Evaluation of Curve Fitting Techniques in Deriving p–y Curves for Laterally Loaded Piles

The p–y method is one of the most popular methods for the analysis and design of laterally loaded piles. The mathematical relationship it provides between the bending moment, which can be easily measured at strain gauges along the pile, and the soil resistance and lateral pile displacement, facilitates the construction of p–y curves. Numerical techniques are required to fit smooth continuous curves to the discrete bending moment data in order to improve the accuracy of subsequent differentiation and integration operations. Due to the lack of guidance on the optimum positioning of strain gauges and the reliability and accuracy of curve fitting methods, a unifying study, inclusive of small (0.61 m) and large (3.8 and 7.5 m) diameter piles in clay, was carried out using 18 strain gauge layouts and cubic spline, cubic to quintic B-spline and 3rd to 10th degree global polynomial techniques. Bending moment data was obtained using 3D finite element analysis. Through a comprehensive evaluation, the cubic and cubic B-spline methods were found to be consistently accurate in deriving p–y curves for both the small and large diameter piles.     

Class I and Class II Rocks: Implication of Self-sustaining Fracturing in Brittle Compression

Tests to determine the complete stress–strain curve of rocks indicate whether the rocks can be classified a Class I or Class II. Class II rocks exhibits the potential for self-sustained failure in the post-peak region. The purpose of the research described in this paper was to investigate whether or not this self-sustained failure characteristic is related to the fragmentation of the rock. The aim of the research was, therefore, to determine possible relationships between fragmentation and various properties of several rocks types, including the influence of the Class II characteristic. Fragmentation of rock depends on its self-sustaining failure behaviour and the energy available in the post-peak region to shatter the rock. The correlation of static and dynamic rock properties with size of fragments resulting from compression tests demonstrate clear relationships of Class II rocks, but the same cannot be said for Class I rocks. Analyses of test results show that fragmentation increases with an increase in rock strength, and is explosive for Class II rocks. Probability density distributions were constructed to show the overall comparison of fragment sizes produced during failure of Class II and Class rocks. The calculated probability of passing at X₅₀ and X₁₀ sieve sizes show that Class II rocks as a group are more finely fragmented. It can therefore be concluded that, when breaking rocks under the same steady loading conditions, Class II rocks will show greater fragmentation than Class I rocks.     

Stabilization of Expansive Soil with Cement Kiln Dust and RBI Grade 81 at Subgrade Level

The present research work deals with an expansive high plastic clayey soil with cement kiln dust (CKD) and stabilizer (RBI Grade 81). The physical and engineering properties of soil are plasticity, compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), consolidation and California bearing ratio (CBR) of the clayey soil and clay treated with CKD and stabilizer were determined. Soil chemistry was examined before and after treatment using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and elemental dispersive spectrometer. The clay mixed with CKD, CKD and RBI Grade 81 was found that optimum contents are 10 % (CKD), 15 % CKD with 4 % RBI Grade 81, respectively. The result indicates that CKD alone will decrease maximum dry density and increase optimum moisture content. CKD with RBI Grade 81 slightly increases maximum dry density and decreases optimum moisture content. UCS increased with CKD alone and CKD with RBI Grade 81 from 88.3 to 976 kN/m², respectively. CBR values were increased by the addition of CKD, CKD with RBI Grade 81 from 1.65 to 21.7 %. With the curing time of 3, 14 and 28 days, UCS and CBR values were increased due to pozzolanic reaction from cementations material. The treated soil has considerable reduction in compression index. SEM images clearly indicate the formation of CSH and CAH gel.     

The Blasting Test and Blasting Vibration Monitoring of Vertical Crater Retreat Mining Method in the Luohe Iron Mine

Because the land requisition and demolishing became difficult more and more, the mining scheme of Luohe iron mine was changed from caving method to filling method. In order to ensure the safety of the residence and the underground tunnel cavern within the mobile belt of the underground mining, the Luohe iron mine did the blasting test on the vertical crater retreat mining method and blasting vibration monitoring. The blasting experiments use common emulsified oil explosives and non-electric initiation system. The way of caved ore adopts the cutting groove and bench side. The NUBOX-6016 intelligent vibration monitor was chosen in the blasting vibration monitoring. Twice experiments on the blasting vibration monitoring were done on the surface or in the underground refuge cavern. The first test select the three monitoring points on the ground and the second select two monitoring points on the ground and a monitoring point in the underground refuge cavern. The blasting vibration monitoring data were conducted by the regression analysis in the Sodev’s empirical formula. The vibration attenuation formula about the underground blasting vibration transmitting in three directions is derived. The blasting test on the vertical crater retreat mining method and the blasting vibration were analyzed. It is estimated if the vibration damage possibly the surface buildings and related facilities of mine.     

