FRICTIONAL SLIDING OF PLAGIOCLASE GOUGE UNDER LOWER-CRUST TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVELY LOW EFFECTIVE NORMAL STRESS

The discovery of tremors on the lower crust portion of the San Andreas Fault has attracted more attention on the mechanical properties of the lower crust in recent years, and some experimental studies have been carried out to understand the mechanical behavior. Previous experiments under effective normal stresses of 200MPa have shown that pyroxene and plagioclase mineral separated from the gabbro and their mixtures all show velocity weakening in the lower-crust temperature range, which results in unstable slip when frictional sliding is the dominant deformation mechanism. This work is to examine whether the velocity-weakening behavior of plagioclase gouge also applies to relatively lower effective normal stress. Our experiments were performed under effective normal stress of about 100MPa, with a constant confining pressure control, with pore pressure of 30MPa and temperature of 100℃ to 600℃. We found that the frictional sliding of plagioclase are basically the same with the previous results obtained under effective normal stress of 200MPa, both of which show velocity weakening over the entire temperature range. The only difference is the out-of-trend drop of constitutive parameter a at 600℃ for the lower effective normal stress of 100MPa. It is thus concluded that reducing the effective normal stress has little effect on the sliding stability of plagioclase, and the previous conclusion made for mechanical behavior of the lower crust that unstable slips are possible therein also applies to the lower effective normal stress of 100MPa.     

The influence of solar‐induced thermal stresses on the mechanical weathering of rocks in humid mid‐latitudes

The role of solar‐induced thermal stresses in the mechanical breakdown of rock in humid‐temperate climates has remained relatively unexplored. In contrast, numerous studies have demonstrated that cracks in rocks found in more arid mid‐latitude locations exhibit preferred northeast orientations that are interpreted to be a consequence of insolation‐related cracking. Here we hypothesize that similar insolation‐related mechanisms may be efficacious in humid temperate climates, possibly in conjunction with other mechanical weathering processes. To test this hypothesis, we collected rock and crack data from a total of 310 rocks at a forested field site in North Carolina (99 rocks, 266 cracks) and at forested and unforested field sites in Pennsylvania (211 rocks, 664 cracks) in the eastern United States. We find that overall, measured cracks exhibit statistically preferred strike orientations (47° ± 16), as well as dip angles (52° ± 24°), that are similar in most respects to comparable datasets from mid‐latitude deserts. There is less variance in strike orientations for larger cracks suggesting that cracks with certain orientations are preferentially propagated through time. We propose that diurnally repeating geometries of solar‐related stresses result in propagation of those cracks whose orientations are favorably oriented with respect to those stresses. We hypothesize that the result is an oriented rock heterogeneity that acts as a zone of weakness much like bedding or foliation that can, in turn, be exploited by other weathering processes. Observed crack orientations vary somewhat by location, consistent with this hypothesis given the different latitude and solar exposure of the field sites. Crack densities vary between field sites and are generally higher on north‐facing boulder‐faces and in forested sites, suggesting that moisture‐availability also plays a role in dictating cracking rates. These data provide evidence that solar‐induced thermal stresses facilitate mechanical weathering in environments where other processes are also likely at play. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy partitioning over a semi‐arid shrubland in northern China

During the last decade, the widely distributed shrublands in northern China have shown significant signs of recovery from desertification, the result of widespread conservation practices. However, to support the current efforts in conservation, more knowledge is needed on surface energy partitioning and its biophysical controls. Using eddy‐covariance measurements made over a semi‐arid shrubland in northwest China in 2012, we examined how surface energy‐balance components vary on diurnal and seasonal scales, and how biophysical factors control bulk surface parameters and energy exchange. Sensible heat flux (H) exceeded latent heat flux (λE) during most of the year, resulting in an annual Bowen ratio (β, i.e. H/λE) of 2.0. λE exceeded H only in mid‐summer when frequent rainfall co‐occurred with the seasonal peak in leaf area index (LAI). Evapotranspiration reached a daily maximum of 3.3 mm day^?1, and summed to 283 mm yr^?1. The evaporative fraction (EF, i.e. λE/R_n), Priestley–Taylor coefficient (α), surface conductance (g_s) and decoupling coefficient (Ω) were all positively correlated with soil water content (SWC) and LAI. The direct enhancement of λE by high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) was buffered by a concurrent suppression of g_s. The g_s played a direct role in controlling EF and α by mediating the effects of LAI, SWC and VPD. Our results highlight the importance of adaptive plant responses to water scarcity in regulating ecosystem energy partitioning, and suggest an important role for revegetation in the reversal of desertification in semi‐arid areas. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水平单轴应力与横波反射系数

