A simple approach to evaluating leakage through thin impervious element of high embankment dams

Internal erosion is the most common reason which induces failure of embankment dams besides overtopping. Relatively large leakage is frequently concentrated at defects of impervious element, and this will lead to eventual failure. The amount of leakage depends not only on integrity of impervious element, but also on dam height, shape of valley, shape of impervious element and water level in reservoir. The integrity of impervious element, which represents the relative level of seepage safety, is not easy to be determined quantitatively. A simple method for generalization of steady seepage state of embankment dams with thin impervious element is proposed in this paper. The apparent overall value of permeability coefficient for impervious element can be obtained by this method with reasonable accuracy and efficiency. A defect parameter of impervious element is defined as an index to characterize seepage safety of embankment dams. It equals the ratio of the apparent overall value of permeability coefficient to the measured value in laboratory for intact materials. Subsequently, seepage safety of three dams is evaluated and the evolution of defect level of impervious element of dams is investigated. It is proved that the newly proposed method in this paper is feasible in the evaluation of relative seepage safety level of embankment dams with thin impervious element.     

Extreme deformation characteristics and countermeasures for a tunnel in difficult grounds in southern Shaanxi,China

The Qingling–Bashan (QB) mountain region in southern Shaanxi mainly consists of strongly compressive zones from east to west, with tight folds and compressive fractures. There is a wide distribution of soft rocks of various types, such as phyllite and slate, accompanied by complex geological structures. Ironically, tunnel construction in these difficult grounds with complicated geological conditions embraces a high risk of extreme deformation due to various unpredictable reasons, which can frequently cause collapse and result in budget overruns during the construction period. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct effective countermeasures to eliminate or avoid such adverse impacts. This paper provides a case study on the “Yingfeng tunnel” (a tunnel constructed in soft rock consisting of a slate ground) based on a geological survey, indoor experiments and in situ monitoring. A successive rock mass deformation resulted in the tunnel lining seriously intruding into construction clearance and some other sections, even collapsing during the construction. The maximum displacement amount was 62.5 cm, while the maximum deformation speed reached as high as 34.18 mm/day. Additionally, to evaluate the construction impacts of tunnelling-induced geo-hazards, an investigation on extreme deformation was conducted. Considering the time-dependent features of the rock mass deformation, the constraint-convergence method was used to put forward applicable countermeasures in this paper. Finally, from the feedbacks of monitoring results, extreme deformation of the Yingfeng tunnel was effectively controlled.     

Characterization of shale matrix pore structure via experiment and model

Shale gas reservoirs develop multi-scale pores ranging in size from nanometer to micrometer, the characteristics of gas transport involve the multi-scale pore space which divided into organic and inorganic matrix pores. This paper reveals the shale pore structure with large amounts of organic mesoporous based on the techniques of focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes (FIB-SEM), high-pressure mercury intrusion (MICP), and low-pressure adsorption (LPA), which also shows the size and distribution of these pores. Then the research characterizes effective pore scale via circular tube bundle model with due regard for gas adsorption layer thickness on the walls of organic pores and water film thickness on the walls of inorganic pores, and the investigation of shale pore geometry is significant for designing and developing shale gas reservoirs. This work shows that the widely existing shale mesoporous volume with diameter of 2~50 nm accounts for 81% based on experimental testing, then it reduces to about 76% via effective diameter model calculation.     

Comparison between the TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model and their application to rainfall runoff simulation in semi-humid regions

To study the application of the TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model to rainfall runoff simulation in semi-humid regions, the Holtan excess infiltration runoff module was added to the TOPMODEL structure. The basin of the Heihe Jinpen Reservoir in Shaanxi Province, China, was selected as the study area. Rainfall and runoff data and digital elevation models were collected. The watershed topographic parameters and 21 floods that occurred from 2005 to 2013 were obtained to simulate rainfall runoff. Results show that the improved TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model can effectively stimulate rainfall runoff. The average values of their Nash coefficient are 0.84 and 0.83, respectively, upon calibration, and 0.78 and 0.80, respectively, upon validation. The Xin’anjiang model performs slightly better than the improved TOPMODEL. The results of large flood peaks are better than those of ordinary floods. Both results can be used to simulate the rainfall runoff of a watershed.     

