Acquiring high-resolution topography and performing spatial analysis of loess landslides by using low-cost UAVs

The Loess Plateau is a region in China prone to frequent geological disasters, where thousands of loess landslides can be found. Conventional field survey methods are inadequate for the requirements of fine spatial analysis of landslides. Due to its numerous advantages (fast, efficient, low cost, safe, and able to acquire high-resolution data), structure from motion (SfM) technique to photogrammetric orientation of flights and modeling applied to photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a camera has become a powerful new tool for the generation of high-resolution topography that has emerged in recent years, which has become a powerful new technique for acquiring high-resolution topographic data. In this study, we conducted nearly two months of field UAV surveys of loess landslides on the Loess Plateau, eventually established 3D digital models for 11 loess landslides, and produced high-resolution digital orthophoto maps (DOMs) and digital elevation models (DEMs). High-resolution spatial analysis of the loess landslides (mainly including characteristic parameter extraction, topography profile analysis, surface feature analysis, and hydrologic analysis) was performed using Agisoft PhotoScan, ArcGIS 10.2, Global Mapper 17, and Origin Pro 9.0. The UAV technique allows us to further understand the micro-level internal spatial and structural characteristics of loess landslides. Moreover, not only does it allow us to accurately measure the characteristic geometric parameters but also enables us to detect the surface details of loess landslides (e.g., textures, fissures, and micro-landforms). Manifestly, we can also deduce the original structural characteristics and possible inducement mechanism of landslides based on a combination of high-resolution data acquired by UAVs, proper ground surveys, and theoretical knowledge. In summary, the low-cost UAVs are highly and especially suitable for surveys and digital terrain analysis of landslides on the Loess Plateau with sparse vegetation.     

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.     

Spatial and temporal variations of suspended solid concentrations from 2000 to 2013 in Poyang Lake,China

Concentrations of suspended solids in lakes can affect the latter’s primary productivity and reflect changes in sediment deposition. Determining the temporal and spatial distribution of suspended solid concentrations has important significance in lake water environmental management; this is particularly urgent for Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. In this study, suspended solid concentration inversion models for Poyang Lake were created using a semi-empirical method with regression analysis between continuously measured suspended solid concentration data and multi-band moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer images for spring, summer, autumn, and winter from 2009 to 2012. The coefficient of determination (R²) is from 0.6 to 0.9 and the average relative error for the accuracy verification was between 10 and 30%. The seasonal distributions of suspended solid concentrations in Poyang Lake from 2000 to 2013 were then obtained using optimal reversal models. The results showed that the seasonal variation in suspended solid concentrations had a “W” shape in which high spring and autumn and low summer and winter values. The suspended solid concentrations increased annually from 2000 to 2013 and were mainly distributed in the northern and central portions of the lake, with lower values along the shorelines. Further analysis indicated that the large difference in water level between the wet and dry seasons is an important factor in explaining these seasonal variations. Moreover, the suspended solid concentrations were poorly correlated with water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration but more highly correlated with the deferred chlorophyll-a concentration.     

Use of photo-based 3D photogrammetry in analysing the results of laboratory pressure grouting tests

This paper presents a non-destructive, low-cost, photo-based, 3D reconstruction technique for characterizing geo-materials with irregular shapes of a relatively large size. After being validated against two traditional volume measurement methods, namely the vernier caliper method and the fluid displacement method for regular and irregular shapes, respectively, 3D photogrammetry was used to analyse the grout bulbs formed in laboratory pressure grouting tests. The reconstructed 3D mesh model of the sample provides accurate and detailed 3D vertex data, which allowed the volume, densification efficiency and bleeding behaviour of the grout bulbs to be analysed. Comparing the bulb section views at different grouting pressures also offers an intuitive observation of the grout development and propagation process. Moreover, the 3D vertex data and surface area included in the model are of great importance in validating numerical predictions of the pressure grouting process and analysing the interface shear resistance of grouted soil nails or anchors. Compared to existing approaches, the new 3D photogrammetry method possesses several key advantages: (a) it does not require expensive, specialized equipment; (b) samples are not destroyed or modified during testing; (c) it allows to reconstruct objects of various scales and (d) the software is public domain. Therefore, the adoption of this 3D photogrammetry method will facilitate research in the pressure grouting process and can be extended to other problems in geotechnical engineering.     

