Effect of 2D spatial variability on slope reliability: A simplified FORM analysis

To meet the high demand for reliability based design of slopes, we present in this paper a simplified HLRF(Hasofere Linde Rackwitze Fiessler) iterative algorithm for first-order reliability method(FORM). It is simply formulated in x-space and requires neither transformation of correlated random variables nor optimization tools. The solution can be easily improved by iteratively adjusting the step length. The algorithm is particularly useful to practicing engineers for geotechnical reliability analysis where standalone(deterministic) numerical packages are used. Based on the proposed algorithm and through direct perturbation analysis of random variables, we conducted a case study of earth slope reliability with complete consideration of soil uncertainty and spatial variability.     

Electrical analogy for modelling thermal regime and moisture distribution in sandy soils

The soil mass is subjected to temperature variation due to several human activities (viz. tanks storing heated fluids, buried cables and pipelines, air-conditioning ducts, disposal of nuclear and thermal power plant wastes etc.), which result in heat-induced migration of the moisture in it. Though several studies have been conducted in the past to investigate the mechanism of heat migration through the soil mass, a methodology for ‘real-time measurement of the variations in temperature, flux and moving moisture front, in tandem, with respect to space' has rarely been attempted. In this context, extensive laboratory investigations were conducted to measure real-time flux and temperature variations in the sandy soils, and the validation of results has been done by employing an equivalent electrical circuit programme, LTspice. Subsequently, a mathematical model PHITMDS (i.e. Prediction of Heat-Induced Temperature and Moisture Distribution in Soil) has been developed and its utility and efficacy, for predicting the depth-wise temperature and heat-induced moisture migration, due to evaporation, in terms of position of moving moisture front in the sandy soil has been critically discussed and demonstrated.     

Landfill site selection based on reliability concepts using the DRASTIC method and AHP integrated with GIS – a case study of Bengaluru city,India

The selection of landfill sites for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal involves consideration of geological, hydrological and environmental parameters which exhibit large spatial variability. Therefore, it is necessary to define, to what extent the chosen sites are reliable such that the probability of environmental pollution and health risks to population is minimal. In the present study, groundwater vulnerability to contamination has been assessed using the standard DRASTIC method. The results showed that the study region has 9.45% of very less, 32.94% of less, 25.47% of moderate, 22.79% of high and 9.35% of very high vulnerable zones. The study also revealed that none of the landfills are located in safe zones. This suggests that it requires proper remedial measures to avoid environmental pollution. A landfill site selection process has been carried out using the Analytical Hierarchy Process integrated with Geographical Information System tools. The obtained results showed that only 3.59?km² (0.08%) of the total area is suitable for landfills. The reliability analysis of the site suitability revealed that landfills are located at unreliable locations where the probability of risk to environmental pollution is high. The presented approach assists decision-makers in selecting reliable locations for the safe disposal of MSW.     

西秦岭温泉—中川一带金属矿床的成矿规律及找矿预测

西秦岭温泉—中川一带实施的1:5万矿产地质调查项目,共圈定1:5万局部高磁异常33处,1:5万地球化学综合异常11处,发现矿点2处,矿化点5处,矿种有金、钼、铁、铜、铷等。通过分析研究区成矿地质条件、1:5万地球物理和地球化学综合异常特征、矿(化)点特征及分布规律等,阐明了该区成矿时空分布规律和矿产共生组合规律,划分成矿远景区9处,提交找矿靶区6处。对其中2处找矿靶区进行槽探验证的结果为: 关子镇幅玉杨观找矿靶区圈定了4条含铷矿化伟晶岩脉和多处铁矿化破碎蚀变带,具有形成伟晶岩型铷矿的潜力; 礼县幅李坝金矿床南侧百叶沟—河西沟找矿靶区圈定了14条蚀变破碎带,在矿化蚀变带内圈定了11条金矿(化)体,具有形成构造蚀变岩(微细粒浸染状)型金矿床的潜力。     

The geothermal formation mechanism in the Gonghe Basin: Discussion and analysis from the geological background

The Gonghe Basin, a Cenozoic down-warped basin, is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau, and spread over important nodes of the transfer of multiple blocks in the central orogenic belt in the NWW direction. It is also called “Qin Kun Fork” and “Gonghe Gap”. The basin has a high heat flow value and obvious thermal anomaly. The geothermal resources are mainly hot dry rock and underground hot water. In recent years, the mechanism of geothermal formation within the basin has been controversial. On the basis of understanding the knowledge of predecessors, this paper proposes the geothermal formation mechanism of the “heat source–heat transfer–heat reservoir and caprock–thermal system” of the Gonghe Basin from the perspective of a geological background through data integration-integrated research-expert, discussion-graph, compilation-field verification and other processes: (1) Heat source: geophysical exploration and radioisotope calculations show that the heat source of heat in the basin has both the contribution of mantle and the participation of the earth’s crust, but mainly the contribution of the deep mantle. (2) Heat transfer: The petrological properties of the basin and the exposed structure position of the surface hot springs show that one transfer mode is the material of the mantle source upwells and invades from the bottom, directly injecting heat; the other is that the deep fault conducts the deep heat of the basin to the middle and lower parts of the earth’s crust, then the secondary fracture transfers the heat to the shallow part. (3) Heat reservoir and caprock: First, the convective strip-shaped heat reservoir exposed by the hot springs on the peripheral fault zone of the basin; second, the underlying hot dry rock layered heat reservoir and the upper new generation heat reservoir and caprock in the basin revealed by drilling data. (4) Thermal system: Based on the characteristics of the “heat source-heat transfer-heat reservoir and caprock”, it is preliminarily believed that the Gonghe Basin belongs to the non-magmatic heat source hydrothermal geothermal system (type II2₁) and the dry heat geothermal system (type II2₂). Its favorable structural position and special geological evolutionary history have given birth to a unique environment for the formation of the geothermal system. There may be a cumulative effect of heat accumulation in the eastern part of the basin, which is expected to become a favorable exploration area for hot dry rocks.     

