Pore pressure evolution and fluid flow during visco‐elastic single‐layer buckle folding

Pore pressure and fluid flow during the deformational history of geologic structures are directly influenced by tectonic deformation events. In this contribution, 2D plane strain finite element analysis is used to study the influence of different permeability distributions on the pore pressure field and associated flow regimes during the evolution of visco‐elastic single‐layer buckle folds. The buckling‐induced fluid flow regimes indicate that flow directions and, to a lesser degree, their magnitudes vary significantly throughout the deformation and as a function of the stratigraphic permeability distribution. The modelling results suggest that the volumetric strain and the permeability distribution significantly affect the resulting flow regime at different stages of fold development. For homogeneous permeability models (k > 10^?21 m²), low strain results in a mostly pervasive fluid flow regime and is in agreement with previous studies. For larger strain conditions, fluid focusing occurs in the buckling layer towards the top of the fold hinge. For low permeabilities (<10^?21 m²), local focused flow regimes inside the buckling layer emerge throughout the deformation history. For models featuring a low‐permeability layer embedded in a high‐permeability matrix or sandwiched between high‐permeability layers, focused flow regimes inside the folded layer result throughout the deformation history, but with significant differences in the flow vectors of the surrounding layers. Fluid flow vectors induced by the fold can result in different, even reversed, directions depending on the amount of strain. In summary, fluid flow regimes during single‐layer buckling can change from pervasive to focused and fluid flow vectors can be opposite at different strain levels, that is the flow vectors change significantly through time. Thus, a complete understanding of fluid flow regimes associated with single‐layer buckle folds requires consideration of the complete deformation history of the fold.     

PREDICTION OF DAMAGE IN R/C SHEAR PANELS SUBJECTED TO REVERSED CYCLIC LOADING

In this paper, the damage prediction of shear-dominated reinforced concrete (RC) elements subjected to reversed cyclic shear is presented using an existing damage model. The damage model is primarily based on the monotonic energy dissipating capacity of structural elements before and after the application of reversed cyclic loading. Therefore, it could be universally applicable to different types of structural members, includeing shear-dominated RC members. The applicability of the damage model to shear-dominated RC members is assessed using the results from reversed cyclic shear load tests conducted earlier on eleven RC panels. First, the monotonic energy dissipating capacities of the panels before and after the application of reversed cyclic loading are estimated and employed in the damage model. Next, a detailed comparison between the analytically predicted damage and the observed damage from the experimental tests of the panels is performed throughout the loading history. Subsequently, the effects of two important parameters, the orientation and the percentage of reinforcement, on the damage of such shear-dominated panels are studied. The research results demonstrated that the analytically predicted damage is in reasonably good agreement with the observed damage throughout the entire loading history. Furthermore, the orientation and percentage of reinforcement is found to have considerable effect on the extent of damage.     

An Enhanced Finite Element Macro-Model for the Realistic Simulation of Localized Cracks in Masonry Structures: A Large-Scale Application

ABSTRACT

Finite element macro-modeling approaches are widely used for the analysis of large-scale masonry structures. Despite their efficiency, they still face two important challenges: the realistic representation of damage and a reasonable independency of the numerical results to the used discretization. In this work, the classical smeared crack approach is enhanced with a crack-tracking algorithm, originating from the analysis of localized cracking in quasi-brittle materials. The proposed algorithm is for the first time applied to a large-scale wall exhibiting multiple shear and flexural cracking. Discussion covers structural aspects, as the response of the structure under different assumptions regarding the floor rigidity, but also numerical issues, commonly overlooked in the simulation of large structures, such the mesh-dependency of the numerical results.     

Earthquake‐related temperature changes in two neighboring hot springs at Xiangcheng,China

Pre‐earthquake and postearthquake temperature changes were documented in two hot springs at Xiangcheng. Pre‐earthquake changes were documented in spring I, 13 days before and 106 km away from the M_s 5.8 Zhongdian earthquake. The 11‐year cutoff spring spouted again, and the spouted water was 24°C hotter than the former escaping gas. Postearthquake changes were documented in spring II following the 2008 M_w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, approximately 425 km away from the epicenter. Temperature in spring II showed a step‐like increase with a magnitude of 4°C induced by the earthquake. Spring I which is 0.3 m apart from spring II did not show a sudden change following the earthquake. However, temperatures in the two springs were identical after the Wenchuan earthquake. It indicates that the earthquake generated new hydraulic connectivity between springs I and II, and the heat transport between the two springs accounts for the postearthquake temperature changes.     

Laboratory Research on the Effects of Heavy Equipment Compaction on the in situ Preserved Archaeological Remains

Following the Malta Convention/Valletta Treaty the preferable way for the physical protection of archaeological sites is in situ preservation. When planning in situ preservation, in addition to other issues, it is also necessary to consider changes in physical environment and their impact on in situ preserved remains. This is especially important when human interaction takes place. Recently, an increase in construction on the top of archaeological sites has occurred, thus the effects of heavy equipment compaction need to be studied in more detail.

This paper presents research on the effects of the use of heavy equipment (e.g. rammers and rollers) compaction on archaeological remains. For the purpose of our research, laboratory testing has been performed. In a custom-made steel box, artificial archaeological sites were created using layers of sandy silt and gravel. A variety of archaeological and modern artefacts were placed in these created environments. Some of them were equipped with strain gauges for deformation recording. Through a series of tests a servo-hydraulic piston was used, which simulated the dynamic loading of the artificial sites. Humidity and temperature were recorded before, during, and after each test. Since layers and artefacts were three-dimensionally recorded before and after each test, compaction of layers and movements of artefacts could be studied. With attached strain gauges and visual inspection following each test, deformations and thus damage to artefacts during different stages of loadings was recorded.

