In certain field conditions such as offshore projects under wave loads or embankments under traffic loads, both the vertical and horizontal stresses are variable. However, previous investigations rarely considered the variation in horizontal stress. To better understand the characteristics of natural saturated soft clay, a series of monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests with a K0-consolidation state were carried out under a variable confining pressure (VCP) stress path. The development of axial strain, pore water pressure and effective stress path is analysed. The results show that with the increase in η (the ratio of the variation in the mean effective principal stress to that of the deviatoric stress), the undrained shear strength (qf) decreases continuously. The pore water pressure generation is slightly improved under a stress path with increasing confining pressure. Based on the test results, a unified formula was established to predict the pore water pressure under VCP stress paths. The unique p–q–e relationship of normally consolidated clay in monotonic VCP triaxial tests was also demonstrated. Under VCP stress paths, the amplitude of the pore pressure increases, and the effective stress path tilts more sharply to the right. Moreover, a unified formula was established that can provide a good reference for predicting effective stress paths under cyclic VCP triaxial tests.
On the basis of the previous regional geological survey, based on the macroscopic and microscopic structural survey, combined with the comprehensive analysis of the regional magmatic activity and dating data, the authors in this paper revealed that there is another metamorphic core complex structure in Lizifang area of Southern Liaoning, namely Lizifang metamorphic core complex. A typical three-layer structure and five parts exist in the core complex, which are the footwall composed of Neo-archean metamorphic plutonic rocks and mesozoic granite intrusive rocks, the detachment fault zone composed of different levels of tectonic rocks, and the upper plate composed of Precambrian sedimentary cap and Cretaceous extensional basin. Lizifang metamorphic core complex formed in the Early Cretaceous Epoch, and the upper plate moved from NWW to SEE relaive to the footwall, which was similar with Jinzhou metamorphic core complex and Wanfu metamorphic core complex in geometry, kinematics polarity and formation time, indicating the same dynamic background. The determination of the metamorphic core complex may provide a basis for the late Mesozoic lithospheric thinning process and the mechanical and rheological properties of the lithosphere in the east of North China Craton. At the same time, the metamorphic core complex is closely related to the mineralization of gold deposits. So the detachment fault zone of Lizifang metamorphic core complex can serve as the key work area for further gold exploration, which may possess large mineralization potential. 相似文献