The frictional behavior of lizardite and antigorite serpentinites: Experiments,constitutive models,and implications for natural faults

Laboratory studies of the frictional behavior of rocks can provide important information about the strength and sliding stability of natural faults. We have conducted friction experiments on antigorite and lizardite serpentinites, rocks common to both continental and oceanic crustal faults. We conducted both velocity-step tests and timed-hold tests on bare surfaces and gouge layers of serpentinite at room temperature. We find that the coefficient of friction of lizardite serpentinite is quite low (0.15–0.35) and could explain the apparent low stresses observed on crustal transform faults, while that of antigorite serpentinite is comparable to other crustal rocks (0.50–0.85). The frictional behavior of both types of serpentinite is well described by a two-mechanism model combining state-variable-dominated behavior at high slip velocities and flow-dominated behavior at low velocities. The two-mechanism model is supported by data from velocity-step tests and timed-hold tests. The low velocity behavior of serpentinite is strongly rate strengthening and should result in stable fault creep on natural faults containing either antigorite or lizardite serpentinite.     

Diurnal freeze–thaw depth in rockwalls: Field measurements and theoretical considerations

Rock temperatures were monitored for a year at two alpine rockwalls in the Akaishi Range, Japan, where permafrost is absent. Diurnal frost and thaw penetration depths were evaluated from subsurface isotherms drawn on the basis of the temperature records at 0, 10 and 40 cm depths. The surface of the rockwalls experienced more than 100 diurnal freeze-thaw cycles, most of which accompanied a frost or thaw penetration shallower than 50 cm, and several long duration cycles with deeper frost or thaw penetration. Theoretical frost and thaw depths were also calculated by incorporating the surface freezing indices into the modified Berggren equation, the results from which were then compared with the actual values. The modified Berggren equation provided values that showed a strong correlation with observed depths, despite somewhat underestimating the actual values. Using the modified Berggren equation, the seasonal frost depth in the observed winter was estimated to be about 4·5 m. The frost and thaw depths are considered to give the maximum estimation of the depth to which frost-induced cracking can propagate in the bedrock.     

Tafoni on coastal slopes,South Devon,U.K.

Cavernous weathering (tafoni development) occurs on coastal slopes in greenschist bedrock at elevations up to 40 m above sea level. The freshly weathered surfaces of the cavern interiors are irregular in morphology, discordant to major rock structure, formed by substantially weakened rock and associated with granular weathering debris. The weathering debris contains soluble elements in proportions similar to those present in seawater, and the penetration of elements associated with sea salts into the weathering surface to estimated depths of at least 0·1–0·2 m is indicated by the presence of chlorine. Scanning electron microscopy and microprobe analyses suggest that rock breakdown occurs principally through limited chemical weathering at grain boundaries. The mechanism for the emplacement of marine salts within sheltered rock surfaces in the tafoni is postulated to be a combination of dry deposition under turbulent atmospheric conditions and wetting by coastal fog.     

测井方法测定含煤地层的岩石弹性参数

本文论述了利用声波全波列数字测井资料提取横波的两种方法:子波逼近法和相似相关法。根据测井获得的纵波、横波和密度资料,计算了岩石的弹性模量,所得结果有足够的精度,为煤矿生产和建设提供了有用的岩石物理力学参数。文中还讨论了用静态法和动态法所测得的弹性模量存在的某些差别。     

中国西部甘、新边界地区岩石漆阳离子比率测年曲线的建立及其应用

岩石漆阳离子比率测年法是近年发展起来的一种新的测年方法,可广泛应用于干旱一半干旱地区第四系年代的测定。本文初步建立了中国西部甘、新边界地区岩石漆阳离子淋滤曲线,并据此对这一地区的第四纪中晚期地层的年代和断层活动年代进行了讨论     

