Modeling coupled THM processes of geological porous media with multiphase flow: Theory and validation against laboratory and field scale experiments

A FEM model for analysis of fully coupled multiphase flow, thermal transport and stress/deformation in geological porous media was developed based on the momentum, mass and energy conservation laws of the continuum mechanics and the averaging approach of the mixture theory over a three phase (solid–liquid–gas) system. Six processes (i.e. stress–strain, water flow, gas flow, vapor flow, heat transport and porosity evolution processes) and their coupling effects are considered, which not only makes the problem well-defined, but renders the governing PDEs closed, complete, compact and compatible. Displacements, pore water pressure, pore gas pressure, pore vapor pressure, temperature and porosity are selected as basic unknowns. The physical phenomena such as phase transition, gas solubility in liquid, thermo-osmosis, moisture transfer and moisture swelling are modeled. As a result, the relative humidity and other related variables in porous media can be evaluated on a sounder physical basis. A three dimensional computer code, THYME3D, was developed, with eight degrees of freedom at each node. The laboratory CEA Mock-up test and the field scale FEBEX benchmark test on bentonite performance assessment for underground nuclear waste repositories were used to validate the numerical model and the software. The coupled THM behaviors of the bentonite barriers were satisfactorily simulated, and the effects and impacts of the governing equations, constitutive relations and property parameters on the coupled THM processes were understood in terms of more straightforward interpretation of physical processes at microscopic scale of the porous media. The work developed enables further in-depth research on fully coupled THM or THMC processes in porous media.     

Factors affecting shear modulus degradation of cement treated clay

Cement stabilization is often used to improve the bearing capacity and compressibility of soft clays. The present paper aims to investigate the shear modulus degradation of cement treated clay during cyclic loading. A series of cyclic triaxial test was conducted on artificially cement treated marine clay to study the factors affecting the shear modulus degradation. The parameters considered for the study are cement content (2.5–7.5%), curing days (7–28), cyclic shear strain amplitude (0.3–1%), number of loading cycles (1–100) and loading frequency (0.1–0.5 Hz). As in the case of natural clays, cement treated clays exhibit stiffness degradation which depends on mix ratio, curing days and loading conditions. The results show that the shear modulus degradation decreases with increase in the shear strain amplitude, cement content and curing days. It is also noted that irrespective of the mix ratio and curing conditions, the degradation decreases with increase in loading frequency. An empirical relationship is proposed to predict the shear modulus degradation based on Idriss׳s degradation model. The performance of the proposed empirical model is validated with the present experimental results.     

An upscaling method and a numerical analysis of swelling/shrinking processes in a compacted bentonite/sand mixture

This paper presents an upscaling concept of swelling/shrinking processes of a compacted bentonite/sand mixture, which also applies to swelling of porous media in general. A constitutive approach for highly compacted bentonite/sand mixture is developed accordingly. The concept is based on the diffuse double layer theory and connects microstructural properties of the bentonite as well as chemical properties of the pore fluid with swelling potential. Main factors influencing the swelling potential of bentonite, i.e. variation of water content, dry density, chemical composition of pore fluid, as well as the microstructures and the amount of swelling minerals are taken into account. According to the proposed model, porosity is divided into interparticle and interlayer porosity. Swelling is the potential of interlayer porosity increase, which reveals itself as volume change in the case of free expansion, or turns to be swelling pressure in the case of constrained swelling. The constitutive equations for swelling/shrinking are implemented in the software GeoSys/RockFlow as a new chemo‐hydro‐mechanical model, which is able to simulate isothermal multiphase flow in bentonite. Details of the mathematical and numerical multiphase flow formulations, as well as the code implementation are described. The proposed model is verified using experimental data of tests on a highly compacted bentonite/sand mixture. Comparison of the 1D modelling results with the experimental data evidences the capability of the proposed model to satisfactorily predict free swelling of the material under investigation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

某一级公路路基填土膨胀性试验

通过对某一级公路路基填土的天然含水量、液限、塑限、颗粒组成、矿物成分、自由膨胀率、胀缩总率等试验研究,运用塑性图,并综合各项指标对路基填土的膨胀性做了评价。结果认为,此路基填土为高液限和塑限的淤泥质软土,天然状态下具有弱膨胀性。通过对路基填土的击实试验和承载比试验表明,填土压实之后具有一定的膨胀性,在含水量变化差异性影响下的胀缩变形可能导致路基开裂。     

