Intrinsic versus extrinsic variability of analogue sand-box experiments – Insights from statistical analysis of repeated accretionary sand wedge experiments

Analogue models are not perfectly reproducible even under controlled boundary conditions which make their interpretation and application not always straight forward. As any scientific experiment they include some random component which can be influenced both by intrinsic (inherent processes) and extrinsic (boundary conditions, material properties) sources. In order to help in the assessment of analogue model results, we discriminate and quantify the intrinsic versus extrinsic variability of results from “sandbox” models of accretionary wedges that were repeated in a controlled environment. The extrinsic source of variability, i.e. the parameter varied is the nature of the décollement (material, friction and thickness). Experiment observables include geometric properties of the faults (lifetime, spacing, dip) as well as wedge geometry (height, slope, length).For each variable we calculated the coefficient of variance (CV) and quantified the variability as a symmetric distribution (Normal, Laplacian) or asymmetric distribution (Gamma) using a Chi squared test (χ²). Observables like fault dip/back thrust dip (CV = 0.6–0.7/0.2–0.6) are less variable and decrease in magnitude with decreasing basal friction. Variables that are time dependent like fault lifetime (CV = 0.19–0.56) and fault spacing (CV = 0.12 – 0.36) have a higher CV consequently affecting the variability of wedge slope (CV = 0.12–0.33). These observables also increase in magnitude with increasing basal friction. As the mechanical complexity of the evolving wedge increases over time so does the CV and asymmetry of the distribution. In addition, we confirm the repeatability of experiments using an ANOVA test. Through the statistical analysis of results from repeated experiments we present a tool to quantify variability and an alternative method to gaining better insights into the dynamic mechanics of deformation in analogue sand wedges.     

The Cosmolian program for simulating aeolian dynamics and its application to central Australia

The wide spatial coverage of sand dunes in continental interiors makes the understanding of their activity and accumulation history valuable for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and the interpretation of landscape evolution. Nevertheless, the study of aeolian landscape development at the million-year timescale is hampered by the complex interaction of factors determining dune migration and the inherently self-destructive nature of their chronostratigraphy, thus limiting the applicability of traditional dating methods. This study presents a standalone program that simulates aeolian transport based on luminescence-derived chronologies coupled with numerical modelling of the accumulation of cosmogenic nuclides. This integrative approach to modelling the history of aeolian landforms reveals phases of emergence of aeolian sand into the landscape, and provides a data-based scheme that facilitates the morphodynamical study of aeolian processes over multiple timescales and up to several millions of years. The application of the program for reanalysing previously reported data from the Australian Simpson Desert reveals multiple pulses of sand dispersion into central Australia at 3.8–3.4, 2.9–2.5 and 1.5–1 Ma, corresponding to pronounced changes in climatic conditions and landscape deformation events. The synchronicity of the results with the established environmental framework that would promote the production and aeolian distribution of sand exemplifies the applicability of process-based modelling in constructing a timeframe of key landscape evolution events in arid environments by studying aeolian deposits. The dependence of the parameters used to determine environmental settings on sand transportation patterns additionally makes the program a powerful tool to further investigate the triggers and mechanisms of aeolian processes.     

Luminescence chronology of the inland sand dunes from SE India

Records of past climate changes have been preserved variously on the earth's surface. Sand dunes are one such prominent imprint, and it is suggested that their presence is an indicator of periods of transition from arid to less arid phases. We report inland sand dunes from Andhra Pradesh (SE India) spread over an area of ~ 500 km², ~ 75 km inland from the east coast. The dune sands are examined to understand their provenance, transportation, timing of sand aggradation and their relationship to past climates. The dune distribution, grain morphology and the grain-size studies on sands suggest an aeolian origin. Physiography of the study area, heavy mineral assemblage, and abundance of quartz in the parent rocks indicate that the dune sands are largely derived from first-order streams emanating from hills in the region and from weathering of the Nellore schist belt. It appears that the geomorphology and wind direction pattern both facilitated and restricted the dune aggradation and preservation to a limited area. OSL dating of 47 dune samples ranged from the present to ~ 50 ka, thereby suggesting a long duration of sand-dune aggradation and/or reworking history.     

