Coupled analysis for response and instability of sloping seabed under wave action

Wave-induced instability of seabed may cause damage to coastal and offshore structures. This issue has been investigated mostly for mildly sloping ($<5^{°}$) seabed considering uncoupled or one-way coupled response of wave and seabed interaction. However, some of the marine structures are founded on seabed with steeper slopes. In this study, the wave-induced response and instability of sloping seabed are evaluated using a coupled finite element model. The interaction between fluid and porous seabed accounting for the effect of fluid motion on the seabed response, and conversely the effect of seabed response on the fluid motion (but not on the surface wave profile) is considered. The results indicate that the system response (fluid pressure, stresses, etc.) and the extent of instantaneously liquefied zone within the sloping seabed with significant steepness are lesser than those for horizontal seabed. Moreover, for typical sediment and wave characteristics, for the flat seabed, the response obtained from fully coupled analysis is not significantly different from those obtained by uncoupled analysis. For the sloping bed, such difference is slightly greater as compared to that for the flat bed.     

利用背景噪声层析成像方法反演新疆天山及邻区S波速度结构

利用新疆地震台网52个固定台站和天山地区新布设的11个流动台为期1年的观测数据,采用背景噪声层析成像方法获得了天山及邻区(41°～48°N,79°～91°E)10～50s的瑞利面波相速度分布图像,使用基于贝叶斯的马尔科夫链蒙特卡洛(MCMC)方法反演得到研究区地壳上地幔S波速度结构.研究结果表明,准噶尔盆地沉积盖层南深...     

Seismically induced slope instabilities and the corresponding treatments: the case of a road in the Wenchuan earthquake hit region

On May 12, 2008, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hit Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province resulted in great loss of life and properties. Besides, abundant landslides and slope failures were triggered in the most seriously hit areas and caused disastrous damages to infrastructures and public facilities. Moreover, abundant unstable slopes caused by the quake have the potential to cause damages for a considerable long period of time. The variety of these slopes and the corresponding treatments are connected with the topographical and geological conditions of the sites. It is decided to document and identify some of these major slope instabilities caused by the earthquake and their treatments. The paper shows the condition of a road in Dujiangyan through in situ explorations. The case history showed significant implications to the reconstruction of the quake-hit regions and future disaster prevention and management works.     

澜沧江中下游斜坡稳定性评价预测的理论与方法探讨

本文以澜沧江下游流域边坡稳定性评价为实例，对模糊评判模型的应用问题和处理技术进行了论述。认为该模型简便实用、效果稳健、适应性强，是边坡稳定性评价工作中适宜推广的一个实用模型。此外，文中还提出了用于模糊评判模型的信息检验法，讨论了这一方法在遴选有效评价因子和优化模型效能中的作用。     

Determination of shear strength of conglomerates using a caterpillar D9 ripper and comparison with alternative methods

Summary A method of determining shear strength in Gila Conglomerates at Inspiration Mine (now Cyprus Miami Mine), Arizona, using Caterpillar D9H and D9L rippers is described. The results are compared with data obtained using laboratory direct shear tests — both large and small scale, back analysis and boulder modelling. The significance of scale, particularly relating to boulder size is discussed.     

Diffusion models of slope development

This paper represents a systematic investigation of slope evolution diffusion models and has the following sections: (1) The model of slope development with linear coefficient k = k₀x; (2) The model of slope development with quadratic coefficient in x; (3) Slope development model with vertical lowering of base level (downcutting); (4) Slope development model with the base level a horizontal variable (undercutting); (5) Steady-state regime of undercut slopes; (6) Model of a pediment and scree slope formation. The comparison is made between mathematical and classical methods of slope evolution analysis.     

Slope process change and colluvium deposition in Swaziland: An SEM analysis

Electron microscope analysis of sixty samples taken from six colluvium sites in Swaziland has shown that the quartz grains exhibit marked edge abrasion in the uppermost beds of exposures. This edge abrasion is lacking in the lower beds in all sections examined and indicates slope process change during colluvium deposition. A model of slope evolution is provided, in which slope erosion progressively brings about more channelling and causes greater surface roughness because of the exhumation of more core stones and differentially weathered rock. This roughness causes increased edge abrasion.     

A generalized probabilistic approach for slope analysis: practical application to an open pit iron ore mine

Summary An example of the generalized probabilistic approach to slope analysis is given through a case study on an iron ore mine. A step by step engineering procedure is described, so that a practical application can be made to other structures under different field conditions.     

Surface sealing as influenced by slope angle and position of simulated stones in the top layer of loose sediments

The influence of five different slope angles and two different positions of simulated stones in the top layer of a sandy and a silty sediment on surface sealing intensity is examined in the laboratory. Sealing intensity is assessed by studying changes of percolation rate through a sediment layer with simulated rainfall duration and by measuring cohesion of the 5 mm thick upper sediment layer, a measure of seal strength, by means of a torvane. Slope has a negative influence on sealing intensity. For a constant per cent of simulated stone cover, sealing intensity is lowest in the case of stones placed on the sediment surface compared to the case of stones pushed into the surface layer. Explanations for these findings are given and some implications are further discussed.