The Effect of Concrete Deformation on Displacement of an Axially Loaded Drilled Shaft

This article presents the settlement of drilled shafts resulting from their structural deformations. Although drilled shafts are widely used as foundations for settlement-sensitive structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings, the structural deformations of drilled shafts are not typically taken into account in the design process. However, if unexpected structural deformations of drilled shafts cause additional settlement to the foundation, the serviceability of the superstructure can be jeopardized. Unfortunately, very few research efforts have been made to quantify the structural deformation of drilled shafts; this needs to be addressed to accurately predict the settlement of drilled shafts. In this study, we investigate the effect of structural deformation on displacement of axially loaded drilled shafts. Finite element analyses were performed to quantify the structural deformation of drilled shafts. The analysis results indicated that the structural deformation of drilled shafts could be quite significant for long drilled shafts. The main factors that affected the structural deformation of drilled shafts were found to be pile length, the material properties of drilled shafts, and the relative humidity of surrounding soil. An approximate equation is proposed to estimate the long-term deformation of drilled shafts.     

Is Ziarat a Potential Site for Conventional or Unconventional Energy Resources?

A structural interpretation of the Ziarat block in the Balochistan region (a part of the Suleiman Fold and Thrust Belt) has been carried out using seismic and seismological data. Seismic data consists of nine 2.5D pre‐stack migrated seismic lines, whereas the seismological data covers the Fault Plane Solution and source parameters. Structural interpretation describes two broad fault sets of fore and back thrusts in the study area that have resulted in the development of pop‐up structures, accountable for the structural traps and seismicity pattern in terms of seismic hazard. Seismic interpretation includes time and depth contour maps of the Dungan Formation and Ranikot group, while seismological interpretation includes Fault Plane Solution, that is correlated with a geological and structural map of the area for the interpretation of the nature of the subsurface faults. Principal stresses are also estimated for the Ranikot group and Dungan Formation. In order to calculate anisotropic elastic properties, the parameters of the rock strength of the formations are first determined from seismic data, along with the dominant stresses (vertical, minimum horizontal, and maximum horizontal). The differential ratio of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses is obtained to indicate optimal zones for hydraulic fracturing, and to assess the potential for geothermal energy reservoir prospect generation. The stress maps indicate high values towards the deeper part of the horizon, and low towards the shallower part, attributed to the lithological and structural variation in the area. Outcomes of structural interpretation indicate a good correlation of structure and tectonics from both seismological and seismic methods.     

The evolution of the Huangling uplift and its control on the accumulation and preservation of shale gas

There are plenty of Sinian and Cambrian potential shale gas resources in South China, which is characterized by high thermal evolution degrees, poor drilling performances and only occurs in local areas. Taking the principle “high to find low” is the key issue to achieving a breakthrough in older shale. China Geological Survey drilled in the periphery of the Proterozoic basement, i.e. the Huangling anticline, in the western Hubei, and Hannan paleocontinent in the southern Shanxi. It received high-quality gas-bearing shale with relatively low Ro in the in Lower Cambrian Niutitang formation and Sinian Doushantuo formation. Based on geological conditions of shale gas reservoirs in the Huangling anticline, this paper puts forward the new model named “Control over reservoirs by periphery of basement” about shale gas accumulation, suggesting that the shale deposited in a deepwater continental shelf in the periphery of the basement is characterized by shallow burial, a short burial time, stable tectonics, relatively low thermal evolution degrees, and shale gas reservoirs in a good condition. The shale of the Sinian-Cambrian strata deposited in deepwater continental shelves in the periphery of Chuanzhong paleo-uplift in Sichuan, Hannan paleocontinent in the southern Shanxi, Huangling anticline in western Hubei and Jiangnang-Xuefeng paleo-uplift in Hunan and Guizhou province have good shale gas exploration potential.     

Using climate to relate water discharge and area in modern and ancient catchments

Models relating sediment supply to catchment properties are important in order to use the geological record to deduce landscape evolution and interplay between tectonics and climate. Water discharge (Q _w) is an important factor in the widely used ‘BQART ’ model, which relates sediment load to a set of measurable catchment parameters. Although many of the factors in this equation may be independently estimated with some degree of certainty in ancient systems, water discharge (Q _w) certainly cannot. An analysis of a world database of modern catchments with 1255 entries shows that the commonly applied equation relating catchment area (A ) to water discharge (Q _w = 0·075A^0·8) does not predict water discharge from catchment area well in many cases (R ² = 0·5 and an error spanning about three orders of magnitude). This is because the method does not incorporate the effect of arid and wet climate on river water discharge. The inclusion of climate data into such estimations is an opportunity to refine these estimates, because generalized estimates of palaeoclimate can often be deduced on the basis of sedimentological data such as palaeosol types, mineralogy and palaeohydraulics. This paper investigates how the relationship between catchment area and river discharge varies with four runoff categories (arid, semi‐arid, humid and wet), which are recognizable in the geological record, and modifies the coefficient and exponent of the above‐mentioned equation according to these classes. This modified model yields improved results in relating discharge to catchment area (R ² = 0·95 and error spanning one order of magnitude) when core, outcrop or regional palaeoclimate reconstruction data are available in non‐arid systems. Arid systems have an inherently variable water discharge, and catchment area is less important as a control due to downstream losses. The model here is sufficient for many geological applications and makes it possible to include variations in catchment humidity in mass‐flux estimates in ancient settings.     

