Seismic events with non-shear component: II. Rock bursts with implosive source component

The rock burst mechanism of an implosive character is introduced and discussed; it is based on the idea that the compressional component of the stress field around the loaded stress concentrator can participate in the rock burst event. For easier classification of the rock burst from this viewpoint, a set of P-wave radiation patterns of the rock burst with a varying portion of the implosive component and varying propagation velocity of the displacements is presented and discussed. To support the credibility of the rock burst mechanism of an implosive character the seismic signals of the rock bursts from the mid-Bohemian coal district with negative signs of the P-wave first onsets are presented.     

Controls on the stability and inclinations of hillslopes formed on hard rock

In identifying controls on rock slope form a distinction is made between: (1) rock slopes with joints which dip steeply out of a cliff and hence are subject to mass failure of the rock mass above a critical joint; and (2) rock slopes with inclinations which are either in equilibrium with the mass strength of their rocks, or have profiles which will develop towards strength equilibrium as cross joints open. In the first class of slope, stability results not just from the basic frictional resistance of the rock but also from the frictional roughness along the critical joint and from the normal stress acting across that joint. Stability may be reduced by weathering and loss of strength of the joint wall rock. As a result of normal stress variations with depth, induced by overburdens, high cliffs which are not undercut have a concave profile. The second group of slopes includes those with inclinations controlled at the scale of individual joint blocks, buttressed slopes and those on unjointed rock masses. Buttressed and unjointed rock masses develop towards a condition of mass strength equilibrium as cross joints open. Strength equilibrium slopes may be recognized by application of a rock mass strength classification proposed for geomorphic purposes. Eleven propositions are formulated which identify controls on rock slope development and some consequences of these controls.     

Rock mass strength and the form of some inselbergs in the central namib desert

A rock mass strength classification, involving eight parameters, has been applied to selected inselbergs in the Namib Desert. The inselbergs are formed of schists, gneiss, granite and marble. Their slope inclinations are in a strength equilibrium with their rocks. The study suggests that the strength classification is consistent and has a general validity, and that rock slopes, undergoing uniform weathering, retreat to form slopes which are adjusted to their rock mass strength: this is a more general statement than the common hypothesis of parallel retreat. The favoured hypothesis of slope evolution in the Namib is one of retreat rather than downwearing.     

苏州A-型花岗岩性质的研究

本文从岩体地质构造、岩石结构和岩化性质,来论述苏州A-型花岗岩的非造山、无水和偏碱性特征。同时通过各种参数测定得知:本岩系中的钾长石和斜长石均为低结构态高有序度的。石英为β形。云母多为羟铁云母。副矿物有铌铁矿、磁铁矿、钛铁矿和碳硅石等四十多种。过渡性元素的Nb、Ta,Zr、REE、Y、Sn、Th、Ga和Zn丰度比其它类型花岗岩高出10倍到100倍,F的含量高得出奇,而Al、Ca、Mg则偏低。Ga/Al比值高。氧同位素值低,δ~(18)0(全岩)=7.53％。REE中Eu亏损严重。成岩时t=810℃,p=2     

Constitutive behavior and stability of frictional sliding of granite

An understanding of the frictional sliding on faults that can lead to earthquakes requires a knowledge of both constitutive behavior of the sliding surfaces and its mechanical interaction with the loading system. We have determined the constitutive parameters for frictional sliding of initially bare surfaces of Westerly granite, using a recently developed high pressure rotary shear apparatus that allows long distances of sliding and therefore a greater assurance of attaining steady state behavior. From experiments conducted at room temperature and normal stresses of 27–84 MPa several important results have been found. (1) A gouge layer 100 to 200 m thick was developed from the initially bare rock surfaces after 18 to 70 mm of sliding. (2) The steady state frictional resistance, attained after about 10 mm of sliding, is proportional to the negative of the logarithm of the sliding velocity. (3) Abrup changes in the velocity of sliding result in initial changes in the frictional resistance, which have the same sign as the velocity change, and are followed by a gradual decay to a new steady state value over a characteristic distance of sliding. This velocity weakening behavior is essentially identical with that found by several previous workers on the same material at lower normal stress. (4) Our results are well described by a two state variable constitutive law. The values of the constitutive parameters are quite similar to those found previously at low normal stress, but the characteristic distance is about an order of magnitude smaller than that found at 10 MPa normal stress with thicker layers of coarser gouge. (5) We have approximated our results with a one state variable constitutive law and compared the results with the predictions of existing nonlinear stability analysis; in addition, we have extended the stability analysis to systems possessing two state variables. With such formulations good agreement is found between the experimentally observed and theoretically predicted transitions between stable and unstable sliding. These results allow a better understanding of the instabilities that lead to earthquakes.     

