A constitutive model for sand based on non-linear elasticity and the state parameter

The paper describes the development of a constitutive model for a poorly graded sand, which was used in geotechnical experiments on buried pipes (reported elsewhere). The sand was tested extensively in the laboratory to determine the state parameter constants. Triaxial tests on the sand included conventional drained triaxial compression tests, as well as more specialized shearing tests at constant mean effective stress and others at constant volume. Single element simulation of the triaxial tests was performed to validate the proposed constitutive model. The adopted model allowed non-linear elastic behaviour prior to yielding. After yielding of the sand, the state parameter-based model for the sand permitted non-associated plastic flow. Dilation and frictional strength were both dependent on the current value of the state parameter. The combination of laboratory testing and single element modelling resulted in the selection of a single set of material constants for the soil, which adequately described the full range of triaxial tests. Subsequently the model was applied to the problem of a plate loading test on the sand and the model predictions were compared with the test data.     

Holocene Deposits in Saga Plain: Leaching Mechanism and Soil Sensitivity

The Saga Plain in Japan contains a 10–30 m thick Holocene clayey soil deposit with a natural water content generally more than 100% and a liquidity index (I _L ) larger than 1.0. Most of this is a marine deposit known as the Ariake clay formation. Using salinity in the pore water of this deposit as an index, the mechanism of post-depositional salinity leaching from the Ariake clay formation has been investigated. This has been achieved using current measurements of the salinity distribution in the deposit and the groundwater flow velocity in an underlying Pleistocene gravelly sand layer, together with advection–diffusion analyses. It is suggested that diffusion together with possible rainfall percolation and/or upward seepage flow from the Pleistocene gravelly sand layer was the main mechanism causing salinity leaching. Detailed analysis of the test results from four boreholes indicates that for the locations where the activity of the clay minerals was less than 1.25, salinity leaching probably accounts for the observed low undrained shear strength (<0.5 kPa) of remoulded soil samples, high values of the sensitivity (S _t ), and the formation of a quick clay.     

Reports from the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Network, January 2010

Information included in this summary is based on more detailed reports published in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, vol. 35, no. 1, January 2010 (on the Internet at http://www.volcano.si.edu/). Edited by scientists at the Smithsonian, this bulletin includes reports provided by a worldwide network of correspondents. The reports contain the names and contact information for all sources. Please note that these reports are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. The Global Volcanism Program welcomes further reports of current volcanism, seismic unrest, monitoring data, and field observations.     

Molluscan biostratigraphy and paleomagnetism of Campanian strata, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia: implications for Pacific coast North America biochronology

A previously uncollected fauna of ammonites, bivalves, and other molluscs, associated with radiolarian microfossils, has been newly recognized near Lawn Hill on the east coast of central Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. The regional biostratigraphic zonation indicates that the Lawn Hill fauna is correlative with the Nostoceras hornbyense zonule of the Pachydiscus suciaensis ammonite biozone, recognized in the Nanaimo Group of southeast Vancouver Island. The Nostoceras hornbyense Zone (new) is herein proposed for strata of Pacific coast Canada containing the zonal index. Several molluscan taxa present in the Lawn Hill section are new to British Columbia and the ammonite fauna suggests that the Nostoceras hornbyense Zone is late Campanian in age, supported by radiolarian taxa present in the section. Strata sampled in the Lawn Hill section preserve reversed-polarity magnetization, considered likely correlative with Chron 32r. The presence of the Nostoceras hornbyense Zone on Queen Charlotte Islands is the first recognition of this zone in Canada north of central Vancouver Island and represents the youngest Cretaceous known in this region. Campanian radiolarians identified from the Lawn Hill section are also the first recognized from the Pacific coast of Canada.     

The chronology and long term dynamics of a low energy river system: the Kelvin Valley,central Scotland

The long term (Holocene) channel and floodplain dynamics of a low gradient, low energy, fine grained aggradational fluvial system within a formerly glaciated landscape in central Scotland, the Kelvin Valley, are described from a series of sediment stratigraphic transects and 12 ¹⁴C assays in a headwater reach between Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth. The ¹⁴C assays and dated archaeological sites on the floodplain together suggest that the River Kelvin ceased to aggrade more than 2000 years ago, probably much more, so the 4–6 m of channel and floodplain deposits are almost entirely of early to mid‐Holocene age. The Kelvin Valley is characterized, despite its low flow characteristics, by a highly variable floodplain architecture, in which some transects suggest long term channel stability and strong partitioning of floodplain sedimentation and others indicate high channel mobility. This variation makes the application of general models of fluvial evolution difficult. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rates of stream incision in the middle part of the Arkansas River basin based on late Tertiary to mid-Pleistocene volcanic ash

Ages and elevations of ash layers correlated with late Tertiary and Pleistocene eruptions in the western US and present stream elevations are used to calculate net rates of incision by streams in the middle reaches of the Arkansas River basin in the south central US. The mean of the 23 measurements of rate of stream incision in the study area is 4.2±2.7 cm/ky with a range of 0.6 to 9.7 cm/ky. Major influences on rate of stream incision in the study area include the arid to semi-arid climate of the region, the type of material being incised by streams, stream captures, and salt dissolution in the bedrock that underlies the region. Rates of incision exceeded rates of basin filling but significant deposits of unconsolidated late Cenozoic sediments occur in the study area. Basins of streams that have incised the slowest since the late Tertiary contain the thickest and most extensive amounts of unconsolidated Quaternary sediments. Rates of incision by streams in the study area are similar to or slower than rates reported for streams elsewhere in the US and the world. Streams in mountainous regions and areas affected by rapid uplift have incised at rates orders of magnitude faster than streams in the study area.     

