Implementation of viscoelastic mud-induced energy attenuation in the third-generation wave model,SWAN

The interaction of waves with fluid mud can dissipate the wave energy significantly over few wavelengths. In this study, the third-generation wave model, SWAN, was advanced to include attenuation of wave energy due to interaction with a viscoelastic fluid mud layer. The performances of implemented viscoelastic models were verified against an analytical solution and viscous formulations for simple one-dimensional propagation cases. Stationary and non-stationary test cases in the Surinam coast and the Atchafalaya Shelf showed that the inclusion of the mud-wave interaction term in the third-generation wave model enhances the model performance in real applications. A high value of mud viscosity (of the order of 0.1 m²/s) was required in both field cases to remedy model overestimation at high frequency ranges of the wave spectrum. The use of frequency-dependent mud viscosity value improved the performance of model, especially in the frequency range of 0.2–0.35 Hz in the wave spectrum. In addition, the mud-wave interaction might affect the high frequency part of the spectrum, and this part of the wave spectrum is also affected by energy transfer from wind to waves, even for the fetch lengths of the order of 10 km. It is shown that exclusion of the wind input term in such cases might result in different values for parameters of mud layer when inverse modeling procedure was employed. Unlike viscous models for wave-mud interaction, the inverse modeling results to a set of mud parameters with the same performance when the viscoelastic model is used. It provides an opportunity to select realistic mud parameters which are in more agreement with in situ measurements.     

Influence of geological structures on groundwater accumulation and groundwater salinity in Musandam Peninsula,UAE and Oman

The hydrological setting and groundwater quality of Musandam Peninsula was studied to investigate the influence of geological structures on the groundwater accumulation and groundwater salinity. Five sets of modified morphometric maps were used to reduce errors and carry out the geological structures. The modification was modified by applying mean filter to the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) then applying Soble filter with 10% threshold and equalization enhancement. D8 and algorithms were used to reveal the drainage basins and drainage networks of the entire area. The algorithm determines into which neighbouring pixel any water in a central pixel will flow naturally. Flow direction in a DEM is calculated for every central pixel of input blocks of a 3 × 3 window, all the time comparing the value of the central pixel in the window with the value of its eight neighbours. The spatial association between geological structures and drainage networks was studied using 2D graph and rose diagrams. Flood basin model was applied to simulate the Arabian Gulf water intrusion into the coastal aquifer. The concentrations of solutes in groundwater samples collected from Wadi Al Bih well field and well locations were correlated with the geological structure trends and intersections. The results of the study reveal that the drainage basins, drainage network and groundwater quality are structurally controlled by subsurface geological structure displacements.     

Investigation of Post-seismic and Inter-seismic Displacement Field Following 2003 Bam Earthquake in Iran Based on PS-InSAR Technique

In this paper, Bam post-seismic deformations during 7 years after earthquake have been extracted using persistent scatterer interferometry technique. The results illustrate that the maximum amount of uplift and subsidence displacements along line of sight direction during 2004–2010 after the earthquake are 4.5 ± 0.5 and ? 4.3 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The results of displacement field indicate that an exponential function with the relaxation time of 2.5 years can be fitted to the corresponding process. The estimated inter-seismic slip value by the inversion of SAR line-of-sight data after relaxation time is 6.35 ± 0.05 mm. Mechanical time dependent processes in the post-seismic relaxation typically rely on models of poroelastic rebound, afterslip fault dilatancy recovery and viscoelastic relaxation to explain surface displacements field. The time series are inverted for the afterslip distribution on an extension of the co-seismic rupture. The estimated post-seismic slip value is 20.45 ± 0.38 cm. Most of the post-seismic displacement field can be explained in terms of fault slip. The results of post-seismic motion modeling indicate that the poroelastic rebound can be detected using the line-of-sight data and the effect of viscoelastic relaxation in post-seismic displacement is negligible.     

Improving the existing roadway tunnels capacity by adding new tunnels—a structural approach

The roadway tunnel is considered a good solution for the success of modern roadway networks. It can help to overcome possible traffic congestion and considerably reduce journey time. The continuous growth of traffic volumes leads to increase congestion and decrease safety. This leads to the need for extra tunnel space. The extra tunnel space can be achieved either by the widening of the existing tunnel or by adding a new one. The choice of the suitable method is dependent on many factors like tunnels alignment, site conditions, construction method, tunnel operation, risk assessment…etc. The current research investigates the second alternative through a specific case study as an example. The method comprises adding two new tunnels to an existing twin roadway tunnels. The investigated problem considers the new tunnels to be added vertically or horizontally. The influence of the new tunnel construction on the existing tunnels is investigated considering both the variation of relative position and spacing distance in a parametric study context. Several numerical models are employed to check the construction sequence and the tunnelling safety. These models are used to evaluate the induced stresses in surrounding ground for two different soil types, straining actions in tunnels’ liner and deformations of both ground and liner. The result demonstration shows how to find out the minimum practical and safe spacing distance between the driven new tunnels and the existing ones without the need for the relatively expensive soil strengthening techniques.     

The impact of subsurface geological structure on the groundwater occurrence using geophysical techniques in wadi El Kallabiyyah and wadi As Sabil,East Esna,Eastern Desert,Egypt

The present study aims to explain some hydrogeological problems that are related to geological setting in two wadis: El Kallabiyyah and As Sabil East Esna. For this purpose, land magnetic, vertical electrical soundings, and two-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging profiles were measured. The lithological succession comprises Upper Cretaceous to Quaternary deposits that rest on a Precambrian basement rock. The results of the interpretation of the land magnetic measurements in wadi El Kallabiyyah represent the depth to the basement rock which ranges from 260 to 660 m and increases towards the northeast trend, but in wadi As Sabil, there is a large basin at the center of the wadi with the recorded depth to the basement reaching 1,300 m due to the effect of two normal faults (F1 and F2). The results of the interpretation of the vertical electrical sounding and two-dimensional imaging confirmed the presence of these faults in wadi As Sabil. The results of the geoelectrical measurements in wadi El Kallabiyyah represented the water-bearing layer at the third unit that consists of sands, gravels, boulders, and clays. The presence of clay will affect the potentiality of a drilled well. For wadi As Sabil, the results of geoelectrical measurements led to the lower part of the second unit which acts as a water-bearing layer that consists of sands, boulders, gravels, and clays. It can be concluded that the best site for drilling wells in wadi El Kallabiyyah is at vertical electrical sounding no.5 with a total depth of not less than 230 m. In wadi As Sabil, the drilled wells must be concentrated at the center and the downstream.     

Geotechnical and mineralogical characteristics of marl deposits in Jordan

Marls and marly limestone deposits cover most of Northern Jordan, where Amman City and its suburbs are located. These deposits serve as foundations for most buildings and roads as well as fill material for structural back filling, especially road bases and sub-bases. The present study aims at investigating the geotechnical characteristics and mineral composition of the marl units of these deposits through field investigations and laboratory testing. Using X-ray diffraction technique along with chemical analysis, representative samples of marl horizons were tested for mineral composition, and for a set of index and geotechnical properties including: specific gravity, grain size, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction and shear strength properties. The test results show a positive linear relationship as expected between the clay content and both liquid and plastic limits. The tests results also show an inverse linear relationship between the clay content and the maximum dry density in both standard and modified compaction. This is attributed to the adsorption of water by the clay minerals. The relationship is more prominent in the case of modified compaction test. The results also indicate a similar relationship for the angle of internal friction. No clear correlation between cohesion and clay content was apparent.