Interpretation of the lime column penetration test

Dry soil mix (DSM) columns can be used to reduce the settlement of embankments constructed on soft clays and to improve the stability. During construction the shear strength of the columns needs to be confirmed for compliance with technical assumptions. However, the measurement of the column shear strength can be a contentious issue. All methods of assessing the ultimate shear strength of DSM columns have limitations. These are caused by uncertainties in empirical probe factors required to convert pullout or push in force measured during the lime column penetration test to shear strength and/or testing a small proportion of the DSM column volume and determining whether it is representative of the strength of the entire column. The penetration resistance measured using the lime column test is considered to be more representative of average column shear strength than some other test types. This test can be carried out as a pullout resistance test (PORT) or a push in resistance test (PIRT). Both PORT and PIRT require empirical correlations of measured resistance to an absolute measure of shear strength, in a similar manner to the Piezocone test. In this paper, finite element techniques developed for assessment of T-bar, Ball and Piezocone penetration tests ,  and  are used to assess bounds for the empirical probe factor, N. To simulate the cemented DSM columns, analyses have incorporated a model for a strain softening material. Measured settlements from an embankment constructed on DSM ground improvement are then compared with finite element calculations to infer the shear strength of the columns. These inferred shear strengths are then compared with the results of PORT tests performed beneath the embankment.     

A simulation study of microstructure evolution inside the shear band in biaxial compression test

We study the development of microstructure inside the shear band in granular media consisting of elliptical‐shaped particles. Plane strain biaxial compression test was simulated using two‐dimensional distinct element method. The generation of large voids and concentration of excessive particle rotation inside a shear band are found in a quite similar manner to those observed in natural soils. Evolution of the microstructure inside and outside the shear band is studied. The magnitude and direction of particle rotation inside the shear band is influenced by orientation of long axes of elliptical particles. Because of such particle rotations inside the shear band, the preferred alignment of particles becomes horizontal in the residual state, which results in a more anisotropic contact normal distribution oriented along the major principal stress axis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

苏北盆地沙埝油田阜三段储层微观特征及其与驱油效率的关系

在对沙埝油田阜三段储层微观特征进行研究的基础上,利用真实砂岩微观模型水驱油实验得到驱油效率,探讨了物性和孔隙结构特征对驱油效率的影响,解释实验中出现渗透率相近的样品驱油效率却相差较大的特殊现象,并对退汞效率作为驱油效率的准确性进行分析。结果表明,储层岩石碎屑颗粒粒度细、分选较差、填隙物含量高,且经历了较强的压实作用,是造成孔隙喉道细小、非均质性较强的主要原因;驱油效率随物性变好、喉道变大而提高,但其与喉道分选性的关系较为复杂,大喉道一方面加剧了喉道间的非均质性,另一方面则提供了孔隙间良好的连通通道,分选较好的小喉道则保证了注入水的均匀推进;驱油效率主要受物性与最大连通喉道控制;真实砂岩微观模型水驱油实验所得的驱油效率与压汞实验所得的退汞效率相关性较好,但在低值区存在一定差异。     

Three-body problem — From Newton to supercomputer plus machine learning

The famous three-body problem can be traced back to Newton in 1687, but quite few families of periodic orbits were found in 300 years thereafter. In this paper, we propose an effective approach and roadmap to numerically gain planar periodic orbits of three-body systems with arbitrary masses by means of machine learning based on an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Given any a known periodic orbit as a starting point, this approach can provide more and more periodic orbits (of the same family name) with variable masses, while the mass domain having periodic orbits becomes larger and larger, and the ANN model becomes wiser and wiser. Finally we have an ANN model trained by means of all obtained periodic orbits of the same family, which provides a convenient way to give accurate enough predictions of periodic orbits with arbitrary masses for physicists and astronomers. It suggests that the high-performance computer and artificial intelligence (including machine learning) should be the key to gain periodic orbits of the famous three-body problem.     

