Physical Modeling of Fold-and-Thrust Belt Evolution and Triangle Zone Development:Dabashan Foreland Belt(Northeast Sichuan basin,China) as an Example

Triangle zones,generally found in foreland fold-and-thrust belts,serve as favorable objects of petroleum exploration.Taking the Dabashan foreland belt as an example,we studied the formation and development of triangle zones,and investigated the effect of decollements and the mechanical contrast of lithology by employing the method of physical modeling.Four experimental models were conducted in the work.The results showed that ’sand wedges’ grew episodically,recorded by deformational length,height and slope angle.The height versus shortening rate presented an S-shape curve,and uplifting occurred successively in the direction of the foreland belt.During the formation of the triangle zone,layer-parallel shortening took place at the outset;deformation decoupling then occurred between the upper and lower brittle layers,divided by a middle-embedded silicone polymers layer.The upper brittle layers deformed mainly by folding,while the lower sand layers by thrusting. As shortening continued,the geometry of a triangle zone was altered.We consider that the triangle zone in the Dabashan foreland belt was modified from an early one based on available seismic profiles and the experimental results.In addition,decollements and mechanical contrast impose significant influence on structural development,which can directly give rise to structural discrepancies.More decollements and obvious mechanical contrast between brittle layers can promote the coupling between the upper and lower brittle layers.Basal decollement controls the whole deformation and decreases the slope angle of the wedge,while roof decollement determines whether a triangle zone can be formed.     

新疆吐尔库班套蛇绿混杂岩的发现及其地质意义

蛇绿岩作为残留洋壳的良好记录,对于研究古板块构造及其演化具有重要意义。新发现的吐尔库班套蛇绿混杂岩位于新疆阿尔泰布尔津南部,主要由超镁铁岩、辉长岩、辉绿岩、玄武岩、复理石建造等构成。其中辉长岩和片麻状花岗岩的锆石U Pb年龄在363～355 Ma,指示蛇绿岩的形成、洋壳俯冲时代在晚泥盆世晚期。岩石地球化学特征表明,该蛇绿岩套的镁铁超镁铁岩和玄武岩属低碱、低钛、富镁的拉斑玄武岩系列,具有较典型的幔源岩石特征,玄武岩形成于类似洋中脊的构造环境。混杂岩带中的片麻状花岗岩属于钠质的低钾岩石系列,形成于火山弧或同碰撞构造环境,亦为洋壳俯冲的结果。吐尔库班套蛇绿岩与科克森套、乔夏哈拉、布尔根蛇绿岩一起构成了沿额尔齐斯分布的蛇绿混杂岩带,构成了分割西伯利亚板块和哈萨克斯坦-准噶尔板块的斋桑-科克森套-南蒙古缝合带。     

A workflow for exploration sampling in regolith-dominated terranes using portable X-ray fluorescence: comparison with laboratory data and a case study

This paper presents and validates a workflow that provides for the rapid collection of reliable and robust portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) data in a regolith-dominated exploration setting. The analysis of regolith material by pXRF is challenging because of its variable Fe content (e.g. 0 to >70 wt%) that results in large matrix effects, which can be mitigated with appropriate standards. Here, we present a dataset from the Western Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, Australia, comprising soil, lag, rock and rotary air blast (RAB) samples. In the soil dataset, comparison of the laboratory and pXRF datasets for Cu, Pb and Zn have R² > 0.9, and Cu and Zn fall within 2% of the laboratory data, while Pb is 77% less than the corresponding laboratory analyses. Iron, Al, K and Ca by pXRF perform reasonably well when compared with the laboratory data (R² = 0.59 for Al, R² > 0.9 for Fe, K and Ca, <25% variation from the laboratory data), while Mn, Rb and Sr have very good correlations (<8% variation) with R² > 0.94. Titanium, Zr, Ni, Cr and As have poorer comparisons. Overall, the RAB dataset shows similar trends with Cu overestimated by 17%, Zn underestimated by 4% and Pb overestimated by 69%; R² for all elements is >0.92. Since no suitable standards are available, the solid rock dataset was uncorrected; despite this limitation, the dataset shows good correlations with the laboratory data for many elements, and Cu is overestimated by 9.8% with an R² = 0.87. The poor analytical performance of Pb in all datasets is associated with erroneous Bi concentrations being reported by the pXRF unit. When high Fe and Pb amounts are present in a sample, erroneous Pb and Bi concentrations are reported, owing to a pile-up of the Fe K_α peak (6.405 keV) at ～12.8 keV, which is proximal to the Pb L_β (12.614 keV) and Bi L_β (13.023 keV) peaks. Despite the care that is required in validating data, by using pXRF there is substantial opportunity for dynamic exploration campaigns in regolith-dominated terranes with rapid turnaround times, additional elements that may not otherwise be analysed for and low analytical costs. Decisions to stop, continue or infill drill holes while the drill rig is present can be made in near-real time, and not after laboratory results are available and the drill rig has left the area.     