地球物理勘探中,地下应力的估测是非常重要的.本文利用应力诱导的弱各向异性的各向异性参数, 借助已有的具有水平对称轴横向各向同性介质顾及高阶小量的横波反射系数近似公式,针对下介质为各向同性受单轴应力作用情况随应力的增加求取应力精度降低的问题,从横波反射系数近似公式的推导出发,联合SH波与SV 波反射系数给出新的改进的单轴应力与横波反射系数的直观表达式;计算并对比了受单轴应力作用的各向同性介质的横波近似和严格的反射系数,并利用理论得到的横波反射系数对应力进行了估值.结果表明,利用改进后横波反射系数与应力的直观表达式, 当应力增加时,应力估值精度有了明显的改善,这为利用横波反射数据直观估测应力提供理论依据.     

龙门山断裂带上“破裂空段”的发震概率研究

本文采用分层粘弹性介质模型计算了汶川地震对芦山震中产生的库仑应力加载的影响,进而结合Dieterich(1994)提出的速率状态摩擦定律给出芦山附近区域6级地震累积发震概率随时间的变化。结果显示,2013年芦山7.0级地震时其累积发震概率达18%,说明汶川地震产生的应力扰动加速了芦山地震的发生。本文还计算了汶川、芦山2次地震对其间"破裂空段"处产生的累积库仑应力扰动的影响,结合背景地震发生率,给出了"破裂空段"处6级地震累积发震概率变化。虽然计算结果可能受到大邑地震、介质模型参数的选取和背景地震发生概率等因素影响而存在一定误差,但"破裂空段"在2次强震应力加载下累积发震概率是不断增大的,因此我们认为"破裂空段"处发生中强地震的紧迫性不断增强。     

士兵胫骨应力性骨折的影像评分与临床表现相关分析

目的:明确士兵胫骨应力性骨折患者不同影像学评分与临床表现之间的相互关系,增强对士兵胫骨应力性骨折的认识。方法:本研究共纳入34例参加军事训练出现胫骨应力性骨折的士兵患者,所有对象平均年龄为19.1岁。所有患者分别由骨科医生及影像科医生采用X线、MRI扫描及CT扫描来评价胫骨应力性骨折的严重程度。同时由骨科医生对临床严重程度评分进行评价。统计学分析不同影像学检查评分与临床严重程度之间的相互关系,影像学检查评分与治愈时间之间的关系以及评价不同医生采用不同影像学设备评价患者的可靠性。结果:临床严重程度与患者的X线(r=-0.529,P=0.029)、MRI扫描(r=-0.641,P=0.006)及CT (r=-0.573,P=0.016)影像学评分存在负相关。治愈时间与患者的X线及CT影像学评分无相关性,与MRI扫描的影像学评分虽无相关性,但有相关的趋势(P=0.09)。MRI扫描的可靠性最佳(α=0.849),CT次之(α=0.779),X线第三(α=0.623)。结论:胫骨应力性骨折临床严重程度与X线、磁共振及CT扫描影像学评分存在负相关。X线、磁共振及CT扫描影像学评分与治愈时间无相关性。     

