Characterization of the mechanical properties of a claystone by nano-indentation and homogenization

Based on the analyses of mineralogical compositions by X-ray diffraction and microstructure by optical microscopy, the Young’ modulus and hardness of a claystone were characterized by the nano-indentation technique and homogenization method. Three distinct microstructural zones are identified in the claystone: clay matrix, a composite matrix of clay and small mineral grains and imbedded quartz grains. The elastic modulus and hardness of different zones were determined by nano-indentation testing. Based on the statistical analysis of nano-indentation results, the spatial mappings and frequency distributions of elastic modulus and hardness of the different zones were obtained. The elastic moduli of main constituent phases of the claystone are then estimated from the nano-indentation tests. These values were further used for the determination of the macroscopic elastic modulus of the claystone using two different homogenization schemes: the dilute scheme and Mori–Tanaka scheme. The predicted values by the homogenization schemes are compared with experimental data obtained from conventional uniaxial compression tests.     

Silver–bearing minerals in the Xinhua hydrothermal vein-type Pb-Zn deposit,South China

Mineralogy and Petrology - Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) results are reported for newly identified silver–bearing minerals from the Xinhua deposit, Yunkaidashan area, South China. The...     

Zircon U-Pb Geochronology,Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous A-type Granites in the Mikengshan Area,Southern Jiangxi ProvinceEI北大核心CSCD

In the Mikengshan-Yanbei area, a special region for the tin mineralization in South China, there are some Yanshanian granites and porphyries and associated porphyry tin deposits (e.g., Yanbei). Although the tin mineralization is closely associated with the granitoids magmatism, the age and petrogenesis of the granites remain controversial. The Mikengshan pluton, which intrudes into the rhyolitic tuff and pyroclastic rocks of the Upper Jurassic Jilongzhang Formation, is the largest one in Mikengshan-Yanbei area and mainly consists of K-feldspar bearing granites. In this study, we report new age and geochemical data for the Mikengshan K-feldspar bearing granites. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age dating shows that they were generated in the Early Cretaceous (~138 Ma). They have high SiO2 (74.42% to 76.69%), low Al2O3 (12.39% to 13.49%) and Mg# (11 to 19), and negative Eu, Sr and Ba anomalies, and are rich in potassium (most K2O/Na2O=1.37 to 1.94) and high field strength elements (HFSEs), and are weakly peraluminous (A/CNK=1.03 to 1.1) with high 10000×Ga/Al ratios (3.46 to 4.96) and slightly high zircon saturation temperatures (807 ℃ to 817 ℃), showing the characteristics of the typical A-type granites. Moreover, they have high Rb contents 842×10-6 to 1295×10-6, Rb/Sr (90 to 255) ratios and show rare earth elements (REE) tetrad effect, which are similar to those of high fractionated granites. Thus, we suggested that the Mikengshan K-feldspar bearing granites are high fractionated and aluminous A-type granite. Their slightly high εNd(t) values (-3.4 to -4.6) indicate that the mantle components should have played a role during their formation. Taking into account regional igneous rocks and tectonic setting data, we suggest that the Mikengshan K-bearing granites were formed in an extensional setting, which was probably related to the roll-back of the subducted Paleo-Pacific plate. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

西藏当雄九子拉地区石炭系诺错组中震积岩的发现及意义

西藏当雄九子拉地区石炭系诺错组地层序列中,首次发现了一套非正常沉积的粉砂岩和灰岩的组合.岩系中可识别出非正常的沉积构造,即微同沉积断裂、火焰状构造、同生变形构造及振动液化泄水构造等,这一软沉积变形构造具震积岩的识别标志特征,代表灾变事件震积的地质记录.在剖面结构上大致显示为7个单元的震积序列,自下而上由下伏弱震层(A)—液化脉(B)—震褶岩(C)—震裂岩(D)—阶梯状微断层(E)—火焰状构造(F)—上覆未震层(G)的渐变过程及震积作用逐渐减弱的趋势呈不同形式的组合出现,有ABG、ACDG、AEG、ABCG和ABFG等组合.本研究分析认为晚古生代诺错组早期存在一个强烈的构造活动时期,结合震积岩的分布及区域地质背景研究表明,九子拉北侧一带可能为近东西向同生断裂带,该断裂带的强烈构造活动是本区诺错组震积作用的直接诱发因素.从而佐证了九子拉地区正处于构造转换阶段.本研究对分析晚古生代的构造演化、沉积盆地类型奠定了基础,同时保存完好的震积事件地层记录对推断古断裂、古环境也具有较大意义.     

Simulation Study on Electromagnetic Response Characteristics of Unfavorable Geological Body Under Complex Conditions

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - The second phase of the Chongqing Rail Transit Line project has poor rock and soil stability, slow construction progress, complex and variable geological...     

Evaluation of oil Wells performance ranking in high water cut stage

Computational Geosciences - In order to quantify the performance ranking of oil wells in high water cut reservoir, a quantitative evaluation method of oil wells is established from two perspectives...     

Numerical characterization of slope rock mass through considerations of hydraulic and mechanical properties

Landslides - In this paper, the slope rock mass is numerically characterized by considering hydraulic and mechanical properties using two distinct element models. The flow rate and permeability are...     

Numerical investigation of the hydrodynamic response of an impermeable sea-wall subjected to artificial submarine landslide-induced tsunamis

Landslides - Landslide-induced tsunamis are common natural hazards that potentially affect the safety and stability of waterfront structures. A numerical tank was constructed using FLOW-3D to...     

An empirical relation for parameter mi in the Hoek–Brown criterion of anisotropic intact rocks with consideration of the minor principal stress and stress-to-weak-plane angle

Acta Geotechnica - The parameter mi accounts for the anisotropy of rock strength, and the accurate determination of mi is a primary requirement of the Hoek–Brown (H–B) strength...