Computational microstructure modeling to estimate progressive moisture damage behavior of asphaltic paving mixtures

This paper presents a computational microstructure model to estimate the progressive moisture damage of multiphase asphaltic paving mixtures. Moisture damage because of water transport is incorporated with mechanical loading through a finite element method. To simulate nonlinear damage evolution in the mixtures, the model includes Fickian moisture diffusion, a cohesive zone model to simulate the gradual fracture process, and a degradation characteristic function to represent the reduction of material properties because of moisture infiltration. With the model developed, various parametric analyses are conducted to investigate how each model parameter affects the material‐specific moisture damage mechanism and damage resistance potential of the mixtures. Analysis results clearly demonstrate the significance of physical and mechanical properties of mixture components and geometric characteristics of microstructure for the better design of asphaltic paving mixtures and roadway structures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental study of effect of pre‐existing fabric on deformation of foliated mylonite at high temperature and pressure

We performed deformation experiments on a foliated mylonite under high temperature and pressure conditions in this study. To investigate the effect of pre‐existing fabric on the rheology of rocks, our samples were drilled from natural mylonite with the cylinder axis parallel to the foliation (PAR) and perpendicular to the foliation (PER). We performed 25 tests on seven PAR samples and 21 tests on seven PER samples at temperatures ranging from 600 to 890 °C, confining pressures ranging from 800 to 1400 MPa, and steady‐state strain rates of 1 × 10⁻⁴, 1 × 10⁻⁵ and 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹. In the temperatures of 600–700 °C, the deformation is accommodated by semi‐brittle flow, with the average stress exponent being 6–7 assuming power law flow; in the temperature range of 800–890 °C, deformation is mainly by plastic flow, with an average stress exponent of n = 3 and activation energies of Q = 354 ± 52 kJ/mol (PER and PAR samples). The experimental results show that the strengths of PER samples are higher than those of PAR samples. Deformation microstructures have been studied by optical and electron microscopy. The original foliation of PER samples is destroyed by deformation and replaced by a new foliation, but the deformation of PAR samples followed the original foliation. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements show a strong lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of the quartz c axis fabrics of the starting samples and deformed PER and PAR samples. However, the c axis fabric of quartz in experimentally deformed PER and PAR samples varied with temperature and strain rate is different from that seen in the starting mylonite sample. The initial quartz c axis fabric of the starting mylonite sample has been transformed into a new fabric during experimental deformation. Dehydration melting of biotite and hornblende occurred in both PER and PAR samples at temperatures of 800–890 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Test and evaluation of a moored microstructure recorder

A new moored microstructure recorder （MMR） is designed, developed, tested, and evaluated. The MMR directly measures the high-frequency shear of velocity fluctuations, with which we can estimate the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy. We summarize and discuss methods for estimating the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate. Instrument body vibrations contaminate the shear signal in an ocean field experiment, and a compensating correction successfully removes this contamination. In both tank test and ocean field experiment, the dissipation rate measured with the MMR agreed well with that measured using other instruments.     

Staurolite porphyroblast controls on local bulk compositional and microstructural changes during decompression of a St–Bt–Grt–Crd–And schist (Ancasti metamorphic complex,Sierras Pampeanas,W Argentina)

The staurolite–biotite–garnet–cordierite–andalusite–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz metapelitic mineral assemblage has been frequently interpreted in the literature as a result of superimposition of various metamorphic events, for example, in polymetamorphic sequences. The assemblage was identified in schists from the Ancasti metamorphic complex (Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina) where previous authors have favoured the polymetamorphic genetic interpretation. A pseudosection in the MnNCKFMASH system for the analysed XRF bulk composition predicts the stability of the sub‐assemblage staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz, and the compositional isopleths also agree with measured mineral compositions. Nevertheless, the XRF pseudosection does not predict any field with staurolite, andalusite and cordierite being stable together. As a result of more detailed modelling making use of the effective bulk composition concept, our interpretation is that the staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz sub‐assemblage was present at peak metamorphic conditions, 590 °C and 5.2 kbar, but that andalusite and cordierite grew later along a continuous P–T path. These minerals are not in mutual contact and are observed in separate microstructural domains with different proportions of staurolite. These domains are explained as a result of local reaction equilibrium subsystems developed during decompression and influenced by the previous peak crystal size and local modal distribution of staurolite porphyroblasts that have remained metastable. Thus, andalusite and cordierite grew synchronously, although in separate microdomains, and represent the decompression stage at 565 °C and 3.5 kbar.     