四川盆地东部垫江凹陷三叠系嘉陵江组岩盐氯同位素特征与成钾指标研究

垫江凹陷位于四川盆地东部,是四川盆地三叠纪时期重要的成盐凹陷之一,但当时古卤水是否达到钾盐沉积阶段,是否具备形成海相钾盐的良好条件,一直存在争议。本文通过对垫江凹陷长平3井、高探1井和ZK001井嘉陵江组岩盐样品进行化学成分分析,以及对长平3井典型岩盐样品进行氯同位素分析来判断古卤水沉积阶段和成钾条件。结果发现垫江凹陷三叠系嘉陵江组岩盐δ37 Cl值均为负值,均小于-0.32‰,最低达到-1.18‰,绝大部分岩盐样品溴氯系数大于0.31,有很大一部分样品溴氯系数超过0.45,进一步表明垫江凹陷在嘉陵江期古卤水浓缩已达到钾石盐析出阶段,与岩盐包裹体成分分析结果一致。综合气候-物源-构造因素,认为垫江凹陷三叠纪嘉陵江期气候条件炎热,物质来源丰富,存在次级凹陷,古构造条件优越,具备良好的成钾潜力。     

Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Bayanhushuo area,southern Great Xing’an Range,NE China: constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronological and geochemical data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks

This study presents new zircon U–Pb geochronology, geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopic data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks that crop out in the Bayanhushuo area of the southern Great Xing’an Range (GXR) of NE China. These data provide insights into the tectonic evolution of this area during the late Mesozoic and constrain the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. Combining these new ages with previously published data suggests that the late Mesozoic volcanism occurred in two distinct episodes: Early–Middle Jurassic (176–173 Ma) and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (151–138 Ma). The Early–Middle Jurassic dacite porphyry belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series, showing the features of I-type igneous rock. This unit has zircon ε_Hf(t) values from +4.06 to +11.62 that yield two-stage model ages (T_DM2) from 959 to 481 Ma. The geochemistry of the dacite porphyry is indicative of formation in a volcanic arc tectonic setting, and it is derived from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic crustal material. The Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks belong to high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonite series and have A₂-type affinities. These volcanics have ε_Hf(t) and T_DM2 values from +5.00 to +8.93 and from 879 to 627 Ma, respectively. The geochemistry of these Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks is indicative of formation in a post-collisional extensional environment, and they formed from primary magmas generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic lower crust. The discovery of late Mesozoic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks within the southern GXR indicates that this region was in volcanic arc and extensional tectonic settings during the Early–Middle Jurassic and the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, respectively. This indicates that the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate was undergoing subduction during the Early–Middle Jurassic, and this ocean adjacent to the GXR may have closed by the Late Middle Jurassic–Early Late Jurassic.     

内蒙古丰镇市泉子沟斑岩钼矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

泉子沟斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古丰镇市,地处华北克拉通北缘内蒙古台隆凉城断隆内。矿区出露一套燕山期花岗质杂岩体——红娘山杂岩体,主要由中粗粒花岗岩、似斑状花岗岩和石英斑岩组成,钼矿体主要赋存于似斑状花岗岩中。文章在详细的野外地质调查基础上,对泉子沟矿床的成岩成矿时代进行了详细研究,并探讨了地质意义。5件辉钼矿样品的Re-Os模式年龄介于(158.8±2.2)Ma~(161.5±2.2)Ma之间,其加权平均值为(159.8±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.92),等时线年龄为(161.7±3.1)Ma(MSWD=1.40)。红娘山杂岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为:中粗粒花岗岩结晶年龄为(173±1)Ma(MSWD=0.88),似斑状花岗岩侵位年龄为(162±1)Ma(MSWD=0.40),石英斑岩结晶年龄为(160±2)Ma(MSWD=1.90)。辉钼矿Re-Os和锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,泉子沟钼矿床形成于晚侏罗世早期,成矿与似斑状花岗岩关系密切。泉子沟钼矿床的辉钼矿w(Re)介于16.49×10~(-6)~32.87×10~(-6),暗示成矿物质主要来自下地壳。     

河南崤山金矿床流体包裹体及同位素特征

崤山金矿床位于华北克拉通南缘的豫西地区,矿体大多呈脉状产于断裂带内。成矿期可以划分为3个阶段:(1)石英-黄铁矿阶段;(2)石英-多金属硫化物阶段;(3)石英-碳酸盐阶段。成矿期石英中发育气液两相水溶液包裹体(WL型)和H_2O-CO_2包裹体(C型)。石英-黄铁矿阶段发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为300~393℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.6%~11.0%,密度介于0.57~0.82 g/cm~3;石英-多金属硫化物阶段亦发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为261~298℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.1%~11.8%,密度介于0.74~0.89 g/cm~3;石英-碳酸盐阶段仅见WL型包裹体,其均一温度为193~258℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))介于2.2%~12.7%,密度为0.87~0.97g/cm~3。成矿流体具有中高温、中低盐度、低密度等特征,属于H_2O-NaCl±CO_2体系。崤山金矿石英的δ~(18)OH_2O值介于0.7‰~4.5‰之间,δDV-SMOW值介于-47.8‰~-69.5‰之间。H-O同位素结果表明成矿流体主要来源于岩浆水。矿石硫化物的δ_(34)SV-CDT值为0.7‰~3.9‰,206Pb/204Pb值为17.391~17.728,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为15.420~15.577,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为37.420~37.923。S-Pb同位素结果表明成矿物质主要来源于花岗质岩浆。崤山金矿为中温热液脉型金矿,流体相分离和温度的降低是导致矿质沉淀的主要机制。