Tide-induced variability in beach surface moisture: Observations and modelling

The moisture content w_s of a beach surface strongly controls the availability of sand for aeolian transport. Our predictive capability of the spatiotemporal variability in w_s, which depends to a large extent on water table depth, is, however, limited. Here we show that water table fluctuations and surface moisture content observed during a 10-day period on a medium-grained (365μm) planar (1:30) beach can be predicted well with the nonlinear Boussinesq equation extended to include run-up infiltration and a soil–water retention curve under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium. On the intertidal part of the beach the water table is observed and predicted to continuously fall from the moment the beach surface emerges from the falling tide to just before it is submerged by the incoming tide. We find that on the lower 30% of the intertidal beach the water table remains within 0.1–0.2 m from the surface and that the sand is always saturated (w_s≈20%, by mass). Higher up on the intertidal beach, the surface can dry to about 5% when the water table has fallen to 0.4–0.5 m beneath the surface. Above the high-tide level the water table is always too deep (>0.5 m) to affect surface moisture and, without precipitation, the sand is dry (w_s < 5 − 8%). Because the water table depth on the emerged part of the intertidal beach increases with time irrespective of whether the (ocean) tide falls or rises, we find no need to include hysteresis (wetting and drying) effects in the surface-moisture modelling. Model simulations suggest that at the present planar beach only the part well above mean sea level can dry sufficiently (w_s < 10%) for sand to become available for aeolian transport. ©2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

包裹碎石桩加固的砂土液化机理试验研究

通过分别开展包裹碎石桩加固、碎石桩加固以及未加固的饱和砂土液化振动台试验,对比分析不同加固类型下的抗液化性能,重点剖析包裹碎石桩加固的砂土液化机理。试验表明:振动加载过程中,包裹碎石桩始终保持桩体的完整性与良好的排水性能且其加固模型地基的总沉降量相较于未加固模型地基减少了50%,相较于碎石桩加固模型地基减少了31.8%。包裹碎石桩加固模型排出水量较未加固模型地基提高了33.3%,较碎石桩加固模型地基提高了16.6%;包裹碎石桩加固模型地基的超静孔压值下降显著且地基下层砂土出现未液化的现象;并进一步发现包裹碎石桩的排水加固作用沿土层竖向深度呈递增趋势。因此,可以发现包裹碎石桩加固砂土液化的抗震性能优于碎石桩。     

Acoustic and petrophysical properties of mechanically compacted overconsolidated sands: Part 2 – Rock physics modelling and applications

Part one of this paper reported results from experimental compaction measurements of unconsolidated natural sand samples with different mineralogical compositions and textures. The experimental setup was designed with several cycles of stress loading and unloading applied to the samples. The setup was aimed to simulate a stress condition where sediments underwent episodes of compaction, uplift and erosion. P-wave and S-wave velocities and corresponding petrophysical (porosity and density) properties were reported. In this second part of the paper, rock physics modelling utilizing existing rock physics models to evaluate the model validity for measured data from part one were presented. The results show that a friable sand model, which was established for normally compacted sediments is also capable of describing overconsolidated sediments. The velocity–porosity data plotted along the friable sand lines not only describe sorting deterioration, as has been traditionally explained by other studies, but also variations in pre-consolidation stress or degree of stress release. The deviation of the overconsolidated sands away from the normal compaction trend on the V_P/V_S and acoustic impedance space shows that various stress paths can be predicted on this domain when utilizing rock physics templates. Fluid saturation sensitivity is found to be lower in overconsolidated sands compared to normally consolidated sands. The sensitivity decreases with increasing pre-consolidation stress. This means detectability for four-dimensional fluid saturation changes can be affected if sediments were pre-stressed and unloaded. Well log data from the Barents Sea show similar patterns to the experimental sand data. The findings allow the development of better rock physics diagnostics of unloaded sediments, and the understanding of expected 4D seismic response during time-lapse seismic monitoring of uplifted basins. The studied outcomes also reveal an insight into the friable sand model that its diagnostic value is not only for describing sorting microtextures, but also pre-consolidation stress history. The outcome extends the model application for pre-consolidation stress estimation, for any unconsolidated sands experiencing similar unloading stress conditions to this study.     

