Some recent advances in the modelling of soft rock joints in direct shear

This paper presents a review of recent developments made by the authors into the modelling of rock joints in direct shear. Careful observation of laboratory direct shear testing on concrete/rock joints containing two-dimensional roughness has allowed theoretical models of behaviour to be developed. The processes modelled include asperity sliding, asperity shearing, post-peak behaviour, asperity deformation and distribution of stresses on the joint interface. Model predictions compare extremely well with laboratory test results. These models were then applied to direct shear tests on rock/rock joints, and although behaviour in general was well predicted, the strength of rock/rock joints was over-predicted. Direct shear tests have also been carried out on samples containing both two- and three-dimensional roughness to test the accuracy of the two-dimensional approximation to roughness adopted in the theoretical models.     

Alpine tectonic evolution and thermal water circulations of the Argentera Massif (South-Western Alps)

Three groups of thermal springs with temperatures close to 70 °C discharge both in the core (at Bagni di Vinadio and Terme di Valdieri) and on the external margin (at Berthemont-Les-Bains) of the Argentera Massif. Detailed structural field analysis carried out on the hydrothermal sites allows us to delineate both a model of Alpine tectonic evolution of the Argentera Massif and the patterns of hydrothermal circulation that were active during its final exhumation. The observed fault rock assemblages provide information relative to deformation that occurred in viscous, frictional-to-viscous and frictional crustal regimes. During the Early Miocene, the Bersezio Fault Zone and the Fremamorta Shear Zone, two main mylonitic shear zones, mainly accommodated regional transpression and provided pathways for fluid flow promoting mineral reactions in greenschist facies. During the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene, frictional-to-viscous deformation affected the massif, which underwent predominant transpression in the internal sectors and extension on the external margin. During the Plio-Pleistocene, deformation in frictional condition accompanied the final exhumation of the massif in a transpressive regime and resulted in the development of the NW–SE striking cataclastic zones. The hydraulic properties of these structures mainly influence the patterns of the active thermal circulations and the localization of the recharge and discharge zones. At Berthemont these faults represent conduits, whereas at Vinadio and Valdieri they form complex systems of conduits and barriers. In these two latter sites, the cataclastic faults compose flower structures that constrain laterally the thermal fluid flows while intensely fractured granites sited at depth constitute a highly-transmissive geothermal reservoir. Less permeable migmatitic gneisses overlaying the granites prevent a massive infiltration of the cold fluids at depth. This context favours within the high-permeability fractures granites the development of buoyancy-driven flows which combined with topographically-driven flows, provided the conditions for the upflow of the high-temperature waters.     

地铁行车荷载作用下淤泥质黏土累积特性的试验研究

中国上海地区地铁隧道一般位于第④层淤泥质黏土层中,在地铁行车荷载作用下隧道周围土体变形引起隧道轴线沉降,有些区段隧道轴线沉降量已超过20cm,引起了一系列环境地质问题。本文以上海第④层原状淤泥质黏土为研究对象,通过室内循环三轴试验,模拟地铁运营过程中产生的振动荷载,研究荷载作用下上海淤泥质黏土的累积应变、孔隙水压力及再固结后的Cu抗剪强度的变化规律,并分析加载过程中排水状态因素对土体特性的影响,得到一些重要结论,为上海地区地铁运营阶段行车荷载作用下土体变形,引起隧道轴线沉降的预测和防治提供了有价值地参考。     

利用NOAA NDVI数据集监测冬小麦生育期的研究

探索了利用NDVI研究作物生育期的方法,对黄淮海冬麦区的返青期、抽穗期、成熟期进行了估测,并利用地面实际观测资料进行了验证。结果表明,NDVI数据对大范围农作物生育期监测是可行的。冬小麦遥感反青期由南到北依次推迟,符合春季绿波由南到北推移规律。对冬小麦遥感生育期年际变化分析表明,黄淮海平原返青期变化相对较大,而抽穗期和成熟期变化较小。根据历年月平均温度与返青期分析,冬小麦返青日期与2月份平均温度密切相关。对于局部地区,利用5d合成1km分辨率数据,且按农业生态分区分别制定生育期判别标准,估测效果将更好。