Sandy Gravel Research Articles

Preliminary Study on Shallow Geological Features of Weixi Exploration Area in Beibu Gulf

The shallow geological research of Weixi exploration area in Beibu Gulf is of low degree, which is not conducive to further exploration and engineering activities in the future. In this paper, based on the well site survey data and regional research results of predecessors, the engineering geology and sequences of the shallow strata in this area are divided, and the shallow geological structure is preliminarily established. Within the depth of 40 m below the sea floor, the lithology of the strata is silty clay layer, hard clay layer, gravel sandy layer, clay layer and sandy layer from top to bottom, and the formation ages are respectively Holocene and late, middle and early Pleistocene.

Geomechanical characterisation and dynamic numerical modelling of two anthropogenic fill slopes

In the last 22 years, four large (between approximately 1000 and 5000 m3) flowslides in anthropogenic fill materials have occurred in residential areas of the greater Wellington region, New Zealand. Such failures are relatively rare, given that there are over 1600 mapped fill bodies, formed between the early 1900s and present day within the region. Nonetheless, their performance under strong earthquake shaking has yet to be tested, given no strong ground motions (>0.15 g) have shaken the region since their construction. In this study, we used remote sensing techniques, borehole investigations, geotechnical testing and numerical modelling to investigate two fill bodies that are characteristic of those constructed across the Wellington region. This paper presents the results from the dynamic analysis of these two sites under strong earthquake shaking.The maximum anthropogenic fill thicknesses at both sites ranged between 20 m and 30 m. The fills tested varied from sandy gravel with some silt to clayey gravelly silt sand (D50 from 0.02 mm to 10 mm and D90 from 5 mm to 50 mm). Based on the field mapping, site investigation and laboratory results, two-dimensional geotechnical cross-sections of the sites were generated and used as the basis for the numerical simulations. Accelerograms recorded from eleven local and overseas earthquakes were used as inputs for the modelling. These were selected and scaled to simulate the amplitude and frequency content of the different types of earthquake shaking that could affect the sites up to 2.5 g, which represents a peak ground acceleration with an approximate annual exceedance probability of 0.00005. The results indicate simulated permanent ground displacements, due to sliding of the fill in the range of 0.01 m to >10 m, with the amount of displacement increasing with increasing Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). Although at small displacements it is unlikely the fill slopes would fail catastrophically to form flowslides, the simulated permanent displacements are large enough for an earthquake with a free field PGA of >0.6 g (annual exceedance probability (AEP) of 0.002) to potentially disrupt buried elastic pipe utilities (especially the water pipes). Such deformation could lead to the leakage of water from broken pipes, and an increase in pore-water pressure within the fills, which could in turn lead to the development of post-earthquake flowslides. After a major earthquake, such cascading hazards may pose a major problem for recovery activities.

SEDIMENT DYNAMICS AND STABILITY STATUS OF THE KARRA KHOLA, HETAUDA DUN VALLEY, CENTRAL NEPAL SUB-HIMALAYA

The Karra Khola in Hetauda, Siwalik region, originates within the Dun Valley, and contributes the Rapati Nadi in Hetauda Metropolitan city. The stability status of the river is of main concern because of rapid growing of the river corridor and peripheral land areas into suburban city. The river was surveyed for hydraulic parameters, sediment characteristics, and sediment loads. Rate of sediment transport and sediment yields were computed, and competency of the river was evaluated using Shield’s parameters and Reynolds numbers. The results show that the river sediments are sandy gravel to gravelly sands, and are moderately to very poorly sorted. The total sediment yield of the whole basin near the outlet is around 2% of the maximum total sediment yield. The specific stream power (SSP) ranges from 20.98 to 2866.34 Wm-2. The dimensionless boundary shear stress to dimensionless critical shear stress ratio exceeds unity, revealing that the river is competent enough to transport its bed material loads, except in downstream stretch before the river confluences with the Rapati Nadi. The Karra Khola clearly exhibits status of degradation in the upstream stretch, high rates of transportation due to lateral erosion in the midstream stretch, and aggradation in the downstream stretch.

