A semi-empirical approach to model pressure dependence of elastic moduli in granular media accounting for variations of coordination-number and Poisson-ratio

The effective medium theory based on the Hertz–Mindlin contact law is the most popular theory to relate dynamic elastic moduli (or elastic velocities) and confining pressure in dry granular media. However, many experimental results proved that the effective medium theory predicts pressure trends lower than experimental ones and over-predicts the shear modulus. To mitigate these mispredictions, several evolutions of the effective medium theory have been presented in the literature. Among these, the model named modified grain contact theory is an empirical approach in which three parametric curves are included in the effective medium theory model. Fitting the parameters of these curves permits to adjust the pressure trends of the Poisson ratio and the bulk modulus. In this paper, we present two variations of the modified grain contact theory model. First, we propose a minor modification in the fitting function for the porosity dependence of the calibration parameters that accounts for non-linearity in the vicinity of the critical porosity. Second, we propose a major modification that reduces the three-step modified grain contact theory model to a two-step model, by skipping the calibration parameter–porosity fit in the model and directly modelling the calibration parameter–pressure relation. In addition to an increased simplicity (the fitting parameters are reduced from 10 to 6), avoiding the porosity fit permits us to apply the model to laboratory data that are not provided with accurate porosity measurements. For this second model, we also estimate the uncertainty of the fitting parameters and the elastic velocities. We tested this model on dry core measurements from literature and we verified that it returns elastic velocity trends as good as the original modified grain contact theory model with a reduced number of fitting parameters. Possible developments of the new model to add predictive power are also discussed.     

Small-strain dynamic characterization of clayey soil from the Texcoco Lake,Mexico

The area occupied by the former Texcoco Lake was part of a system of lakes inside the Basin of Mexico. The subsoil there has been studied in the past but there is still a need for more and more thorough investigations into the dynamic properties of its highly compressible clays. This paper describes the results of an experimental laboratory research in which a triaxial cell fitted with bender elements was used to measure shear wave velocities (V_s) in clay specimens from the former Texcoco Lake. Soil specimens were subjected to isotropic loading–unloading cycles and values of V_s were determined during the saturation stage and after each stress increment or decrement. Our results show that irrespective of the testing method, shear waves velocities differ in no more than 7–15%.     

基于图像分析的双台面波相速度频散曲线快速提取方法

双台波形的互相关方法是面波相速度频散曲线提取的一种常用方法。传统的方法精度不高,效率较低。本文提出了一种基于图像分析的频散曲线快速提取方法,采用图像显示互相关振幅矩阵,且提出了快速追踪整条频散曲线的算法,并用Matlab编写了交互式的处理软件。基于这种方法编写的资料处理软件提高了双台相速度频散曲线提取的速度和精度,为大批量处理地震数据资料提供了坚实的软件基础。基于图像分析的方法可以更为清晰地展现出双台问的面波频散曲线的特征,对频散曲线的识别和分析也提供了更为有效的研究工具。     

An experimental study of velocities under pressure for ancient oceanic rocks

Abstract

Seismic velocities of Indus suture rock types from Dras‐Sanko‐Kargil, Kashmir Himalaya, as a function of pressure up to 10 kbar were studied. The high‐pressure measurements on the rocks reflect the depthwise increase in velocity, and in general they help in better understanding and better interpretation of the regional rocks in terms of their geological observations. An attempt has been made at correlation with ocean‐dredged samples, and it was found that the ultramafics, gabbros, and dykes are compatible with oceanic rocks and other ophiolite sequences, whereas metavolcanics are incompatible, suggesting the dismembered nature of Indus ophioli‐tes.     

Hydrological characteristics of vegetated river flows: a laboratory flume study

Abstract

Laboratory flume experiments were undertaken to measure the vertical profiles of mean flow velocity for three different flow discharges and four different stem densities of Hydrilla verticillata. The data were used to calculate three parameters, namely Manning's roughness coefficient, the Reynolds number and the Froude number. In addition, empirical equations were obtained for the vertical distribution of measured flow velocity within the transitional zone and above the plant canopy. The results show that: (a) the vertical distribution of measured flow velocity exhibits three zone profiles; (b) Manning's roughness coefficient decreases with increasing depth-averaged flow velocity; (c) the relationship between Manning's roughness coefficient and the depth-averaged flow velocity is within the smooth left inverse curve; (d) Manning's roughness coefficient significantly changes with increasing density of Hydrilla; (e) the Froude number is independent of the density of Hydrilla; and (f) both the Reynolds number and the Froude number increase with increasing depth-averaged flow velocity.

