Fractal Characteristics of Coal Pores Based on Classic Geometry and Thermodynamics Models

To better understand the characteristics of coal pores and their influence on coal reservoirs, coal pores in eight main coalfields of North China were analyzed by mercury porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fractal characteristics of coal pores (size distribution and structure) were researched using two fractal models: classic geometry and thermodynamics. These two models establish the relationship between fractal dimensions and coal pores characteristics. New results include: (1) SEM imaging and fractal analysis show that coal reservoirs generally have very high heterogeneity; (2) coal pore structures have fractal characteristics and fractal dimensions characteristic of pore structures are controlled by the composition (e.g., ash, moisture, volatile component) and pore parameters (e.g., pore diameter, micro pores content) of coals; (3) the fractal dimensions (D1 and D2) of coal pores have good correlations with the heterogeneity of coal pore structures. Larger fractal dimensions correlate to higher heterogeneity of pore structures. The fractal dimensions (D1 and D2) have strong negative linear correlations with the sorted coefficient of coals (R2=0.719 and 0.639, respectively) that shows the heterogeneity of coal pores; (4) fractal dimension D1 and petrologic permeability of coals have a strong negative exponential correlation (R2=0.82). However, fractal dimension D2 and petrologic permeability of coals have no obvious correlation; and (5) the model of classic geometry is more accurate for fractal characterization of coal pores in coal reservoirs than that of thermodynamics by optimization.     

中国的磷铁锂矿—磷锰锂矿系列矿物

磷铁锂矿与磷锰锂矿是一完全类质同象系列中两个端员矿物。磷锰锂矿在我国新疆伟晶岩中已有大量发现。笔者于1984年在福建南平稀有金属花岗伟晶岩中发现了典型的磷铁锂矿。此外,早在1980年笔者还在新疆青河富铍伟晶岩中发现了成分介于该类质同象系列中间的磷锰铁锂矿。对后两个产状的矿物进行了较详细的矿物化学成分和物理性质研究。结合前人的资料,文中系统地讨论了国内所发现的六个产状的磷铁锂矿-磷锰锂矿系列矿物的化学成分特征及变化规律,化学成分与光学性质、物理性质、晶胞参数等之间的相互关系,并系统地引用了大量国外资料作对比。讨论了矿物中Mg、Ca等含量对这些特征的影响。另外,笔者还研究了该系列矿物成分与红外光谱之间的关系,指出矿物的红外吸收谱带频率与铁锰比值间呈良好的线性关系,并给出了相关关系式。     

Fractal models for the fragmentation of rocks and soils: a review

Fragmentation, the process of breaking apart into fragments, is caused by the propagation of multiple fractures at different length scales. Such fractures can be induced by dynamic crack growth during compressive/tensile loading or by stress waves during impact loading. Fragmentation of rocks occurs in resoonse to tectonic activity, percussive drilling, grinding and blasting. Soil fragmentation is the result of tillage and planting operations. Fractal theory, which deals with the scaling of hierarchical and irregur systems, offers new opportunities for modeling the fragmentation process. This paper reviews the literature on fractal models for the fragmentation of heterogeneous brittle earth materials. Fractal models are available for the fragmentation of: (1) classical aggregate; (2) aggregates with fractal pore space; and (3) aggregates with fractal surfaces. In each case, the aggregates are composed of building blocks of finite size. Structural failure is hierarchical in nature and takes place by multiple fracturing of the aggregated building blocks. The resulting number-size distribution of fragments depends on the probability of failure, P(1/bⁱ) at each level in the hierarchy. Models for both scale-invariant and scale-dependent are reviewed. In the case of scale-invariant P(1/bⁱ)< 1, theory predict: D_f = 3 + log [P(1/bⁱ)]/log[b] for classical aggregates; D_f=D_m+log[P(1/bⁱ)]/log[b] for aggregates with fractal pore space; and D_f=D_s for aggregates with fractal surfaces. where b is a scaling factor and D_f, D_m and D_s are the fragmentation, mass and surface fractal dimensions, respectively. The physical significance of these parameters is discussed, methods of estimating them are reviewed, and topics needing further research are identified.     

Fractal analysis applied to faults and earthquakes—A case study of China

The characteristics and correlation of faults and earthquakes are discussed based on fractal and statistical analysis of the earthquakes in the last 500 years and the active faults in China. It is found that fractal relationship exists between the frequency and the length of the active faults, and the fractal dimension is 1.70 in the continental region of China, and 1.40 in the northwest China. The fractal relationship also exists between the frequency and the scales of earthquakes during the last five centuries and the fractal dimension is 1.30 for the whole continental region of China and 1.08 for the northwest China. The differences of the fractal dimensions between the active faults and the earthquakes indicate that some of the active faults have not caused earthquakes during the last 500 years. The differences of fractal dimensions of the active faults and earthquakes between the northwest China and the whole continental region of China suggest that the frequency of strong earthquakes is greater in northwest China than that of the average level of China, because the number of longer active faults is larger in northwest China than that of the average in whole China. Thus, the fractal analysis is an effective method for studies of faults and earthquakes.     

