An adaptive finite element model for wellbore breakout simulation

A finite element formulation is proposed and implemented for analysing the stability of excavated wells using the DiMaggio-Sandler constitutive elastoplastic model with a typical carbonate reservoir configuration. The quality of the finite element approximation is ensured by applying smooth curved elements adapted to the wellbore geometry, and h − p adaptive finite element meshes in the plastic zone. General purpose procedures are defined to transfer the elastoplastic deformation history to newly created integration points. A breakout damage criterion is proposed based on the second invariant of the deviatoric plastic deformation tensor. This damage criterion is used to apply a mesh movement algorithm to represent material collapse. The automatic successive application of the breakout damage criterion results in elliptical realistically looking geometries obtained in experiments reported in the literature.     

Stability analysis of tunnels driven in jointed rocks by means of a homogenized limit analysis approach

Conceived as a potential alternative to the classical design methods employed for analyzing the stability of underground structures driven in jointed rocks, the homogenization approach stems from the heuristic idea that, from a macroscopic point of view, a rock mass cut by a network of joints may be perceived as a homogenized continuum. The strength properties of the latter can be theoretically obtained from the failure conditions of its individual constituents: rock matrix and joint interfaces. At the material level, the limit analysis reasoning is used in the context of homogenization to formulate the homogenized strength criterion of a jointed rock mass in the particular situation of a single set of parallel joints. As it could be expected, the obtained closed‐form expressions show the strength anisotropy induced by joint preferential orientation. The support functions (π functions) associated with the homogenized strength criterion are also determined in both plane strain and three‐dimensional cases. This criterion is then applied to the investigation of stability analysis of a tunnel excavated in a jointed rock mass. Upper bounds estimated of the stability factor are derived from the implementation of the kinematic approach directly on the homogenized underground structure. Finally, the approach is applied to analyze and discuss the collapse of the Pinheiros subway station (São Paulo, Brazil). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical and analytical observations on long and infinite slopes

Interest in the mechanics of landslides has led to renewed evaluation of the infinite slope equations, and the need for a more general framework for estimating the factor of safety of long and infinite slopes involving non‐homogeneous soil profiles. The paper describes finite element methods that demonstrate the potential for predicting failure in long slope profiles where the critical mechanism is not necessarily at the base of the soil layer. The influence of slope angle is also examined in long slopes, leading to some counter‐intuitive conclusions about the impact of slope steepness on the factor of safety. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis of northwestern China

Temporal stability of soil moisture has been widely used in hydrological monitoring since it emerged. However, the spatial analysis of temporal stability at the landscape scale is often limited because of insufficient sampling numbers. This work made an effort to investigate the spatial variations of temporal stability of soil moisture in an oasis landscape. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the spatial patterns of temporal stability and to determine the controlling factors of temporal stability in the desert oasis. A time series of soil moisture measurements were gathered on 23 occasions at 118 locations over 3 years in a rectangular transect of approximately 100 km². The nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, standard deviation of relative difference (SDRD), and mean absolute bias error (MABE) were used to quantify the temporal stability of soil moisture. Results showed that the temporal stability of soil moisture was depth dependent and season dependent. The spatial pattern of soil moisture in a deep soil layer and between two same seasons generally had a high temporal stability. SDRD and MABE were spatially autocorrelated and exhibited strong spatial structures in the geographic space. The concept of temporal stability can be extended to describe the time‐stable areas of soil moisture with geostatistics. There were great differences between SDRD and MABE in describing the temporal stability of soil moisture and in identifying the controlling factors of temporal stability. In this case, MABE was a better alternative to estimate the areal mean soil moisture using representative locations than SDRD. Land use type, soil moisture condition, and soil particle composition were the dominant controls of temporal stability in the oasis. These insights could help to better understand the essence of temporal stability of soil moisture in arid regions.     

