Application of micropolar plasticity to post failure analysis in geomechanics

A micropolar elastoplastic model for soils is formulated and a series of finite element analyses are employed to demonstrate the use of a micropolar continuum in overcoming the numerical difficulties encountered in application of finite element method in standard Cauchy–Boltzmann continuum. Three examples of failure analysis involving a deep excavation, shallow foundation, and a retaining wall are presented. In all these cases, it is observed that the length scale introduced in the polar continuum regularizes the incremental boundary value problem and allows the numerical simulation to be continued until a clear collapse mechanism is achieved. The issue of grain size effect is also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A transdisciplinary analysis of water problems in the mountainous karst areas of Morocco

Water management and engineering in the karstic High Atlas of Morocco are difficult tasks under the prevailing geological, hydrogeological, geomorphological, vegetational and climatic conditions. It is important to be able to understand and predict the characteristics and availability of water for future water planning in the region under changing climatic and agricultural conditions. An interdisciplinary analysis of problems and adequate hydrological modelling tools developed by geologists, hydrologists and biologists are necessary. The karst areas of the High Atlas Mountains are characterised by impermeable triassic basalt underlying substantial subsurface reservoirs with high potential discharge rates. The karst groundwater aquifers are extensive but largely unknown in dimension, probably with a hierarchical network of groundwater flow paths. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the surface water is directly lost to groundwater. Steep landslide- and debris flow prone slopes exist next to coarse-grained, highly porous river beds. Infrequent, high intensity rainfall or snowmelt causes a particularly high flood risk to these karst areas. In addition, agriculture and land use changes have degraded the karst areas. The most important driving forces for degradation include permanent overgrazing even during droughts and the use of firewood by a continually growing population. Large scale degradation of vegetation has occurred in the oro-mediterranean (mountainous Mediterranean) zone, between 2600 and 3400 m which coincides with the most important zone for karstic groundwater creation. The combination of high amounts of groundwater flow and rapid surface flow due to sparse vegetation has increased the problems of flood flow.     

Karst groundwater protection in the Kupa River catchment area and sustainable development

One of the most significant water resources in the Republic of Croatia is the catchment area of the Kupa River, located in the region bordering the Republic of Slovenia. About 88% of the total amount of water in this catchment originates in Croatia and just 12% from Slovenia; therefore, the largest part of the catchment area (about 1000 km²) is on the Croatian side of the border. It is a typical karst area of the Dinarides with aquifers characterized by a relatively rapid water exchange, high groundwater flow velocities and aquifers open to human impact from the surface. Consequently, the aquifers are highly vulnerable and at risk. Due to the availability of large quantities of high-quality spring water (about 6 m³/s), the entire area has a strategic importance within the context of any future development strategy pertaining to the western part of Croatia. The catchment area on the Croatian side was investigated using a wide range of research methods that included a classical hydrogeological approach, the detailed hydrologic calculation of water balance to the hydrogeochemical analyses and modelling. The objective was to determine protection zones and protection measures for the whole area. The difficulties are increased due to the fact that the karst catchment area is crossed by major traffic corridors, oil pipelines and a railway and that many settlements and a highly developed wood industry are present. The combination of protecting water resources with adequate prevention measures and necessary remedial activities that should satisfy the very strict requirements necessary for the protection of the karst aquifers while still allowing for present and future human activities is difficult – but not impossible – to achieve. One good example is the present highway with a closed dewatering system and waste water treatment before the water passes into the karst underground system.     

A new approach for the development and management of brackish karst springs

A new approach to the method of artificial upraising of the water outlet point, for management and development of brackish karst springs, uses the MODKARST model. Brackish karst springs simulation can be used to estimate the necessary upraising of the spring elevation, so that sea-water intrusion is blocked. The consequent freshwater loss to the sea, due to this upraising, can also be estimated. The method has been applied to the periodically brackish karst Almiros spring at Heraklion of Crete, Greece. The spring simulation showed that the sea-water intrusion could be prevented through an artificial upraising of the water-outlet point, realized by the construction of a dam. The exact upraising has been estimated. Freshwater loss to the sea because of this upraising has also been estimated. The model could also be used as a tool for the management of the spring. For example, it was used to assess management options for the spring during the depletion period of the year 1994. The best scenario for the development of the spring during this period has been estimated.     