Citation Shi, J.Z., Li, Y.-H., Hughes, J.M.R., and Zhao, M., 2013. Hydrological characteristics of vegetated river flows: a laboratory flume study. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 1047–1058.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz     

Mechanical compaction and ultrasonic velocity of sands with different texture and mineralogical composition

This study presents the results of experimental compaction while measuring ultrasonic velocities of sands with different grain size, shape, sorting and mineralogy. Uniaxial mechanical compaction tests up to a maximum of 50 MPa effective stress were performed on 29 dry sand aggregates derived from eight different sands to measure the rock properties. A good agreement was found between the Gassmann saturated bulk moduli of dry and brine saturated tests of selected sands. Sand samples with poor sorting showed low initial porosity while sands with high grain angularity had high initial porosity. The sand compaction tests showed that at a given stress well‐sorted, coarse‐grained sands were more compressible and had higher velocities (Vp and Vs) than fine‐grained sands when the mineralogy was similar. This can be attributed to grain crushing, where coarser grains lead to high compressibility and large grain‐to‐grain contact areas result in high velocities. At medium to high stresses the angular coarse to medium grained sands (both sorted sands and un‐sorted whole sands) showed high compaction and velocities (Vp and Vs). The small grain‐to‐grain contact areas promote higher deformation at grain contacts, more crushing and increased porosity loss resulting in high velocities. Compaction and velocities (Vp and Vs) increased with decreasing sorting in sands. However, at the same porosity, the velocities in whole sands were slightly lower than in the well‐sorted sands indicating the presence of loose smaller grains in‐between the framework grains. Quartz‐poor sands (containing less than 55% quartz) showed higher velocities (Vp and Vs) compared to that of quartz‐rich sands. This could be the result of sintering and enlargement of grain contacts of ductile mineral grains in the quartz‐poor sands increasing the effective bulk and shear stiffness. Tests both from wet measurements and Gassmann brine substitution showed a decreasing Vp/Vs ratio with increasing effective stress. The quartz‐rich sands separated out towards the higher side of the Vp/Vs range. The Gassmann brine substituted Vp and Vs plotted against effective stress provide a measure of the expected velocity range to be found in these and similar sands during mechanical compaction. Deviations of actual well log data from experimental data may indicate uplift, the presence of hydrocarbon, overpressure and/or cementation. Data from this study may help to model velocity‐depth trends and to improve the characterization of reservoir sands from well log data in a low temperature (<80–100^o C) zone where compaction of sands is mostly mechanical.     

Temporal vP/vS variation characteristics in different zones of China’s Capital Circle area before and after Wen’an earthquake

On July 4, 2006, an earthquake of MS5.1 took place in Wen’an, Hebei Province, just at the south center of China’s Capital Circle area digital seismograph network. It is the strongest event recorded ever since the network went into operation in 2002. We processed the vast amounts of phase data yielded by the 107 digital seismic stations between 2002~2007 using Wadati method. In order to improve the precision and stability of shear and compressional wave velocities (vP/vS) calculation, we impose a number of restrictions on the computation environment and condition, e.g., the earthquakes are densely concentrated, selected stations are limited in range, the number of stations in- volved in the computation is larger than 5 and linear fitting features high precision and small error. Under these restrictions, the study shows that vP/vS in and around Wen’an and Tangshan underwent a normal-low-normal proc- ess one year before Wen’an earthquake, vP/vS became obviously low and the low ratio lasted for about one year, meanwhile, little variation of vP/vS was seen in Xingtai, northwest of Beijing, southwest of Beijing, Beijing-Tianjin and Beijing; after the quake, the vP/vS returned normal in Wen’an and Tangshan. Error and stability analysis of the calculated result for vP/vS shows it is convincible that anomaly appeared in and around Wen’an and Tangshan be- fore Wen’an earthquake.     