Deep learning model for seabed sediment classification based on fuzzy ranking feature optimization

Accurate acquisition of information on seabed sediment distributions plays an important role in the construction of basic marine geographic databases. Although a multibeam echo-sounding system (MBES) can satisfy large-scale seafloor mapping with high precision and high resolution, the development of a consistent, stable, repeatable and validated seabed sediment classification method based on swath acoustic data is still in its infancy. To achieve accurate prediction and mapping of geographic seabed sediment information, this paper developed a deep learning model based on feature optimization. First, faced with high-dimensional features extracted from multibeam bathymetry and backscatter intensity measurement data, a fuzzy ranking (FR) feature optimization method was proposed. By combining the physical properties of actual sediment samples, the multidimensional features derived from terrain and intensity data are ranked and optimally selected according to the mean square error to eliminate redundant and irrelevant features. Second, the deep belief network (DBN) deep learning method was used to build a supervised seabed sediment classification model. The optimized features and actual sediment samples participate in model training, which further enhances the prediction ability of acoustic data to seabed sediments. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the DBN model, this experiment used large-scale multibeam survey data and ground-truth data (acquired by grabbers, core samplers, dredges, etc.) in the southern Irish Sea to achieve accurate prediction of 10 sediment types (slightly gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly sand, gravelly mud, gravelly muddy sand, gravelly sand, muddy sand, muddy sandy gravel, sand, sandy gravel and sandy mud). The experiment results show that by using the optimal feature combination based on FR, the overall classification accuracy and Kappa coefficient reached 86.20% and 0.834, respectively, which are significantly improved compared to the evaluation metrics of other feature selection methods. In addition, compared with the current five typical supervised classification methods (i.e., the random forests, BP neural network, support vector machine, maximum likelihood and decision trees methods), the proposed DBN classification model achieves a better performance, highlighting its application potential in seabed sediment detection and mapping.

Assessment of Groundwater Resources in Coastal Areas of Pakistan for Sustainable Water Quality Management Using Joint Geophysical and Geochemical Approach: A Case Study

Delineation of fresh/saline groundwater is essential for sustainable water quality management, especially in the coastal areas all around the globe. Seawater intrusion causes substantial degradation in quality of freshwater resources in the coastal areas. The main reason for saltwater intrusion is the changing environment in terms of sea-level rise, climate change, and over-extraction of freshwater resources to meet the growing demands. In this study, an integrated approach of geophysical and geochemical methods was used to assess saltwater intrusion in the coastal areas of Bela Plain, Pakistan. The inverted electrical resistivity computed from 50 vertical electrical sounding (VES) constrained the subsurface into five layers and two aquifers through 3D imaging, such as silty clay and sandy clay containing saline water, and sand, sandy gravel, and gravel containing freshwater. However, the narrow range of resistivity values shows an overlap of saline/fresh groundwater. Such ambiguity in the resistivity interpretation was removed by Dar-Zarrouk (D-Z) parameters. D-Z parameters, namely transverse unit resistance (Tr), longitudinal unit conductance (Sc), and longitudinal resistivity (ρL) estimated from VES, marked a clear distinction between saline and fresh aquifers with a wide range of values. The geochemical method was performed using 20 water samples for the main cations (K+, Ca2+ Na+, and Mg2+), anions (SO42−, HCO3−, Cl−, and NO3−), and other parameters (TDS, EC, and pH). Fresh/saline aquifers revealed by D-Z parameters are in good agreement with those delineated by physicochemical parameters and local hydrogeological conditions. This study delineates seawater intrusion of about 13–42 km from Sonmiani Bay in the Arabian Sea towards the inlands of Bela Plain. Therefore, it is expected that this investigation will be helpful in future planning for the management and exploitation of freshwater resources in the study area. Our study suggests that D-Z parameters can be used as the most inexpensive alternative to the traditional geotechnical and environmental tests for the demarcation of fresh/saline groundwater with a large coverage in any coastal or contaminated area under a homogeneous or heterogeneous setting.