远安地堑上白垩统红花套组压实剪切型变形带的微观结构与地层渗透性关系解析

孔隙性砂岩中形成的压实剪切型变形带及其周围的渗透性特征是变形带研究的重要内容之一,由于变形带宽度常为毫米级别,常规渗透率测试方法因分辨率的限制无法满足研究需求。选取远安地堑上白垩统红花套组中不同规模的单条变形带、小型及中大型簇状变形带样品,在对其微观结构进行详细研究的基础上,采用具有高分辨率测试功能的AUTOSCAN进行密集测试,建立了连续渗透率剖面。结果显示,渗透率低值点与变形带有显著对应关系,在渗透率线扫描曲线中呈下拉尖峰特征;不同变形带渗透率异常低值点存在差异,变形带厚度大则异常程度高;不同微观结构要素的渗透率降低程度不同,渗透率由低至高依次为：大型簇状变形带的核心碎裂带<小型簇状变形带的核心碎裂带<带间区域<单条变形带核心碎裂带<边缘过渡区<围岩。分析认为,虽然变形带的厚度和渗透率探测孔的大小会影响探测结果,但变形带的微观结构才是控制渗透率降低程度不同的本质原因。中大型簇状变形带的核心碎裂带密集发育且连续性好,很可能对流体渗流、油气运移等造成较大影响;而单条变形带由于延续性较差,很难真正阻碍流体渗流,而是会增强岩石整体的各向异性特征。     

Microstructure,metamorphism, thermochronology and P-T-t-deformation history of the Port aux Basques gneisses,south-west Newfoundland,Canada*

Abstract The Port aux Basques gneisses comprise three lithostratigraphic units separated by major fault zones: the Grand Bay Complex; the Port aux Basques Complex; and the Harbor le Cou Group. A similar regionally developed polyphase history of penetrative deformation characterizes each of these units. Thickening during D1 produced rare recumbent folds (F1) and an axial planar schistosity (S1), overprinted by D2 recumbent folds (F2), and transposed during development of a locally penetrative, differentiated crenulation cleavage (S2). In western sectors of the area, D2 was associated with NW-directed reverse shearing. The NE-trending structural grain reflects D3 transpression, partitioned into dextral transcurrent movement along major shear zones and development of upright-to-steeply inclined, periclinal folds (F3) and a variably penetrative schistosity (S3). Amphibolite facies metamorphism increases in grade from west to east across the area. Microstructures, including porphyroblast-matrix foliation relations and internal textural unconformities in garnet, indicate episodic porphyroblast nucleation and growth, which reflect a prograde traverse sequentially across univariant reactions during syntectonic metamorphism. Garnet, kyanite and staurolite porphyroblasts are wrapped by the S2 foliation, but each may contain trails of inclusions that define S1; commonly these trails preserve early stages of S2 crenulation cleavage development. Progressive and sequential reaction out of kyanite, staurolite and muscovite in favour of sillimanite, garnet, biotite and K-feldspar, and the development of an increasing volume of anatectic migmatite in south-eastern sectors of the area record syn- to late-D2 peak metamorphic conditions. Microstructural relationships and petrogenetic grid considerations indicate clockwise trajectories in P-T space for units of the Port aux Basques gneisses. Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated to have been 620–650° C at ≤8kbar in the west and 700–750° C at ≤8 kbar in the east. Titanite from an upper amphibolite facies calc-silicate gneiss yields U-Pb ages of c. 420 Ma, interpreted to date cooling shortly after the thermal peak in these gneisses. Variable D3 strain was associated with some recrystallization of hornblende and micas. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar hornblende plateau isotope correlation ages range from c. 419 to c. 393 Ma, from east to west across the area, and are interpreted to record cooling through c. 500° C coeval with or soon after D3 deformation. The range in ages may record the effects of heterogeneous D3 deformation and differential uplift from south-east to north-west associated with displacement on major shear zones. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite plateau ages cluster at c. 390 Ma, and date cooling through c. 375° C during regional exhumation. Cooling rates are moderate to fast and may indicate a component of tectonic exhumation. The Port aux Basques gneisses are a product of Silurian collisional tectonics. The higher grade of metamorphism in comparison with adjacent areas of the Canadian Appalachians is interpreted to reflect greater thickening due to juxtaposition of the St Lawrence promontory (Laurentian margin) with the Cabot promontory (Avalonian margin) during closure of the Iapetus Ocean.     

NaCl溶液饱和膨胀土的压缩特性及其微观机制

孔隙溶液浓度及组份改变会影响膨胀土颗粒间作用力,改变微观孔隙结构,从而影响土体的物理力学特性。为此,以宁明膨胀土为研究对象,采用不同浓度NaCl溶液制备泥浆预固结重塑样开展一维压缩试验和压汞试验,研究化学作用对重塑天然膨胀土的压缩性和微观孔隙结构的影响规律。结果表明：随着渗透吸力增加,颗粒间水化能力降低,物理化学力使土颗粒由分散状态转变为集聚体状态,形成了集聚体内孔和集聚体间孔,土体表现出双峰孔隙分布特征。预固结样（压力为20 kPa）的初始孔隙比随渗透吸力增加而减小,进而导致固结屈服应力增加;但是渗透吸力对压缩性影响不大,压缩指数和回弹指数基本不变。此外,利用固结系数计算了土体的渗透系数,随着竖向压力增加渗透系数降低;当竖向压力小于200 kPa时,随着渗透吸力增加,渗透系数先增加后减小,但是竖向压力超过200 kPa后,渗透系数变化不大。分析发现,渗透吸力增加导致大孔隙增加,渗透系数增加,但同时密实度增加会导致渗透系数降低,低竖向压力下渗透性受密实度和微观孔隙结构变化耦合作用控制。     

