Analytical investigation of the exact groundwater divide between rivers beyond the Dupuit–Forchheimer approximation

The groundwater divide is a key feature of river basins and significantly influenced by subsurface hydrological processes. For an unconfined aquifer between two parallel rivers or ditches, it has long been defined as the top of the water table based on the Dupuit–Forchheimer approximation. However, the exact groundwater divide is subject to the interface between two local flow systems transporting groundwater to rivers from the infiltration recharge. This study contributes a new analytical model for two-dimensional groundwater flow between rivers of different water levels. The flownet is delineated in the model to identify groundwater flow systems and the exact groundwater divide. Formulas with two dimensionless parameters are derived to determine the distributed hydraulic head, the top of the water table and the groundwater divide. The locations of the groundwater divide and the top of the water table are not the same. The distance between them in horizontal can reach up to 8.9% of the distance between rivers. Numerical verifications indicate that simplifications in the analytical model do not significantly cause misestimates in the location of the groundwater divide. In contrast, the Dupuit–Forchheimer approximation yields an incorrect water table shape. The new analytical model is applied to investigate groundwater divides in the Loess Plateau, China, with a Monte Carlo simulation process taking into account the uncertainties in the parameters.     

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.     

Runoff responses to afforestation in a watershed of the Loess Plateau,China

Afforestation has been suggested as a means of improving soil and water conservation in north‐western China, especially on the Loess Plateau. Understanding of the hydrological responses to afforestation will help us develop sustainable watershed management strategies. A study was conducted during the period of 1956 to 1980 to evaluate runoff responses to afforestation in a watershed on the Loess Plateau with an area of 1·15 km², using a paired watershed approach. Deciduous trees, including locust (locusta L.), apricot (praecox L.) and elm (ulmus L.), were planted on about 80% of a treated watershed, while a natural grassland watershed remained unchanged. It was estimated that cumulative runoff yield in the treated watershed was reduced by 32% as a result of afforestation. A significant trend was also observed that shows annual runoff reduction increases with the age of the trees planted. Reduction in monthly runoff occurred mainly from June to September, which was ascribed to greater rainfall and utilization by trees during this period. Afforestation also resulted in reduction in the volume and peak flow of storm runoff events in the treated watershed with greater reduction in peak flow. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The hydrological influence of black locust plantations in the loess area of northwest China

Black locust (Robina pseudoacacia) has become one of the most important shelter species in the loess area of northwest China. This paper summarizes recent research concerning its hydrological influence, including canopy interception, litter absorption capacity, its effect on rainfall kinetic energy, infiltration rates, surface runoff, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration, and its role in soil conservation. Several predictive models are listed. on the basis of existing results, optimum characteristics for an effective plantation are defined, and problems requiring further research are identified.     

Gravitational collapse and equilibrium conditions of a toroidal vortex with thermal pressure

We found the equilibrium conditions for a self-gravitating toroidal vortex by taking thermal pressure into account. These conditions are shown to significantly differ from those for a disk or a sphere. The evolution of a thin vortex turns it into a compact vortex that loses mechanical stability for low masses at a polytropic index γ<4/3 but retains stability for sufficiently high masses and densities determined by the velocity circulation in the vortex.     

A geological and geotechnical investigation of the settlement area of Zümrüt Building (Konya, Turkey) which caused 92 fatalities due to its collapse

This study examines the local geological conditions and soil structure as possible causes of the collapse of the Zümrüt Building 2 February 2004. This catastrophe resulted in 92 fatalities and 35 injuries. This study also examines other views which claim weak soil structure, elastic and consolidation settlement of soil and excessive groundwater extraction as well as subsidence resulting from the underground silt erosion as possible factors. Zümrüt Building was constructed on normally consolidated, low plasticity clay. The underground water table was 30 m in depth. The internal friction angle of soil was 8°–30°, its cohesion was between 34 and 127 kN/m² and standard penetration test numbers varied between 11 and 50. The underground water level beneath Zümrüt Building had risen 4.5 m since its construction. Therefore the claim that subsidence resulting from the decrease of underground water level contributed to the collapse is incorrect. Secondly the settlement, resulting from the filling up of the pores created by the silt receding with the underground water, was 4.4 mm in total, and attributing this as the primary cause of the collapse is also incorrect. Soil properties, in situ and laboratory test results showed that the existing and/or expected settlement and the differential ground settlement in the Zümrüt building vicinity had the potential to cause structural damage. The tensile stresses caused by differential settlements recorded here are thought to be an indicator, but not the main cause contributing to the collapse of the building. The Zümrüt Building collapse was due to several compounding mistakes during the construction phase. These were geotechnical and other project faults and the use of low quality construction materials. The resulting catastrophe caused 92 fatalities, 35 injuries and a material loss of approximately US$7 million.     