Gemstones-bearing sediments in the Mbiame floodplain, northwestern Cameroon

Sediment samples obtained from pits in the Mbiame floodplain gemstone prospect in the northwestern part of Cameroon were studied for their bulk geochemical properties together with the mineral composition of the gemstones found therein to decipher their provenance. Five main layers were isolated in each pit comprising an organic rich humus layer, muddy layer, unconsolidated and poorly sorted sandy layer, clay layer and gravel layer. The gravel layer is the most high-yielding in terms of gemstones content. The sediments have high rare earth element (REE) concentrations varying between 135 and 456 ppm with variable light/heavy rare earth element (LREE/HREE) ratio values (5.8–21.5). REE chondrite normalized patterns show similar high LREE enrichment and no Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.9 − ~ 1) for all samples. The gemstones selected from the various horizons range in color from light gray, light blue/green, dark blue, pale brown and red. Some of the grains have zircon and ilmenite mineral inclusions while some of the zoned grains show simple core—rim zonation as well as oscillatory and sectorial zoning patterns. Bulk sediment geochemistry of sediments from the Mbiame gem prospect suggests an igneous provenance generally of felsic intermediate source input. The alluvial gemstones from the Mbiame gem prospect are the sapphire variety of corundum and the grains combined with zircon and ilmenite inclusions and megacrysts suggest a derivation from felsic to intermediate igneous rocks.

Mining Zone Determination of Natural Sandy Gravel using Fuzzy AHP and SAW, MOORA and COPRAS Methods

Mining Zone Determination of Natural Sandy Gravel using Fuzzy AHP and SAW, MOORA and COPRAS Methods

Environmental and soil characteristics in Ephedra habitats of Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, Ephedra distachya L., E. equisetina Bunge, E. foliata Boiss. ex C. A. Mey., E. lomatolepis Schrenk, and E. strobilacea Bunge show species specificity for habitat environments and physical and chemical characteristics of habitat soils. Furthermore, the relationship between soil characteristics and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine contents was examined. E. distachya was found growing from 80 to 200m above sea level (a.s.l) in the Plateau Ustyurt on the desert steppe of cliffs on soil having relatively higher loss on ignition (19.8-33.8%) and water-soluble cations (Ca2+, 5.14-133.13; Mg2+, 0.85-3.18; and Na+, 2.27-8.33mmol/100g dry soil weight) than for other Ephedra habitats. E. strobilacea was found growing on the flat sandy Kyzylkum desert at 94m a.s.l. and had habitat soil that was the driest with the lowest loss on ignition (2.9%) and highest Na+ (9.05mmol/100g dry soil weight) of all the Ephedra habitat soils. On dry steppe from 1054 to 1819m a.s.l., E. foliata, E. lomatolepis, and E. equisetina formed not only a single community but also a complex community on constantly collapsing sandy gravel slope with relatively higher Ca2+ (3.40-17.44mmol/100g dry soil weight) soil content. Notably, E. equisetina grew on the dry steppe of constantly collapsing sandy gravel slopes, in rocky areas, on sandy gravel floodplains of rivers, and on stable humus soil at the base of coniferous trees in a wide range of habitats from dry steppe to coniferous forest zones at altitudes ranging from 1392 to 1819m a.s.l., as reflected in the greater variability than for other Ephedra habitats in the parameters of loss on ignition (1.4-34.8%), pH (7.1-9.6), NO3- (0.08-35.17mmol/100g dry soil weight), Ca2+ (0.24-17.44mmol/100g dry soil weight), Mg2+ (not detected-1.25mmol/100g dry soil weight), and Na+ (0.13-5.19mmol/100g dry soil weight). Ephedrine alkaloids were not detectable in E. strobilacea, E. foliata, and E. lomatolepis. Almost all E. distachya contained only pseudoephedrine (1.25-1.59% of dry weight, %DW), while E. equisetina contained from 1.31 to 2.05%DW ephedrine and from 1.29 to 2.80%DW pseudoephedrine. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in E. equisetina showed a statistically significant negative correlation with soil Cl- and Mg2+, respectively.