Multiscale modeling of ice deformation behavior

Understanding the flow of ice in glaciers and polar ice sheets is of increasing relevance in a time of potentially significant climate change. The flow of ice has hitherto received relatively little attention from the structural geological community. This paper aims to provide an overview of methods and results of ice deformation modeling from the single crystal to the polycrystal scale, and beyond to the scale of polar ice sheets. All through these scales, various models have been developed to understand, describe and predict the processes that operate during deformation of ice, with the aim to correctly represent ice rheology and self-induced anisotropy. Most of the modeling tools presented in this paper originate from the material science community, and are currently used and further developed for other materials and environments. We will show that this community has deeply integrated ice as a very useful “model” material to develop and validate approaches in conditions of a highly anisotropic behavior. This review, by no means exhaustive, aims at providing an overview of methods at different scales and levels of complexity.     

岫岩MS5.4地震前后S波分裂研究

利用辽宁数字地震台网的营口台的三分向数字化地震资料,研究了1999年岫岩Ms5.4地震前后S波分裂特征.结果表明:(1)延迟时间大部分在0.9～7.2ms/km范围内,平均4.23ms/km;(2)震前快S波的优势偏振方向为N51°～88°E,平均N58.66°E;震后S波的偏振方向主要集中在N1°W～N2°E和N55°～84°E范围内,平均偏振角为近NS向和N68.13°E.NE的偏振方向与震源应力场的主压应力方向N70°E接近,由此推测1999年岫岩Ms5.4地震的S波分裂是震源应力场引起的介质各向异性的结果.     

A three-dimensional equivalent continuum constitutive model for jointed rock masses containing up to three random joint sets

A three dimensional constitutive model is formulated for deformation analysis of jointed rock masses containing up to three joint sets with arbitrary spatial configurations. A representative elementary volume (REV) that represents the deformational response of the rock mass is defined and the constitutive relationships are developed based on superposition of deformations of the REV components. By representing the constitutive relationships in a tensorial form, the model is able to implement deformation anisotropy of jointed rock masses. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion with tension cut-off is used for the intact rock and the joint sets. The model is implemented in FLAC^3D and the deformations and strength values calculated by the model are compared with the results from a 3DEC model and analytical solutions. The model results are in good agreement with those obtained from 3DEC.     

Hypoplastic and viscohypoplastic models for soft clays with strength anisotropy

This paper presents a new viscohypoplastic model for soft clays accounting for their typical features—strength anisotropy and rate dependency. The model is based on the hypoplastic model for clays enhanced by the anisotropic shape of the asymptotic state boundary surface. It has been shown that if the surface is skewed, the model predicts different ultimate strength in compression and in extension. Additional enhancement makes the tensor L bilinear in the strain rate, which more realistically predicts the stress paths of K₀ consolidated samples. The new model has been evaluated by simulating laboratory experiments on soft marine clays (Singapore and Bangkok clays). The model can be easily calibrated using only undrained triaxial and odometer tests. The model is subsequently enhanced by the rate effects. The resulting viscohypoplastic model has been evaluated using experiments of remolded kaolin clay and St. Herblain clay. It is shown that the enhanced model can predict important features of soil viscous behavior, such as rate dependency of strength and preconsolidation pressure, relaxation, and creep.     

Effective elastic properties of the double‐periodically cracked plates

In this paper, the interaction of double‐periodical cracks is accurately solved based on the isolating analysis procedure, superposition principle, pseudo‐traction method, Chebyshev polynomial expansion and crack‐surface collocation technique. The jump displacement crossing crack faces, the average additional strain and therefore the effective compliance of the double‐periodically cracked plate are directly determined. The numerical results for axial‐symmetrically distributed double‐periodical cracks, general double‐periodical cracks with one collinear direction as well as two sets of double‐periodical cracks with same size and square distribution are given in this paper. And the partial typical numerical results are compared with the previous works. The analysis shows that the anisotropy induced by the general double‐periodical cracks is generally not orthogonal anisotropy. Only when the double‐periodical cracks are axial‐symmetrically distributed, is the anisotropy orthogonal. In this special cases, the effective engineering constants (consist of effective elastic modulus, the effective Poisson's ratio, the effective shear modulus) of cracked plate versus crack spacing, in the plane stress and plane strain conditions, respectively, are analysed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Investigation on Anisotropy of Cosmic Rays with a Small Air Shower Array

We have studied anisotropy of cosmic rays with an Extensive Air Shower(EAS) array in Tehran 1200 m above sea level. In analyzing the data set, we have used appropriate techniques of analysis and considered environmental effects. An asymmetry has been observed in the azimuthal distribution of EAS of cosmic rays because of magnetic field of the Earth.