Forward modelling of porosity and pore pressure evolution in sedimentary basins

The gravitational compaction of sediments is an important process in forward basin modelling. This paper presents a mathematical model for the one-dimensional compaction of an accreting layer of argillaceous sediments. Realistic constitutive laws for the clay compressibility and the clay permeability, based on soil mechanics tests, were incorporated into the model. The governing equations were put in dimensionless form and the extent of abnormal pore fluid pressure development was found to depend on the sedimentation parameter, a dimensionless group representing the ratio of the sediment hydraulic conductivity to the sediment accumulation rate. The effects of clay compressibility were studied and highly colloidal clays such as montmorillonite developed higher overpressures than less compressible materials. The results also showed that overpressuring developed in shales for cases in which the clay permeability did not go to zero in the limit of zero porosity. Linear models based on simplifying assumptions inappropriate for sedimentary basins were found to give significantly different estimates for the conditions leading to overpressuring. Using reasonable parameters, the model adequately reproduced porosity and pore pressure profiles measured in the sand-shale sequences of the South Caspian Sea.     

Fracture induced emission of alkali atoms from feldspar

Emission of neutral atoms (K and Na) and molecules (H₂O and KOH) observed during fracture of K-feldspar have been accounted for by two independent mechanisms. H₂O and KOH emissions are attributed to the venting of fluid-filled inclusions, while emission of atomic K is due to surface effects accompanying cleavage of crystalline feldspar. The intensity of emitted potassium, at least 6 × 10¹⁴ atoms/cm² of surface area, is sufficient to affect K activities in solution during microbrecciation in the presence of rock-dominated fluids.     

Forced vibration of a tall steel-frame building

The dynamic properties of the twenty-two-story, steel-frame San Diego Gas and Electric Company Building in San Diego, California, have been determined experimentally in a series of co-operative tests between the California Institute of Technology and the University of California at Los Angeles. The building was vibrated by two eccentric mass exciters capable of frequencies up to 10 c/sec and forces as much as 5000 Ib each. The natural frequencies, associated mode shapes and the amounts of damping were determined for the first six modes of vibration in each of the two translational directions, and also in torsion. The mode shapes and frequencies showed, in general, the regularity and uniformity that appears typical of many tall buildings, but the three fundamental modes (nominally NS, EW and torsion) of the structure showed a coupling of translational and rotational components to a degree that was unexpected in a building whose structural frame is essentially symmetric. It is believed that this may be a consequence of the exceptionally small differences among the three fundamental frequencies. The damping in the first eighteen modes of the structure varied from 1.6 to 4.4 per cent, with a slight tendency for the larger values to be associated with the higher modes. Of the simpler damping models that might be used for analysis of the building, constant modal damping appears most appropriate and stiffness or mass proportional damping would not be realistic.     

Iron ore workings near Horsham,Sussex, and the sedimentology of Wealden clay ironstone

The distribution of old workings, or ‘minepits’, for clay ironstone in an area between Horsham and Crawley is shown on geological sketch-maps. The geological structure of the area is described in outline. The old workings, except for those in two anomalous patches, are restricted to two argillaceous units in the Upper Tunbridge Wells Sand and to an ironstone horizon some 2 m. below the Horsham Stone in the Weald Clay. Slags from two bloomery sites are described. The amount of ore dug from the minepits is estimated to correspond roughly to the requirements of local blast furnaces, of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century date. Depletion of iron ore reserves is suggested as a factor deciding against resumption of the iron industry in the area after the Civil War.     

CONTRIBUTION TO SIGNAL BY ELEMENTS OF THIN VERTICAL CONDUCTING VEIN IN DIPOLAR EM SYSTEMS*

As an extension of the eddy current pattern computed by Koefoed and Kegge (1968) for a thin vertical infinitely-conducting half-plate in presence of oscillating magnetic dipoles, this paper computes the contribution to the (electro-) magnetic anomaly at the receiver by each element of the vein separately. Twelve contour diagrams for such elemental contributions are presented as samples. Two points of general interest stand out: (1) The contributions from different portions of the vein are not all of one sign; the contribution from one part may cancel that from another; and (2) The portion of the vein nearest to the transmitter-receiver system does not necessarily make the largest contribution to the total measured signal.     

Comportement géochimique des éléments métalliques en milieu réducteur et diagrammes (log S,pH)

Résumé L'existence de relations entre les teneurs en carbonates et en sulfures dans les eaux des bassins réducteurs, ainsi que l'irreversibilité de la réaction sulfate-sulfure, conduisent à proposer le remplacement des diagrammes Eh. pH, par les diagrammes log S, pH (S désignant la concentration totale de S (-II)). Nous donnons ici le principe de construction, des exemples de diagrammes et quelques applications.

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The existence of relations between the amounts of carbonates and the sulfides in the water of anoxic basins and the irreversibility of the reaction sulphate-sulfide lead us to propose the substitution of diagrams Eh, pH by diagrams log S, pH (S being the total concentration of S (-II)). The principle of how diagrams should be drawn is outlined and some examples and applications are given.