Geomechanical modelling to assess fault integrity at the CO2CRC Otway Project,Australia

This paper presents the first published 3D geomechanical modelling study of the CO2CRC Otway Project, located in the state of Victoria, Australia. The results of this work contribute to one of the main objectives of the CO2CRC, which is to demonstrate the feasibility of CO₂ storage in a depleted gas reservoir. With this aim in mind, a one-way coupled flow and geomechanics model is presented, with the capability of predicting changes to the in situ stress field caused by changes in reservoir pressure owing to CO₂ production and injection. A parametric study investigating the pore pressures required to reactivate key, reservoir-bounding faults has been conducted, and the results from the numerical simulation and analytical analysis are compared. The numerical simulation indicates that the critical pore fluid pressure to cause fault reactivation is 1.15 times the original pressure as opposed to 1.5 times for the comparable analytical model. Possible reasons for the differences between the numerical and analytical models can be ascribed to the higher degree of complexity incorporated in the numerical model. Heterogeneity in terms of lateral variations of hydrological and mechanical parameters, effect of topography, presence of faults and interaction between cells are considered to be the main sources for the different estimation of critical pore pressure. The numerical model, which incorporates this greater complexity, is able then to better describe the state of stress that acts in the subsurface compared with a simple 1D analytical model. Moreover, the reactivation pressures depend mainly on the state of stress described; therefore we suggest that numerical models be performed when possible.     

巨厚松散层裸孔施工技术措施

针对巨厚松散层在钻孔施工中易出现钻孔孔壁坍塌、掉块、缩径,造成埋钻、粘钻、卡钻,找不到原孔而形成岔孔等钻孔事故,简述了在巨厚松散层钻孔裸孔安全施工的要点和注意事项。     

柴北缘锡铁山两类榴辉岩的退变质过程 及其对俯冲带折返机制的制约

榴辉岩作为俯冲带中重要的岩石类型保存有丰富的地球动力学信息。对榴辉岩及其退变质岩石的研究有助于建立俯冲带演化的p-T轨迹,了解俯冲岩石在折返过程中温压条件及矿物相的变化,从而对俯冲带折返的动力学机制进行限定。对柴北缘锡铁山双矿物榴辉岩及含多硅白云母榴辉岩进行了详细的岩石学研究。在NC（K）FMASH体系中对两类榴辉岩进行变质相平衡模拟,得到双矿物榴辉岩的峰期温压条件为745~790℃,大于2.8~3.0GPa（M1）,后经历等温降压过程达到角闪石榴辉岩岩相（670~770℃,1.6~2.2GPa,M2）,与含多硅白云母榴辉岩经历了相同的折返过程。锡铁山双矿物榴辉岩的原岩具有N-MORB的地球化学特征,而含多硅白云母榴辉岩则显示E-MORB或者OIB特征,二者原岩成分存在明显差异。两类榴辉岩的p-T演化过程和地球化学特征表明,锡铁山双矿物榴辉岩与含多硅白云母榴辉岩矿物学特征的差异是其原岩的多源性造成的,而与俯冲后折返过程中的退变质作用无必然联系。     

An analytical solution for the nonlinear distribution of effective and total stresses in vertical backfilled stopes

The increasing use of backfill in underground mines requires a proper evaluation of the stress state in and around the filled openings. This is, however, a relatively complex issue due, in part, to the large contrast in strength and stiffness between the backfill material and surrounding rock mass. In recent years, it has been shown that arching theory, based on limit equilibrium analysis, can be used to estimate the stress distribution in backfilled stopes. Nonetheless, many simplifications are involved in such analytical solutions and this affects the precision and significance of the calculated results. In this paper, a previously developed solution is enhanced by introducing the combined effects of non-uniform vertical stress distribution and positive pore water pressure. This leads to a more representative analytical solution, as demonstrated by successful comparisons with numerical simulations. The results indicate that the proposed solution can be used to estimate the effective and total stress state in submerged or partially submerged backfilled stopes with a simple geometry.     

Evidence of late oligocene/early miocene backthrusting in the central alpine “root zone”

Abstract

Two groups of stretching lineations can be distinguished in the Central Alpine " root zone " between Ticino and Mera :

1) Steeply plunging lineations formed during retrograde metamor-Phism under amphibolite/greenschist facies conditions indicate an uplift movement of the Central Alps. The lineations can be related to an important back-thrusting event of late Oligocene/early Miocene age.

2) Gently plunging lineations formed under lower greenschist facies conditions display a pattern typical of a dextral strike-slip system. These lineations are of early Miocene age.

