. On a obtenu un très bon accord entre les résultats des modèles plysiques et ceux du calcul par éléments finis.

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With 15 Figures     

The influence of rock anisotropy on stress measurements by overcoring techniques

SummaryThe Influence of Rock Anisotropy on Stress Measurements by Overcoring Techniques A medium is anisotropic if its properties vary with direction. This is the general characteristic of many rocks, for example, schists, slates, gneisses, phyllites and other metamorphic rocks. Bedded and regularly jointed rocks also display anisotropic behavior.This paper is concerned with the influence of rock anisotropy on in-situ stress measurements. It is limited, to stress measurements by overcoring techniques for which strains and displacements are recorded either on the walls of a pilot hole at the end of one or several boreholes or within instrumented solid or hollow inclusions perfectly bonded to the surface of the pilot hole. The rock is described as homogeneous, continuous, anisotropic and linearly elastic.The following questions are answered with special emphasis on rocks that can be classed as transversely isotropic or orthotropic: the number of independent measurements obtainable in a single borehole; the number of boreholes required to determine the in-situ stress field; the influence of rock anisotropy on these numbers; the influence of the anisotropy type and the error involved by neglecting rock anisotropy.With 5 Figures     

Improving the performance of genetic algorithms for land-use allocation problems

Multi-objective optimization can be used to solve land-use allocation problems involving multiple conflicting objectives. In this paper, we show how genetic algorithms can be improved in order to effectively and efficiently solve multi-objective land-use allocation problems. Our focus lies on improving crossover and mutation operators of the genetic algorithms. We tested a range of different approaches either based on the literature or proposed for the first time. We applied them to a land-use allocation problem in Switzerland including two conflicting objectives: ensuring compact urban development and reducing the loss of agricultural productivity. We compared all approaches by calculating hypervolumes and by analysing the spread of the produced non-dominated fronts. Our results suggest that a combination of different mutation operators, of which at least one includes spatial heuristics, can help to find well-distributed fronts of non-dominated solutions. The tested modified crossover operators did not significantly improve the results. These findings provide a benchmark for multi-objective optimization of land-use allocation problems with promising prospectives for solving complex spatial planning problems.     

Non-Kyoto radiative forcing in long-run greenhouse gas emissions and climate change scenarios

Climate policies must consider radiative forcing from Kyoto greenhouse gases, as well as other forcing constituents, such as aerosols and tropospheric ozone that result from air pollutants. Non-Kyoto forcing constituents contribute negative, as well as positive forcing, and overall increases in total forcing result in increases in global average temperature. Non-Kyoto forcing modeling is a relatively new component of climate management scenarios. This paper describes and assesses current non-Kyoto radiative forcing modeling within five integrated assessment models. The study finds negative forcing from aerosols masking (offsetting) approximately 25 % of positive forcing in the near-term in reference non-climate policy projections. However, masking is projected to decline rapidly to 5–10 % by 2100 with increasing Kyoto emissions and assumed reductions in air pollution—with the later declining to as much as 50 % and 80 % below today’s levels by 2050 and 2100 respectively. Together they imply declining importance of non-Kyoto forcing over time. There are however significant uncertainties and large differences across models in projected non-Kyoto emissions and forcing. A look into the modeling reveals differences in base conditions, relationships between Kyoto and non-Kyoto emissions, pollution control assumptions, and other fundamental modeling. In addition, under climate policy scenarios, we find air pollution and resulting non-Kyoto forcing reduced to levels below those produced by air pollution policies alone—e.g., China sulfur emissions fall an additional 45–85 % by 2050. None of the models actively manage non-Kyoto forcing for climate implications. Nonetheless, non-Kyoto forcing may be influencing mitigation results, including allowable carbon dioxide emissions, and further evaluation is merited.     

Development of warm SST errors in the southern tropical Atlantic in CMIP5 decadal hindcasts

SST errors in the tropical Atlantic are large and systematic in current coupled general-circulation models. We analyse the growth of these errors in the region of the south-eastern tropical Atlantic in initialised decadal hindcasts integrations for three of the models participating in the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 5. A variety of causes for the initial bias development are identified, but a crucial involvement is found, in all cases considered, of ocean-atmosphere coupling for their maintenance. These involve an oceanic “bridge” between the Equator and the Benguela-Angola coastal seas which communicates sub-surface ocean anomalies and constitutes a coupling between SSTs in the south-eastern tropical Atlantic and the winds over the Equator. The resulting coupling between SSTs, winds and precipitation represents a positive feedback for warm SST errors in the south-eastern tropical Atlantic.     

African Inland Fisheries: Experiences with Co-Management and Policies of Decentralization

Most countries in Africa have promoted some form of decentralized fisheries management either as discrete co-management projects or as a component of broader decentralization processes that cut across other sectors. These initiatives were shaped by an international policy narrative that emphasises participation in decision making and development. A review of fisheries decentralization experiences in Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Malawi reveals marked differences in purpose, strategy, and performance. In general, co-management projects are limited by their ability to scale up new practice and to maintain viable and representative management institutions. In other cases, the decentralization process is not well supported politically or locally or does not articulate with fisheries policy. Experiences of decentralization in other sectors provide useful lessons. Acknowledging the informal institutional environment or realpolitikof fisheries and the rural economy could provide opportunities to better manage and review the process of decentralization.     

Entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Bouvetøya, Southern Ocean

Entanglements of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella were recorded during four summers from 1996 to 2002 at the subantarctic island, Bouvetøya. Rates of entanglement varied between 0.024% and 0.059%. These rates are low for a pinniped population and might be because of the geographic isolation of the haulout site. An apparent decrease in the levels of entanglement over the course of the study was likely due, at least in part, to the removal of entanglements by observers. At least two-thirds of entangling materials were generated by fishery sources. Since there is no known local source of anthropogenic marine pollution, seals become entangled either in waters distant from the island, or when materials drift into local waters. Significantly more subadults were found entangled than expected from the postulated population age class distribution.     

A computational chemical study of penetration and displacement of water films near mineral surfaces

A series of molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on organic–water mixtures near mineral surfaces. These simulations show that, in contrast to apolar compounds, small polar organic compounds such as phenols can penetrate through thin water films to adsorb on these mineral surfaces. Furthermore, additional simulations involving demixing of an organic–water mixture near a surfactant-covered mineral surface demonstrate that even low concentrations of adsorbed polar compounds can induce major changes in mineral surface wettability, allowing sorption of apolar molecules. This strongly supports a two-stage adsorption mechanism for organic solutes, involving initial migration of small polar organic molecules to the mineral surface followed by water film displacement due to co-adsorption of the more apolar organic compounds, thus converting an initial water-wet mineral system to an organic-covered surface. This has profound implications for studies of petroleum reservoir diagenesis and wettability changes.