Back analysis of an excavated slope failure in highly fractured rock mass: the case study of Kargar slope failure (Iran)

This paper examines the failure of Kargar cut slope located at the south part of Esfahan subway using analytical and numerical back analysis methods. The excavated trench has 27 m depth with near vertical walls due to the space limitation around it. The geology of the area comprises weathered and heavily jointed shale and sandstone overlaid by alluvium deposits. Despite the slope being supported by shotcrete and fully grouted rock bolts, a catastrophic failure occurred at the east wall. Due to the uncertainty about the causes of failure initiation, back analyses have been performed via both the limit equilibrium and numerical method for considering various probable mechanisms. In the back analysis with limit equilibrium method, the rock mass is assumed as an equivalent continuum and Hoek–Brown failure criterion and geological strength index (GSI) are applied to calculate the shear strength parameters. The results show that GSI value was 33 in the failed mass. In the numerical back analysis, the distinct element method is applied to study the contribution of rock joints to the failure and progressive rock mass strength degradation until failure. The results show that threshold values of joint cohesion and friction were 0.2 MPa and 30°, respectively. Also the modeled slip surface being step-shaped agrees with the observed one.     

Biosorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) by Nostoc commune: Isotherm and Kinetics Studies

In this study, Nostoc commune (cyanobacterium) was used as an inexpensive and efficient biosorbent for Cd(II) and Zn(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The effect of various physicochemical factors on Cd(II) and Zn(II) biosorption such as pH 2.0–7.0, initial metal concentration 0.0–300 mg/L and contact time 0–120 min were studied. Optimum pH for removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) was 6.0, while the contact time was 30 min at room temperature. The nature of biosorbent and metal ion interaction was evaluated by infrared (IR) technique. IR analysis of bacterial biomass revealed the presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups, which are responsible for biosorption of Cd(II) and Zn (II). The maximum biosorption capacities for Cd(II) and Zn(II) biosorption by N. commune calculated from Langmuir biosorption isotherm were 126.32 and 115.41 mg/g, respectively. The biosorption isotherm for two biosorbents fitted well with Freundlich isotherm than Langmuir model with correlation coefficient (r² < 0.99). The biosorption kinetic data were fitted well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Thus, this study indicated that the N. commune is an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions.     

The impact of rainfall distribution patterns on hydrological and hydraulic response in arid regions: case study Medina,Saudi Arabia

Rainfall distribution patterns (RDPs) are crucial for hydrologic design. Hydrologic modeling is based on Soil Conservation Services (SCS) type RDPs (SCS type I, IA, II, and III). SCS type II method is widely used by hydrologists in arid regions. These RDPs were designed for the USA and similar temperate regions. There is no scientific justification for using SCS type II method in arid regions. The consequences of using SCS type II have impacts on the hydrologic and hydraulic modeling studies. The current paper investigates the validity of the SCS type II and in arid regions. New temporal RDPs were applied and compared with SCS type II RDPs. The produced peak discharges, volumes, maximum inundation depths, top widths, and velocities from both approaches were analyzed. An application is made on the protection channel in Taibah and Islamic Universities campuses in Medina, Saudi Arabia. A methodology was followed which included frequency analysis, catchment modeling, hydrological modeling, and hydraulic modeling. Results indicated that there are considerable consequences on infrastructural design, and hydrologic and hydraulic parameters if inappropriate RDPs are used. The investigation confirmed that the SCS type RDPs do not reflect the actual flood features in arid regions.     

The oceanic anoxic event 2 at Es Souabaa (Tebessa,NE Algeria): bio-events and stable isotope study

At the southern margin of the Tethys, the Es Souabaa area recorded traces of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) around the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (C/Tb). The dark, laminated, filament- and pyrite-bearing limestones represent the typical facies of this event. In terms of sedimentary environment, these features reflect a transgressive drowning that had induced hypoxia in these sedimentary environments. Such conditions favored the deposition and preservation of organic matter of marine origin, the distribution of which was controlled by paleogeography and halokinetic tectonics at that period. The OAE2 reached a climax between the last upper Cenomanian occurrence of Rotalipora cushmani and the lower Turonian occurrence of Whiteinella praehelvetica. Positive shift of the δ¹³C excursion along with relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents during OAE2 both indicate palaeo-environmental modifications enhanced by a significant change in primary marine productivity. Meanwhile, negative δ¹⁸O peaks in carbonates reflect increasing temperatures. Comparison of the data from this study with those from the neighboring Kalaat Senan section (Tunisia) suggests close similarities of events, although OAE2 is much more enhanced in Algeria.     