The effect of gravity on the stability of a line-tied coronal magnetohydrostatic equilibrium

Abstract

The magnetohydrodynamic stability of a class of magnetohydrostatic equilibria is investigated. The effect of gravity is included as well as the stabilising influence of the dense photospheric line-tying.

Although the two-dimensional equilibria exhibit a catastrophe point, when the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic pressure exceeds a critical value, arcade structures, with both footpoints connected to the photosphere, become unstable to three-dimensional disturbances before the catastrophe point is reached.

Numerical results for field lines that are open into the solar corona suggest that they are completely stable. Although there is no definite proof of stability, this would allow the point of non-equilibrium to be reached.     

松辽盆地大陆科钻二开段大井眼钻井液技术

CCSD-SK2井是一口钻穿松辽盆地白垩纪陆相沉积地层的中国大陆科学钻探井。二开段先以216mm口径钻至2806.20m,然后进行444.5mm口径扩孔。泥页岩地层大井眼钻进过程中粘土矿物含量高且易造浆,砂砾岩层渗透性强易粘卡,井壁稳定控制与钻屑携带难度大。选用了钾铵聚合物钻井液体系和聚磺钻井液体系,通过正交实验确定了钻井液配方。将钻井液控制在合适的密度、较低的失水量以及较强的封堵性,有效实现了井壁稳定;保持适当的环空返速、较高的动塑比以及定期打稠塞举砂等措施,有效实现了井眼净化。1086.45m~1147.56m与1182.74m~1256.01m井段累计收获岩心130.90m,取心率达到97.41%,平均机械钻速为0.84m/h;最终顺利钻至2806.20m。     

港珠澳大桥沉管隧道贯通误差预计

针对港珠澳大桥沉管隧道的安全贯通问题,该文从隧道外GPS网的布设及施测方法出发,通过多期复测数据评价GPS网具有可靠的测量精度;通过对GPS网点的稳定性分析,阐明了沉管隧道地面控制点位无法长期保留、稳定性差的特点;最后就GPS网引起的贯通误差影响值进行了估算。     

片马镇国门小学滑坡稳定性评价及治理方案研究

在实地踏勘的基础上,对云南泸水县国门小学滑坡的地质地貌条件以及滑坡体的基本特征进行了详细的分析。在此基础上,运用极限平衡理论对该滑坡的公路段以及整个滑坡体,分3种工况进行了稳定性研究。结果表明:在较为干燥的条件下,各段滑坡体均处于稳定状态,但在强降雨或是地震工况下,则表现为基本稳定-欠稳定状态。为了防止地质灾害发生,结合相关理论提出了治理方案,建议实施支挡和排水工程。     

北京飞云瀑景点崩塌地质灾害分析及防治方法研究

近15年来,北京飞云瀑景点附近发生过2次大规模崩塌,崩塌堆积岩块体积累计达450 m3,崩塌岩块已滚落覆盖至景区小路。经勘查,确定了1处危岩体及1处危岩带,该危岩体及危岩带对本景点的正常观赏及过往游人构成极大威胁。本文对该景点的崩塌地质灾害地质特征进行了简要介绍;对地质灾害成因、自然发展趋势等进行了初步探讨;对危岩体(带)的稳定性进行了计算、分析及评价;对可能采用的治理方法进行了比选分析。为了最大程度地保护景观资源,最终选择了以避让为主的治理措施,并对选定的治理方案及计算进行了阐述。     

北京某山坡湿陷性土层地基处理可行性分析与建议

北京市密云区某拟建别墅工程,属于山体边坡地基基础工程,任务要求对湿陷性地基土层进行湿陷性消除,并将其地基土承载力特征值提高到fak≥130 kPa。此外,还需要考虑边坡稳定性及其永久性加固问题。对该项目进行了深入分析、研究,并采用概念设计方法,对其进行设计预演,发现该项目存在工序复杂、不易实施、在永久性使用方面存在一定隐患、并具有责任不当等问题。对该地基基础工程进行了重新分析,建议取消地基处理措施,改用嵌岩桩作为拟建物的基础。