The Homestead kimberlite, central Montana, USA: mineralogy, xenocrysts, and upper-mantle xenoliths

The Homestead kimberlite was emplaced in lower Cretaceous marine shale and siltstone in the Grassrange area of central Montana. The Grassrange area includes aillikite, alnoite, carbonatite, kimberlite, and monchiquite and is situated within the Archean Wyoming craton. The kimberlite contains 25–30 modal% olivine as xenocrysts and phenocrysts in a matrix of phlogopite, monticellite, diopside, serpentine, chlorite, hydrous Ca–Al–Na silicates, perovskite, and spinel. The rock is kimberlite based on mineralogy, the presence of atoll-textured groundmass spinels, and kimberlitic core-rim zoning of groundmass spinels and groundmass phlogopites.

Garnet xenocrysts are mainly Cr-pyropes, of which 2–12% are G10 compositions, crustal almandines are rare and eclogitic garnets are absent. Spinel xenocrysts have MgO and Cr₂O₃ contents ranging into the diamond inclusion field. Mg-ilmenite xenocrysts contain 7–11 wt.% MgO and 0.8–1.9 wt.% Cr₂O₃, with (Fe⁺³/Fe^tot) from 0.17–0.31. Olivine is the only obvious megacryst mineral present. One microdiamond was recovered from caustic fusion of a 45-kg sample.

Upper-mantle xenoliths up to 70 cm size are abundant and are some of the largest known garnet peridotite xenoliths in North America. The xenolith suite is dominated by dunites, and harzburgites containing garnet and/or spinel. Granulites are rare and eclogites are absent. Among 153 xenoliths, 7% are lherzolites, 61% are harzburgites, 31% are dunites, and 1% are orthopyroxenites. Three of 30 peridotite xenoliths that were analysed are low-Ca garnet–spinel harzburgites containing G10 garnets. Xenolith textures are mainly coarse granular, and only 5% are porphyroclastic.

Xenolith modal mineralogy and mineral compositions indicate ancient major-element depletion as observed in other Wyoming craton xenolith assemblages, followed by younger enrichment events evidenced by tectonized or undeformed veins of orthopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, websterite, and the presence of phlogopite-bearing veins and disseminated phlogopite. Phlogopite-bearing veins may represent kimberlite-related addition and/or earlier K-metasomatism.

Xenolith thermobarometry using published two-pyroxene and Al-in-opx methods suggest that garnet–spinel peridotites are derived from 1180 to 1390 °C and 3.6 to 4.7 GPa, close to the diamond–graphite boundary and above a 38 mW/m² shield geotherm. Low-Ca garnet–spinel harzburgites with G10 garnets fall in about the same T and P range. Most spinel peridotites with assumed 2.0 GPa pressure are in the same T range, possibly indicating heating of the shallow mantle. Four of 79 Cr diopside xenocrysts have P–T estimates in the diamond stability field using published single-pyroxene P–T calculation methods.     

A semi-analytical solution for swelling around a borehole

Previous field and laboratory studies have shown that the creation of a borehole in a saturated cohesive soil mass induces significant pore water suctions in the vicinity of the hole. The dissipation of these pore water suctions (swelling) leads to local increases in the moisture content and hence a softening of the soil around the hole. This softening may have important consequences for the stability of the hole and also for the ultimate load capacity of any foundation elements (bored piles or drilled shafts) constructed in these holes. This paper presents a semi-analytical solution for the radial dissipation of pore water pressure around a freshly created, vertical hole. It is assumed the soil deforms elastically during the swelling process. The solutions are presented in the form of isochrones of excess pore water pressure and may be used to obtain estimates of the time required for the soil around the hole to swell and therefore to soften. Both permeable and impermeable borehole interfaces have been considered, together with either no support for the hole or partial support provided by hydrostatic pressure within the hole.     

Consolidation of axi-symmetric bodies subjected to non axi-symmetric loading

In many cases the analysis of the consolidation of axi-symmetric bodies subjected to non axi-symmetric loading may be carried out without recourse to a full three-dimensional treatment. Advantage may be taken of the axi-symmetric nature of the body and field quantities such as displacement and pore pressure can be given a Fourier representation. The problem is then reduced from one in three spatial dimensions (r, θ, z) and the time domain to one in two spatial dimensions (r, z) and the time domain.