This cpmbined movement, achieved by ductile deformation along the lnsubric line was followed by a stage of brittle deformation in a dextral strike-slip system (= Tonale line).

The signification of this interpretation is shown in a new crustal cross section through the Central Alpine/Southern Alpine border zone in the Iicino area.     

Evaluation of pile foundation response to lateral spreading

The effects of liquefaction on deep foundations are very damaging and costly, and they keep recurring in many earthquakes. The first part of the paper reviews the field experience of deep foundations affected by liquefaction during earthquakes in the last few decades, as well as the main lessons learned. The second part of the paper presents results of physical modeling of deep foundations in the presence of liquefaction conducted by the authors and others at the 100g-ton RPI centrifuge. In the last decade centrifuge modeling has been identified as a key tool to identify and quantify mechanisms, calibrate analyses and evaluate retrofitting strategies for pile foundations. Results are presented of centrifuge models of instrumented pile foundations subjected to lateral spreading, including single pile and pile groups, 2- and 3-layer soil profiles, mass and stiffening elements above ground to incorporate the effect of the superstructure, and evaluation of proposed retrofitting strategies. Interpretations of these centrifuge experiments and their relation to field observations and soil properties.     

Phase relations of iron and iron–nickel alloys up to 300 GPa: Implications for composition and structure of the Earth's inner core

We have investigated the phase relations of iron and iron–nickel alloys with 18 to 50 wt.% Ni up to over 300 GPa using a laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. The synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements show the wide stability of hcp-iron up to 301 GPa and 2000 K and 319 GPa and 300 K without phase transition to dhcp, orthorhombic, or bcc phases. On the other hand, the incorporation of nickel has a remarkable effect on expanding the stability field of fcc phase. The geometry of the temperature–composition phase diagram of iron–nickel alloys suggests that the hcp–fcc–liquid triple point is located at 10 to 20 wt.% Ni at the pressure of the inner core boundary. The fcc phase could crystallize depending on the nickel and silicon contents in the Earth's core, both of which are fcc stabilizer.     

Nonequilibrium effects in models of three-phase flow in porous media

In this paper we extend to three-phase flow the nonequilibrium formalism proposed by Barenblatt and co-workers for two-phase porous media flow. The underlying idea is to include nonequilibrium effects by introducing a pair of effective water and gas saturations, which are linked to the actual saturations by a local evolution equation. We illustrate and analyze how nonequilibrium effects lead to qualitative and quantitative differences in the solution of the three-phase flow equations.     

Compaction of a Rock Fracture Moderated by Competing Roles of Stress Corrosion and Pressure Solution

Unusually rapid closure of stressed fractures, observed in the initial stages of loading and at low temperatures, is examined using models for subcritical crack growth and pressure solution. The model for stress corrosion examines tensile stress concentrations induced at the Hertzian contact of propping fracture asperities, and mediates fracture growth according to a kinetic rate law. Conversely, pressure solution is described by the rate-limiting process of dissolution, resulting from the elevated stresses realized at the propping asperity contact. Both models are capable of following the observed compaction of fractures in novaculite. However, closure rates predicted for stress corrosion cracking are orders of magnitudes faster than those predicted for pressure dissolution. For consistent kinetic parameters, predictions from stress corrosion better replicate experimental observations, especially in the short-term and at low temperature when mechanical effects are anticipated to dominate. Rates and magnitudes of both stress corrosion and pressure solution are dependent on stresses exerted over propping asperities. Rates of closure due to stress corrosion cracking are shown to be always higher than for pressure solution, except where stress corrosion ceases as contact areas grow, and local stresses drop below an activation threshold. A simple rate law is apparent for the progress of fracture closure, defined in terms of a constant and an exponent applied to the test duration. For current experimental observations, this rate law is shown to replicate early progress data, and shows promise to define the evolution of transport properties of fractures over extended durations.     

深基坑双排桩支护结构上的变形和土压力研究

根据某大型深基坑工程的实测资料,对双排桩支护结构上的截面弯矩、变形和土压力分布特征进行了研究,并对基坑开挖的空间效应、冠梁刚度对土压力的影响、支护结构变形与土压力分布的关系、双排桩支护结构与土的相互作用机制等进行分析。研究表明,深基坑双排桩支护结构上的土压力分布是十分复杂的,用传统的土压力计算方法估算双排桩支护结构上的土压力存在较大偏差。其研究结果为双排桩支护结构上土压力设计计算模式的建立提供了依据。