Deformation mechanism of strain localization in 2D numerical interface tests

Heterogeneity arises in soil subjected to interface shearing, with the strain gradually localizing into a band area. How the strain localization accumulates and develops to form the structure is crucial in explaining some significant constitutive behaviors of the soil–structural interface during shearing, for example, stress hardening, softening, and shear-dilatancy. Using DEM simulation, interface shear tests with a periodic boundary condition are performed to investigate the strain localization process in densely and loosely packed granular soils. Based on the velocity field given by grains’ translational and rotational velocities, several kinematic quantities are analyzed during the loading history to demonstrate the evolution of strain localization. Results suggest that tiny concentrations in the shear deformation have already been observed in the very early stage of the shear test. The degree of the strain localization, quantified by a proposed new indicator, α, steadily ascends during the stress-hardening regime, dramatically jumps prior to the stress peak, and stabilizes at the stress steady state. Loose specimen does not develop a steady pattern at the large strain, as the deformation pattern transforms between localized and diffused failure modes. During the stress steady state of both specimens, remarkable correlations are observed between α and the shear stress, as well as between α and the volumetric strain rate.     

EXTRACTION OF THE STANDARD ENTHALPY OF FORMATION OF MINERALS FROM REVERSED EXPERIMENTAL DATA WITH INS

An improvement on the new method of Intervalhalving-Scanning (INS) proposed by the senior author for derivation of thermodynamic properties of minerals from reversed experiment (REP) data has been made in the present work. The treatment of the REP data of 6 reactions in the system MgO-SiO_2-H_2O and the derivation of △_(?)H(?) (298. 15K) for minerals Talc,Forsterite and Anthophyllite are chosen as an example for demonstration of the application of the method.INS is quite different from all the methods for the derivation in the literature and throughout based on thermodynamic principles and equations so that its thermodynamical validity is thoroughgoing.     

Characteristics of groundwater flow field after land creation engineering in the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau

In order to study the degree of influence and control mechanism to groundwater flow field caused by land creation engineering in the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau, based on the geological and engineering conditions of the first stage project of Yan’an new district in China, numerical simulation of groundwater flow is carried out by the Feflow and GIS technologies. From the simulation, punning measure relatively reduces infiltration recharge and artificial gravel drain increases groundwater seepage. The basic characteristics of groundwater flow field is controlled by the old and new topographies in the whole study area, and artificial gravel drain plays an auxiliary role in accelerating groundwater drawdown upstream and promotes groundwater rise downstream. According to differences of groundwater level and declining percentages of hydraulic gradient in the main and secondary gullies, dewatering of artificial gravel drain in the secondary gully is more effective than that in the main gully, which will yet play an important role in the future. The study results will make contributions to understand groundwater response to land creation engineering and will be beneficial to take necessary measures to prevent collapse of loess and failure of building foundation in the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau.     

赣西北地区修水县联测图组1：5万区调主要进展与体会

本文重点总结赣西北地区修水县联测图１∶５万区调取得的主要进展与区调方法上的创新。其中，在中元古界双桥山群浅变质岩系中所识别、填绘出的近东西向紧闭同斜倒转褶皱，叠加近南北向开阔圆滑褶皱，在中小型陆相红盆中探索出的运用数理统计与沉积学研究相结合确定冲积扇体，并用扇体与岩性段双重方法予以图面表达以及第四纪研究成果等取得的重要进展。此外，就有关提高区调质量等问题浅谈其体会。     

国库集中收付与深化地质勘查单位改革若干问题的探讨

从国库集中收付改革的内容、要求,地质勘查单位的现状出发,探讨了国库集中收付改革与深化地质勘查单位改革之间存在的问题,指出国库集中收付制度虽然能够使事业单位的财政收支得到有效监管,但因地质勘查单位具有事业与企业的双重职能,现行的国库集中收付制度不利于地勘单位的深化改革。为有效解决这一矛盾．提出了在国库单一账户体系外,建立地质勘查单位改革性基本账户的建议。     

An experimental study of magnesium-isotope fractionation in chlorophyll-a photosynthesis

Measurements are presented of the magnesium isotopic composition of chlorophyll-a, extracted from cyanobacteria, relative to the isotopic composition of the culture medium in which the cyanobacteria were grown. Yields of 50-93% chlorophyll-a were achieved from the pigment extracts of Synechococcus elongatus, a unicellular cyanobacteria. This material was then digested using concentrated nitric acid to extract magnesium. Separation was accomplished using columns of cation-exchange resin, which achieved a 103 ± 10% yield of magnesium from chlorophyll-a. This procedure ensured accurate measurement of the magnesium-isotopic ratios without isobaric interferences using a multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). We find a slight depletion in the heavier isotopes of magnesium in chlorophyll-a relative to culture medium, early growth phase: Δ²⁶Mg = −0.71(±0.35)‰ and Δ²⁵Mg = −0.37(±0.18)‰; late growth phase: Δ²⁶Mg = −0.53(±0.20)‰ and Δ²⁵Mg = −0.26(±0.11)‰, due to an apparent mass-dependent fractionation. We suggest that the small fractionation results from chelation during intracellular processes. A likely candidate for this chelation step involves the magnesium-chelatase enzyme, which mediates the insertion of magnesium to the tetrapyrrole ring during chlorophyll-a biosynthesis. Proof of this hypothesis can be tested with biological controls whereby steps in the enzymatic pathways of chlorophyll synthesis are selectively suppressed.     

On the linear elastic responses of the 2D bonded discrete element model

The bonded discrete element model (DEM) is a numerical tool that is becoming widely used when studying fracturing, fragmentation, and failure of solids in various disciplines. However, its abilities to solve elastic problems are usually overlooked. In this work, the main features of the 2D bonded DEM which influence Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus, and accuracy when solving elastic boundary value problems, are investigated. Outputs of numerical simulations using the 2D bonded DEM, the finite element method, a hyper elasticity analysis, and the distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) are compared in the investigation. It is shown that a shear interaction (local) factor and a geometric (global) factor are two essential elements for the 2D bonded DEM to reproduce a full range of Poisson's ratios. It is also found that the 2D bonded DEM might be unable to reproduce the correct displacements for elastic boundary value problems when the represented Poisson's ratio is close to 0.5 or the long-range interaction is considered. In addition, an analytical relationship between the shear stiffness ratio and the Poisson's ratio, derived from a hyper elasticity analysis and applicable to discontinuum-based models, provides good agreement with outputs from the 2D bonded DEM and DLSM. Finally, it is shown that the selection of elastic parameters used the 2D bonded DEM has a significant effect on fracturing and fragment patterns of solids.