Probabilistic frequency ratio model for groundwater potential mapping in Al Jaww plain,UAE

Arabian Journal of Geosciences - The United Arab Emirates, as a part of the Arabian Peninsula, is among the driest countries on earth. This study aims to map and explore new groundwater reservoirs...     

Organic geochemistry indicates Gebel El Zeit,Gulf of Suez,is a source of bitumen used in some Egyptian mummies

Molecular geochemical properties of crude oils and surface petroleum seeps from the southern part of the Gulf of Suez were evaluated. The characterizations of individual aliphatic, aromatic, and biomarker compounds were based on gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. The results provided strong evidence for a close genetic association of these samples. The geochemical characteristics suggest an origin from Tertiary source rocks deposited in a normal marine environment that received continental runoff. The molecular signatures of the investigated samples were very similar to those of the Lower Miocene Rudeis Formation source rock in the southern Gulf of Suez. Further, biomarker fingerprints of the investigated oil seeps were compared with those of the Dead Sea asphalt, as well as the bitumen from some Egyptian mummies reported in the literature. The results demonstrate that oil seeps from the southern end of Gebel El Zeit were used by ancient Egyptians for embalming. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Depositional evolution of the Middle-Upper Eocene rocks, Fayum area, Egypt

The Middle-Upper Eocene rocks of the Fayum District are represented by Gehannam, Birket Qarun and Qasr El-Sagha formations. Both field studies and laboratory analyses on the concerned rocks have enabled to distinguish six lithofacies: (1) sheet-like grey silt-shale, (2) large-scale trough cross-bedded sandstone, (3) successive varicolored mud-shale/siltstone intercalation, (4) dark grey to black mud-shale/sandstone intercalation, (5) thinly bedded sandstone-shale intercalation and (6) very large-scale cross-stratified sandstone. These lithofacies proved that the present rocks were deposited in transitional paralic environment of active northward-prograding deltaic subenvironments contemporaneous with rabid but gradual sea level drop. The depositional system started with the delta front silt-shale (Gehannam Formation) of 20 m thickness, followed by distributary mouth bars of cross-bedded sandstone (Birket Qarun Formation, 50 m thick). Both the lower and upper delta plains attain thicknesses of 99 and 38 m, respectively, and are represented by the lower part of Qasr El-Sagha Formation. The deltaic sequence is topped with 45-m-thick eolian sandstones representing the upper part of Qasr El-Sagha Formation. This unit represents an extensive desertification phase that closes the depositional history of the succession examined.     

Influence of rock mass properties on tunnel inflow using hydromechanical numerical study

One of the primary geotechnical problems encountered during tunnel construction involves the inflow of groundwater into the tunnel. Heavy inflows make tunnel construction difficult and result in higher costs and delays in construction period. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the volume and rate of water inflow that is likely to appear in the tunnel. In this research, water inflow to the tunnel was calculated using numerical hydromechanical analysis. Effect of rock mass properties including fracture characteristics (normal and shear stiffness, hydraulic aperture, dilation angle, and fracture nonlinear behavior) on inflow was studied using a two-dimensional distinct element method. Results show that fracture properties play important role in inflow to the tunnel and must be considered in prediction of inflow to the tunnel. Based on numerical analysis results, inflow of groundwater into the tunnel increases with the increasing of normal and shear stiffness, dilation angle, and hydraulic aperture of rock mass fractures. The measured inflow with considering nonlinear fracture behavior was more than the calculated inflow with linear constitutive behavior.     

Groundwater potential modelling using remote sensing and GIS: a case study of the Al Dhaid area,United Arab Emirates

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) DEM and LANDSAT images of spatial resolution 30?m were used to construct groundwater potential zones (GPZ) map by integrating geological fractures, drainage network, slope and relief, and convergence index maps of the study area. Weight and score of each map were developed according to their level of contribution toward groundwater accumulation and spatial distribution of groundwater wells. The area that has very high potential for groundwater is located at the foot of Oman Mountains and Al Dhaid Depression covering an area of about 59.33?km², which is 4.40% of the study area. Further hydrological map and data on hydraulic properties of shallow aquifer, as recorded from observation wells in the regions, have been used to validate the produced GPZ map. The validation result showed sufficient agreement between the produced GPZ map.