Mantle Mush Compaction: a Key to Understand the Mechanisms of Concentration of Kimberlite Melts and Initiation of Swarms of Kimberlite Dykes

Kimberlite pipes or dykes tend to occur in clusters (a few kilometresin diameter) within fields 30–50 km in diameter. Theyare generally considered to originate from low degrees of partialmelting of carbonated peridotite within zones of ascending mantle.Numerical modelling shows that at the depth of formation ofkimberlite melts (>>200 km), mantle compaction processescan result in the formation of melt pockets a few tens of kilometresacross, with melt concentrations up to 7%. The initiation ofswarms of kimberlite dykes at the top of these melt pocketsis inevitable because of the large excess pressure between themelt and the surrounding solid, which exceeds the hydraulicfracturing limit of the overlying rocks. After their initiationat mantle depth the swarm of dykes may reach the surface ofthe Earth when the entire cratonic lithosphere column is inextension. We propose that kimberlite fields represent the surfaceenvelope of dyke swarms generated inside a melt pocket and thatkimberlite clusters represent the discharge of melt via dykesoriginating from sub-regions of the pocket. This model reproducesthe worldwide average diameter of kimberlite fields and is consistentwith the observation that some of the main kimberlite fieldsdisplay age ranges of c. 10 Myr. It is deduced that, at thescale of the Kaapvaal craton, different fields such as Kimberley,N. Lesotho and Orapa, dated at 80–90 Ma, probably resultfrom synchronous melt pockets forming inside an ascending mantleflow. The same model could apply to the fields of the Rietfontein,Central Cape and Gibeon districts dated at 60–70 Ma. Itis suggested that the same mantle flow that produced the Kimberley,N. Lesotho and Orapa fields migrated over 20–30 Myr afew hundred kilometres westward to form the Rietfontein, CentralCape and Gibeon fields. KEY WORDS: kimberlites; mantle; compaction; convection; volcanism     

浅谈挤密碎石桩的施工方法

挤密碎石桩施工法是一种振动成桩法,即先用桩管振动成孔,然后填入足够数量的碎石,最后振动密实成桩体。通过振动、挤密的成桩过程,将原地基土振动夯实,桩体与桩间土形成复合地基,达到既处理可液化地基又增强地基的效果。介绍了挤密碎石柱的施工方法和质量检测方法。     

Effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water transport from opencast coal mine soils: An experimental study

The use of heavy machinery during opencast coal mining can result in soil compaction. Severe soil compaction has a negative impact on the transport of water and gas in the soil. In addition, rainfall intensity has traditionally been related to soil surface sealing affecting water transport. To assess the effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water infiltration and surface runoff in an opencast coal mining area, the disturbed soils from the Antaibao opencast mine in Shanxi Province, China, were collected. Four soil columns with different bulk densities (i.e., 1.4 g cm^-3, 1.5 g cm^-3, 1.6 g cm^-3, and 1.7 g cm^-3) were designed, and each column received water five times at rainfall intensities of 23.12, 28.91, 38.54, 57.81, and 115.62 mm hr^-1. The total volume of runoff, the time to start runoff, and the volumetric water contents at the depths of 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, 45 cm, 55 cm, and 65 cm were measured. Under the same soil bulk density, high rainfall intensity reduced infiltration, increased surface runoff, and decreased the magnitude of change in the volumetric water contents at different depths. Under the same rainfall intensity, the soil column with a high bulk density showed relatively low water infiltration. Treatments 3 (1.6 g cm^-3) and 4 (1.7 g cm^-3) had very small changes in volumetric water contents of the profiles even under a lower rainfall intensity. Severe soil compaction was highly prone to surface runoff after rainfall. Engineering and revegetation measures are available to improve compacted soil quality in dumps. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the management of land reclamation in opencast coal mine areas.     

Simulation of drilling‐induced compaction bands using discrete element method

Rock failure is observed around boreholes often with certain types of failure zones, which are called breakouts. Laboratory‐scale drilling tests in some high‐porosity quartz‐rich sandstone have shown breakouts in the form of narrow localized compacted zones in the minimum horizontal stress direction. They are called fracture‐like breakouts. Such compaction bands may affect hydrocarbon extraction by forming barriers that inhibit fluid flow and may also be a source of sand production. This paper presents the results of numerical simulations of borehole breakouts using 3D discrete element method to investigate the mechanism of the fracture‐like breakouts and to identify the role of far‐field stresses on the breakout dimensions. The numerical tool was first verified against analytical solutions. It was then utilized to investigate the failure mechanism and breakout geometry for drilled cubic rock samples of Castlegate sandstone subjected to different pre‐existing far‐field stresses. Results show that failure occurs in the zones of the highest concentration of tangential stress around the borehole. It is concluded that fracture‐like breakout develops as a result of a nondilatant failure mechanism consisting of localized grain debonding and repacking and grain crushing that lead to the formation of a compaction band in the minimum horizontal stress direction. In addition, it is found that the length of fracture‐like breakouts depends on both the mean stress and stress anisotropy. However, the width of the breakout is not significantly changed by the far‐field stresses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The application of satellite differential SAR interferometry-derived ground displacements in hydrogeology

The application of satellite differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry, principally coherent (InSAR) and to a lesser extent, persistent-scatterer (PSI) techniques to hydrogeologic studies has improved capabilities to map, monitor, analyze, and simulate groundwater flow, aquifer-system compaction and land subsidence. A number of investigations over the previous decade show how the spatially detailed images of ground displacements measured with InSAR have advanced hydrogeologic understanding, especially when a time series of images is used in conjunction with histories of changes in water levels and management practices. Important advances include: (1) identifying structural or lithostratigraphic boundaries (e.g. faults or transitional facies) of groundwater flow and deformation; (2) defining the material and hydraulic heterogeneity of deforming aquifer-systems; (3) estimating system properties (e.g. storage coefficients and hydraulic conductivities); and (4) constraining numerical models of groundwater flow, aquifer-system compaction, and land subsidence. As a component of an integrated approach to hydrogeologic monitoring and characterization of unconsolidated alluvial groundwater basins differential SAR interferometry contributes unique information that can facilitate improved management of groundwater resources. Future satellite SAR missions specifically designed for differential interferometry will enhance these contributions.     

