Three dimensional simulation of fluid flow in X‐ray CT images of porous media

A numerical scheme is developed in order to simulate fluid flow in three dimensional (3‐D) microstructures. The governing equations for steady incompressible flow are solved using the semi‐implicit method for pressure‐linked equations (SIMPLE) finite difference scheme within a non‐staggered grid system that represents the 3‐D microstructure. This system allows solving the governing equations using only one computational cell. The numerical scheme is verified through simulating fluid flow in idealized 3‐D microstructures with known closed form solutions for permeability. The numerical factors affecting the solution in terms of convergence and accuracy are also discussed. These factors include the resolution of the analysed microstructure and the truncation criterion. Fluid flow in 2‐D X‐ray computed tomography (CT) images of real porous media microstructure is also simulated using this numerical model. These real microstructures include field cores of asphalt mixes, laboratory linear kneading compactor (LKC) specimens, and laboratory Superpave gyratory compactor (SGC) specimens. The numerical results for the permeability of the real microstructures are compared with the results from closed form solutions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A micromechanical finite element model for linear and damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour of asphalt mixture

This study presents a finite element (FE) micromechanical modelling approach for the simulation of linear and damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour of asphalt mixture. Asphalt mixture is a composite material of graded aggregates bound with mastic (asphalt and fine aggregates). The microstructural model of asphalt mixture incorporates an equivalent lattice network structure whereby intergranular load transfer is simulated through an effective asphalt mastic zone. The finite element model integrates the ABAQUS user material subroutine with continuum elements for the effective asphalt mastic and rigid body elements for each aggregate. A unified approach is proposed using Schapery non‐linear viscoelastic model for the rate‐independent and rate‐dependent damage behaviour. A finite element incremental algorithm with a recursive relationship for three‐dimensional (3D) linear and damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour is developed. This algorithm is used in a 3D user‐defined material model for the asphalt mastic to predict global linear and damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour of asphalt mixture. For linear viscoelastic study, the creep stiffnesses of mastic and asphalt mixture at different temperatures are measured in laboratory. A regression‐fitting method is employed to calibrate generalized Maxwell models with Prony series and generate master stiffness curves for mastic and asphalt mixture. A computational model is developed with image analysis of sectioned surface of a test specimen. The viscoelastic prediction of mixture creep stiffness with the calibrated mastic material parameters is compared with mixture master stiffness curve over a reduced time period. In regard to damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour, cyclic loading responses of linear and rate‐independent damage‐coupled viscoelastic materials are compared. Effects of particular microstructure parameters on the rate‐independent damage‐coupled viscoelastic behaviour are also investigated with finite element simulations of asphalt numerical samples. Further study describes loading rate effects on the asphalt viscoelastic properties and rate‐dependent damage behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊凹陷与松辽盆地孤店CO2气田含片钠铝石砂岩的岩石学特征

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊凹陷南屯组与松辽盆地孤店CO₂气田泉头组发育大量含片钠铝石砂岩。通过偏光显微镜、扫描电镜、茜素红-S染色、X射线衍射、电子探针与INCA能谱分析等,对含片钠铝石砂岩的骨架碎屑组分、胶结物与自生矿物、成岩共生序列等岩石学特征进行了系统研究。研究表明,含片钠铝石砂岩的岩石类型为长石砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩,粒度以细粒、细-中粒为主,分选差-中等。砂岩中胶结物主要为次生加大石英、自生石英、片钠铝石、铁白云石和粘土矿物。其中,片钠铝石最高可达砂岩总体积的22％在砂岩中或以放射状、束状、菊花状、杂乱毛发状、毛球状、板状等集合体充填孔隙,或呈束状和板状交代长石和岩屑。电子探针与INCA能谱综合分析表明,片钠铝石主要由Na、Al、O、C等组成。在含片钠铝石砂岩中,成岩共生序列依次为粘土矿物包壳-次生加大石英、自生石英、自生高岭石-油气充注-CO₂充注-片钠铝石-铁白云石。其中,CO₂注入前形成的自生矿物组合主要为次生加大石英、自生石英和自生高岭石,CO₂注入后形成的自生矿物组合主要为片钠铝石和铁白云石。     

