Reliability Analysis of Earth Slopes Considering Spatial Variability

The paper presents a computational procedure for reliability analysis of earth slopes considering spatial variability of soils under the framework of the Limit Equilibrium Method. In the reliability analysis of earth slopes, the effect of spatial variability of soil properties is generally included indirectly by assuming that the probabilistic critical slip surface is the same as that determined without considering spatial variability. In contrast to this indirect approach, in the direct approach, the effect of spatial variability is included in the process of determination of the probabilistic critical surface itself. While the indirect approach requires much less computational effort, the direct approach is definitely more rigorous. In this context this paper attempts to investigate, with the help of numerical examples, how far away are the results obtained from the indirect approach from that obtained from the direct approach. In both the approaches, it is required to use a model of discretization of random fields into finite random variables. A few such models are available in the literature for one-dimensional (1D) as well as two-dimensional (2D) spatial variability. The developed computational scheme is based on the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) coupled with the Spencer Method of Slices valid for limit equilibrium analysis of general slip surfaces. The study includes bringing out the computational advantages and disadvantages of the three commonly used discretization models. The sensitivity of the reliability index to the magnitudes of the scales of fluctuation has also been studied.     

Risk Assessment of Coal Floor Water Inrush from Underlying Aquifers Based on GRA–AHP and Its Application

Ground water inrush from underlying coal seam aquifers is a serious geohazard during coal mining in China. In order to effectively predict coal floor water inrush, the evaluation index system and evaluation standard for coal floor water inrush, containing quantitative indexes and qualitative indexes, is established on the base of conditions of aquifer and aquiclude, geologic structure and mining disturbance. Simultaneously, grey relational analysis and analytic hierarchy process are used to establish an evaluation model which efficiently overcomes the uncertainty between indexes of water inrush effects and really reflects the degree of importance for each index of water inrush effects. The model is applied to the typical working face of Yuzhou coalfield in the north of China to demonstrate the evaluation process. Compared to the water inrush coefficient method which is widely used for evaluating coal floor water inrush, the presented evaluation model in this paper accords more with the susceptibility of coal floor water inrush by multi-factor and is of nonlinear dynamic characteristics of highly complicated formation mechanism. This method offers a new tool in the assessment of ground water inrush in mine.     

Rock Mass Deformation Characteristics in High-Steep Slopes Influenced by Open-Pit to Underground Mining

In Daye Iron Mine, the open-pit mining has ended and the underground mining started in 2003. The present pit slopes are as high as 430 m and the slope angle is up to 43°. During the process of open-pit to underground mining, the high-steep pit slopes would be affected by both open-pit mining and underground mining, and its deformation characteristics would become more complex. So in this paper, the trinity method of numerical simulation, model experiment and field test was adopted to analyze the displacement and stress fields systematically. The results show that: (1) Prominent rebound deformation occurs near the slope foot, which is induced by the unloading in open-pit mining. When it is backfilled to 0 m level, the rebound deformation decreases, which indicate that backfilling mass can restrict the deformation and improve the slope stability; (2) Subsidence dominates the slope deformation in open-pit to underground mining and it increases with an increasing elevation of monitoring point; the maximum horizontal displacement occurs in the lower part of the slopes, because the backfilled part is squeezed by both the north slope and the south slope, and it has a lower elastic modulus than the previous orebody; (3) The stress and its variability near the slope foot are much larger than other places, indicating that the slope foot is most affected by stress redistribution and stress concentration may occur here; the stress at other stress monitoring points changes little, indicating that the influence of open-pit to underground mining is local; (4) The effect of underground mining on the deformation of the faults is not prominent; (5) Mining operations in near-ground part affect more on the variation of deformation and stress of pit slopes than that in deeper part.     

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.     

长江中下游成矿带庐枞盆地小包庄铁矿床地质特征研究

罗河铁矿床位于长江中下游成矿带内庐枞火山岩盆地的西北部,是成矿带内已发现规模最大的铁矿床。2013年在罗河铁矿床深部又勘探新发现了小包庄大型铁矿床,这是长江中下游成矿带内近年来重大找矿突破之一,具有重要的理论研究意义和勘探应用价值。本文在前人工作基础上,基于详细的钻孔观察和系统的岩相学、矿相学工作并结合电子探针测试分析,研究了小包庄铁矿床的矿化蚀变特征,厘定了矿床的成矿阶段,分析了成矿作用过程,并初步探讨了矿床成因。研究表明,罗河铁矿床和小包庄铁矿床为同一成矿系统在不同深度成矿作用的产物。小包庄铁矿床主矿体矿呈厚大的透镜状、似层状产于砖桥组地层中,位于罗河铁矿床主矿体之下约800~1000m,主要由浸染状矿体组成。矿床中金属矿物主要为磁铁矿和黄铁矿,非金属矿物主要为硬石膏、透辉石和碳酸盐,矿石的代表性矿物组合为磁铁矿-硬石膏-透辉石。矿石的结构构造主要有浸染状构造、脉状构造、块状构造、自形-半自形粒状结构、他形粒状结构和筛状结构等。矿床围岩蚀变强烈,主要蚀变类型有碱性长石化、透辉石化、绿泥石化、绿帘石化、碳酸盐化和硬石膏化。小包庄铁矿床形成经历了热液期的四个阶段,即碱性长石阶段、透辉石-硬石膏-磁铁矿阶段、绿泥石-绿帘石-碳酸盐阶段和硬石膏-黄铁矿-碳酸盐-石英阶段,其中,铁矿化主要发育于透辉石-硬石膏-磁铁矿阶段。通过矿床地质特征的分析以及与宁芜地区铁矿床的对比研究,本文认为小包庄铁矿床成矿物质和成矿流体来源于深部的闪长质侵入岩(?),而矿化发育在远离侵入岩或次火山岩之上的火山岩中,明显有别于宁芜地区玢岩铁矿床,类似于智利安第斯成矿带中部分产于安山质火山岩中的磁铁矿-磷灰石型矿床,是长江中下游成矿带中产于火山岩中的一类特殊类型的玢岩型铁矿。     

肥东花岗质岩脉的变形及年代学特征对郯庐断裂带早白垩世构造活动的指示

郯庐断裂带肥东段位于大别造山带与苏鲁造山带之间。在肥东段西韦采石场内发育了大规模的北北东向左行走滑韧性剪切带和一条低角度的韧性滑脱正断层。走滑韧性剪切带为郯庐断裂带走滑活动的产物,低角度滑脱正断层则代表了伸展背景下的构造活动。低角度滑脱正断层上、下盘发育未变形和变形的岩脉,走滑韧性剪切带内外也发育有受剪切带活动而变形的岩脉。对采石场内岩脉的构造和同位素年代学研究表明,低角度韧性滑脱正断层在129~126Ma之间发生过剪切活动,走滑韧性剪切带的活动时间在125Ma之后。综合研究认为,郯庐断裂带的伸展活动可能开始于早白垩世早期(130Ma),但在早白垩世并非一直处于伸展活动之中,125Ma之后的左行走滑活动很可能发生在早白垩世的晚期。     

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.