青海省玛沁县友后青地区钴铜矿化带成矿地质特征及找矿前景

青海玛沁县友后青地区大地构造位置处于阿尼玛卿缝合带内,在友后清地区发现了与基性-超基性岩体关系密切的钴铜矿化带。本文主要分析了友后青地区钴铜矿化带的成矿地质特征,认为华力西-印支期NW-NWW向的深大断裂控制着钴铜成矿作用。高精度磁测显示,区内有一条近NWW走向的磁异常带,异常强度中等偏高,呈串珠状分布。水系沉积物测量表明,以镍钴铬为主的多金属综合异常规模大,元素组合齐全,镍钴铬元素异常套合好。水系沉积物地球化学异常与高精度磁测异常可以很好的叠合在一起,在空间上与基性-超基性岩关系密切。沿NW-NWW向断裂带,与基性-超基性岩叠合较好的物化探异常区是该地区寻找钴铜矿的有利地段。     

Dynamic characterization of a long span bridge: A finite element based approach

Aging bridges coupled with increasing traffic loads are producing a severe toll on the nation's infrastructure. This has made it necessary to take a closer look at the health of existing bridges and develop automated damage identification methods if possible. Recent works in the field of structural dynamics have shown that damage detection techniques utilizing parameters like mode shapes, modal frequencies and damping ratios can be used to identify damage in structural systems. It is, however, important to be able to establish a baseline model for the structure first, and then a model updating technique can be utilized to evaluate the condition of the structure from time to time. It is with this goal in mind that the authors have decided to establish the process for obtaining a baseline model for a long span bridge. Based on the actual design drawings of a bridge, finite element (FE) models of the bridge in question are developed using SDRC-IDEAS. Three models of the bridge are simulated using Normal Mode Dynamics solver in SDRC-IDEAS to obtain the modal parameters of interest, in this case the modal frequencies and the mode shapes. A modal assurance criteria (MAC) is utilized to compare the different simulated mode shapes and, finally, the modal frequencies that have been obtained from the FE analysis are compared to frequencies that have been obtained from some preliminary field tests.     

On the problem of model validation for predictive exposure assessments

The development and use of models for predicting exposures are increasingly common and are essential for many risk assessments of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure assessments conducted by the EPA to assist regulatory or policy decisions are often challenged to demonstrate their “scientific validity”. Model validation has thus inevitably become a major concern of both EPA officials and the regulated community, sufficiently so that the EPA's Risk Assessment Forum is considering guidance for model validation. The present paper seeks to codify the issues and extensive foregoing discussion of validation with special reference to the development and use of models for predicting the impact of novel chemicals on the environment. Its preparation has been part of the process in formulating a White Paper for the EPA's Risk Assessment Forum. Its subject matter has been drawn from a variety of fields, including ecosystem analysis, surface water quality management, the contamination of groundwaters from high-level nuclear waste, and the control of air quality. The philosophical and conceptual bases of model validation are reviewed, from which it is apparent that validation should be understood as a task of product (or tool) design, for which some form of protocol for quality assurance will ultimately be needed. The commonly used procedures and methods of model validation are also reviewed, including the analysis of uncertainty. Following a survey of past attempts at resolving the issue of model validation, we close by introducing the notion of a model having maximum relevance to the performance of a specific task, such as, for example, a predictive exposure assessment.     

Identification of GIS Attribute Error Using Exploratory Data Analysis*

Exploratory data analysis (EDA), a data-centered, inductive approach to statistical analysis, provides effective tools for assessing the quality and integrity of GIS attribute data. This research presents selected examples demonstrating EDA distribution analyses, correlational statistics, and proximity analysis. An integrated modular software prototype to operationalize these techniques combines the mapping and display capabilities of ArcView with the statistical functionality of STATA in a MS-Windows multi-tasking, multiple-windowed environment.     

The GeoPT Proficiency Testing Scheme for Laboratories Routinely Analysing Silicate Rocks: A Review of the Operating Protocol and Proposals for its Modification

The GeoPT proficiency testing programme for geochemical laboratories has been operating for nearly 20 years. This review, based on an analysis of accumulated data and extensive experience, examines whether the protocol followed during this period continues to be appropriate. Possible changes that might be considered for future implementation are examined, in particular the procedures for calculating assigned values, target values, z‐scores and the applicability of dual fitness‐for‐purpose criteria. We conclude that the existing protocol remains largely appropriate and effective, but propose that a single fitness‐for‐purpose criterion be adopted, with an option for laboratories to recalculate their z‐scores if the criterion is inappropriate for their requirements.     

Analysis of surface waves from the light weight deflectometer

The combination of high strain modulus from conventional light weight deflectometer (LWD) analysis and low strain modulus from LWD-induced seismic analysis would move the pavement community towards field characterization of non-linear soil stiffness for use in mechanistic-empirical pavement design. This paper explores the experimental and numerical analysis of surface seismic waves during conventional light weight deflectometer testing. Field experiments were conducted on clay, silt and gravel soils to characterize the nature of LWD-induced surface waves and to determine both low and high strain moduli. The usable high frequency limit was found to be 300 Hz for LWD-induced surface waves, enabling the low strain modulus characterization of the top 0.3–0.5-m-thick soil layer. A numerical investigation revealed that modal interference is a significant contributor to near field effects, and that a distance of one wavelength between the LWD center and receiver array center is required to minimize these effects. The LWD-induced surface wave strain levels at a 1 m offset from the LWD were found to be on the order of 10⁻² to 10⁻³% compared to the 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁴% strain levels associated with conventional small hammer-induced surface waves. The measured low and high strain modulus compares well with published modulus reduction functions.     

模态试验中传感器优化配置的逐步削减法

讨论了模态实验中传感器的配置问题。以模态置信度MAC矩阵的最大非对角元为目标函数,利用逐步削减法得到传感器的配置,并保留结构振型矩阵的QR分解得到的自由度,提出了传感器配置必须结合优化效果和经济性两方面综合考虑。以一座具有74个可测自由度的海洋平台为算例,采用逐步削减法得到了12个最优传感器位置,并与逐步累积法进行了比较。