From the geological to the numerical model in the analysis of gravity-induced slope deformations: An example from the Central Apennines (Italy)

This paper presents the findings from a study on gravity-induced slope deformations along the northern slope of Mt. Nuria (Rieti-Italy). The slope extends from the village of Pendenza to the San Vittorino plain and hosts the Peschiera River springs, i.e. the most important springs of the Central Apennines (average discharge: about 18 m³/s).

Detailed geological-geomorphological and geomechanical surveys, supported by a site stress-strain monitoring system and laboratory tests, led us to define the main evolutionary features of the studied phenomena. Based on the collected data, a “geological-evolutionary model” was developed with a view to identifying a spatio-temporal correlation between relief forms, jointing of the rock mass and its stress conditions. The geological-evolutionary model was expected to improve numerical simulations and to test our assumptions.

The numerical model also allowed us to simulate changes in the stress-strain conditions of the rock mass and correlate them with jointing, seepage, as well as with site-detected and site-monitored forms and deformations. In particular, significant relations between seepage, tensile stresses within the rock mass, karst solution and collapse of cavities were identified.     

Detection and 2d modelling of cavities using pole–dipole array

The resistivity method is often used in cave prospecting. In this paper the pole–dipole array ability to detect cavities at different depths and with different water contents is investigated. The research was performed using analogical and numerical modelling. According to the results, empty caves at a depth less than four times its diameter can be easily detected. The ability of the pole–dipole array to detect water-filled caves reaches a minimum at filling percentages of 30–50%. Overburden effects research shows that low resistivity overburden reduces the resolution capability of the array. This study shows that equivalent results can be obtained by modelling the empty caves as infinite resistivity bodies or, alternatively, as very high resistivity ones. The analysis of field data acquired in the Maciço Calcário Estremenho (Portugal) shows the practical importance of the pole–dipole array in cavities prospecting.     

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.     

乌江渡水电站岩溶地区高压灌浆施工特殊情况的处理

乌江渡水电站扩机地下厂房防渗帷幕工程身处岩溶发育地区，工程地质条件复杂，地质构造以层间错动断层为主，并有部分陡倾角断层发育,岩层受构造挤压强烈，断层、节理、破碎带发育；水平岩溶、垂直岩溶发育。以此工程为例介绍了高压灌浆施工工艺，阐述了岩溶地区高压灌浆过程中出现的特殊问题并提出了处理措施。     

Test of a distributed modelling approach to predict flood flows in the karst Suoimuoi catchment in Vietnam

The major obstacles for modelling flood processes in karst areas are a lack of understanding and model representations of the distinctive features and processes associated with runoff generation and often a paucity of field data. In this study, a distributed flood-modelling approach, WetSpa, is modified and applied to simulate the hydrological features and processes in the karst Suoimuoi catchment in northwest Vietnam. With input of topography, land use and soil types in a GIS format, the model is calibrated based on 15 months of hourly meteorological and hydrological data, and is used to simulate both fast surface and conduit flows, and groundwater discharges from karst and non-karst aquifers. Considerable variability in the simulation accuracy is found among storm events and within the catchment. The simulation results show that the model is able to represent reasonably well the stormflows generated by rainfall events in the study catchment.     

贵州喀斯特山区墓地利用管理与耕地保护

通过对贵州亮岩峰丛山地的墓地进行随机抽样调查和统计分析,显示出墓地在一定坡度上的特定地段有集中趋势;在对墓地选址与土层厚度进行显著性检验后表明:喀斯特地区土层厚度著性影响墓地分布。以至于绝大多数墓地集中分布在日照较好、排水畅通、土层较厚的阳坡山麓地带,以占用土层较厚的优质耕地为主。在现实的墓地利用管理实践中,实施统一规划、集中管理,建立有偿使用制度、严格用地指标,加强墓地绿化,实行墓地园林化建设等措施,以期综合性多元化开发利用墓地,有效保护耕地资源。     

喀斯特土地利用变化及其区域生态环境效应--以广西都安瑶族自治县为例

从土地利用转移类型、空间格局变化定量分析、动态变化预测模型等方面分析近20年都安土地利用变化,进而对其生态环境质量变化进行定量分析,得出结论:都安各乡(镇)生态环境质量改善与恶化在很大程度取决于裸岩地扩展与收缩,土地利用时空变化与区域生态环境质量的区域差异有很大相关性。     

Limitations of suction‐controlled triaxial tests in the characterization of unsaturated soils

Behavior of unsaturated soils is influenced by many factors, and the influences of these factors are usually coupled together. Suction‐controlled triaxial (SCTX) tests are considered to allow researchers to investigate influences of individual variables on unsaturated soils under specified stress path with controls of stresses, pore water, and air pressures. In the past 50 years, SCTX testing method has been established as a standard approach to characterize constitutive behavior of unsaturated soils. Most important concepts for modern unsaturated soil mechanics were developed upon results from the SCTX tests. Among these, one of the most important contributions in the constitutive modeling of elasto‐plastic behavior for unsaturated soils is the Barcelona basic model (BBM) proposed by Alonso et al. in 1990. The BBM successfully explained many features of unsaturated soils and received extensive acceptance. However, the SCTX tests are designed based upon the divide‐and‐conquer approach in which an implicit assumption is used: soil behavior is stress‐path independent. However, it is well‐established that unsaturated soil behavior is elasto‐plastic and stress‐path dependent. It is found that the SCTX tests in fact cannot control the stress path of an unsaturated soil during loading. This incapability, in combination with complicated loading/collapse behavior of unsaturated soils, makes the SCTX tests for characterizing unsaturated soil questionable. This paper discusses the limitations of the SCTX tests in the characterization of unsaturated soils. A possible solution to the problem was proposed based on a newly developed modified state surface approach. The discussions are limited for isotropic conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

小尺度土地利用变化模型在岩溶山区的应用

针对当前土地利用模拟技术在岩溶地区应用较少的现状,该文提出了利用CLUE-S模型对岩溶地区土地利用变化进行模拟。此模型全面考虑自然和人文因子,通过迭代方法综合空间分析和非空间分析,较好地模拟小尺度范围内土地利用变化,具有综合性、开放性、空间性、竞争效率性等特点。研究结果表明:该模型不仅能够准确地反映未来研究区土地利用变化趋势,而且能较好地筛选影响未来土地利用变化主要影响因子,进行不同情景土地利用变化模拟,对岩溶地区土地利用规划和管理具有参考价值。