Full particle size distribution characteristics of land surface sediment and their effect on wind erosion resistance in arid and semiarid regions of Northwest China

Particle size distribution (PSD) is one of the fundamental physical properties of clastic sediment. Although many mathematical models have been proposed to describe the PSD of sediment, the physical meaning behind model parameter characterization remains poorly understood, which means it is seldom used in studies of the environment, geomorphologic evolution, and related surface wind–sand processes in arid areas. In this study, based on the Li model of the PSD of sediment, the parameters of sediment obtained from different landscapes in Northwest China were investigated and their relationship with the resistance of sediment to wind erosion was analyzed. Results showed that the full PSD parameters (μ and Dc) of the Li model not only revealed the full PSD of the surface sediment of the various landscapes, but also reflected the differences in sediment structure. The full PSD parameters of fine silty, sandy, and sandy gravel surface sediment were −0.2 < μ < 0 and Dc < 0.08, −0.2 < μ < 0 and 0.08 ≤ Dc ≤ 0.2, and μ < 0 and Dc > 0.2, respectively. Parameter Dc not only represents the mean particle size of sediment, but it also indicates the degree of sorting, that is, it has a positive linear correlation with the component content of coarser particles in the sediment structure. Results also showed that vegetation cover markedly enhances surface resistance to wind erosion. Under different vegetation cover scenarios, the resistance of sandy and sandy gravel surfaces to wind erosion increased as the Dc value increased.

Wide coverage but few quantitative data: Coarse sediments in the English Channel

Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) in the English Channel and along the coast of Normandy (France) will be installed on coarse sediments, which cover about 80% of the seabed of the English Channel. A BACI (Before After Control Impact) approach has been recommended by the French State for each of these OWFs. This provides the opportunity to acquire macrofauna data and assess the Ecological Quality Status in areas that are poorly sampled. In the case of the Dieppe-Le Tréport (DLT) OWF, for that, a sampling strategy was developed in 2014–2016 to establish a ‘Before’ state for the sediment and macrofauna. Results highlight that the DLT OWF project site includes three different sediment type: sandy Gravel (sG), gravelly Sand (gS) and medium Sand (mS). Taxonomic Richness and abundances are dominated by Annelids in all three habitats, followed by Arthropods and Molluscs. In terms of biomass, Molluscs (bivalves) are predominant in sG and gS, while Echinoderms and Polychaetes along with bivalves represent a high fraction of the biomass in mS. Surface Deposit Feeders are the most important group in terms of abundance, while Filter feeders largely dominate the biomass. The benthic indices based on abundances reveal a high Ecological Quality Status for the three sediment types. However, due to the predominant contribution of the bivalve Glycymeris glycymeris to the biomass, the habitat quality appears to vary from moderate to bad. In comparison with other similar habitats, the Taxonomic Richness and Abundances of coarse sediments and medium sand are in the same order of magnitude as other sites. However, the biomasses are among the highest so far recorded, reflecting the importance of this area as a hotspot of biomass in the English Channel.

A laboratory investigation of the compaction properties of road sub-base stabilised with cement and latex copolymer.

The quality of road pavements is an important factor to ensure an acceptable level of service and safety to the road users. When flexible road pavements are to be constructed on weak sub-grade soils, it is often necessary to provide a stabilised sub-base to improve their relevant engineering properties. This paper presents the results and observations from a laboratory investigation evaluating the compaction properties of road sub-base stabilised with Type I cement (ordinary Portland cement) and styrene-butadiene latex copolymer. The proposed polymer contents were 0.5%, 0.75%, 1% and 2% and the proposed cement contents were 2%, 3% and 5%. The 2.5kg rammer compaction test was conducted on the gravelly SAND and sandy GRAVEL samples. It was found that the maximum dry densities (MDD) for the untreated soil samples were higher than the cement-polymer-treated soil samples, indicating that the MDD values decrease when cement and polymer are added. The MDD values for gravelly SAND and sandy GRAVEL treated with cement-polymer lied between 2Mg/m3+0.03Mg/m3 and 2.09Mg/m3+0.04Mg/m3 respectively. The optimum moisture contents for gravelly SAND and sandy GRAVEL treated with cement-polymer were maintained at 9%+0.5%. The air void lines for gravelly SAND and sandy GRAVEL lied between 7%+1% and 3%+1% respectively.