深圳市地质灾害及防治技术

深圳市是一座新兴的海滨城市，市区东部与西部以花岗岩为主，中部以古老的变质岩为主，部分地区分布有砂岩、泥岩及变质的板岩、粉砂岩，深圳大断裂是区内主要的构造形迹。滑坡地质灾害主要分布在中部。在花岗岩地区主要变形为岩质高边坡崩塌、落石、坍塌等坡面变形；在变质岩、砂岩、泥岩地区发生多处滑坡。地质构造与地质灾害关系密切，深圳大断裂两侧为地质灾害多发区。防治边坡变形的工程措施即桩排、连续墙、基础为桩，锚杆框架；预应力锚索、预应力锚索框架护坡、预应力锚索抗滑桩，设置多级平台减载及琉干排水措施。深圳采用的治理地质灾害的工程措施经过多年的使用达到预期效果，但在上世纪90年代初完成的工程很少考虑工程措施与城市的景观协调。90年代后期已经考虑了工程完成后对城市环境的影响。因此采用防护措施以锚杆框架、预应力锚索框架工程为主，框架间植草，既有利于边坡稳定又有利于美化环境。     

昌马水库右岸山体稳定性研究

昌马水库导流排砂洞塌方导致右岸山体发生松动 ,本文在大量地质资料的基础上 ,对右岸岩体裂隙网络进行模拟 ,同时 ,采用极限分析能量法和有限元数值模拟方法等对右岸山体的稳定性进行分析研究 ,并提出相应的加固方案。     

Overburden deformation associated with halokinesis in the Southern North Sea: implications for the origin of the Silverpit Crater

Gravitational collapse in response to the creation of salt swells and diapirs is a common phenomenon within regions such as the Southern North Sea. Although collapse faulting and slumping of linear salt swell flanks has previously been documented, the existence of concentric collapse structures surrounding diapirs and isolated salt lows is a recently recognised feature. 3-D seismic data from the Southern North Sea demonstrates that concentric collapse faulting around both diapirs and subcircular salt lows is common. The recognition of concentric collapse structures formed in response to salt withdrawal, and adjacent inflation, provides an alternative mechanism for the origin of the proposed Silverpit impact crater.     

Karst database development in Minnesota: design and data assembly

The Karst Feature Database (KFD) of Minnesota is a relational GIS-based Database Management System (DBMS). Previous karst feature datasets used inconsistent attributes to describe karst features in different areas of Minnesota. Existing metadata were modified and standardized to represent a comprehensive metadata for all the karst features in Minnesota. Microsoft Access 2000 and ArcView 3.2 were used to develop this working database. Existing county and sub-county karst feature datasets have been assembled into the KFD, which is capable of visualizing and analyzing the entire data set. By November 17 2002, 11,682 karst features were stored in the KFD of Minnesota. Data tables are stored in a Microsoft Access 2000 DBMS and linked to corresponding ArcView applications. The current KFD of Minnesota has been moved from a Windows NT server to a Windows 2000 Citrix server accessible to researchers and planners through networked interfaces.     

Variation in nitrate and calcium as indicators of recharge pathways in Nolte Spring, PA

This study documents variations in calcium and nitrate concentrations that suggest changes in recharge pathways in a karst spring. The nitrate concentrations increased at the end of the growing season, showing the importance of the soil zone in the recharge pathway. The increase occurred over just a few days, which may be indicative of a change in contribution of baseflow in different seasons from deep to shallow groundwater. The calcium concentrations decreased several days after storm events. A change in the carbonate equilibrium is hypothesized because chloride was not diluted during these events. The decrease in calcium could be due to outgassing and calcite precipitation in the recharge area when older, higher ionic strength matrix water mixes with stormwater in open conduits. The use of geochemical indicators to better understand recharge pathways benefited from long-term monitoring and periods of daily sampling.     

基于离散元模拟的二元颗粒柱坍塌特性研究

常见的地质灾害如滑坡、泥石流、岩崩等通常都涉及不同形状的颗粒物质运动,这些形状不同的颗粒又多具有不同的尺寸和含量。基于典型的颗粒柱坍塌试验,首先根据试验方法确定了离散元模拟所需的各项参数,然后采用随机多面体方法生成了可控制长细比的大颗粒,利用离散元法就不同大颗粒含量下形态变化对二元颗粒柱坍塌特性的影响开展研究,研究结果表明:(1)利用离散元法可以较好地重现室内试验中小球和多面体组成的二元颗粒系统的颗粒柱坍塌过程;(2)在不同长细比的不规则大颗粒和小球组成的二元颗粒柱系统中,当大颗粒含量高于临界含量值20%时,二元颗粒柱坍塌持续的时间随非球形大颗粒长细比的增加而增加;(3)在不同长细比的不规则大颗粒和小球组成的二元颗粒柱中,当大颗粒含量高于临界含量值20%时,在相同百分比的大颗粒含量下,大颗粒长细比的增加会提高大颗粒平均配位数以及降低颗粒的运动能力,大颗粒间形成更强的互锁作用,降低了颗粒柱的整体流动性,使其最终堆积高度更高、最大跑出距离更短以及更小的归一化动能峰值。(4)在不同长细比的不规则大颗粒和小球组成的二元颗粒柱中,小颗粒可以较为明显降低大颗粒间摩擦及互锁作用,增加流动性,降低大骨料形态对坍塌过程的影响。