Effect of element size on the static finite element analysis of steep slopes

The accuracy of the computed stress distribution near the free surface of vertical slopes was evaluated in this study as a function of the element size, including aspect ratio. To accomplish this objective, a parametric study was carried out comparing stresses computed using the finite element method (FEM) to those obtained from a physical model composed of photoelastic material. The results of the study indicate a reasonable agreement between a gelatin model and the FEM model for shear stresses, and an overall good agreement between the two models for the principal stresses. For stresses along the top of the slope, the height of the element tends to be more important than width or aspect ratio, at least for aspect ratios up to 4. In all cases, the greatest difference between the two models occurs in the vicinity of the slope. Specifically, if H is defined as the slope height, an element height of H/10 appears to be adequate for the study of stresses deep within the slope, such as for typical embankment analyses. However, for cases where tensile stresses in the vicinity of the slope face which are critical, such as for the stability analysis of steep slopes, element heights as small as H/32, or higher‐order elements, are necessary. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地形面方法在渭河盆地活断层研究中的应用

本文主要依据地形图和航空照片解译，并经已有地质、钻孔资料验证及野外实地考察的方法来研究地形面及其变形特征，由此确定渭河盆地活断层的分布、最新活动特征及活动规律，为地震预报及地震危险性分析提供依据。     

气候变化对塔里木河来自天山的地表径流影响

塔里木河水资源主要来自天山南坡两条源流,选择西段阿克苏河和中段开都河-孔雀河作为研究区.1956-2003年研究河源山区气温呈持续升温且降水波动增加的趋势,其中1995-2003年升温强劲,升温速率高出48 a期间平均的3倍以上;降水自1986年后持续增加,20世纪90年代较80年代增幅达18%,并显示出河源山区湿岛向塔里木盆地扩展.因高山缺少气象观测,出山径流过程变化可以综合反映中高山带的气候变化.塔里木河来自天山的地表径流在1986-2003年间持续增长,以冰川融水补给为主的库玛拉克河,1994年以来年径流量增加已在前期平均值基础上提升了一个台阶;开都河以降水径流补给为主,1986-2002年出现了观测记录以来的丰水期,并使1986年后博斯腾湖水位快速上升,恢复到1958年记录的最高水位以上.两河年径流变化趋势基本相似,但也显示有西、中段的气候变化局部差异,出现丰枯水期的不一致;然而,在近16 a升温过程中,年径流增长幅度和快慢相近.     

Evolution of the Bonneville shoreline scarp in west-central Utah: Comparison of scarp-analysis methods and implications for the diffusion model of hillslope evolution

Wave-cut pluvial shoreline scarps are ideal natural experiments in hillslope evolution because the ages of these scarps are often precisely known and because they form with a range of heights, alluvial textures, and microclimates (i.e., orientation). Previous work using midpoint-slope methods on pluvial scarps in the Basin and Range concluded that scarp evolution is nonlinear and microclimatically controlled. The purpose of this study was to further examine the influence of scarp height, texture and microclimate in an attempt to calibrate a nonlinear model of scarp evolution. To do this, over 150 profiles of the Bonneville shoreline in the adjacent Snake and Tule Valleys, west-central Utah were collected and analyzed by fitting the entire scarp profile to diffusion-equation solutions, taking into account uncertainty in the initial scarp angle. In contrast to previous studies, this analysis revealed no evidence for nonlinearity or microclimatic control. To understand the reason for this discrepancy, we undertook a systematic study of the accuracy of each scarp-analysis method. The midpoint-slope-inverse method was found to yield biased results, with systematically higher diffusion ages for young, tall scarps. The slope-offset method is unbiased but has limited resolution because it requires many scarp profiles to yield a single diffusion age. A method that incorporates the full scarp profile and uncertainty in the initial scarp angle was found to be the most accurate technique. The application of the full-scarp method to the Bonneville shoreline supports the use of a linear diffusion model for scarps up to 20 m in height. Scarp orientation had no discernable effect on diffusivity values. Soil texture was found to have a weak but significant inverse relationship with diffusivity values.     

A model of Cs activity profile for soil erosion studies in uncultivated soils of Mediterranean environments

A model to simulate ¹³⁷Cs profiles in soils during the time in which they are being eroded is proposed. The model uses one parameter to characterize the cesium transference in the soil and another to express the erosion rate. To test the model, ¹³⁷Cs profiles of stable and eroded soils were collected at sampling sites located on semi-arid and temperate slopes in the Central Ebro basin, Spain. The ¹³⁷Cs profiles, corresponding to uncultivated soils with natural vegetation cover, were simulated using this model. The ¹³⁷Cs inventories and profiles calculated with the model are very similar to those measured experimentally, and thus it is possible to calculate soil erosion rates in physiographically diverse Mediterranean environments.     