Stratigraphic evolution of Silurian-Devonian deposits from Amazonas basin, north Brazil, and implication for the west Gondwana

The Silurian-Devonian transition in the southern margin of Amazonas Basin registers a transgressive-regressive succession deposited in a paleogeographic scenario adjacent to the western margin of Occidental Gondwana. The Silurian deposits from Pitinga Formation represent siltstone/sandy-claystone bed shapes distributed in bodies of tabular geometry in coarsening upward and bioturbated cycles deposited in a shoreface environment. The Devonian deposits forming Maecuru Formation represent gravel sandy beds organized in fining-upward cycles within tabular bodies deposited in a braided fluvial environment. The contact between the units is marked by an outstanding Eodevonian erosive surface related to Precordillera Orogeny. The Eodevonian discordance is also present in the stratigraphy of other Paleozoic Brazilian Basins. Pitinga Formation is associated with deglaciation events observed in the Silurian final stages. The amplitude of continental exposition generated conditions for the installation of fluvial systems in which the braided style predominates during a transition from Silurian to Devonian in the Amazonas Basin southern margin.

Early Pennsylvanian fluvial - Aeolian interplay in the Amazonas Basin (central-western Gondwana) and its relation to marine transgression

The Monte Alegre Formation corresponds to the main reservoir rock in the Amazonas Basin petroleum system in Brazil and is correlated with the Pennsylvanian rocks of the Parnaíba and Solimões basins. Previous outcrop and well-based studies are concentrated on the southern edge of the basin and show that the Monte Alegre Formation basically represents an aeolian, deltaic and transitional marine succession. However, there is no published research that demonstrates the depositional system in the northern edge of Amazonas Basin. In this sense, outcrop-based facies and stratigraphic analysis is carried-out to understand the distal influence of marine incursion into the basin and its relationship with paleogeography in the Upper Carboniferous. The data show that the aeolian Monte Alegre system is represented by a braided fluvial system formed by five architectural elements: (i) sandy bedform, (ii) downstream-accretion macroform, (iii) gravel bars and bedforms, (iv) channel and (v) laminated sand sheets, pointing to a braided depositional system. The aeolian succession overlies the fluvial system and is represented by medium-scale trough cross-bedding and large-scale planar cross-bedded sandstones resulting from the accumulation and migration of transverse dunes toward the northwest that grade upward to dry interdunes and aeolian sand sheet deposits that are interbedded, consisting basically of translatent ripple cross-lamination and low-angle cross-stratified lamination sandstones related to water table raises. The stratigraphic record defines a wetting-upward stacking pattern of Monte Alegre Formation resulting from local sea level rise as a result the advance of the marine incursion that settled in the central-western region of Gondwana during the Late Carboniferous. Thus, in addition to corroborating the paleo wind directions predicted for the region during the Late Carboniferous, these deposits help to understand the paleoenvironmental relations between the northern and southern edges of the Amazonas Basin.

An assessment of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is an attractive landscape and a center of dynamic economic activity; however, it is subject to negative impacts from tourism, activity in its harbor, mining, industry, and urbanization, which is evidenced by the presence of pollutants, including heavy metals, in surface sediment at the bay. To ascertain the extent of the anthropogenic impact, 48 surface sediment samples were collected and analyzed for grain size and the presence of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd). Thirteen sediment types were identified in Ha Long Bay: sand, muddy sand, silty sand, sandy mud, mud, silt, sandy gravel, muddy sandy gravel, gravelly mud, gravelly muddy sand, slightly gravelly sandy mud, slightly gravelly sand, and sandy silt; of these, sandy silt and silty sand are the most common, while the others are less so. Regarding the concentration of heavy metals in the sediment, Cu concentration ranges from 3.80 to 41.72 mg/kg, with an average of 14.53 mg/kg; Pb ranges from 10.17 to 69.90 mg/kg, with an average of 30.39 mg/kg; Zn ranges from 6.34 to 119.21 mg/kg, with an average of 50.87 mg/kg; Cd ranges from 0.03 to 0.20 mg/kg, with an average of 0.08 mg/kg; As ranges from 1.78 to 13.71 mg/kg, with an average of 6.06 mg/kg. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, and As are higher than the Interim Sediment Quality Guideline (ISQG) levels at stations near the shoreline, and lower than the ISQG levels distributed throughout offshore stations.