Early Cretaceous volcaniclastic and quartzose sandstones from north central Nepal: composition,sedimentology and geotectonic significance

Early Cretaceous sandstones and shales from the Thakkhola region (Chukh and Tangbe Formations) were deposited on the subsiding northern (Tethyan) margin of Gondwana; current directions indicate a source area to the south. Whereas the Berriasian Chukh Formation is dominated by quartz arenites, volcaniclastic sandstones and minor conglomerates dominate the Tangbe Formation of Valanginian to Aptian age. Upsection, the composition of the volcaniclastic components changes from mainly basaltic to dominantly dacitic/rhyolitic. Magmatism was preceded and accompanied by strong uplift in the source area of the Chukh and Tangbe clastics, resulting in the erosion of probably more than several hundred meters of pre-Cretaceous sedimentary, metamorphic and plutonic rocks. A geochemical whole rock analysis of basaltic pebble fragments shows their alkaline character and suggests a within-plate geotectonic setting for the volcanic source. This volcanotectonic event is probably related to rifting between Australia and Greater India, where seafloor spreading began in late Valanginian/Hauterivian times.     

羌塘盆地最大规模沥青脉的发现及其意义

在羌塘盆地已经发现了190余处油气显示。近年笔者在盆地北部晚侏罗世地层中发现了迄今最大规模的沥青脉。研究结果表明，该沥青脉产出于上侏罗统索瓦组地层之中，地层下部系与沥青脉的形成有一定关系的中株罗统夏里组局部含油气显示的盐丘。沥青族组分(％)为：饱和烃5．72、芳烃18．46、沥青质52.37、非烃23．45，说明核沥青脉经过了运移、氮化的过程。同时，沥青脉产出于复背斜范围内，利于油气聚集成藏。这一发现对于羌塘盆地的油气地质的作用具有现实意义。     

Tectono-sedimentary control on modern sand deposition on the forebulge of the Western Taiwan Foreland Basin

Whether the formation of the isolated sand body deposition in the forebulge area of a foreland basin system is structure- or deposition-controlled has puzzled geologists for decades, although sand body deposition is generally believed to be indicative of the position of the flexural forebulge in a foreland basin. The formation of a modern sand body in the forebulge area is thus examined by multi-scale geophysical observations based on combined reflection seismic profiles and compressed high-intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) profiles across the sand deposition along the forebulge of the Western Taiwan Foreland Basin (WTFB), which is a Late Miocene-present foreland basin in the overfilled stage. These profiles suggest that the accumulation of the sand deposits along the forebulge of the WTFB is not directly associated with forebulge faultings. The relief map of the forebulge deposit substratum shows a northwestward tilting slope, and the isopach of the forebulge sand body indicates that a large part of the sand body accumulated along the axis of the Taiwan Strait and the subdued forebulge of the WTFB. The difference between the prevailing directions of tidal currents between the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea reflects the probable sedimentary influence of the cratonward migrating fold-thrust belt within a foreland shelf. We suggest that the formation and distribution of the sand deposits along the forebulge of the WTFB are generally controlled not only by the transverse downslope sedimentation but also longitudinal hydrodynamic processes at distal parts of the foreland basin. Our explanation provides a plausible tectono-sedimentary cause of the sand body deposition in the forebulge area in an overfilled foreland basin. The sedimentary dynamics of the sand body in the Taiwan Strait may be applicable for understanding the formation of isolated sand bodies in the distal part of the Cretaceous Western Interior Foreland Basin.     

