Experimental study on the instability mechanism of the major-defect fractured rock

Based on calculations of rock fracture surface and angle, incremental-load creep experiments were conducted on two groups of major-defect fractured rock specimens in an RLW-2000 rheology test system. The research investigated the fracture type and the creep properties of major-defect fractured rock and analyzed the relationships between failure load and horizontal or vertical projection distance, and between each of theme and fracture area or angle. The results showed that rock fracture was divided into three types according to the distribution, including I, II, and III types. I, II, and III types were respectively an internal fracture running through neither the upper nor lower end, one through the upper or lower end and one through both upper and lower ends, and a III type was further sub-divided into III_I and III_II types. The instantaneous strain was larger than the creep strain under the same creep loading stage. As the creep loading increased on two groups of major-defect fractured rock, the instantaneous strain decreased abruptly and then increased abruptly, while the creep strain decreased rapidly at first and later increased near-linearly. When the failure angle was larger than the friction angle, failure load was positively correlated with failure angle yet was negatively correlated with vertical projection distance. Vertical projection distance and fracture angle, which decided fracture type, controlled rock failure load. Failure load increased in turn from I type to III type, and low-type fracture determined mainly failure load in multiply-fracture specimen.     

Combining AHP and genetic algorithms approaches to modify DRASTIC model to assess groundwater vulnerability: a case study from Jianghan Plain,China

Accurate identification of vulnerability areas is critical for groundwater resources protection and management. The present study employed the modified DRASTIC model to assess the groundwater vulnerability of Jianghan Plain, a major farming area in central China. DRASTICL model was developed by incorporating the land use factor to the original model. The ratings and weightings of the selected parameters were optimized by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method and genetic algorithms (GAs) method, respectively. A combined AHP–GAs method was proposed to further develop this methodology. The unity-based normalization process was employed to categorize the vulnerability maps into four types, such as very high (>0.75), high (0.5–0.75), low (0.25–0.5), and very low (<0.25). The accuracy of vulnerability mapping was validated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient between vulnerability index and the nitrate concentration in groundwater and analysis of variance F statistic. The results revealed that the modified DRASTIC model had a large improvement over the conventional model. The correlation coefficient increased significantly from 41.07 to 75.31% after modification. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the depth to groundwater with 39.28% of mean effective weight was the most critical factor affecting the groundwater vulnerability. The developed vulnerability model proposed in this study could provide important objective information for groundwater and environmental management at local level and innovation for international researchers.     

Stress distribution characteristic analysis and control of coal and gas outburst disaster in a pressure-relief boundary area in protective layer mining

Coal and gas outburst disasters in coal seams are becoming more serious as coal mines extend deeper underground in China. Furthermore, the protective coal seam mining technology featured by economic efficiency has been proven to be the most effective and widely applied method for the prevention of coal and gas outburst disasters. However, the determinations of the protective area coal and gas outburst prevention in a pressure-relief boundary area are fundamental issues that research should be focused on. The technical method for determining stress distribution in pressure-relief boundary area during protective coal seam mining is put forward in this paper. The method is based on a stress-seepage coupled relationship within a gas-containing coal seam. The method includes complex lab experiments and on-site measurements at the Qingdong Coal Mine. The final data illustrate that the permeability and vertical stress in the pressure-relief boundary area of the coal sample form a negative exponential function relationship. Additionally, the permeability of the coal sample within the abovementioned area is significantly different compared with that located at the center of the pressure-relief area. In the pressure-relief boundary area, the gas pressure distribution gradient is 0.0375 MPa/m, while the vertical stress distribution gradient registers 0.56 MPa/m. Under this condition, coal and gas outburst disasters are prone to be triggered. Therefore, effective precautions against coal and gas outburst disasters can be put forward in accordance with stress distribution characteristics within the abovementioned “boundary area.”     

中纬热层大气质量密度经向结构差异研究

本文利用CHAMP卫星以及全球电离层-热层模型(GITM)来研究太阳活动低年(2007—2009年)中纬热层大气质量密度(ρ)的经度结构变化.结果如下:(1)ρ存在明显的经度单波结构(单峰和单谷),且南北半球反相,波峰和波谷随着地方时增加而向东移动;(2)模拟表明离子拖曳效应在ρ结构差异的形成中起到了重要的作用,欧亚地区电子密度经度差异性较弱,不足以影响ρ经度分布,导致该地区ρ经度差异不明显;(3)在磁中纬地区,太阳天顶角的经度差异可达20°~30°,太阳光加热的经度不均匀性是导致ρ经度差异的另一个主要原因.     

基于瞬变电磁矩变换的快速三维反演方法

瞬变电磁法的严格三维反演计算复杂、占用资源多,在普通计算机上难以实现.本文引入瞬变电磁矩变换的概念,提出一种快速三维反演方法.该方法基于阻性限制(resistive limit)特性,建立包含异常体的三维大地的一阶矩响应正演算法,根据不同约束条件,选择优化的最速下降法实现瞬变电磁快速三维反演.文中通过含异常体的三维大地正演一阶矩与仿真数据一阶矩的对比,验证了快速三维正演算法的有效性,之后在不同约束条件下,利用优化的最速下降法实现了对含噪声的仿真瞬变电磁数据的快速三维反演.结果表明,该方法能够在普通计算机上短时间内较为准确地反演出地下异常体的体积和位置,在瞬变电磁数据的实时解释工作中具有良好的应用前景.     