大断面厚顶煤巷道顶板冒落破坏的上限分析

根据大断面厚顶煤巷道顶板的破坏特性,考虑了顶板围岩应力水平与支护荷载的影响,利用Hoek-Brown强度准则及其相关联的流动法则,构造出厚顶煤巷道顶板的冒落破坏机构。基于塑性力学中的上限分析方法,结合变分原理,推导得到了大跨度厚顶煤巷道顶板的冒落破坏机制,并以赵楼煤矿某巷道现场实践为例,分析了不同计算参数对顶板冒落破坏机制的影响。计算研究表明：随着岩体经验参数A、抗拉强度、抗压强度及支护荷载的增加,冒落体尺寸随之增大,而当岩体经验参数B、围岩应力及岩体重度增加时,冒落体尺寸则随之减小;冒落体尺寸代表了巷道顶板安全性能的大小,其尺寸越大,表明使巷道顶板发生冒落破坏所需外力功越多,顶板安全性能也越高;岩体经验参数B、围岩应力水平与支护荷载对顶板围岩破裂机制影响较为显著,参数B决定了冒落体的破裂形状,随着参数B的增加,冒落破裂迹线的曲率不断减小;增大支护阻力是提高顶板稳定性的有效途径,其研究结果可为大断面厚顶煤巷道支护设计提供一定的理论依据。     

石碑塬滑坡黄土液化特征及其影响因素研究

石碑塬滑坡是1920年海原地震触发的大型黄土流滑,认识其破坏特征与发生机制对于黄土边坡长距离液化失稳机制的研究非常重要。对石碑塬黄土滑坡的调查和研究表明,饱和黄土或高含水率黄土具有很高的液化势和流态破坏势,在强震作用下,饱和黄土易发生液化或流滑。对石碑塬滑坡的7组原状黄土样品进行振动三轴剪切试验,并结合其微观特征分析,探讨了循环振动荷载作用下的饱和黄土孔隙水压力-应变增长模型,分析了振动液化过程中液化应力比与黄土粒度组成、土体微观结构参数及饱和度之间的关系。结果表明：黏粒含量越低,振动作用下饱和黄土孔隙水压力响应越快,液化应力比越低;黄土孔隙比越大,孔隙结构分形维数越大,液化应力比越低,振动液化后黄土孔隙分形维数降低,结构较液化之前更为致密;饱和度对黄土粒间胶结物质的赋存状态及黄土结构强度影响很大,同一土体饱和度越高,溶滤于孔隙水中的离子浓度越高,土体粒间接触点（或胶结点）越容易发生断裂,使得黄土结构强度降低,液化应力比降低。     

南川三泉地区中新生代构造应力特征

通过野外节理的测量统计,得出研究区有3组节理发育:NNW向(320°~350°)、NNE向(15°~30°)、NE向(50°~70°)。结合区域构造背景,运用赤平投影法分析了三泉地区中新生代以来的古构造应力场。根据各节理测量点的最大主应力方向,把研究区构造演化分为两个阶段:第一阶段为晚燕山期—早喜山期,主要受到NW-SE方向的应力作用;第二阶段是晚喜山期,主要受到NE—SW方向的应力作用。这两期的构造运动控制了三泉地区龙马溪组页岩中裂缝的发育方向,为页岩气储层物性的研究提供了一定的地质依据。     

Application of the numerical manifold method for stress wave propagation across rock masses

In this paper, the numerical manifold method (NMM) is extended to study wave propagation across rock masses. First, improvements to the system equations, contact treatment, and boundary conditions of the NMM are performed, where new system equations are derived based on the Newmark assumption of the space–time relationship, the edge‐to‐edge contact treatment is further developed for the NMM to handle stress wave propagation across discontinuities, and the viscous non‐reflection boundary condition is derived based on the energy minimisation principle. After the modification, numerical comparisons between the original and improved NMM are presented. The results show that the original system equations result in artificial numerical damping, which can be overcome by the Newmark system equations. Meanwhile, the original contact scheme suffers some calculation problems when modelling stress wave propagation across a discontinuity, which can be solved by the proposed edge‐to‐edge contact scheme. Subsequently, the influence of the mesh size and time step on the improved NMM for stress wave propagation is studied. Finally, 2D wave propagation is modelled, and the model's results are in good agreement with the analytical solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.