Horizontal water trap for measurement of aeolian sand transport

A new type of horizontal trap was developed for measuring the aeolian sand transport rate on a flat surface. The trap consists of an adjustable frame that is embedded level with the sand surface, into which a plastic liner is installed and filled with water to capture the blown sand. The water trap has high efficiency and does not disturb the wind field or induce upwind scour. Deployment on Padre Island, Texas, indicated that this portable and adjustable trap catches and retains all the sand blown into it, even under relatively strong wind. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

钙质砂的休止角研究与工程应用

砂土的天然休止角对土堆设计、基坑设计和边坡稳定性研判有重要的指导意义。砂土的天然休止角受土颗粒的摩擦特性、颗粒形状、粒径和含水状态等诸多因素的影响。开展了钙质砂的天然休止角试验,研究了多种因素对钙质砂天然休止角的影响规律。结果表明：钙质砂3种常见颗粒形状中,片状休止角最大,枝棒状次之,块状最小;钙质砂天然休止角随着粒径的增大而增大;当平均粒径相同时,天然休止角随着不均匀系数的增大而增大,随着曲率系数的增大而减少;通过与标准石英砂的对比试验发现,石英砂的天然休止角小于钙质砂天然休止角。对现场钙质砂边坡测量后表明,钙质砂地基经过振冲挤密后基坑开挖最大坡角略大于室内测得的天然休止角。研究结果对钙质砂土堆和基坑设计等工程实践有一定指导意义。     

叠前反演方法在致密砂岩气储层预测中的应用

以鄂尔多斯东缘A区块为例,通过岩石物理正演分析,论证了储层岩石物理参数的敏感性,确定利用纵波阻抗与纵横波速度比参数进行储层的识别。在此基础上进行正演模拟,研究了地震的极限分辨率及不同厚度砂体的地震响应特征,确定了运用叠前地质统计学反演为核心的储层预测技术对该研究区太原组进行储层预测研究,以解决该区储层薄、横向变化快、单一岩石物理参数无法区分岩性等问题。地质统计学反演结果表明,该方法能有效的预测厚度大于3 m的储层。对比研究区内11口测井解释厚度与储层反演厚度表明,储层反演预测厚度平均误差为7.5%,其中5口盲井的平均误差为10.2%,一口新钻井的砂体厚度预测误差为1.73%,为该区的井位部署提供了可靠的资料参考。      

钙质砂抗剪强度特性的环剪试验

珊瑚礁沉积的钙质砂与石英砂的物理力学性质有较大差别。对取自南海岛礁的钙质砂进行了单次往返环剪试验以分析钙质砂的抗剪强度特性,试验中考虑了相对密实度和竖向应力对结果的影响,并与相同级配和试验条件下的石英砂进行对比分析。结果表明：钙质砂正向剪切时应力-位移曲线为软化型,具有明显的残余强度特性,而反向剪切时则表现为硬化型,正向和反向剪切强度基本一致;石英砂正向剪切和反向剪切均表现为软化型。钙质砂正向剪切和反向剪切残余强度与峰值强度的比值在0.75～0.93之间;石英砂正向剪切和反向剪切残余强度与对应峰值强度的比值在0.89～0.96之间。相同级配和试验条件下,钙质砂残余强度均大于石英砂,且强度比值基本保持在1.05～1.3之间。在100、200 kPa竖向荷载作用下,钙质砂0.5～2.0 mm的颗粒发生了破碎,破碎率分别为4%和6%。     