Discontinuous behaviour near excavations in a bedded salt formation

Summary Discontinuous behaviour is being observed and measured in the vicinity of excavations constructed in a bedded salt formation 650 m below ground surface for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Facility. The 2 m thick salt layer in the immediate roof acts as a beam, shearing along a thin overlying anhydrite/clay seam. Vertical separations between the immediate roof layer and the overlying strata are often observed at the anhydrite/clay seam above the centre of excavations of larger span (11 m). The floor of the excavations is comprised of a 1 m thick salt layer underlain by a 1 m thick predominately anhydrite layer (referred to as MB139). Fractures in MB139 develop beneath most excavations, with increased fracture frequency with drift span and age. In the excavations of larger span (11 m), MB139 eventually debonds along the underlying clay layer. The salt layer overlying MB139 develops both shear and tension failure. In a few locations below excavations of large span, continuous fracture systems are developing from rib to rib through MB139 and the overlying salt. In the ribs, there is limited fracturing within the first metre of most larger excavations. Vertical fractures develop in pillars at most intersections. The discontinuous behaviour is qualitatively consistent with analyses of the formation behaving as a layered medium (elastic beam analysis) and limited tensile and compressive failure of the rock salt. The significance of the discontinuous behaviour is that it can dominate the effective fluid transport properties of the formation near the excavation, and therefore requires consideration in the design of repository seals. Discontinuous behaviour must be monitored and is an important factor in the maintenance programme designed to assure a safe underground environment.     

由岩体失稳讨论地震前兆的复杂性

断层带应变弱化——失稳的地震模式表明,岩体失稳不仅取决于作用的应力水平,而且决定于应变弱化阶段中环境刚度和岩石刚度的相对大小。该模式可能被应用去解释实际观测中出现异常,而其后不发生地震活动的复杂情况。     

The hydrological response of soil surfaces to rainfall as affected by cover and position of rock fragments in the top layer

Rainfall experiments have been conducted in the laboratory in order to assess the hydrological response of top soils very susceptible to surface sealing and containing rock fragments in different positions with respect to the soil surface. For a given cover level, rock fragment position in the top soil has an ambivalent effect on water intake and runoff generation. Compared to a bare soil surface rock fragments increase water intake rates as well as time of runoff concentration and decrease runoff volume if they rest on the soil surface. For the same cover level, rock fragments reduce infiltration rate and enhance runoff generation if they are well embedded in the top layer. The effects of rock fragment position on infiltration rate and runoff generation are proportional to cover percentage. Micromorphological analysis and measurements of the saturated hydraulic conductivity of bare top soils and of the top layer underneath rock fragments resting on the soil surface reveal significant differences supporting the mechanism proposed by Poesen (1986): i.e. runoff generated as rock flow or as Horton overland flow can (partly) infiltrate into the unsealed soil surface under the rock fragments, provided that they are not completely embedded in the top layer. Hence, rock fragment position, beside other rock fragment properties, should be taken into account when assessing the hydrological response of soils susceptible to surface sealing and containing rock fragments in their surface layers. A simple model, based on the proportions of bare soil surface, soil surface occupied by embedded rock fragments, and soil surface covered with rock fragments resting on the soil surface, describes the runoff coefficient data relatively well.     

水对受力岩石变形破坏宏观力学效应的实验研究

为了了解水对受力岩石的宏观力学效应,在MTS电液伺服材料试验系统上,对不同饱水度的砂岩、花岗闪长岩、灰岩和大理岩进行了单轴压缩试验,取得了这几种岩石的单轴抗压强度和弹性模量随饱水度变化的定量结果.结果表明,水对受力岩石的力学效应与岩石中的含水状态是密切相关的,自然状态的砂岩、花岗闪长岩浸水后,其峰值强度和弹性模量随饱水度的增加而迅速衰减,当饱水度达到某一定值时,这两种岩石的峰值强度和弹性模量基本稳定下来;文中用函数Y=Aexp（-Bx）+C对实验结果进行了最小二乘法拟合.实验中求得水饱和状态和自然状态砂岩的泊松比并没有明显差异,说明在宏观上水对该种岩石受力变形的作用是各向同性的.通过10^-5/s和10^-4/s两种不同应变率试验,发现水对受力岩石的力学效应具有时间依赖性,这一特点说明仅从有效应力原理来考虑水对受力岩石的力学效应是不够的,而应考虑应力腐蚀这样复杂的过程.此外,大理岩的试验结果表明,水对受力的碳酸盐类岩石的作用机理是一个值得进一步探讨的问题,它与水对受力的含SiO₂类岩石相比,可能存在差异.     

Fast-changing processes in a medium subject to loading as detected by resistivity measurements

Making measurements of electric resistivity at 16 s intervals, the authors noticed fast changes of this parameter prior to the occurrence of the main fracture. The changes are superposed on bay pulsations of increasing amplitude and decreasing period. This finding opens prospects for a wider use of an electric resistivity method and proves the high quality of automatic instruments, in particular their high resolution. It also gives evidence for the occurrence of short-period precursors in the fracture zone while the main fracture is being formed.