强夯振动加速度的量测及现场试验研究

结合延安新区强夯加固地基工程,进行强夯振动加速度测试现场试验。选取填方区场地,结合地形设计监测方案,以测试强夯波沿水平方向和斜坡的传播规律。在选定试验段的某级填方场地上布置多组加速度传感器,运用多个8通道24位高速采集卡记录强夯振动加速度在平面和斜坡的传播和衰减过程,探讨强夯振动波沿水平面和斜坡的传播规律以及能级对振动加速度的影响。结果表明:径向和竖向加速度值均随与夯点距离的增大而减小;在与夯击点距离相同处,强夯振动波沿水平方向传播的径向和竖向加速度值要大于沿斜坡方向;随着能级的增大,强夯产生的夯击波增强,在与夯击点相同距离处产生的径向和竖向加速度均明显增大。     

黔西南中晚二叠世大厂层火山热水沉积成矿作用

贵州晴隆大厂锑矿区赋矿地层大厂层为一套以硅化为主的火山碎屑岩沉积建造,因其别具特色的岩石组合、特殊的构造位置,以及含有金、锑、萤石、硫铁矿等矿产资源而备受地学界关注。晴隆大厂锑矿床90%以上的锑矿体和金矿化体均位于大厂层之中,因此,研究大厂层的形成和演化过程及其对锑、金成矿的控制作用或影响机理显得尤为重要。沉积岩相学研究表明,大厂层主要包括火山岩相(火山溢流相、淬碎角砾岩相、沉凝灰岩相、空落集块岩相和熔结凝灰岩相)和热液沉积岩相(热水沉积相、热水喷流相和热水交代相)。中—晚二叠世(约260 Ma)的溢流玄武岩、基性火山喷发和海底热水喷流活动是大厂层的主要物源供给者。元素地球化学研究表明,大厂层在沉积过程的热水喷流沉积作用提供了Sb、As、Au、Ag、Pb等成矿元素,并形成成矿元素的初始"富集体"。综合研究认为,中—晚二叠世的热水喷流沉积活动在时间上与右江盆地印支期低温热液成矿事件(200～250 Ma)在时空上基本一致,为印支期成矿事件在右江盆地北缘的响应。     

TWO-PHASE OIL MIGRATION IN COMPACTING SEDIMENTARY BASINS MODELLED BY THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

The upstream-weighted finite element method with lumped mass matrix is applied to the modelling of oil migration in compacting sedimentary basins. An implicit formulation is made in Lagrangian co-ordinates of a pressure, saturation and a temperature equation, which is based on immiscible two-phase flow of oil and water. The formulation accounts for the compaction of the sediments, the generation of oil from solid organic material (kerogen), the eventual pore space generated by kerogen breakdown, and the density variations of the fluids which may set up thermal convection. The model is validated by comparison with results from a one-dimensional (1D) fractional flow-based migration model. A 2D case example showing oil expulsion from source rocks, and the filling of a trap is presented. The mass balance of the model is easily checked because all oil in the basin originates from breakdown of kerogen. Compared with other alternatives, the simple upstream-weighted finite element method is suggested as a possible first choice for a numerical method for the modelling of oil migration in compacting sedimentary basins. It easily deals with the complex geometry of a basin, it yields reasonably good results, is simple to implement, and the same implementation applies to all spatial dimensions. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

多边形断层系及其研究现状

多边形断层为一类非构造断层,主要分布于深水环境下的细粒沉积物中。它的形成与沉积物的早期压实作用和流体排出作用有关。多边形断层系的识别主要通过时间切片分析和地震剖面解释等手段进行。研究表明,多边形断层系发育一般要经历3个阶段,即超压封存箱的形成、密度反转和多期水力压裂作用。对多边形断层系的研究有助于泥岩压实、油气运移、泥岩中流体活动状态以及对深水砂体分布和几何形态特征的分析等。由于我国还未发现有多边形断层系的存在,希望本文的介绍能为我国开展此类断层研究时有所帮助。     

凸轮型冲击旋压钻头成孔机理研究

挤密钻头是潜孔锤冲击挤密钻进技术的关键所在,其结构形式直接影响着钻进效率、成孔质量和应用效果。应用非线性有限元理论,对动载荷作用下土体的弹塑性和压缩性的变化规律进行了分析。研究发现,常规钻头在冲击挤密钻进过程中产生的桩效应是导致钻进效率降低的主要原因。为了克服桩效应的影响,利用ANSYS/LSDYNA软件对阶梯式钻头和凸轮旋压钻头的钻进过程进行数值模拟分析,并通过实钻试验进行验证。数值模拟分析和试验结果均表明：凸轮旋压钻头能够有效避免钻进过程中土体回弹问题,降低桩效应对钻进效率的影响。试验结果与模拟结果相吻合,表明数值模拟的结果相对可靠。