Study on Strength Influence Mechanism of Fiber-Reinforced Expansive Soil Using Jute

This study was undertaken to research the effects of jute fiber content, fiber length, water content and dry density of reinforced and unreinforced soil on the strength influence mechanism by implementing a series of laboratory tests and analysis. The most efficient fiber reinforcement effects was achieved by means of adding jute fiber with content of 0.6 % and length of 6 mm into expansive soil specimen prepared at maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. The cohesion of reinforced specimens increased first with increasing fiber content and fiber length and then decreased with further increase in fiber content and fiber length. The internal friction angle of reinforced specimens were not affected significantly by fiber content and fiber length. Higher water content reduces the fiber reinforcement effects by means of acting as lubricant in the interface of fiber and soil particles. Fiber reinforcement effects is more prominent for specimens prepared at higher dry density by increasing the effective contact area of fiber/soil. The application prospect of soil reinforcement using natural fiber is impeded by the hydrophilic nature and biodegradability of natural fiber, thus, studies on using chemical additive to do surface treatment for natural fiber are needed to improve the interfacial interaction of fiber/soil so as to widen the application of natural fiber.     

塔西台地寒武纪沉积环境演化与海陆耦合

碳酸盐岩台地作为陆地与深海间的过渡带,其沉积记录了海洋和邻近陆地的演化。结合已有的沉积学工作,对塔里木盆地西部台地寒武系碳酸盐岩进行全岩及酸不溶物地球化学研究。塔西台地寒武纪主要发育局限台地、局限-蒸发台地或蒸发台地相沉积。碳酸盐岩的地球化学特征主要受沉积环境和成岩作用影响,对研究区寒武系白云岩来说,其元素组成极易受沉积微相的控制,氧同位素组成则很可能已被成岩作用改造,仅原生、准同生白云岩的Sr/Ba、Fe/Mn和C同位素可反映沉积相演化对应的古盐度、离岸距离等沉积环境特征的变化,酸不溶物化学蚀变指数（CIA值）则指示邻近陆地的化学风化强度与气候特征。寒武纪时期,塔西台地在相对海平面较高时发育局限台地相沉积,以水体盐度较低、沉积环境离岸较远和生物活动相对较弱为特征,陆地化学风化强度适中,气候温暖湿润;在相对海平面较低时发育蒸发台地相沉积,具有水体盐度较高、沉积环境离岸较近和生物活动相对较强等特点,陆地化学风化强烈,气候炎热极端;在相对海平面适中时发育局限-蒸发台地,沉积环境和邻近陆地的特征介于前述二者之间。沉积相演化对应的较长周期的海陆演化可能主要受全球海平面升降及宏观气候变化控制,具体表现为相对海平面升降所导致的海相沉积环境的变化,以及气候变化引起的陆地化学风化强度的变化。寒武纪塔西台地所处区域的海洋-陆地演化具有高度耦合的特征。     

早古生代古亚洲洋俯冲记录:来自东天山卡拉塔格高镁安山岩的年代学、地球化学证据

吐哈盆地南缘荒草坡群大柳沟组火山岩出露于大草滩断裂以北的彩霞山、土屋铜矿北和卡拉塔格地区。该组火山岩主要为基性、中酸性熔岩及火山碎屑岩组合。LA-ICP MS锆石U-Pb分析获得安山岩和英安岩的年龄分别为434.8±3.8Ma和438.4±4.9Ma,表明大柳沟组火山岩形成于早志留世。安山岩Si O2含量为54.35%~60.70%;Al2O3含量为11.8%~16.3%,Mg O含量为4.94%~8.27%,Ti O2含量为0.38%~0.52%,Na2O和K2O的含量分别为0.50%~3.83%和0.08%~1.26%,铝饱和指数(A/CNK)为0.77~1.37,低ΣREE(43×10-6~70×10-6),为具有亏损源区特征的高镁安山岩。英安岩较安山岩Si O2含量高(63.74%~75.35%),具有相似的Al2O3(12.3%~16.0%%)和Ti O2(0.32%~0.52%)含量;Na2O和K2O含量分别为2.01%~5.53%和0.16%~2.19%,ΣREE含量较安山岩略高(61×10-6~84×10-6),铝饱和指数(A/CNK)为0.77~5.74。安山岩和英安岩均轻重稀土分异明显,具有中等的Eu负异常;富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损高场强元素(HFSE),具有明显的Nb-Ta-Ti负异常。相似的岩石地球化学特征表明安山岩和英安岩可能为同源岩浆,英安岩是安山质岩浆经过角闪石等矿物结晶分异作用形成的,安山岩的母岩岩浆很可能来自亏损大洋岩石圈地幔。基于该组岩石组合、地球化学特征和区域地质资料,推测研究区高镁安山岩可能形成于洋内弧环境,这表明东天山吐哈盆地南缘卡拉塔格地区在早古生代已经存在古亚洲洋的俯冲。     