公路膨胀土路堑边坡防护方案探讨

针对膨胀土路堑边坡的公路工程特点，总结以往膨胀土路堑边坡的防护措施，根据以往膨胀土路堑边坡的防护成败资料和经验。以保持边坡土体天然含水量状态的相对稳定，保持边坡土体结构的相对完整性。保持边坡土体足够的抗剪强度和防护工程应能适应边坡膨胀土体可能产生的膨胀变形与膨胀力不遭破坏。首先用DAH混合溶液改良膨胀土边坡的表层土，使DAH混合溶液与膨胀土产生离子交换发生化学反应，从而使表层膨胀土体改变性能，成为正常土，然后结合以往路堑边坡处理方法进行综合处理。实践证明，此方法不但充分利用了膨胀土．节约了工程投资，而且又绿化、美观了边坡，使其与周围环境相协调，从而为膨胀土地区公路路堑边坡处理提供了一种切实可行的防护措施。     

Primary yielding locus of cement-stabilized marine clay and its applications

ABSTRACT

Strength and stiffness properties of materials are widely studied and used in civil engineering practice. However, most studies are based on unconfined conditions, which are different from real status of soil. This study investigated the primary yielding and yield locus for cement-stabilized marine clay. In this study, two types of cement-stabilized soils were studied through isotropic compression, triaxial drained shearing, unconfined compression, and bender element testing. Specimens with 20–50% of cement content and 7–90 days of curing period were used for the tests. Stress–strain behavior and primary yielding were evaluated, followed by construction of the primary yield locus. The characteristics of the primary yield locus and its development with curing time then were studied. The results showed that the properties of the primary yield locus were dependent on the type of stabilized soil, but were independent of the cement content and curing period. Thus, the approach provides a way to estimate the primary yield stress and drained stress path before primary yielding for cement-stabilized soil under confined condition. An empirical function was used to fit the primary yield locus. The primary isotropic yield stress was correlated to unconfined compressive strength or maximum shear modulus. Three indirect methods were proposed to predict the primary yield stress for cement-stabilized marine clay. The results showed that the primary yield stress can be estimated with reasonable accuracy.     

地质钻探堵漏新技术的初步研究

对钻探堵漏技术的现状进行了分析。介绍了近期针对地质钻探堵漏开展的高强度快失水堵漏、高强度化学触变堵漏、溶胀型随钻堵漏材料以及成膜钻井液技术阶段科研成果。提出了加强漏失层特性判断与堵漏方法的关联性,广谱型堵漏技术,复合堵漏材料和堵漏技术集成化,高效随钻防漏材料和防漏冲洗液体系,膨胀管封堵技术研究等地质钻探堵漏技术的重点研究方向。     

Speciation of heavy metals in cement-stabilized waste forms: A micro-spectroscopic study

Cement-based materials play an important role in multi-barrier concepts developed worldwide for the safe disposal of industrial and radioactive waste in underground repositories. In this study, synchrotron based-techniques (micro X-ray spectroscopy (XAS) and micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF)) were used to investigate Co and Ni uptake by Hardened Cement Paste (HCP) with the aim of improving our understanding of the immobilization process of heavy metals in cement at the molecular level. For Ni and Co, XRF mapping revealed a highly heterogeneous element distribution as far as the concentration is concerned. The XAS studies further showed that Ni(II) forms predominantly layered double hydroxide (LDH) phases. In contrast to Ni, Co was found to be present in the oxidation states II and III. Co(II) is predominately incorporated into newly formed Co(II) hydroxide-like phases (Co(OH)₂), Co-LDH or Co-phyllosilicates, whereas Co(III) tends to be incorporated into a Co(III)O(OH)-like phase or a Co-phyllomanganate.     

采用锚杆技术治理膨胀土陡边坡的经验

通过锚杆技术对益阳市嘉昊贸易有限公司办公楼东面陡边坡治理的实例,介绍了采用锚杆技术治理膨胀土陡边坡的设计与施工方法。     

合肥地区膨胀土地基承载力的分析探讨

通过对有关原位测试数据进行分析对比，基于载荷试验结果提出合肥地区膨胀土地基承载力与天然含水量及静力触探、标准贯入等测试指标之间的相互关系。