u‐p semi‐Lagrangian reproducing kernel formulation for landslide modeling

This paper presents a u‐p (displacement‐pressure) semi‐Lagrangian reproducing kernel (RK) formulation to effectively analyze landslide processes. The semi‐Lagrangian RK approximation is constructed based on Lagrangian discretization points with fixed kernel supports in the current configuration. As a result, it tracks state variables at discretization points while allowing extreme deformation and material separation that is beyond the capability of Lagrangian formulations. The u‐p formulation following Biot theory is incorporated into the formulation to describe poromechanics of saturated geomaterials. In addition, a stabilized nodal integration method to ensure stability of the domain integration and kernel contact algorithms to model contact between bodies are introduced in the u‐p semi‐Lagrangian RK formulation. The proposed method is verified with several numerical examples and validated with an experimental result and the field data of an actual landslide.     

Effects of the Permian–Triassic boundary on reservoir characteristics of the South Pars gas field,Persian Gulf

The Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) is a world‐wide event characterized by the most extensive mass extinction in the history of life. In the Persian Gulf, the rock record of this time interval host one of the most important hydrocarbon reserves in the world: the South Pars Gas Field and its southern extension, the North Dome (or North Field). These carbonate and evaporite successions were sampled in eight wells for petrographic, geochemical and porosity–permeability studies. An important characteristic of the Dalan and Kangan formations is the centimetre‐scale lithological heterogeneities caused by facies changes and diagenetic imprints that led to the compartmentalization of these reservoirs. These Permian–Triassic (P‐T) sediments were deposited in a shallow marine homoclinal ramp. The PTB in this hydrocarbon field is represented by a reworked coarse‐grained intraclastic/bioclastic grainstone facies deposited during a marine transgression. Prolonged subaerial exposure in the P‐T transition caused hypersaline and meteoric diagenesis, including extensive cementation, dolomitization and some dissolution, influencing reservoir characteristics of bordering units. Both δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values in this succession mirror worldwide excursions typical of other P‐T sections, with some variations due to diagenetic alterations. A pronounced decline in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values, reflective of global seawater geochemistry for most of the Permian is evident in our data. Reservoir quality declines through the late Permian, as a result of facies change and diagenesis. The Late Permian is succeeded by a Triassic transgressive facies and decline in reservoir quality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation study of CO2 sequestration potential of the Mary Lee coal zone, Black Warrior basin

Significant potential exists for CO₂ sequestration in coalbed methane reservoirs of the Black Warrior basin. Reservoir simulation is an appropriate approach to estimate both the storage capacity and methane recovery enhancement. However, prior to a reliable reservoir modeling and simulation, conducting an accurate and comprehensive reservoir characterization study is necessary. The purpose of the present study is twofold: (a) to provide a rigorous reservoir characterization study required for modeling Mary Lee coal group in the Blue Creek field of the Black Warrior basin; (b) to run fluid flow simulations to predict the performance of ECBM process applied to an under pressured zone of the Mary Lee coal group. According to the current well configuration of Blue Creek field, three applicable well patterns, namely a direct line drive, an inverted 5-spot and a normal 5-spot were separately (i.e., in three distinct cases) used for simulating ECBM. Simulations were run on an approximately 32 ha (80-acre) drainage area, and included coal matrix shrinkage/swelling effects. The injected gas was assumed to be pure CO₂. Using an inverted 5-spot pattern, simulations predicted that after 7.5 years of CO₂ injection, approximately 32,000 tonnes of CO₂ would be sequestered per 32 ha of this zone and that methane recovery would be enhanced by 36 %. Using a normal 5-spot pattern, CO₂ breakthrough would occur 2.4 years earlier, and about 40,000 tonnes CO₂ would be sequestered. However, methane production would be enhanced by 33 %. Considering methane recovery enhancement, direct line drive pattern delivered poor results in comparison with two other patterns. As expected, the results also showed that CO₂ injection would increase water production.     

Groundwater qanat potential mapping using frequency ratio and Shannon’s entropy models in the Moghan watershed,Iran

The purpose of current study is to produce groundwater qanat potential map using frequency ratio (FR) and Shannon's entropy (SE) models in the Moghan watershed, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. The qanat is basically a horizontal, interconnected series of underground tunnels that accumulate and deliver groundwater from a mountainous source district, along a water- bearing formation (aquifer), and to a settlement. A qanat locations map was prepared for study area in 2013 based on a topographical map at a 1:50,000-scale and extensive field surveys. 53 qanat locations were detected in the field surveys. 70 % (38 locations) of the qanat locations were used for groundwater potential mapping and 30 % (15 locations) were used for validation. Fourteen effective factors were considered in this investigation such as slope degree, slope aspect, altitude, topographic wetness index (TWI), stream power index (SPI), slope length (LS), plan curvature, profile curvature, distance to rivers, distance to faults, lithology, land use, drainage density, and fault density. Using the above conditioning factors, groundwater qanat potential map was generated implementing FR and SE models, and the results were plotted in ArcGIS. The predictive capability of frequency ratio and Shannon's entropy models were determined by the area under the relative operating characteristic curve. The area under the curve (AUC) for frequency ratio model was calculated as 0.8848. Also AUC for Shannon's entropy model was 0.9121, which depicts the excellence of this model in qanat occurrence potential estimation in the study area. So the Shannon's entropy model has higher AUC than the frequency ratio model. The produced groundwater qanat potential maps can assist planners and engineers in groundwater development plans and land use planning.     