5 000 m深部干热岩钻井方案的技术经济评价

介绍了美国芬顿山和法国苏茨深部干热岩的典型钻井技术方案,并根据我国干热岩钻井基础和地质成藏条件,从钻井深度、井身结构、钻进工艺和钻机设备等方面制定了3种不同的干热岩钻井技术方案,给出了具体技术指标数值。通过计算,对每种方案进行了技术经济评价,结果认为: 大直径钻井方案是技术可靠、经济可行的5 000 m干热岩钻探施工方案。     

Jurassic and Cretaceous (Yanshannian) tectonics,magmatism and metallogenesis in South China: preface

ABSTRACT

South China is famous for its poly-metal deposits, with more than 50% of global W and Sb reserves, 20% of global Sn reserves, as well as abundant Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag, Ta, Nb, REE and U deposits. This special issue consists of 21 papers, reporting recent progress on Yanshannian tectonic evolution, magmatism and ore deposits in South China, aiming at better understandings on the Mesozoic large-scale magmatism and mineralization events.     

The terrestrial fauna of the Late Triassic Pant-y-ffynnon Quarry fissures,South Wales,UK and a new species of Clevosaurus (Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia)

Pant-y-ffynnon Quarry in South Wales yielded a rich cache of fossils in the early 1950s, including articulated specimens of new species (the small sauropodomorph dinosaur Pantydraco caducus and the crocodylomorph Terrestrisuchus gracilis), but no substantial study of the wider fauna of the Pant-y-ffynnon fissure systems has been published. Here, our overview of existing specimens, a few described but mostly undescribed, as well as freshly processed material, provides a comprehensive picture of the Pant-y-ffynnon palaeo-island of the Late Triassic. This was an island with a relatively impoverished fauna dominated by small clevosaurs (rhynchocephalians), including a new species, Clevosaurus cambrica, described here from a partially articulated specimen and isolated bones. The new species has a dental morphology that is intermediate between the Late Triassic Clevosaurus hudsoni, from Cromhall Quarry to the east, and the younger C. convallis from Pant Quarry to the west, suggesting adaptive radiation of clevosaurs in the palaeo-archipelago. The larger reptiles on the palaeo-island do not exceed 1.5?m in length, including a small carnivorous crocodylomorph, Terrestrisuchus, and a possible example of insular dwarfism in the basal dinosaur Pantydraco.     

渝东南地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩孔径分布测试方法研究

低温氮气吸附法已普遍用于评价页岩的孔隙结构,但是文献中报道的脱气温度和脱气时间等测试条件不尽相同,此外测试结果中经常出现滞后环不闭合的情况,严重影响了孔径分布等结构参数测试的准确性。为了评价和探索有效的页岩孔径分布测试方法,本文选取渝科1井下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色页岩,重点研究应用低温氮气吸附法分析其孔径分布的测试条件,系统探讨了样品质量、脱气温度、升温速率和脱气时间对测试结果的影响,通过进一步优化参数建立了可靠的孔径分布测试方法,并成功用于测定其他页岩样品。结果表明:吸附-脱附等温线呈反C型,属于Brunauer等提出的BDDT等温吸附曲线分类中的V型,滞后环完全闭合,属于IUPAC分类中的H4型,对应狭窄的狭缝型孔隙,说明此类页岩中除了含有峰值孔径主要集中在3.5~4.5 nm的中孔和一定数量的大孔外,还存在大量微孔。研究认为脱气温度是影响测试结果的主要因素。该研究是页岩孔径分布测试方法的一项补充,为我国页岩气的深入研究提供了关键参数支持。     

沁水盆地原始水动力场类型及其对煤层气排采的影响

水动力场研究在煤层气勘探开发中具有重要作用。本文首先讨论了基于煤层气井排采资料的水动力场研究方法,在分析沁水盆地柿庄区块原始水动力场特点的基础上,结合前人在盆地其他区块水动力场的研究成果,分析了沁水盆地原始水动力场的类型,进而探讨了水动力场类型对煤层气排采的控制作用。研究表明:沁水盆地自边缘向腹部依次存在重力驱动型、滞流型和压实驱动型三种类型的区域原始水动力场;重力驱动型和滞流型水动力场具备煤层气保存条件,含气量高,煤层气排采效果相对较好,而压实驱动型水动力场虽具备一定的保存条件,但因地层压力较高,煤层气井排水降压困难,产气效果较差;无论是在重力驱动型还是滞流型的区域水动力场中,局部的低势汇聚区具备煤层气保存和排采的有利条件,煤层气开发效果一般较好。在未来煤层气勘探开发过程中,应将重力流驱型或滞流型水动力场所在区域中的局部低势汇聚区作为煤层气开发的甜点区。