Predicting rock size distribution in mine blasting using various novel soft computing models based on meta-heuristics and machine learning algorithms

Blasting is well-known as an effective method for fragmenting or moving rock in open-pit mines. To evaluate the quality of blasting, the size of rock distribution is used as a critical criterion in blasting operations. A high percentage of oversized rocks generated by blasting operations can lead to economic and environmental damage. Therefore, this study proposed four novel intelligent models to predict the size of rock distribution in mine blasting in order to optimize blasting parameters, as well as the efficiency of blasting operation in open mines. Accordingly, a nature-inspired algorithm (i.e., firefly algorithm – FFA) and different machine learning algorithms (i.e., gradient boosting machine (GBM), support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian process (GP), and artificial neural network (ANN)) were combined for this aim, abbreviated as FFA-GBM, FFA-SVM, FFA-GP, and FFA-ANN, respectively. Subsequently, predicted results from the abovementioned models were compared with each other using three statistical indicators (e.g., mean absolute error, root-mean-squared error, and correlation coefficient) and color intensity method. For developing and simulating the size of rock in blasting operations, 136 blasting events with their images were collected and analyzed by the Split-Desktop software. In which, 111 events were randomly selected for the development and optimization of the models. Subsequently, the remaining 25 blasting events were applied to confirm the accuracy of the proposed models. Herein, blast design parameters were regarded as input variables to predict the size of rock in blasting operations. Finally, the obtained results revealed that the FFA is a robust optimization algorithm for estimating rock fragmentation in bench blasting. Among the models developed in this study, FFA-GBM provided the highest accuracy in predicting the size of fragmented rocks. The other techniques (i.e., FFA-SVM, FFA-GP, and FFA-ANN) yielded lower computational stability and efficiency. Hence, the FFA-GBM model can be used as a powerful and precise soft computing tool that can be applied to practical engineering cases aiming to improve the quality of blasting and rock fragmentation.     

The investigation of flood risk perception as a quantitative analysis from socio-demographic perspective

The priority of flood management planning is physical victimization and focuses on taking structural measures. Although this approach is an accurate approach, more information is needed in implementing efficient precautionary and planning decisions. It is an indisputable fact that the existence of nothing that is not sustainable in nature cannot continue. Hence, it is necessary to implement a planning decision suitable for the structure of the population living in the region so that the continuity of the policies to be carried out against natural hazards of hydrometeorological origin such as a flood is ensured. How the socio-demographic structures affect the flood risk perception of 245 people living in the city center of Bayburt is examined in this study. It is the first research conducted for the province of Bayburt for this perspective. The participants were asked to fill a questionnaire containing 24 items and consisting of 2 sections. T test and one-way ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance) statistical methods were used to ascertain the difference between the responses of the participants to the questionnaire, based on their demographic structure. As the result of the study, significant differences were observed between the expressions depicting flood risk perception and the participant's age, income levels and educational background. In addition, it has been noted that there is a positive relationship between education and income levels and flood risk perception.

     

冻融循环下初始含水率对非饱和膨胀土剪切特性试验

为探究冻融循环条件下初始含水率对膨胀土偏应力-应变关系和剪切特性的影响,本文对不同初始含水率的非饱和膨胀土进行了不固结不排水三轴剪切试验。结果表明：1）非饱和膨胀土的偏应力-应变曲线的形式随含水率增大由应变软化逐渐转变为应变硬化,偏应力峰值随含水率增大而降低;2）非饱和膨胀土的抗剪强度随初始含水率的增加呈线性下降趋势;3）非饱和膨胀土在第1次冻融循环后偏应力及抗剪强度大幅度下降,在3~7次冻融循环后达到稳定。初始含水率是影响非饱和膨胀土力学性质的主要原因。     