中国边缘海域及其邻区的岩石层结构与构造分析

利用中国边缘海域近年的地震层析成像结果,根据速度异常和各向异性分析东海、黄海和南海北部的岩石层结构和构造,讨论中朝块体和扬子块体在黄海内部的拼合边界(黄海东部断裂带)、东海陆架盆地上地幔异常与岩石层形成演化、南海北部地壳底部高速层的成因及地幔活动等问题。分析表明,黄海东部与朝鲜半岛之间存在一个深部构造界限(大致对应于黄海东部断裂带),分界两侧Pn波速度各向异性存在明显差异,反映不同构造应力和断裂剪切运动作用下的岩石层地幔变形特征。东海陆架下方的低速异常揭示了张裂盆地形成时期的地幔活动痕迹,表明中、新生代期间发生过地幔上涌并造成岩石层减薄,菲律宾海板块向西俯冲引发的地幔活动对东海陆架岩石层的形成、演化产生明显的影响。南海北部岩石层厚度较大并且温度相对偏低,地幔异常仅限于局部地区,估计南海北部大陆边缘的地壳底部高速层形成于张裂发生之前,或者是地壳形成时期壳幔分异时的产物。南海中央海盆的扩张不仅导致地壳拉张,软流层物质上涌,而且也造成岩石层地幔减薄甚至缺失。     

Shear wave velocities and primary influencing factors of Campi Flegrei–Neapolitan deposits

The Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) has been the site of intense seismic activity over the past decades. This area is densely populated and includes important towns such as Napoli with historical sites and supporting many industries. For the proper use and management of the region, the evaluation of the dynamic properties of near-surface rocks is necessary.

The volcanological pattern has been reconstructed from the lithostratigraphies of several drillings. The most interesting and widespread pyroclastic products are the pozzolana deposit (soil) and the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (rock). Both pozzolana and tuff products are covered by recent eluvial and coastal sandy deposits and younger volcanic products (<12 000 years). The characteristic ranges of the shear wave velocity (V_s) of the Campi Flegrei–Neapolitan soils and tuffs are defined and the primary influencing factors are evaluated. For the sandy deposits, the results show that eluvial and lacustral products have lower shear wave velocities than coastal products. For the volcanic products younger than 12 000 years b.p. the influence of vertical pressure is emphasized. As regards the pozzolana deposit (soil) and the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (rock), a major influencing factor is shown by the textural characteristics and the different hardening degrees as a consequence of the diagenetic processes. The scattering of the V_s velocities for the same formation is so wide that only the variability ranges can be individuated. These results suggest a need to carry out detailed V_s measurements or, at least, to make a parametric study of the effect of the V_s ranges on seismic response analysis in order to give safe building codes.     

巴颜喀拉块体东缘形变及九寨沟地震孕震环境数值分析

2017年8月8日四川发生九寨沟M7.0地震,是继2008年汶川M8.0地震后发生在巴颜喀拉块体东部的又一强震.现今GPS速度观测数据显示,2008年汶川地震前后的1999-2007年和2011-2016年两个时间段内巴颜喀拉块体东部地表速度场存在明显的差异.本文以实际GPS速度观测资料为约束,构建三维有限元地球动力学模型,分别计算分析了两个时段内震源区及周边现今地壳形变、弹性应变能和应力积累特征,进一步探讨汶川地震的发生对九寨沟地区变形及应力的影响.数值模拟结果显示,汶川地震之后（2011-2016年）巴颜喀拉块体东部的地壳形变、弹性应变能积累及应力积累速率均明显大于震前,增加量值达1.5~3倍;九寨沟地震发震断裂上库仑应力增长率在1999-2007年约为0.7 kPa·a^-1,2011-2016年间增至1.2 kPa·a^-1.上述结果表明,现今巴颜喀拉块体东部地壳应力积累过程有利于左旋走滑型九寨沟地震的发生,汶川地震的发生调整了区域应力状态,加速了九寨沟地震的孕育过程.