Fractional flow dimensions and hydraulic properties of a fracture-zone aquifer, Leppävirta, Finland

 In order to characterize the hydraulic properties of an aquifer in Finland comprising two subvertical fracture zones, observation-well responses were matched with generalized radial flow (GRF) type curves. The responses in six wells out of seven are consistent with the GRF model. The fractional flow dimensions (1–1.2 and 1.5) were determined by regression analysis of straight-line slopes and type-curve matching. In each test, the flow dimensions in the neighboring fracture zone range from 2–2.25. Comparisons of the late-time responses with the asymptotic GRF solution and the flow dimensions obtained by reversing the pumping and observation points suggest homogeneous hydraulic properties. Deviations in responses can be explained by flow-path tortuosity. After assessments of the extent of the flow and radial distances along the fracture system, hydraulic conductivities and storativities were determined from the results of the type-curve matching procedure. The obtained hydraulic conductivities are 1.3×10^–5 to 7.9×10^–5 m/s and 5.0×10^–6 to 2.5×10^–5 m/s for the western and the eastern fracture zones, respectively. The results were verified by applying them to analytical solutions for pumping wells. The calculated pumping-well responses are consistent with the observations. The analysis of flow dimension also enhances qualitative interpretations on the hydrogeology of fracture zones. Received, April 1997 · Revised, September 1997 · Accepted, May 1998     

Social differentiation and the long-term origin of disasters

To explain both origin and outcome of disasters (natural, technical, and war-borne), as well as social action during disasters proper, a macrosociological model of internal causation is introduced (PERDUE). It consists of six stages of possible, and of most likely paths of social change between these six (Peace is founded, Everyday routine, Rising class struggle, Disasters strike, Unconditional surrender of collective defence, and Evaporation of common values). The stages are developed by making use of three dimensions of social change (rapidity, radicality, and rituality), and described.     

武汉市多维度城市公园绿地空间公平性分析

以武汉市中心城区为研究区域,居民建筑为研究单元,基于步行、骑行及公共交通3种出行方式,从城市公园绿地数量、质量及可达性3个维度衡量每个建筑单元的公园绿地空间公平性水平。结果表明：① 3种交通方式下建筑单元的公园绿地公平性分布相差较大,但整体呈现由城中心沿江区域向外围辐射递减的分布特征;② 随着居民出行方式的升级,极限出行时间内居民的活动范围不断扩大,因此所享有公园绿地公平性水平逐步提升;③ 城市公园绿地资源与人口分布存在空间失配现象,多数公园绿地分布于城市中部,而南北部城郊区域分布较少,西北和西南部多数区域居民享有公园绿地公平性水平整体较差。     

Global civil society? The Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development

In the face of mounting environmental degradation and persistent poverty over the previous decade, Johannesburg’s World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) of August and September 2002 inherited a number of unmet accords from the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit. Consequently, the United Nations Stakeholder Forum Implementation Conference (IC) was convened to integrate civil society stakeholders into global deliberations on sustainable development and to marshal their forces in the implementation of WSSD accords. Given the importance of the IC as the first civil society forum at a major global summit on environment and poverty, intriguing questions emerge as to its effectiveness in achieving civil society objectives. As a first attempt in exploring this topic, we examine three fundamental aspects of the IC. Specifically, we examine the relative “civility” of the IC forum in terms of (a) fidelity of representation of the community of global environment and development stakeholders; (b) autonomy of the IC agenda from state and institutional interests; and (c) interpretations of space and place as reflected in deliberative processes and outcomes. The paper begins with a review of the civil society literature with a particular emphasis on civil society representation in UN meetings since Rio. The paper concludes with a discussion of IC participation at the Johannesburg summit, and considers implications for future civil society participation in global decision-making forums.     

长春季冻区路基土微观孔隙特征的定量评价

路基冻害一直是困扰东北季冻区道路建设的一个重要问题。长春冬季天气寒冷,在温度梯度作用下路基土中水分产生迁移和聚集,引起路基冻胀。春季路基解冻,集聚的冰晶体融化,路基土处于饱和或过饱和状态,承载力极低,在交通车辆作用下发生路面鼓包、弹簧、断裂和翻浆冒泡等现象,给交通运输和经济建设带来极大的危害。孔隙是水分迁移的主要通道,是影响路基冻胀主要因素之一,其特征决定土体的冻胀敏感性。本文利用WD-5配置联机图象处理系统的电子显微镜,通过图像定量分析系统,对长春季冻区路基土的微观孔隙作了定量评价。经过分析得出:3个土样孔隙直径均是小于5m的占主导地位,都具备冻胀条件;试样水平和垂直两个方向的孔隙分布较均匀,孔隙为辐射状或网状结构,多为扁圆和等轴形状;孔隙形态分维数分析认为,分维数高,大孔隙含量多,孔隙分布比较简单,在研究范围内,有利于水分迁移,冻胀性较强。