砂土微观结构样品制备技术及量化方法研究

土体的微观结构是决定其工程特性的重要内在因素,但对于砂土而言,如何制备适合微观分析的样品以及快速准确量化结构参数一直面临诸多挑战。为此,提出一种真空冷冻干燥?注胶相结合的砂土样品制备技术,该技术可在有效去除土样水分的同时保持样品原状结构不被扰动,并可用于后续加工处理。针对不同粒度的砂土样品,分别使用扫描电子显微镜和光学显微镜对制备的试样进行观察,基于自主研发的土体微观结构定量分析系统SMAS对拍摄的照片进行精细量化分析,提出了由土颗粒数量、颗粒周长、表观孔隙率、形状系数、等效直径、分形维数和形态比等参数构成的量度指标体系对砂土样品微观结构特征进行定量评价。研究结果表明：提出的真空冷冻干燥?注胶相结合的砂土样品制备技术具有操作简单、稳定可靠等特点,能有效维持砂土的原状结构;比较而言,扫描电镜更适用于粉细砂的微观结构分析,而光学显微镜更适用于中粗砂的微观结构分析;SMAS能有效识别微观结构图像中的土颗粒及孔隙,为定量分析砂土或其他土体的微观结构特征提供了高效的工具。     

压实作用对泥岩膨胀性及水分迁移影响

为研究压实作用对泥岩膨胀性及水分迁移的影响,将碾碎过筛泥岩以不同干密度分层夯实到自制试验箱中进行试验,采用高精度位移传感器和TDR-4型湿度传感器进行数据采集,并采用体式显微镜对泥岩颗粒进行微观结构分析。研究结果表明:不同压实作用下泥岩膨胀过程均经历初期快速陡增阶段、中期膨胀减缓阶段和后期膨胀稳定阶段;体积含水率增大过程均经历跳跃式快速增长阶段、外凸弧线缓慢增长阶段和后期稳定阶段;随着干密度的增加,其稳定膨胀量和稳定膨胀率近似呈线形增加;水分在泥岩中的迁移与泥岩自身膨胀挤密和大气影响深度相关,干密度越大,膨胀挤密效果越明显,大气影响深度越小,其水分迁移速度越小;泥岩颗粒孔隙较为发育,连通性较好,可为水分迁移提供通道;泥岩浸水膨胀后呈泥质状态,颗粒间黏结发生破坏。研究可为膨胀泥岩地区高速铁路的修建提供参考依据。     

南海西沙群岛海域鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)角质颚微结构及生长特性研究

角质颚是鸢乌贼重要的摄食器官,信息储存能力强,被广泛用于重建头足类生活史等研究。根据2017年5—8月中国灯光罩网渔船在南海西沙群岛海域采集的860尾鸢乌贼样本,结合经研磨后角质颚微结构中的日龄轮纹,对角质颚微结构及其外形生长特性展开了研究。结果表明,鸢乌贼角质颚上颚微结构分为头盖部和脊突部,两部均由明暗交替的日龄生长纹组成,头盖部的日龄生长纹较为清晰且易于读取。选取上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、上翼长(UWL)、下头盖长(LHL)、下脊突长(LCL)、下侧壁长(LLWL)和下翼长(LWL)作为描述西沙群岛海域鸢乌贼角质颚生长的外形特征参数。协方差分析表明,角质颚外形特征参数不存在性别间显著性差异。AIC分析表明, UCL和LCL与日龄的生长关系最适用线性生长模型表示, ULWL和LLWL与日龄的生长关系最适用对数生长模型表示, UHL、UWL、LHL和LWL与日龄的生长关系则均最适用于逻辑斯蒂生长模型表示。随着日龄的增加,鸢乌贼角质颚外形特征参数与胴长的比值基本稳定。日龄范围为211—240 d时,鸢乌贼角质颚UHL、UCL、UWL、LHL、LCL、LLWL和LWL的绝对生长率(AGR)较低。鸢乌贼角质颚在日龄介于121—210 d时生长迅速,在日龄介于211—240 d时生长速率下降,日龄211—240 d可能是鸢乌贼角质颚外部形态生长的拐点。研究结果为后续利用角质颚研究南海鸢乌贼的渔业生物学、生态学和关键生活史提供了科学依据。