Influence of sedimentary environments on mechanical properties of clastic rocks

The sedimentary environments are the intrinsic factor controlling the mechanical properties of clastic rocks. Examining the relationship between rock sedimentary environments and rock mechanical properties gives a better understanding of rock deformation and failure mechanisms. In this study, more than 55 samples in coal measures were taken from seven different lithologic formations in eastern China. Using the optical microscope the sedimentary characteristics, such as components of clastic rocks and sizes of clastic grains were quantitatively tested and analyzed. The corresponding mechanical parameters were tested using the servo-controlled testing system. Different lithologic attributes in the sedimentary rocks sampled different stress–strain behaviors and failure characteristics under different confining pressures, mainly due to different compositions and textures. Results demonstrate that clastic rocks have the linear best-fit for Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The elastic moduli in clastic rocks are highly dependent upon confining pressures, unlike hard rocks. The envelope lines of the mechanical properties versus the contents of quartz, detritus of the grain diameter of more than 0.03 mm, and grain size in clastic rocks are given. The compressive strength or elastic modulus and the grain diameter have a non-monotonic relation and demonstrate the “grain-diameter softening” effect.     

Can flat-ramp-flat fault geometry be inferred from fold shape?: A comparison of kinematic and mechanical folds

The inference of fault geometry from suprajacent fold shape relies on consistent and verified forward models of fault-cored folds, e.g. suites of models with differing fault boundary conditions demonstrate the range of possible folding. Results of kinematic (fault-parallel flow) and mechanical (boundary element method) models are compared to ascertain differences in the way the two methods simulate flexure associated with slip along flat-ramp-flat geometry. These differences are assessed by systematically altering fault parameters in each model and observing subsequent changes in the suprajacent fold shapes. Differences between the kinematic and mechanical fault-fold relationships highlight the differences between the methods. Additionally, a laboratory fold is simulated to determine which method might best predict fault parameters from fold shape. Although kinematic folds do not fully capture the three-dimensional nature of geologic folds, mechanical models have non-unique fold-fault relationships. Predicting fault geometry from fold shape is best accomplished by a combination of the two methods.     

甘、宁、青地区地震孕育的力源环境

从3个方面讨论了甘、宁、青三省区地震孕育的力源环境。①从强震震源机制、地震形变带、断层滑移特征和现代形变、地应力实地测量等几个不同侧面，讨论了区域构适应力场的分布规律。指出，甘、宁、青现今区域构造应力场以水平为主，主压应力方向从地区的西部到东南部，由NNE逐渐转为近EW向，且在地壳的深部、浅部和地表，方向有较好的一致性。它是印度板块向青藏块体碰撞、挤压，使青藏块体向北东方向推济，同时向东蠕散的结果。②通过讨论发展断层的错动形式以及部分前兆资料所反映的应力特征，揭示了地震孕育过程中震源及周围地区处于一种更高的应力状态。这是该地区地震前兆具有普遍性的根本原因。③讨论了甘、宁、青现今地震的孕育方式。指出，6级以上地震基本上以先存断层重新活动或相互沟通为主要活动形式。     

混合岩中斜长石的交代净边结构和倒转双晶研究——以大别罗田黄土岭长英片麻岩为例

湖北罗田黄土岭长英片麻岩是与紫苏石榴黑云片麻岩共生的浅色片麻岩，成分上近于Ａ型花岗岩．受到浅混合岩化，钾交代现象显著．在斜长石与钾长石新成体接触处有清楚的交代净边结构，背散射电子探针分析表明，净边成分为钠长石（Ａｂ８９～９７）．在净边结构上，发现叠加倒转双晶．净边结构产生于长英片麻岩部分熔融的高温条件下，与整个大别地体隆升过程和Ａ型花岗岩的生成有成因联系     

The effects of pre-existing normal faults on thrust ramp development: An example from the northern Apennines,Italy

The Umbria-Marche foreland fold-and-thrust belt in the northern Apennines of Italy provides excellent evidence to test the hypothesis of synsedimentary-structural control on thrust ramp development. This orogenic belt consists of platform and pelagic carbonates, Late Triassic to Miocene in age, whose deposition was controlled by significant synsedimentary extension. Normal faulting, mainly active from Jurassic through Late Cretaceous-Paleogene time, resulted in significant lateral thickness variability within the related stratigraphic sequences. By Late Miocene time the sedimentary cover was detached from the underlying basement and was deformed by east-verging folds and west-dipping thrusts. Two restored balanced cross sections through the southernmost part of the belt show a coincidence between the early synsedimentary normal faults and the late thrust fault ramps. These evidences suggest that synsedimentary tectonic structures, such as faults and the related lithological lateral changes, can be regarded as mechanically important controlling factors in the process of thrust ramp development during positive tectonic inversion processes.     

Application of an optimum design technique for determining the coefficient of consolidation by using piezocone test data

For normally consolidated clay, several researchers have developed a number of theoretical time factors to determine the coefficient of consolidation from piezocone test results. However, depending on assumptions and analytical techniques, it could vary considerably, even for a specific degree of consolidation. In this paper a method is proposed to determine a consistent coefficient of consolidation by applying the concept of an optimum design technique over all ranges of the degree of consolidation. Initial excess pore pressure distribution is assumed to be capable of being obtained by the successive spherical cavity expansion theory. The dissipation of pore pressure is simulated by means of a two-dimensional linear-uncoupled axi-symmetric consolidation analysis. The minimization of differences between measured and predicted excess pore pressure was carried out by the BFGS unconstrained optimum design algorithm with a one-dimensional golden section search technique. By analyzing numerical examples and in-situ test results, it was found that the adopted optimum design technique gives consistent and convergent results.     

导水裂隙带高度预测途径探讨

导水裂隙带高度是设计防水煤（岩）柱尺寸的主要技术参数，是煤矿防治水工作的重要内容。详细论述了其研究现状及发展趋势，并提出了履岩体地质环境，履岩体力学环境和数值模拟技术三位一体的综合预测评价方法。     

三组结构面状态下不同产状结构面的力学效应研究

本文分析了三组结构面产状模型力学实验结果, 揭示了这种组合条件岩体中产生压剪区、张剪区及结构面、结构体的多种变形成分, 也揭示了压剪区和张剪区形成机理、及三组结构面组合下结构面产状的力学效应。     

Relationships between texture and mechanical properties of hybrid rocks from the Jaala–Iitti complex, southeastern Finland

The relationships between petrographical and mechanical properties of rock aggregate raw materials from the hybridised, subvolcanic Jaala–Iitti complex, southeastern Finland, were investigated. Petrography was quantified from polished thin sections with a polarising microscope to determine the modal composition and grain size distribution, and resistance to fragmentation and abrasion were determined. Abundance of fine-grained minerals (especially of hornblende), fine grain size-dominated grain size distribution, uniform spatial dispersion of hornblende crystals, and intense micrographic intergrowth texture with interlocking grain boundaries were found to have the greatest positive influence on the mechanical properties. The results showed the potentiality of hybridised rocks as raw materials for high quality aggregates that can resist fragmentation and abrasion.