The goals of our laboratory tests were the development of a new methodological approach to study the effects of heavy equipment compaction to the archaeological sites, getting an insight into the problems of such tests, and the estimation of the applicability of their results. With the presented results, our research has been a step towards better understanding the effects of heavy equipment compaction on archaeological remains and thus to the preservation of archaeological sites in situ.     

Fluidized sandstone intrusions as an indicator of Paleostress orientation, Santa Cruz, California

The late Miocene sandstone intrusions of northern Santa Cruz County, California, are the largest subaerial exposures of clastic intrusions on earth. The intrusions are sourced from a sandstone, underlying mudstone, accumulated in an outer shelf to upper slope environment. Dikes are the most frequent intrusion type, reach the greatest thickness and tend to strike north‐east and dip steeply. One giant dike is more than 150 m wide. Sills are least frequent, locally > 8 m thick and have no clear preferred geographical distribution. Clustered intrusions are commonly < 10 cm thick and mostly composed of dikes of various attitudes. The majority of the intrusions probably were injected shallowly as some extrude onto the seafloor. The local seafloor extrusion also indicates injection during the deposition of the Santa Cruz Mudstone (7–9 Ma). The intrusions are concentrated at the basin margin. Fluid pressure at the centre of the basin and perhaps hydrocarbons were communicated to the basin margin through the then sand, causing fluid overpressures that contributed to the fluidization and intrusion into the overlying mudstone. Primarily north‐east‐striking, steeply dipping dikes and secondarily, shallowly dipping sills are most significant in terms of regional connectivity of intrusions and physical dilation of the formation. The orientation of the dikes and sills indicates a regional stress field with a horizontal NE–SW maximum and a NW–SE minimum compressive direction. The simultaneous development of dikes and sills suggests similar magnitudes of the minimum and intermediate principal stresses. Preferential weakness along bedding contributed to the development of sills. Palaeomagnetic data indicate no significant block rotation around a vertical axis. The maximum principal stress direction indicated by the intrusions is about 55° to the San Gregorio Fault and about 70° to the San Andreas Fault during the late Miocene. This stress field is similar to the modern stress field and suggests moderate fault weakness.     

SENSOR DEVELOPMENT USING BERKELEY MOTE PLATFORM

Industrialised nations have dedicated significant investments toward the development of civil infrastructure. To preserve this investment, attention must be given to proper maintenance. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has emerged as a tool to support this task. Networks of smart sensors, built upon wireless communication, have the potential to significantly improve SHM. Numerous platforms for smart sensors have been developed, most of which utilise proprietary hardware/software. The Berkeley Mote, utilised in this study, was the first open hardware/software platform to be developed. However, the Berkeley Mote was designed for generic applications and therefore the available sensors are not optimised for use in civil infrastructure applications. Acceleration and strain are among the most important physical quantities to judge the health of a structure. Although commercially available sensor boards have accelerometers, their applicability towards civil infrastructure is limited. This paper presents the development of new acceleration and strain sensor boards based on the Berkely-Mote platform and provides experimental verification of their performance within civil infrastructure applications.     

SHEAR MODULUS AND DAMPING OF CLAYEY SANDS

A series of cyclic triaxial tests on clayey sands was carried out and attempts were made to evaluate the strain dependency of shear modulus and damping. Although the strain dependency of the shear modulus of clayey sands was similar to that of clay in the low strain range, G/G ₀ became close to that of clean sand in the high strain range. The damping ratio was less for the clayey sand containing more fines, especially in the medium to large strain range. It was shown that the change in the effective confining stress with loading cycles in the undrained shear test needed to be considered, particularly in the large strain range. The consideration can be made by normalising G with G ₀' instead of using G ₀. When an initial shear stress was applied to the specimen, the amount of residual strain, which was induced with cycles, had to be added to the normal strain amplitude in order to determine the shear modulus. If the effects of excess pore pressure and the amount of residual strain were taken into account properly, it was suggested that the shear modulus of clayey sand in irregular loading could be evaluated reasonably well by using the average G/G ₀—γcurve obtained by cyclic loading tests on isotropically-consolidated specimens.     

夹Φ20mm钢筋体复合锚杆原位锚固特性分析

加钢筋体复合锚杆在土遗址载体锚固得到了较为成功的应用,但该类型锚杆的机理研究还是空白。为此,选择交河故城开展夹Φ20mm钢筋体复合锚杆现场锚固测试,包括锚固性能测试和锚杆各界面层应变监测。试验结果表明:1)3m长复合锚杆极限锚固力可达150kN,杆体表现出较强塑性变形。2)钢筋-复合材料界面层轴向应变远大于其他界面层,锚固失效在该层。3)由于杆体的非均直性,楠竹-复合材料界面表现出轴向应变的非规律性,局部出现受压状态。4)楠竹-浆体界面层与楠竹-复合材料界面层在较高荷载下出现剪应变向锚固末端的传递特征。5)鉴于杆体的多圈层构造,受力过程中出现明显的横向传递和剪胀特征。     

Analysis of the role of fluids in causing fractures in the Spraberry Trend,Midland Basin

The Spraberry Formation in west‐central Texas is a highly fractured formation with both extension and shear fractures. At least two sets of natural fractures exist in two reservoir intervals. We have considered two possible origins for the fracturing: (i) high fluid pressure plus tectonic stress and (ii) tectonic stress at near‐hydrostatic fluid pressure. Reconstruction of geologic, thermal and hydrodynamic histories suggests that high fluid pressures probably did not occur during the basin’s history. To explore the second hypothesis, we developed and applied a calibrated, discrete‐element model of Spraberry strata to investigate whether weak Laramide compressional forces could cause fractures in the absence of high fluid pressures. Simulation results suggest that a mild compressional episode of geologically short duration may indeed have induced conjugate shear fractures.