Common‐shot Fresnel beam migration based on wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity under complex topographic conditions

Gaussian beam migration is a versatile imaging method for geologically complex land areas, which overcomes the limitation of Kirchhoff migration in imaging multiple arrivals and has no steep‐dip limits of one‐way wave‐equation migration. However, its imaging accuracy depends on the geometry of Gaussian beam that is determined by the initial parameter of dynamic ray tracing. As a result, its applications in exploration areas with strong variations in topography and near‐surface velocity are limited. Combined with the concept of Fresnel zone and the theory of wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, we present a more robust common‐shot Fresnel beam imaging method for complex topographic land areas in this paper. Compared with the conventional Gaussian beam migration for irregular topography, our method improves the beam geometry by limiting its effective half‐width with Fresnel zone radius. Moreover, through a quadratic travel‐time correction and an amplitude correction that is based on the wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, it gives an accurate method for plane‐wave decomposition at complex topography, which produces good imaging results in both shallow and deep zones. Trials of two typical models and its application in field data demonstrated the validity and robustness of our method.     

Experimental study on the bidirectional inelastic deformation capacity of U‐shaped steel dampers for seismic isolated buildings

Hysteretic dampers are used to dissipate earthquake‐induced energy in base‐isolated structures by acquiring inelastic deformations, rendering their hysteretic behavior of vital importance. The present paper focuses on investigating the behavior of U‐shaped steel dampers under bidirectional loading; this is significantly different from their corresponding uniaxial behavior. Two main sets of loading tests on full‐scale specimens are conducted in this regard: (i) quasi‐static tests with simple histories and (ii) dynamic tests with realistic loading histories. Based on the results obtained in the quasi‐static tests, an interaction curve that accounts for the reduction of the cyclic deformation capacity is proposed. However, the fidelity of this relation must be assessed under loading conditions similar to those of a seismically isolated structure subjected to an earthquake, which represents the goal of the second set of tests. The results of the dynamic tests validate the proposed interaction curve for estimating the deformation capacity of U‐shaped steel dampers under bidirectional loading. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical Modeling of Slug Tests with MODFLOW Using Equivalent Well Blocks

Slug tests are a widely used technique to estimate aquifer hydraulic parameters and the test data are generally interpreted with analytical solutions under various assumptions. However, these solutions are not convenient when slug tests are required to be analyzed in a three‐dimensional model for complex aquifer‐aquitard systems. In this study, equivalent well blocks (EWB) are proposed in numerical modeling of slug test data with MODFLOW. Multi‐well slug tests in partially penetrating wells with skin zones can be simulated. Accuracy of the numerical method is demonstrated by benchmarking with analytical solutions. The EWB method is applied in a case study on slug tests in aquitards in the Pearl River Delta, China.     

A distributed parameter model of a frame pin‐supported wall structure

Many reinforced‐concrete frames collapse via a soft‐story mechanism during severe earthquakes. Such collapses are mainly attributed to concentrated deformation in a soft story. Deformation control is thus important in preventing collapse. The frame pin‐supported wall structure is a type of rocking structure that releases constraints at the bottom of the wall. Previous research has obtained good results for the deformation control of this type of structure. However, the interior forces and strength demands of the pin‐supported wall have not been systematically explored. In this paper, a distributed parameter model is developed to investigate the strength demand of the wall in a frame pin‐supported wall structure. In the model, the pin‐supported wall is simplified as a bending beam and the frame is simplified as a shear beam. The two beams are joined by distributed shear connectors, so that the shear force can be transferred at any location on the interface. The model can be solved using differential equations based on equilibrium and compatibility. The accuracy of the model is verified using SAP2000 (Computers and Structures Inc., Berkeley, CA, USA). Displacement distribution of the structure and distributions of the moment and shear force within the pin‐supported wall are obtained for two typical external force profiles. It is found that the pin‐supported wall can effectively reduce the drift concentration factor. Distributions of the displacement, moment, and shear force are closely correlated with the relative stiffness of the wall and frame. Finally, recommendations on the stiffness and strength of a pin‐supported wall are made. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

多测线变偏移距VSP地震各向异性反演

本文从一般弱各向异性介质参数反演中得到了使用两条相互正交的变偏VSP测线计算弱各向异性(WA)参数的反演公式. 如果仅仅使用qP波, 则可以确定9个独立的WA参数, 这9个WA参数可以完全地描述井中接收点在两个剖面内介质的各向异性性质. 通过对走时曲线进行最小二乘条件下的三次样条光滑, 可以获得慢度矢量的垂直分量和水平分量. 如果介质是横向非均匀介质, 则水平分量仅仅被用作反演时的约束条件. 为了获得偏振矢量, 本文引入质心计算方法, 该方法计算简单、 稳定, 而且不存在解的奇异问题. 在寻找与一般各向异性介质最接近的高对称性正交各向异性介质和TTI各向异性介质时, 使用qP波各向异性坐标变换方法和最小二乘求解方法, 得到了与一般各向异性介质最接近的正交各向异性和TTI各向异性参数及其对称轴方向参数的计算公式. 使用这些方法, 对瓜哇海地区布设的两条相互正交的变偏VSP测线数据进行各向异性反演, 获得了井中10个接收点处介质的WA参数. 数值计算和实际资料反演表明, 本文所使用的反演方法能够准确地得到VSP井中接收点处介质的WA参数, 这是地震勘探中研究地壳介质各向异性性质最直接和最可靠的方法.