洛川黄土-红粘土序列铁氧化物组成及其古气候指示

对洛川黄土、古土壤和红粘土中磁性矿物组成、成因和相关系进行了研究。结果表明:黄土磁性矿物以风尘磁铁矿为主,少量的成土赤铁矿和成土磁赤铁矿;古土壤磁性矿物以成土磁赤铁矿为主,成土赤铁矿次之,少量的风尘磁铁矿和赤铁矿;红粘土磁性矿物以成土赤铁矿为主,风尘磁铁矿和成土磁赤铁矿次之,少量风尘赤铁矿。黄土、古土壤和红粘土磁性矿物组成差异,反映了其形成期不同的古气候特性以及不同气候条件下生物地球化学作用强度的差异。干冷的冰期,黄土弱成土作用形成了以粗颗粒的风尘磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边的磁化率载体。间冰期的温暖湿润的古气候最有利于生物活动,强烈生物活动导致古土壤中大量纳米超细磁赤铁矿/磁铁矿产生,形成以磁赤铁矿为主,风尘磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边为辅的磁化率载体。红粘土成壤期,强降雨强蒸发的长干短湿的高温炎热的古气候使得红粘土化学风化强烈,生物地球化学活动较弱,形成以磁铁矿核 赤铁矿边和磁赤铁矿核 赤铁矿边的磁化率载体。黄土、古土壤和红粘土磁性矿物组成、磁性矿物相关系是其形成期独特的古气候指示。     

黄土滑坡研究现状与设想

黄土滑坡因其危害大、分布广成为近年工程地质研究热点问题。首先对黄土滑坡类型划分进行了讨论,基于滑坡物质组成及主滑面发育位置的黄土滑坡分类方案反映了我国黄土滑坡的主控因素,各类滑坡活动特征明确,建议将其作为黄土滑坡分类的首选方案。对黄土滑坡的发生、滑动机制以及滑坡液化机制进行了评述,并就两类典型液化型黄土滑坡滑动模式、进一步研究思路进行了讨论。对地震诱发黄土滑坡进行了专门的述评。最后,对今后黄土滑坡研究提出了几点设想。     

广州市地面塌陷分布特征与人为致灾因子分析

广州市地面塌陷频繁发生,近10年来呈波动式上升趋势。其塌陷类型分为岩溶塌陷和工程地面塌陷两种,岩溶塌陷主要分布在广花盆地的花都区、白云区,工程地面塌陷主要分布在主城区。地面塌陷孕灾环境复杂、致灾因子多样,承灾体脆弱,灾害后果严重,人为因素是地面塌陷的主要诱发因素。岩溶塌陷主要是由于过量抽取地下水或矿山疏干排水、地下采空、暴雨触发所致;工程塌陷主要是人类工程行为所致,其主要致灾因子包括排水疏干与突水（突泥）作用、人工加载、人工振动、人工开挖桩基、地表渗水、地铁等地下工程盾构掘进等。     

广东省五华县地质灾害形成特征及防治对策

五华县主要地质灾害类型有滑坡、崩塌、地面塌陷、水土流失等。其中以滑坡、崩塌为主,多分布在东南、南部花岗岩区、北部花岗岩风化土区等广大中低山及丘陵区,具有点多面广,灾害点个体规模小,稳定性差,活动频繁,地质灾害发育呈明显的地域性与季节性分布等特点。五华县地质灾害的形成与发生是多种致灾因素相互作用的结果。地层岩性是其形成的内在要素,它在一定程度上决定着地质灾害的发育程度与类型;地形地貌与植被是地质灾害形成的外在条件,它制约着崩、滑、塌等致灾地质作用的形成;大气降雨是地质灾害形成与发生的激发因素,决定着地质灾害发生的速度和时间;人类工程活动是影响地质灾害形成与发生的最主要、最直接的因素。对地质灾害的防治应采用避让、预防、监测及治理措施,做到避让与治理结合,以群测群防为基本手段,点状灾害以工程治理与生物防治为主;面状灾害以生物防治为主;采用点、面结合综合治理的方法。