Formation mechanism of large pockmarks in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta

Abstract

We have identified large pockmarks in an area of approximately 0.3?km² in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta in the Chengdao Sea. Gas eruption channels not been identified in the sediment layers in this area, and the formation mechanism of these large pockmarks remains unknown. To study the formation mechanism of these large pockmarks, we constructed a layered silty sediment model composed of appropriate geological materials. Then, we calculated the stress, displacement, and excess pore pressure in the layered silty sediment from the surface to a depth of 10?m using the Biot theory. A comparative analysis of the calculated results and the data measured in the field was then performed. Based on these results, we established a new formation mechanism for the large pockmarks. With the occurrence of storm waves, two extreme areas of displacement and excess pore pressure appeared in the layered silty sediment. These extreme values increased quickly in the seabed during the continuous action of storm waves. When the excess pore pressure surpassed the effective stress, the top silty layer instantly liquefied and then reconsolidated. Then, when the pore pressure of the interface position exceeded the effective stress produced by the overlying sediment, the sediments experienced “sand boil” damage. With the repeated action of strong waves, the boundary of the pockmark continued to expand, forming a large and stable pockmark. This work is of great value for further understanding and mitigating marine geologic hazards, such as coastal erosion, silt deposition, and unstable sediment, in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta.     

Evaluation of vertically and laterally loaded bucket foundation in clay using a three-dimensional displacement approach

ABSTRACT

An investigation is made to present analytical solutions provided by a three-dimensional displacement approach for analysis of bucket foundations subjected to vertical and lateral loads in cohesive soils. The nonlinear vertical and lateral stiffness coefficients along the skirt of the bucket foundation in nonhomogeneous soil are presented using three-dimensional solutions for vertical and lateral loads and taking into account the dependence of stiffness coefficients on the shear strain. The vertical, lateral, and rocking stiffness coefficients on the base of the skirt of a bucket foundation are obtained from the solutions of hollow rigid cylindrical punch acting on the surface of a soil. The ultimate vertical stress of a soil under the base of a bucket foundation subjected to vertical and moment loads is presented analytically by considering only compression and ignoring tension on the base. The vertical and lateral yields along the skirt and the compression and shear failures on the base are taken into account in analysis of ultimate load capacities. Envelopes of the combined ultimate horizontal and moment load capacities of a bucket foundation in clay are shown. Relationships between ultimate lateral and moment load capacities and the embedment ratio (skirt length to diameter) are presented.     

上海世博园风廓线雷达TWP3发射机控制系统设计与实现

介绍坐落在上海世博园内TWP3边界层风廓线雷达系统发射机控制系统设计思路及其功能特点。控制系统基于FPGA和单片机的程序控制实现手段。系统功能包括状态监控、射频通路控制、故障诊断定位、自动保护和自修复。发射机的各个监控量会在本机液晶屏幕显示以便用户的使用和观察,同时将重要的参数上传等。该控制系统自身监控功能的完善,对于发射机本身的调试以及在整个雷达系统的联合调试测量中都起到了至关重要的辅助作用。     

Shifting spatialities of power: The case of Australasian aviation

This paper explores how different modalities, spatialities and scales of power operate in a geopolitical context. By tracing the dynamic geographies of state and firm power in the events leading up to the collapse of a major Australian firm, Ansett Airlines, it reveals the difference that place and position make to the creation and use of power. The paper stresses agents’ relational positioning, their ‘places’ in multiple networks of association and the ways in which their past actions and visions of the future condition their strategic options. The paper contextualises the workings of power and explores how power relationships are re-configured in specific contested events. It concludes that power cannot be separated from the spatial and temporal dimensions of actual contexts, from actor’s positions in contexts, or from their strategic objectives.     

A multiphase approach to the stability analysis of reinforced earth structures accounting for a soil–strip failure condition

A multiphase model, developed in the context of elastoplasticity, is applied to the simulation and design of reinforced earth retaining structures. The main feature of this model is to combine the advantage of a homogenization approach, as regards its computational efficiency, with the ability to account for a specific failure condition at the interface between the soil and the reinforcing strips, which may have a decisive influence on the behavior of the structure. A particular emphasis is put on the stability analysis of this kind of reinforced soil structures, formulated within the framework of the yield design theory. Making use of a generalized rigid block failure mechanism, the stability of a reinforced earth retaining wall is investigated by means of the kinematic approach, leading to upper bound estimates for the stability factor of the structure, which are then favorably compared with the results of an elastoplastic analysis. Special attention is paid to assessing in a quantitative way how a specific soil–strip failure condition affects the stability of the reinforced earth structure as a whole.     