枫丹白露砂土的环境箱蒸发试验

为研究土壤水分的蒸发机理,自主开发了大型环境箱试验装置,并以枫丹白露砂土为研究对象,室内模拟土壤水分的蒸发过程。该试验在控制大气参数和保持土壤底部水位稳定的条件下,对蒸发过程中大气参数（空气温度、相对湿度和流量）和土壤参数（土壤温度、基质吸力和体积含水量）的变化,特别是土壤表面基质吸力的变化进行了研究。同时根据试验结果对蒸发速率及累积蒸发量进行了计算分析。研究结果表明:蒸发主要限制在土壤浅层区域,浅层土壤的体积含水量和温度的变化均较大;空气温度和土壤蒸发过程对土壤温度的变化具有较大的影响;土壤表面空气相对湿度与蒸发过程具有相关性;土壤基质吸力随着蒸发的进行逐渐增大; 实际蒸发速率呈现3个阶段。     

沧东-南皮凹陷舍女寺地区孔店组油层组沉积微相

舍女寺地区位于沧东凹陷和南皮凹陷之间,西靠沧县隆起东与孔店构造带以鞍部相接,朵体范围较大。该目标区孔二段2油层组主要发育辫状河三角洲及水下扇沉积相,延伸至官158井。物源主要来自西侧沧县隆起地区。本文通过砂体联井与代表井岩性及测井特征分析对该地区沉积微相进行详细研究。     

陶鄂铁路路基坡面防冲刷设计原则研究

陶鄂铁路路基填料主要采用风积沙,风积沙路基边坡在雨后极易遭到冲刷破坏。在分析边坡冲刷影响因素和冲刷破坏形成过程的基础上,本文重点对陶鄂铁路路基坡面防冲刷防护原则进行研究,针对不同的路基填筑高度,分别采用混凝土预制板、树枝沙障、混凝土六棱空心砖、骨架护坡等防护形式,可有效减少路基冲刷破坏,满足疏排水要求。     

Discrete element analysis of uplift and lateral capacity of a single pile in methane hydrate bearing sediments

Methane hydrate (MH) is extensively found in outer continental margins where offshore infrastructures with pile foundations are also common. The presence of MHs significantly alters the mechanical properties of the host marine sediments, and therefore affects the behavior of piles inside. This paper presents an attempt to investigate the performance of a single pile in methane hydrate bearing sands in seabed using the distinct element method. A novel bond contact model was employed for sandy grains cemented by MHs at contacts, and calibrated from the triaxial compression tests on synthetic specimens of methane hydrate bearing sands. The response of the pile subjected to axial pullout loads and lateral loads was simulated under different subsurface conditions characterized by different saturation levels of MHs. The results show that the presence of MHs increases the uplift capacity of the pile by changing the failure mode of the soils from the perimeter failure to the conical failure. The uplift capacity of the pile significantly deteriorates as a result of de-bonding, while the onset of the rapid de-bonding triggers the softening of the uplift load. In addition, the lateral capacity of the pile largely increases due to the presence of MHs. The pile in methane hydrate bearing sands is considered flexible rather than rigid as a result of the increased deformation modulus of soils due to MH cementation between particles. The lateral load–displacement diagram of the pile in methane hydrate bearing sands is not as smooth as that in clean sands with an abrupt drop associated with the onset of de-bonding.     

水泥复合偏高岭土稳定粉砂土力学特性试验研究

使用低成本高硅铝矿物掺合料可在提升水泥土工程性能的同时降低水泥用量。通过开展系列抗压强度试验研究了水泥偏高岭土掺比、水/水泥偏高岭土比、凝胶总掺量和养护龄期对水泥复合偏高岭土稳定粉砂土抗压强度的影响规律,归纳了水泥复合偏高岭土稳定粉砂土的强度经验公式。结果表明：将水泥和偏高岭土按质量比5:1混合用于粉砂土稳定时可获得最佳强度提升,节约1/6水泥消耗,且该掺比关系不因凝胶总掺量变化而改变;水泥复合偏高岭土稳定粉砂土抗压强度随水/水泥偏高岭土比增加近似线性降低,随凝胶总掺量增加线性提升,随龄期发展而提高,其28天强度增加趋势仍未趋缓;总结归纳了四个关于强度影响因素的经验预测公式。该研究成果可为水泥偏高岭土用于复合稳定工程软弱土提供理论参考。     

The response of bucket foundation under horizontal dynamic loading

The experimental investigation of the response of suction bucket foundation in fine sand layer under horizontal dynamic loading has been carried out. The developments of settlement and excess pore pressure of sand foundation have been mainly studied. It is shown that the sand surrounding the bucket softens or even liquefies at the first stage if the loading amplitude is over a critical value, at later stage, the bucket settles and the sand layer consolidates gradually. With the solidification of the liquefied sand layer and the settlement of the bucket, the movement of the sand layer and the bucket reach a stable state.