黔东松桃地区燕山期构造特征研究——以高地超大型锰矿床为例

黔东松桃地区构造格局主要是受到燕山运动影响形成。燕山早期,区内处于SEE—NWW向区域挤压收缩,形成了NNE—SSW向褶皱和断裂。下寒武统杷榔组—变马冲组地层和南华系下统大塘坡组地层作为两套滑脱层,在构造变形过程中起到滑脱作用,滑脱层内褶皱变形强烈,以大量紧闭、顶厚不协调褶皱为主要构造样式,而其上、下岩层则以断块或宽缓褶皱变形为主,以软弱层为界面,其上、下岩层发生逆冲滑脱作用,形成了区内隔槽式褶皱的构造样式。燕山晚期,区内处于NNE—SSW挤压为主,形成了区内NWW向小型褶皱和断裂,同时燕山晚期构造横跨叠加在早期变形之上,导致早期NNE向褶皱枢纽呈波状起伏,轴迹弯曲,部分地区形成了构造穹窿和构造盆地,部分早期断层呈左行走滑性质。在燕山早、晚两期构造作用下,高地矿区含锰岩系作为软弱滑脱层,向猴子坳向斜的核部进行滑脱聚集,使其在向斜的核部富集,翼部相对减薄。同时,由于犁式正断层的存在,也影响了锰矿层的保存与破坏。     

沉积学的新理论——评乔秀夫等著《软沉积物变形构造》一书

正2017年9月,地质出版社出版了一本前所未有的新书《软沉积物变形构造》,它像一棵耀眼的流星划破寂静的夜空落在地球上——落在地质学书库的海洋里。以往的沉积学都是研究静力(重力)沉积记录的科学,乔秀夫研究员等这本书恰恰相反,它是研究动力(地震力)沉积记录的科学,正像月球科学家过去的研究只限于月球的正面,现在开始研究月球的背面,点点滴滴的新信息都让人振     

华北地块中部新构造运动

由于印度板块持续向北运动,引起青藏高原的挤出,并于中新世末引起华北地块的向东挤出。大约在7.3 Ma,太行山西侧渭河盆地唐县面首先解体,继而向北、向东发展;到5 Ma左右,太行山东麓断裂带的右行走滑,导致华北中部唐县面全面解体,形成多个太行山内部山间盆地,以及太行山西侧山西地堑系。这些断陷盆地的断陷幅度各不相同,太行山西侧山西地堑系断陷幅度较大,太行山内部山间盆地断陷幅度较小,太行山东部的渤海湾盆地断陷活动不明显。伴随着盆地的形成,太行山相对进入快速隆升阶段。山西地堑系控盆断裂以及太行山东麓断裂带第四纪以来仍存在明显活动,切割并控制第四系,局部在地表形成地裂缝。华北地块中部的应力场恢复以及深部构造分析表明,深部地幔上涌对浅部伸展构造的形成具有重要的影响,深部构造演变与浅部构造演变具有高度的一致性和耦合性。太行山东部渤海湾盆地自中新世以来就进入拗陷阶段,断裂活动弱,构造演化与西侧差异较大,表明这期构造运动动力源于西侧,太行山东麓断裂带作为两侧差异演变的边界,调节着两侧的差异构造活动。     

北方集中供热系统气象风险评估初探

供热管网爆裂、跑冒滴漏是北方集中供热城市面临的常见问题,供热管网出现大型故障往往是在室外寒冷的隆冬时节,如果间断或限额供热时间过长,将会造成严重的社会和经济影响。同时在极端低温情况下,可能会造成热源供应不足,出现限额供热现象,不能保证室内舒适度,影响人们的正常生活。本文提出了能源供应气象风险评估和热网维修寒冷风险评估方法,并进行了案例评估,以期为未来进行相关风险评估提供参考。     

断裂应力特征及其转折控油气规律研究——以南堡凹陷为例

为了分析断裂对油气宏观分布规律的控制作用,寻找有勘探潜力的油气富集带,文中以地质力学理论为指导,对南堡凹陷断裂组合应力特征、断裂转折及成因进行解析,并结合砂体分布和古今构造应力场分布特征,对南堡凹陷东营组油气分布规律和有利勘探区带做了研究。结果表明:断裂转折部位对油气分布有着控制作用,东营组已探明的油气主要在帚状断裂系、入字形断裂系、交织式断裂系转折轴部高曲率附近呈环带状分布;断裂转折凹面一侧控油性明显,从宏观上来看,油气具有沿沉积相带由细到粗的构造脊高点以及弧形断裂转折凹面一侧的选择性运移的特征,断裂转折轴部高曲率高孔、高渗域与高孔、高渗砂体沉积相带的有利对置决定了油气的主流向;综合研究指出,南堡凹陷北堡构造带是今后优势勘探的首要区带,其次是南堡构造带和南堡4号蛤坨构造带南部。     

小极距高密度电法在城镇供水管漏水检测中的应用

城市地下供水管破损漏水检测,一般使用听音工具和设备来进行,这种需要漏水点传出声音的检测方式,效果往往并不理想。使用一种新的检测方法,无需利用声音,而是通过供水管漏水造成地层电性变化这一特征,使用小极距高密度电法查明管道漏水点位置。该检测方式不仅解决了常规方法难以查明的供水管漏水问题,而且拓展了小极距高密度电法的应用空间。