A numerical investigation of rock pillar failure mechanism in underground openings

The study of rock pillar failure mechanisms is an issue that is faced routinely in mining and civil industries. In mining operation, the establishment of several mining levels is often necessary to ensure adequate production. This result in the formation of pillars that must be recovered under often high stress conditions at later stages of excavation. It is, therefore, beneficial to develop guidelines that can be used in the design of rock pillars. The aim of this paper is to delve into the mechanisms involved in pillar failure as well as to investigate the non-linear behavior of rock pillars. An extensive numerical analysis was carried out to study the pillar deformation and failure process under natural loading conditions. Effects of pillar geometry and pillar strength parameters on pillar behavior were investigated for hard rock material typical of Canadian mining conditions. Numerical data were compared against field data recorded in Canadian mines. A fairly good match was achieved between numerical and field data and the conducted analysis can be used as a qualitative guideline in the design of rock pillars in underground structures.     

Analytical and Numerical Study of the Mechanics of Rockbolt Reinforcement around Tunnels in Rock Masses

Summary  This paper addresses the problem of quantifying the mechanical contribution of rockbolts installed systematically around tunnels excavated in rock masses. The mechanical contribution referred to here is that of increased stress confinement and decreased tunnel convergences as compared with corresponding stresses and displacements obtained for non-reinforced tunnels. The problem is treated analytically first by presenting a closed-form solution for stress and displacement distributions around a circular tunnel excavated in elastic material and reinforced by grouted or anchored rockbolts. The analytical solution assumes that rockbolts are regularly spaced around the tunnel and that axi-symmetry conditions of geometry and loading apply. The results obtained with the closed-form solution are shown to be equivalent to the results of the same problem solved with traditional numerical methods. Based on the analytical and numerical results and by introducing dimensionless ratios that allow to quantify the increase of radial stresses and the decrease of radial displacements in the reinforced region of the tunnel, the paper shows that reinforcement can have a significant mechanical effect (i.e., increasing the confinement and decreasing the convergences) in tunnels excavated in rock masses of poor to very poor quality. The paper analyzes then the mechanical contribution of rockbolt reinforcement when the rock mass is assumed to behave elasto-plastically. For this case, it is shown that rockbolt reinforcement can also have a critical effect in controlling the extent of the plastic failure zone and the convergences of the tunnel. Correspondence: C. Carranza-Torres, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, Duluth Campus, 1305 Ordean Court, Duluth, USA     

Geotechnical assessment of a landslide along a natural gas pipeline for possible remediations (Karacabey-Turkey)

A new natural gas pipeline with a 0.90-m diameter is under construction to provide a gas connection between Turkey and Greece as well as to create a gas ring for southern Europe. The new pipeline route lies next to an existing small diameter gas pipeline broken by a landslide that occurred in February 2006 near Karacabey (Bursa). Although the existing pipeline has been temporarily repaired, either the pipeline route should be relocated or the landslide should be stabilized. The geological survey conducted in the study area reveals that relocation is not feasible due to the existence of other landslides in close vicinity to the site. In order to investigate the causes of the landslide and to suggest possible remedial measures, geotechnical investigations including surface geological mapping, trial pitting, drilling with field tests, inclinometer measurements, laboratory testing, and limit equilibrium analyses were conducted. The investigation revealed that the unconsolidated clayey soil slid on claystone along a non-circular failure surface. Based on the gathered data, possible remedial measures including partial removal of landslide material and construction of toe buttresses, slope flattening, lowering the pipeline, and surface drainage systems were evaluated. These are suggested to prevent the reactivation of the landslide, and thus to establish a safe route for both the existing and the new pipelines.     

福建省高速公路边坡病害类型分析

为解决边坡防护加固设计依据不足的问题,本文结合福建省高速公路路堑边坡工程实践,归纳了风化剥落、流石流泥、掉块落石、溜坍、坍塌、崩塌、倾倒、错落和滑坡等9大类路堑边坡常见病害类型,并对各病害类型的变形破坏特点进行分析：路堑边坡小规模变形破坏在富水土体中以流、溜、坍运动模式为主,在风化岩石中以剥、落运动模式为主;大规模变形破坏则受控于岩土体中结构面的空间位置及其组合形式,反倾岩层易产生＂倒＂,节理岩体易产生＂崩＂,残存结构面的软弱岩土体易形成＂塌＂,存在陡倾结构面和软弱坡脚的岩土体易形成＂错＂,以及沿特定软弱面做整体水平运动的＂滑＂等多种运动模式。     

澜沧江某水电站右坝肩岩体倾倒变形的数值模拟

对该水电站坝址区陡立反倾板状结构岩体而言,纵向河谷的地形特征,使坝址两岸边坡大范围发育倾倒变形。针对该水电站倾倒变形问题,在掌握坝址区工程地质条件背景的基础上,通过对岩体倾倒变形基本特征及破裂程度分级等分析,建立边坡离散元的工程开挖和破坏机理的数值计算模型,得出了工程开挖边坡岩体倾倒变形特征和变形破坏机理发展过程为:初期弱倾倒变形岩体的层内剪切错动、强倾倒变形岩体的层内拉张变形、强倾倒变形岩体的切层张-剪破裂及极强倾倒破裂岩体的折断张裂(坠覆)破裂。研究结果为倾滑体的稳定性评价及工程开挖施工提供一定科学依据。