Towards a method for postcolonial development geography? Possibilities and challenges

In this paper we explore the contours of a 'method' for postcolonial development geography, which makes it possible to imagine another 'world-picturing'. We suggest three steps towards such a method. First, we propose that a postcolonial method involves thinking about why we are doing research in the south in the first place; how we come to and produce our questions; and how we analyze and represent our findings based on our subject positionings. Second, that we need to recognize theorization as an inherent part of method, rethink how we currently theorize and reconfigure our methods of theorization to address wider political aims. Problematizing theorization helps challenge the universalism of Eurocentric theories, thus enabling development geography to move towards more decolonized versions and visions. Finally, that this must be accompanied by firmer recognition of our multiple investments – personal, institutional and geopolitical – and how they frame the possibilities for change. These are some possible steps that we think can reconfigure the 'scholarly track' that postcolonial development geographers traverse.     

Berriasian (Lower Cretaceous) brachiopods from the Crimea

Four successive assemblages of Berriasian brachiopods distinguished for the first time in the Crimea are correlated with concurrent subdivisions of the ammonoid scale. Berriasian brachiopods are represented by 44 species of 27 genera and 14 families, which are most complete in terms of taxonomic composition as compared to other concurrent brachiopod faunas known elsewhere. The assemblages are dominated by local species. As is proved, the Berriasian brachiopods studied are appropriate for age determination, subdivision and correlation of their host deposits. Their geographic distribution that has been analyzed elucidates connections of the Berriasian sea basins within the Mediterranean paleozoogeographic region.     

New data on Upper Kimmeridgian-Tithonian biostratigraphy and ammonites of the eastern Crimea

Based on ammonites, Upper Kimmeridgian sediments are first established in the Crimean Mountains. The Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary recognizable in a continuous section is placed inside the Dvuyakomaya Formation of uniform largely clayey sediments. Assemblages of Kimmeridgian ammonites Lingulaticeras cf. procurvum (Ziegler), Pseudowaagenia gemmellariana Oloriz, Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus (Herbich), Subplanites sp.) and Tithonian forms (?Lingulaticeras efimovi (Rogov), Phylloceras consaguineum Gemmellaro, Oloriziceras cf. schneidi Tavera, and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius (Oppel) are described. A new biostratigraphic scheme proposed for the upper Tithonian-Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains includes the following new biostratigraphic units: the Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus Beds of the upper Kimmeridgian, ?Lingulaticeras efimovi Beds of the lower Tithonian, and Oloriziceras cf. schneidi and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius beds of the upper Tithonian. The middle Tithonian is proposed to consist of the fallauxi and semiforme (presumably) zones. The ammonities found determine the early Kimmeridgian-Berriasian age of the Dvuyakornaya Formation that is most likely in tectonic contact with the underlying Khutoran Formation.     

云南元-磨公路某高堑坡灾害发生机制及防治对策

论文根据现场地质调查,应用地质力学分析方法,分析了元-磨公路K235 160~600段高堑坡地质条件、病害发生机制和诱发因素。堑坡所在区域位于红河深大断裂与哀牢山深大断裂所夹持的哀牢山褶皱带内,属强烈侵蚀切割的低中山区,河流下切严重,河流阶地不发育。南溪河及其支流小曼萨河、叉河依附于不同时期生成的构造发育而成,堑坡位于小曼萨河注入南溪河的交汇部位小曼萨河的左岸。小曼萨河及南溪河所夹持的山体,尤其是堑坡所在的部位,已严重破碎、松弛,岩石似大块石堆垒状,坡面上的树木均明显地向小曼萨河方向倾倒。经地质力学配套分析,堑坡所依附的山梁形成于红河深大断裂生成期(γ4),堑坡岩体受多期构造活动的作用,其中NW65/°SW64°及NW63/°SW35°两组倾向临空的构造面控制坡体的稳定。堑坡具备发生变形破坏的地质条件,分析认为由于组成坡体的岩土强度不足而引起既有构造面的大型坍塌。连续降雨及温差是诱发因素。基于目前国内边坡防治技术、施工能力,提出了以“治”或“避”为主的防治对策。     

基于有限差分法的抗滑桩计算机辅助设计

基于地基系数“m-m”法、“m-k”法、“k-k”法的原理,考虑桩顶和桩底边界条件以及桩在滑动面处位移、转角、弯矩和剪力的连续条件,可解得桩身各节点的位移和内力,提出了进行抗滑桩全桩内力计算的有限差分法。根据差分方程并用VB6.0编制了实用的计算程序,既可避免繁琐的查表计算,提高计算速度,又可提高计算精度,直观生动,真正实现了人机交互,在界面的引导下,设计人员可完成全部计算,并绘出内力图形和抗滑桩截面配筋图,使设计更方便快捷,该软件可以极大地提高生产效率,降低工程造价,从而实现抗滑桩的优化设计。最后采用上述方法对某滑坡的悬臂抗滑桩进行了设计与计算。     

福建平潭虎潮山滑坡成因机理分析与评价

虎潮山滑坡位于平宏公路12k 704~12k 884段北侧山坡体上,是平潭海岛通往陆地的唯一公路通道。论文通过定性的工程地质分析和定量计算评价了虎潮山坡体稳定性的变化趋势,提出改建公路超挖深切坡脚和持续长时间强降雨导致的孔隙水压力作用是边坡发生滑动破坏的主要因素。     

弯道超高法在泥石流流速计算中的应用——以四川省汶川县G317国道磨子沟泥石流为例

选取四川省汶川至马尔康公路线的磨子沟作为试验对象,采用弯道超高法推算其泥石流流速。进而可以计算出该次泥石流的平均流量,为公路的改建工程提供设计依据。经过实地调查,用此方法计算磨子沟2005年8月17日暴发的泥石流流速为4.4m/s。同其他流速方法计算的结果相比较,前者值偏大,且偏向于工程安全值。弯道超高法可以解决泥石流观测的局限性和泥石流发生的不可重复性。此方法简便易行,对泥石流防治工程具有一定的实用价值。     

GPS高程拟合的方式及可靠性分析

在范围不大的区域中，高程异常具有一定的几何相关性，GPS高程拟合就是利用这一原理，求解正常高。在解析法求解过程中，首先用最小二乘法确定拟合数学模型的系数，在此基础上计算出待测点的高程异常值。通过实例验证：GPS高程拟合的精度主要取决于GPS大地高的精度、重合点正常高的精度、重合点的分布及拟模型的选择。一般在重合点数量充足且分布均匀的情况下，GPS高程拟合的精度可达到四等水准网的精度要求。