The Moon

Recent geochemical and geophysical data from the Moon enable a revision of earlier interpretations regarding lunar origin, structure and bulk composition. Earth and Moon show many similarities among their isotopic compositions, but they have evolved in totally dissimilar ways, probably related to the deficiency of water and volatile elements in the Moon as well as the vast differences in size and internal pressure. Some global geochemical differences from the Earth such as volatile depletion based on K/U ratios have been established. However, all current lunar samples come from differentiated regions, making the establishment of a bulk composition more reliant on bulk geophysical properties or isotopic similarities; it remains unclear how the latter arose or relate to whole Moon composition. The lack of fractionation effects among the refractory and super-refractory elements indicates that the proto-lunar material seems unlikely to have been vaporized while the presence of volatile elements may place lower limits on proto-lunar temperatures. The apparent lack of geochemical evidence of an impacting body enables other possible impactors, such as comets, to be considered. Although the origin of the Moon remains currently unknown, it is generally believed that the Moon originated as the result of a giant impact on the Earth.     

Quantification of photosynthetic inorganic carbon utilisation via a bidirectional stable carbon isotope tracer

The amount of bicarbonate utilised by plants is usually ignored because of limited measurement methods. Accordingly, this study quantified the photosynthetic assimilation of inorganic carbon (CO₂ and HCO₃ ^?) by plants. The net photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation (P _N), the photosynthetic assimilation of CO₂ and bicarbonate (P _N’), the proportion of increased leaf area (f _LA) and the stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) of Orychophragmus violaceus (Ov) and Brassica juncea (Bj) under three bicarbonate levels (5, 10 and 15 mm NaHCO₃) were examined to determine the relationship among P _N, P _N’ and f _LA. P _N’, not P _N, changed synchronously with f _LA. Moreover, the proportions of exogenous bicarbonate and total bicarbonate (including exogenous bicarbonate and dissolved CO₂-generated bicarbonate) utilised by Ov were 2.27 % and 5.28 % at 5 mm bicarbonate, 7.06 % and 13.28 % at 10 mm bicarbonate, and 8.55 % and 17.31 % at 15 mm bicarbonate, respectively. Meanwhile, the proportions of exogenous bicarbonate and total bicarbonate utilised by Bj were 1.77 % and 3.28 % at 5 mm bicarbonate, 2.11 % and 3.10 % at 10 mm bicarbonate, and 2.36 % and 3.09 % at 15 mm bicarbonate, respectively. Therefore, the dissolved CO₂-generated bicarbonate and exogenous bicarbonate are important sources of inorganic carbon for plants.     

The effect of slight to minor biodegradation on C<Subscript>6</Subscript> to C<Subscript>7</Subscript> light hydrocarbons in crude oils: a case study from Dawanqi Oilfield in the Tarim Basin,NW China

Light hydrocarbons (LHs) are one of the main petroleum fractions in crude oils, and carry much information regarding the genetic origin and alteration of crude oils. But secondary alterations—especially biodegradation—have a significant effect on the composition of LHs in crude oils. Because most of the LHs affected in oils underwent only slight biodegradation (rank 1 on the biodegradation scale), the variation of LHs can be used to describe more the refined features of biodegradation. Here, 23 crude oils from the Dawanqi Oilfield in the Tarim Basin, NW China, eleven of which have been biodegraded to different extents, were analyzed in order to investigate the effect of slight to minor biodegradation on C₆–C₇ LHs. The study results showed that biodegradation resulted in the prior depletion of straight-chained alkanes, followed by branched alkanes. In slight and minor biodegraded oils, such biodegradation scale could not sufficiently affect C₆–C₇ cycloalkanes. For branched C₆–C₇ alkanes, generally, monomethylalkanes are biodegraded earlier than dimethylalkanes and trimethylalkanes, which indicates that branched alkanes are more resistant to biodegradation, with the increase of substituted methyl groups on parent rings. The degree of alkylation is one of the primary controlling factors on the biodegradation of C₆–C₇ LHs. There is a particular case: although 2,2,3-trimethylbutane has a relative higher alkylation degree, 2,2-dimethylpentane is more resistant to biodegradation than 2,2,3-trimethylbutane. 2,2-Dimethylpentane is the most resistant to biodegradation in branched C₆–C₇ alkanes. Furthermore, the 2-methylpentane/3-methylpentane and 2-methylhexane/3-methylhexane ratios decreased steadily with increasing biodegradation, which implies that isomers of bilateral methyl groups are more prone to bacterial attack relative to mid-chain isomers. The position of the alkyls on the carbon skeleton is also one of the critical factors controlling the rate of biodegradation. With increasing biodegradation, Mango’s LH parameters K1 values decrease and K2 values increase, the values of n-heptane and isoheptane decrease, and the indices of methylcyclohexane and cyclohexane increase. LH parameters should be applied cautiously for the biodegraded oils. Because biodegraded samples belong to slight or minor biodegraded oils, the values of n-heptane and isoheptane from Dawanqi Oilfield can better reflect and determine the “Biodegraded” zone. When the heptane value is 0–21 and the isoheptane value is 0–2.6, the crude oil in Dawanqi Oilfield is defined as the “Biodegraded” zone.