Effect of stress path on the shear response of bio-cemented sands

Acta Geotechnica - Bio-mediated techniques have the potential to be an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for engineering problems in the presence of unfavorable soil conditions. During the...     

Application of the patient rule induction method to detect hydrologic model behavioural parameters and quantify uncertainty

Finding an operational parameter vector is always challenging in the application of hydrologic models, with over‐parameterization and limited information from observations leading to uncertainty about the best parameter vectors. Thus, it is beneficial to find every possible behavioural parameter vector. This paper presents a new methodology, called the patient rule induction method for parameter estimation (PRIM‐PE), to define where the behavioural parameter vectors are located in the parameter space. The PRIM‐PE was used to discover all regions of the parameter space containing an acceptable model behaviour. This algorithm consists of an initial sampling procedure to generate a parameter sample that sufficiently represents the response surface with a uniform distribution within the “good‐enough” region (i.e., performance better than a predefined threshold) and a rule induction component (PRIM), which is then used to define regions in the parameter space in which the acceptable parameter vectors are located. To investigate its ability in different situations, the methodology is evaluated using four test problems. The PRIM‐PE sampling procedure was also compared against a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler known as the differential evolution adaptive Metropolis (DREAM_ZS) algorithm. Finally, a spatially distributed hydrological model calibration problem with two settings (a three‐parameter calibration problem and a 23‐parameter calibration problem) was solved using the PRIM‐PE algorithm. The results show that the PRIM‐PE method captured the good‐enough region in the parameter space successfully using 8 and 107 boxes for the three‐parameter and 23‐parameter problems, respectively. This good‐enough region can be used in a global sensitivity analysis to provide a broad range of parameter vectors that produce acceptable model performance. Moreover, for a specific objective function and model structure, the size of the boxes can be used as a measure of equifinality.     

Monitoring systems for warning impending failures in slopes and open pit mines

Slope stability is a critical safety and production issue for mining. Major wall failure can occur seemingly without any visual warning, causing loss of lives, damage to equipment, and disruption to the mining process. Monitoring systems, ranging from simple piezometers and extensometers to highly sophisticated radars and global navigation satellite systems, are employed to predict impending instabilities and failure. Here, we provide a review of the available monitoring systems used in slope management and highlight their major advantages and shortcomings. We propose a simple method for evaluating the effectiveness and reliability of monitoring systems to warn of pending slope failures. The method is based on constructing monitoring reliability maps for the slope by evaluating two slope parameters: Expected deformation to failure and critical reading frequency, which depend on the slope characteristics (e.g., geology and design), service condition (e.g., rainfall, blast), and the economic impact of the failure. The reliability of a deformation monitoring system can be subsequently assessed by identifying three parameters of the system: Coverage area (large or discrete), Deformation monitoring precision, and Measurement frequency. The application of the method to most commonly used deformation monitoring systems is demonstrated. The advantages and implications of the proposed method are highlighted.     

Mineralogy,composition and heavy metals’ concentration,distribution and source identification of surface sediments from the saline Maharlou Lake (Fars Province,Iran)

This study concerns the mineralogy, spatial distribution and sources of nine heavy metals in surface sediments of the Maharlou saline lake, close to the Shiraz metropolis in southern Iran. The sources for these sediments were studied by comparing the mineralogy and the distribution of heavy metals, using multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis and principal component analysis). The geochemical indices, including geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), were used to assess the degree of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have also been applied to assess its toxicity. The XRD analysis shows that the main minerals of the surface sediments are aragonite, calcite, halite and quartz, with small amounts of montmorillonite, dolomite and sepiolite. The total heavy metal contents in surface sediments decrease in order of Sr?>?Ni?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Co?>?Pb?>?As >?Cd and the average concentrations of Sr, Ni and As exceeded more than 10, 5 and 3 times, respectively, by comparing with the normalized upper continental crust (UCC) values. The results of pollution indices (Igeo, CF and PLI) revealed that strontium (Sr), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) were significantly enriched in those sediments. Based on the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), Ni would infrequently cause toxicity. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the Ni, Co and Cr came mainly from natural geological background sources, while Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were derived from urban effluents (especially traffic emissions) and As originated from agriculture activities. Significant relationships of Sr with S, CaO and MgO in sediments suggest that Sr was derived from carbonate- and gypsum-bearing catchment source host rocks.     

Efficient drilling in horizontal directional drilling by implementing the concept of specific energy

The oil and gas industry has successfully used the concept of specific energy (SE) to maximise drill rate and identify inefficient conditions in drilling operations. This paper proposes the idea of implementing the concept of SE in horizontal directional drilling (HDD), a pipeline installation technique which was adopted from horizontal oil well drilling technology. The similarity of the HDD technique with oil well drilling makes SE surveillance a very useful tool in HDD operations. SE monitoring during the drilling stage of HDD can address drilling dysfunctions and maximise the rate of penetration. SE can be calculated in real-time and displayed to the rig personnel during the operation. This paper discusses the concept of SE and how it can be used in HDD projects, and it also illustrates an example application of SE in a case study.