考虑钙质砂细观颗粒形状影响的液体拖曳力系数试验

钙质砂作为南海岛礁填筑常用的岩土材料,其渗透性很大程度上决定着填筑后土体的固结和沉降。拖曳力系数是表达流体对土体颗粒表面力的参数,也是表征颗粒状土体渗透能力的一个重要参数,目前国内外对钙质砂拖曳力系数的研究十分有限。首先引入一个修正的三维参数 对钙质砂这种天然非规则颗粒材料的形状进行定量描述,然后开展一系列单个钙质砂颗粒在液体中沉降试验,利用高速相机记录颗粒沉降过程,结合图像处理技术获得颗粒沉降平衡速度Ut,进而计算出拖曳力系数CD和雷诺数Re,最后拟合出包含CD、Re及 三个参数的钙质砂拖曳力系数半经验模型。结果发现,在相同雷诺数条件下钙质砂的形状系数 越大,拖曳力系数越小。通过与其他研究结果对比发现,其表面微孔隙越发育,拖曳力系数越小的规律。该模型能够考虑不规则颗粒形状对拖曳力系数的影响,从而提高对土体渗透性预测的精度,对南海岛礁填筑工程中钙质砂固结和沉降的计算也具有重要意义。     

基于MatDEM的砂土侧限压缩试验离散元模拟研究

离散元法基于非连续介质力学理论,尤其适用于砂土等离散介质体的数值模拟研究。利用岩土体离散元模拟软件MatDEM的二次开发功能,研发了砂土侧限压缩试验三维离散元模拟器。对三个不同级配砂土试样进行了侧限压缩试验,并且进行了与之相对应的数值模拟,通过分析对比试验结果与数值模拟结果验证了所开发模拟器的有效性。模拟结果表明:离散元法可以很好地反应砂土压缩过程中的配位数变化;每个模拟样品中,粒径较小的单元受到较大的平均压力,导致平均位移较大;数值计算结果的主要误差是由离散元颗粒自身的泊松比引起的。研究突破了常规土力学研究方法的局限性,为今后岩土工程离散元模拟研究提供了参考。      

High-resolution sequence stratigraphy,sedimentology and reservoir quality evaluation of the Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area of the Western Slope,Songliao Basin,China

Delta-front sand bodies with large remaining hydrocarbon reserves are widespread in the Upper Cretaceous Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area of the Western Slope, Songliao Basin, China. High-resolution sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology are performed based on core observations, well logs, and seismic profile interpretations. An evaluation of the reservoir quality of the Yaojia Formation is critical for further petroleum exploration and development. The Yaojia Formation is interpreted as a third-order sequence, comprising a transgressive systems tract (TST) and a regressive systems tract (RST), which spans 4.5 Myr during the Late Cretaceous. Within this third-order sequence, nine fourth-order sequences (FS9–FS1) are recognized. The average duration of a fourth-order sequence is approximately 0.5 Myr. The TST (FS9–FS5) mostly comprises subaqueous distributary channel fills, mouth bars, and distal bars, which pass upward into shallow-lake facies of the TST top (FS5). The RST (FS4–FS1) mainly contains subaqueous distributary-channel and interdistributary-bay deposits. Based on thin-sections, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-pressure mercury-intrusion (HPMI) analyses, a petrographic study is conducted to explore the impact of the sedimentary cyclicity and facies changes on reservoir quality. The Yaojia sandstones are mainly composed of lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites. The sandstone cements mostly include calcite, illite, chlorite, and secondary quartz, occurring as grain coating or filling pores. The Yaojia sandstones have average core plug porosity of 18.55% and permeability of 100.77 × 10⁻³ μm², which results from abundant intergranular pores and dissolved pores with good connectivity. Due to the relatively coarser sediments and abundant dissolved pores in the feldspars, the FS4–FS1 sandstones have better reservoir quality than the FS9–FS5 sandstones, developing relatively higher porosity and permeability, especially the FS1 and FS2 sandstones. The source–reservoir–cap-rock assemblages were formed with the adjoining semi-deep lake mudstones that were developed in the Nenjiang and Qingshankou Formations. This study reveals the deposition and distribution of the delta-front sand bodies of the Yaojia Formation within a sequence stratigraphic framework as well as the factors controlling the Yaojia sandstones reservoir quality. The research is of great significance for the further exploration of the Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area, as well as in other similar lacustrine contexts.