DEM-based morphometry of range-front escarpments in Attica, central Greece, and its relation to fault slip rates

In this paper, we apply current geological knowledge on faulting processes to digital processing of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) in order to pinpoint locations of active faults. The analysis is based on semiautomatic interpretation of 20- and 60-m DEM and their products (slope, shaded relief). In Northern–Eastern Attica, five normal fault segments were recognized on the 20-m DEM. All faults strike WNW–ESE. The faults are from west to east: Thriassion (THFS), Fili (FIFS), Afidnai (AFFS), Avlon (AVFS), and Pendeli (PEFS) and range in length from 10 to 20 km. All of them show geomorphic evidence for recent activity such as prominent range-front escarpments, V-shaped valleys, triangular facets, and tilted footwall areas. However, escarpment morphometry and footwall geometry reveal systematic differences between the “external” segments (PEFS, THFS, and AVFS) and the “internal” segments (AFFS and FIFS), which may be due to mechanical interaction among segments and/or preexisting topography. In addition, transects across all five escarpments show mean scarp slope angles of 22.1°±0.7° for both carbonate and metamorphic bedrock. The slope angle equation for the external segments shows asymptotic behaviour with increasing height. We make an empirical suggestion that slope angle is a function of the long-term fault slip rate which ranges between 0.13 and 0.3 mm/yr. The identified faults may rupture up to magnitude 6.4–6.6 earthquakes. The analysis of the 60-m DEM shows a difference in fault patterns between Western and Northern Attica, which is related to crustal rheology variations.     

Retrofit-reinforcement of cohesive soil slopes using high strength geotextiles with drainage capability

A series of geotechnical centrifuge physical modeling tests were performed to assess the potential use of a new cost-effective mechanically stabilized earth system for retrofitting marginally stable cohesive slopes. The proposed system utilizes the dual functions of reinforcement and drainage by directly inserting high strength non-woven geotextile strips into slopes, with little or no excavation required behind the slope face. The system significantly increases the factor of safety of potentially unstable cohesive slopes, and can be constructed at less expense and more rapidly than conventional mechanically stabilized earth systems.     

斜坡非饱和带低渗透岩石结构体风化前锋扩展过程

非饱和带低渗透岩石结构体风化前锋扩展是斜坡灾害孕育过程中的关键环节之一。到目前为止,化学风化领域的研究成果主要集中在高水-岩比的饱和环境下单矿物及矿物成分单一的碳酸盐岩的风化动力学方面,非饱和环境下的岩石风化研究还主要限于风化产物的特性描述方面。斜坡非饱和带低渗透岩石结构体风化前锋扩展是一种高度复杂的THMC过程。由于在溶解对象、溶解液及溶解过程的水动力-水化学环境等方面存在的显著差异,既有的地质材料风化动力学成果为探索这一复杂过程提供了理论储备,但还不能阐明其核心机理。斜坡非饱和带低渗透岩石结构体风化前锋的扩展过程研究不仅可以加深人们对斜坡灾害孕育的理解,为灾害预报-预警及其控制提供理论依据,同时可以促进岩石-岩体力学及浅表生水文地球化学等相关学科的交叉与发展。     

库水位变化下某泄洪洞进口高边坡的稳定性分析

在分析库水位变化与岸坡稳定性的一般规律的基础上,对某水库泄洪洞进口高边坡变形机理进行分析。然后计算分析不同水位升降条件下,蓄水＋暴雨、地震、地震＋地下水作用等三种工况的稳定性系数,确定危险警戒水位,并预测未来蓄水及库水位下降情况下泄洪洞进口边坡稳定性与库水位的关系,为蓄水后的边坡防治提供必要的理论依据。     

中天山及其北麓的降水变化及其原因分析

利用中天山地带85.0°～90.0°E,42.5°～45.0°N范围内17个气象站1961-2000年的降水、气温观测数据及美国NCEP/NCAR1950-2000年再分析月平均资料进行计算和分析,结果表明:这一区域近年来降水呈现上升趋势,且冬、夏季相对显著,山区降水增幅大于山前平原地带.年代际变化表现为60-70年代降水量减少,80-90年代逐步增加.大气可降水量多年也表现为增加趋势.近50a来该地区上空的水汽输送状况显示,年平均大气水汽输入为9217.8×10⁸m³,输出水汽8625.7×10⁸m³,净收支为592.0×10⁸m³,且水汽收支主要取决于夏半年的水汽输入量,境外全年输入的水汽只有6.4%转化为降水.从50-90年代水汽净收支总体上呈减少趋势,只在90年代有略微增长.结合该地区的河流径流增加、冰川物质平衡一直处于亏损状态,说明中天山北麓近年来降水量增加的主要原因是由于该地区内部的水循环量增加和水循环速率提高.