Effect of climate change on water resources in the Yuanshui River Basin: a SWAT model assessment

The Yuanshui River Basin is one of the most important river basins ensuring food production and livelihoods in the Hunan and Guizhou Provinces of China. Based on digital elevation model, land use, soil, and meteorological data, the soil and water assessment tool was used to analyze the response of water resources in the basin to climate change. Specifically, the monthly runoff from the Yuanshui River Basin was simulated. Runoff measurements from the 1961–1990 series were used to calibrate model parameters, and measurements from the 1991–2010 series were used for model validation. The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient, correlation coefficient, and water balance error were used to evaluate the simulation results; the values obtained for these parameters were 0.925, 0.929, and 2.0%, respectively, indicating that the established model can be applied successfully to runoff simulations. To evaluate the effects of climate change and human activities on runoff, 24 different climate scenarios were modeled. By comparing the model simulation results with the baseline scenario, the effects of climate change were analyzed by year, during the dry season, and during extremely dry conditions. The results showed that runoff decreased with increasing air temperature and decreasing precipitation, and that the effects of rainfall on runoff were greater than those of air temperature. Under the same baseline conditions, the effects of climate change on runoff were most pronounced during extremely dry months.     

Research on mining-induced deformation and stress,insights from physical modeling and theoretical analysis

The dynamic change of mining-induced stress is the main reason for large deformation of surrounding rock. To investigate the influence of mining-induced stress and deformation is important for appropriate supportive design. It also helps to raise the safety and productivity of longwall mining operations. In this paper, Weijiagou Coal Mine in Southwest China was selected as the case study. In order to research on the deformation and breakage of overlying strata, physical modeling test was carried out on the self-developed rotatable physical similar test system. By using digital image correlation (DIC) technique, the deformation of strata and development of cracks in the process of coal seam excavation were acquired, meanwhile, mining-induced stress was also monitored by pressure cell and strainmeter. According to the mechanical structure of stope, the height of the destressed zone has a significant influence on stress distribution. In order to minimize the discrepancy between the physical model test and theoretical analysis, the dimension of the plastic zone of roadway was added into the mining panel width, and the gap between the experimental and theoretical results reduced.     

基于小波分析与Mann-Kendall法的岩溶大泉动态研究

研究地下水动态是认识地下水资源的有效手段。根据1956－2013年济南岩溶泉域大气降水及地下水水位动态监测资料,采用小波分析法、Mann-Kendall趋势检验、突变检验法研究了58个水文年泉水位对大气降水的响应,可以看出:（1）大气降水和泉水位呈现出多尺度的变化特征,长时间尺度上两者的变化周期基本相同,变化周期为16年和12年,说明大气降水对泉水位有直接影响;（2）在1956—2013年,济南泉域地下水水位具有0.65 m·（10a）-1的年际显著下降趋势,但降水具有12.65 mm·（10a）-1的不显著上升趋势,说明在人为因素影响下泉水动态的影响因素的权重发生了变化;（3）大气降水在1999年发生突变,1999年之后年降水为增加趋势;而地下水水位突变年份为1967年,1967年以后水位持续降低,2004年以后水位快速上升,泉水位未来趋势应与降水保持一致,呈上升趋势,说明大气降水并非泉水动态的唯一影响因素;（4）通过建立不同时段的多元回归模型,表明近58年来地下水水位的主要影响因素由大气降水到人工开采之间的转换,同时验证了小波分析和Mann-Kendall法研究地下水动态的适宜性和可靠性,也为济南市的保泉提供了参考依据。      

内蒙古平安地元古代构造混杂岩的发现与地质意义

正研究区位于内蒙古东部天山镇西平安地地区,古生代大地构造位置由南向北可划分为华北板块、白乃庙岛弧和索伦—林西缝合带(图1)。Xiao等(2015)和Jian等(2012)等认为温都尔庙—柯丹山—西拉木伦蛇绿混杂岩带是华北板块和西伯利亚板块的缝合带,研究区则位于该混杂岩带以南白乃庙岛弧一侧。     

Study on Monitoring Technology of Surrounding Rock in Deep Layered Roadway Based on Constant Resistance and Large Deformation Bolt

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - The stability monitoring of surrounding rock in layered roadway is an important method to ensure the safety of deep mining coal mine. In view of the actual...     

中亚造山带伊犁北缘早古生代海相斑脱岩地质意义

伊犁地块位于西天山北部,通常认为其北缘经历了晚古生代活动陆缘的演化,但对其早古生代构造沉积演化（尤其是同位素定年）的研究仍较为薄弱.在伊犁北缘果子沟地区的奥陶系黑色硅质页岩中发现多层斑脱岩（蚀变凝灰岩）夹层,奥陶系发生了强烈褶皱变形,在其中一个倒转向斜的核部和翼部选取两层斑脱岩进行了锆石U-Pb测年.2个斑脱岩样品中的锆石显示岩浆锆石的特征,其加权平均年龄分别为458±2 Ma和460±2 Ma.结合前人研究成果,认为该斑脱岩的沉积时代为中奥陶世末期（达瑞威尔阶顶部）,该时代与温泉地区大陆弧岩浆岩年龄基本一致,是准噶尔洋在中-晚奥陶世向伊犁地块之下俯冲的又一证据;该斑脱岩与全球范围内的大规模火山活动时代一致,该期火山活动可能是中-晚奥陶世全球气候变化与生物大灭绝的重要原因.