Laboratory simulation of rock weathering by salt crystallization and hydration processes in hot,arid environments

The results of a series of experiments are reported in this paper which were designed to differentiate between the forces of crystal growth and hydration in salt weathering, using a single salt-hydrate system (sodium sulphate), five contrasting rock types, and several diurnal temperature-relative humidity cycles which permitted or inhibited these processes and simulated ground surface climates in hot, arid environments. It was shown that hydration of sodium sulphate is an effective mechanism of rock disintegration but that it is significantly less destructive than crystal growth pressure. Crystallization of thenardite (Na₂SO₄) is, in turn, more effective in rock weathering than the crystal growth of mirabilite (Na₂SO₄.10H₂O). In general, rates of disintegration were most rapid where the diurnal temperature range was extreme and relative humidity lowest.     

Refinement of a technique for determining rock mass strength for geomorphological purposes

Use of a field technique recently devised by Selby for the measurement of rock mass strength has resulted in the understanding of the relationship between rock mass strength and slope form. It is suggested that the accuracy of rock mass strength assessments may be enhanced by further subdividing the rating scales for intact rock strength and the spacing of partings. The relationship between rock mass strength and gradient is reformulated using southern African data, and statistically based confidence limits for identifying strength equilibrium slopes are proposed.     

Laboratory simulation of salt weathering processes in arid environments

The equipment and techniques being used at Bedford College, London to simulate salt weathering processes in deserts are described in the context of a general discussion of the nature of salt weathering processes and approaches to studying them. An experiment based on the equipment and techniques is described: it is designed to test the durability of three building stones in the presence of several different saline solutions under conditions of surface temperature and relative humidity that are considered typical of hot deserts. The experiment, the first of a series, shows that Na₂SO₄ is the most effective of the salts used, and that susceptibility of the rocks to weathering is related to such rock properties as porosity, microporosity and water absorption capacity.     

Ferromanganese rock varnish in north Norway: A subglacial origin

A thin, dark brown rock varnish is described from ice-smoothed bedrock on the forefield of a glacier in North Norway. It occurs only in narrow strips (ca 100 mm or less wide) which run roughly parallel to the ice front and along the top edges of small treads of a series of bedrock steps. The varnish is hard, thin (< 10 μm) and consists of an iron/manganese deposit, greatly enriched in these elements compared with the composition of the underlying gabbroic bedrock. It is suggested that the varnish formation is due to localized changes in Eh/pH conditions in subglacial regelation ice and meltwater at the top of the bedrock steps. These changes may be due to CO₂ and/or O₂ degassing from water held at higher pressures under the ice than in cavities downstream where the ice is decoupled from the bedrock. Glacier retreat rates indicate that the varnish has remained exposed subaerially at the surface for about twenty years, and its restricted occurrence suggests that it is not of biological origin but rather is essentially authigenic. Possible subglacial origins for associated iron and silica precipitates are also suggested.     

Rock mechanics applied to shaft pillar mining

Summary The Bureau of Mines is investigating methods for evaluating and optimizing shaft designs for deep metal mines. This paper describes one such project at the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD. To determine a safe approach for the extraction of ore from the Ross Shaft pillar at Homestake, a basic rock mechanics approach has been taken that involves laboratory testing, field measurements, and computer modelling. The results of the study show that ore bodies in the Ross pillar can be mined safely and that the shaft will remain in elastic rock. On the basis of this work, other mines can develop finite-element modelling to evaluate the stability of mine openings and increase resource recovery.