Black carbon decomposition under varying water regimes

The stability of biomass-derived black carbon (BC) or biochar as a slow cycling pool in the global C cycle is an important property and is likely governed by environmental conditions. This study investigated the effects of water regimes (saturated, unsaturated and alternating saturated–unsaturated conditions) and differences in BC materials, produced by carbonizing corn residues and oak wood at two temperatures (350 °C and 600 °C) on BC degradation at 30 °C over 1 year in a full factorial experiment. Effects of water regime on C loss and potential cation exchange capacity (CECp at pH 7) significantly depended on biomass type. Corn BC was both mineralized (16% C loss for the first year) and was oxidized [1000 mmole(+) kg^?1 C] significantly faster under unsaturated conditions than under other water regimes, whereas oak BC mineralized most rapidly (12%) under alternating saturated–unsaturated conditions with similar oxidation, irrespective of water regime. Over 1 year of saturated incubation, the O/C ratio values did not significantly (P > 0.05) increase even though BC was mineralized by 9% and CECp increased by 170 mmole(+) kg^?1 C, in contrast to unsaturated and alternating saturated–unsaturated conditions. While mineralization and oxidation significantly decreased at higher charring temperature for corn, no difference was observed for oak (P > 0.05). Unsaturated and alternating conditions increased carboxylic and OH functional groups, while they decreased aliphatic groups. The pH increased by about one unit for corn BC, but decreased by 0.2 units for oak BC, indicating strong mineral dissolution of corn BC. Carbon loss strongly correlated with changes in O/C values of both corn BC and oak BC, indicating that oxidation of BC was most likely the major mechanism controlling its stability. However, under saturated conditions, additional mechanisms may govern BC degradation and require further investigation.     

初议中亚成矿域

给出了中亚成矿域的地质含义与地理范围。此巨型成矿域以发育中、晚元古代及晚古生代成矿作用为其特点。以超大型矿床为重点,并主要围绕金、铜讨论了中亚成矿域6种类型矿床的时空展布。近年取得的进展说明,中亚成矿域在矿产资源优势与潜力方面并不亚于环太平洋成矿域及特提斯成矿域。     

李连捷教授在南山

李连捷教授作为 1 973～ 1 978年北京农业大学专家工作组最年长的一位 ,深入湘桂交界的南岭西部的山地 ,为引种奶牛、肉牛建设山地牧场进行草地和土壤调查。当时生活和交通条件等均很差 ,近 70岁高龄的李老跋山涉水 ,步行到有关山地、坪地进行调查 ,并修建梯田 ,引种牧草 ,为开发南山牧场进行科学规划。特别是对南山的花岗岩风化土壤的保护和山地沼泽的保护等生态保护和合理用肥提出了关键性建议 ,保证了南山牧场的顺利发展 ,南山的人民永远不会忘记.     

局部空间自相关及其在勘探地球化学中的空间聚集研究

运用局部空间自相关 Moran的 Ii 和G*i 指数,研究8130 km2区域内采集的1∶20万水系沉积物1482个组合样点的空间聚集情况,与基于稳健统计学的地球化学异常下限确定方法所圈定的异常范围对空间聚集范围进行对比。结果表明,局部Ii 指数能够很好地探测出程度较弱和范围较小的空间聚集,局部G*i 指数适合于程度较强和范围大的高高聚集探测,所探测出的空间聚集范围较大。使用该方法所发现的地球化学空间聚集范围和程度符合客观实际,与已知矿床(点)吻合很好。     

Responses of chemically active and naturally fractured shale under time‐dependent mechanical loading and ionic solution exposure

In this paper, the analytical dual‐porosity dual‐permeability poromechanics solution for saturated cylinders is extended to account for electrokinetic effects and material transverse isotropy, which simulate the responses of chemically active naturally fractured shale under time‐dependent mechanical loading and ionic solution exposure. The solution addresses the stresses, fracture pore pressure, matrix pore pressure, fluid fluxes, ion concentration evolution, and displacements due to the applied stress, pore pressure, and solute concentration difference between the sample and the circulation fluid. The presented solution will not only help validate numerical simulations but also assist in calibrating and interpreting laboratory results on dual‐porosity dual‐permeability shale. It is recommended that the analytical solutions of radial and axial displacements be used to match the corresponding laboratory‐recorded data to determine shale dual permeability and chemo‐electrical parameters including membrane coefficient, ions diffusion coefficients, and electro‐osmotic permeability.     

Simplified formulae for designing coastal forest against tsunami run-up: one-dimensional approach

In the present study, laboratory experiments were conducted to validate the applicability of a numerical model based on one-dimensional nonlinear long-wave equations. The model includes drag and inertia resistance of trees to tsunami flow and porosity between trees and a simplified forest in a wave channel. It was confirmed that the water surface elevation and flow velocity by the numerical simulations agree well with the experimental results for various forest conditions of width and tree density. Further, the numerical model was applied to prototype conditions of a coastal forest of Pandanus odoratissimus to investigate the effects of forest conditions (width and tree density) and incident tsunami conditions (period and height) on run-up height and potential tsunami force. The modeling results were represented in curve-fit equations with the aim of providing simplified formulae for designing coastal forest against tsunamis. The run-up height and potential tsunami forces calculated by the curve-fit formulae and the numerical model agreed within ± 10% error.