西藏西北部浅变质石英砂岩岩石学特征及其构造意义

羌塘盆地中央隆起带主要由浅变质石英砂岩组成,由于化石匮乏、变形强烈,长期以来对这套浅变质石英砂岩成因的争议颇大,导致了对藏西北地区前中生代构造演化的认识长期模糊不清,其中,何处才是冈瓦纳大陆北界就是一个长期争论的议题。在西藏西北部,近东西走向的布尔嘎错断裂带将北部的查多岗日地块与南部的南羌塘地块分隔开,浅变质石英砂岩广泛出露于这两地块之内。沿近东西走向布尔嘎错断裂带断续产出的冈玛错蓝片岩、蛇绿岩等岩片大体呈南北向逆冲于浅变质石英砂岩之上,因此早期曾认为布尔嘎错断裂带是冈瓦纳大陆之北界。本文的调查与研究发现查多岗日和南羌塘地块内浅变质石英砂岩岩相学特征完全相同,均主要由石英组成,遭受了绿片岩相的变质作用,形成了钠长石+绿泥石+白云母组合,充填于早期石英颗粒之间,钠长石交代钾长石。这两地的浅变质石英砂岩均被未变质钙质胶结的钾长石石英砂岩平行不整合覆盖。碎屑锆石的阴极发光分析与U-Pb定年结果进一步证实了查多岗日与南羌塘地块内浅变质石英砂岩内的锆石来源完全相同。这些证据充分反映了查多岗日与南羌塘地块早期构造演化过程相似,源自同一大陆。碎屑锆石定年结果进一步表明浅变质石英砂岩的最大沉积年龄为520±8Ma,该岩石再被约480Ma的花岗岩脉侵入,因此其很可能形成于晚寒武世,而不整合面之上沉积岩的最大沉积年龄为460±8Ma,表明该不整合面上、下沉积岩之间存在明显的沉积间断,证实了该平行不整合面形成于奥陶纪。不整合面之下的浅变质石英砂岩因此与杨耀等(2014)报道的荣玛组相同,不整合面之上未变质长石石英砂岩则属于中上奥陶统塔石山组。查多岗日地块因此是西藏境内最北端的冈瓦纳大陆的碎块。在西藏西北部,冈瓦纳大陆北界为龙木错-帮达错-(83°40'E、35°N)-红脊山-荣玛乡。布尔嘎错断裂带不是冈瓦纳大陆之北界。     

Significance of infiltrated clays within the Lower Permian Yellow Sands of north-east England

The Permian Yellow Sands are preserved as nine aeolian ridges in north-east England. The sands are soft and friable and locally contain large amounts of interstitial detrital clays, which are interpreted as the product of early mechanical clay infiltration. Features within the sands considered to be due to mechanical clay infiltration include grain coatings, meniscus and geopetal fabrics. The infiltrated clays mask crystal nucleation sites on grain surfaces and often amalgamate into lenses or form continuous clay-rich layers. Calcite and quartz cement growth has consequently been limited and often confined to the coarser, generally clay-free horizons. The meniscus and geopetal fabrics were formed early during accretion of the dunes and helped to bind and stabilize the sediment, which restricted reworking during the Zechstein transgression to the uppermost few decimeters.     

Distribution of diagenetic alterations within depositional facies and sequence stratigraphic framework of fluvial sandstones: Evidence from the Petrohan Terrigenous Group,Lower Triassic,NW Bulgaria

Sequence stratigraphy of fluvial deposits is a controversial topic because changes in relative sea level will eventually have indirect impact on the spatial and temporal distribution of depositional facies. Changes in the relative sea level may influence the accommodation space in fluvial plains, and hence have impact on types of fluvial system, frequency of avulsion, and style of vertical and lateral accretion. This study aims to investigate whether depositional facies and changes in the fluvial system of the Lower Triassic Petrohan Terrigenous Group sandstones (NW Bulgaria) in response to changes in the relative sea level have an impact on the spatial and temporal distribution of diagenetic alterations.