Influence of non-plastic fine on static iquefaction and undrained monotonic behavior of sandy gravel

Many geological hazards such as landslide, liquefaction, slope failure and rockfall occur in mixed gravelly alluvium or colluvium deposits, highlighting the importance of studying gravel–sand–silt mixtures. Although many natural strata are built using these mixtures, they are not entirely understood. A fundamental experimental study was designed to explore the influence of non-plastic fine content on the undrained behavior of gravel-sand-silt mixtures as common geomaterials in nature. Undrained monotonic triaxial tests were carried out. Three types of sandy gravels with different sand-to-gravel ratios were selected as base gravels. The impacts of the non-plastic fine content on the stress–strain behavior, static liquefaction potential, steady sate line, residual strength and critical state friction angle were studied. The laboratory results show that both sand-to-gravel ratio and non-plastic fine content have significant impacts on the undrained response of gravelly mixtures. It was observed that mixtures with zero non-plastic fines content exhibit the non-flow liquefaction behavior. However, adding silt content up to 45% shows the limited liquefaction or flow behavior, depending on the base gravelly soils and fine content percentage. A threshold for non-plastic fine content was found to be 35%–45%. Below this threshold, the steady state line shifts downward as silt content increases, and then shifts upward with further increase in the silt contents. The identical trend was also noted for residual strength and critical state friction angle. For silt contents below the threshold, the equivalent intergranular void ratio concept (modified with a new logical assumption) was used to analyze the behavior of gravelly mixtures. The results clearly indicate that the accurate value of equivalent intergranular void ratio can fully explain the behavior of sandy gravel-fine mixtures, similar to sand-fine mixtures. From a microstructure perspective, both sand and silt content act as fine-grains in gravelly mixtures and should be considered when studying the mechanical properties of theses mixtures.

Metabarcoding Cyanobacteria in coastal waters and sediment in central and southern Adriatic Sea

Seasonal sampling of the seawater column and sediment in Adriatic coastal areas affected by various anthropogenic activities, primarily aquaculture, was conducted during 2017. In total, 32 samples from two sites (central and southern Adriatic) were analysed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. This approach was selected to test the possibilities of using metabarcoding in studying marine cyanobacteria, exploring their ecology and potential as an indicator group in anthropologically stressed coastal environments. Additionally, physicochemical water column parameters, sediment granulometry and composition were assessed. Water column revealed a seasonal variation of amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) closely related to Cyanobium PCC-6307, Prochlorococcus MIT9313 and Synechococcus CC9902, as well as seasonal grouping of physico-chemical parameters in PCA analysis. Sediment analysis uncovered greater community richness of 13 cyanobacterial genera and two uncultured groups. The most abundant in sandy gravels and gravelly sand type of sediments were ASVs closely related to Pleurocapsa PCC-7319 and Xenococcus PCC-7305. Furthermore, identified cyanobacterial ASVs predominantly displayed similarity to isolates from tropical areas (e.g. Neolyngbya, Chroococcidiopsis, Trichodesmium, etc.), which could indicate the tropicalization process already ongoing in the fish fauna of the Adriatic Sea.

Earth pressure balance shield tunneling in sandy gravel deposits: a case study of application of soil conditioning

Earth pressure balance shield (EPBS) tunneling techniques originally developed for fine-grained soil deposits have been adopted in a growing number of tunneling projects where challenging geological conditions, such as those with coarse-grained soils, are encountered. However, successful application of EPBS tunneling with soil conditioning could fully address technical challenges during tunneling in coarse-grained strata, such as tunnel face instability, blocking or clogging, severe wear of cutting tools, and low-effiency tunneling. In this paper, a comprehensive case study is presented that EPBS tunneling was successfully used in Beijing Metro Xijiao line with the aid of soil conditioning, where sandy gravel deposit with unfavorable particle size distribution, poor flowabilty, high permeability, and high abrasiveness was encountered. A series of both laboratory and in situ testing was carried to evaluate foaming agents, develop soil conditioning schemes, and verify their effectiveness of modifying the sandy gravel for EPBS tunneling purpose. The homogeneity, workability, permeability, and abrasivity of foamed soils were tested in the laboratory to develop soil conditioning schemes while the effectiveness of soil conditioning schemes during in situ tunneling was further evaluated with slump test and visual inspection. Parameters, such as foam expansion ratio (FER), half-life period, and foam injection ratio (FIR), which are used to evaluate the behavior of foaming agent and performance of conditioning schemes and tunneling schemes, were also discussed.

Liquefaction case studies of gravelly soils during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake caused widespread liquefaction of gravelly soils (i.e., gravelly sands and sandy gravels), which phenomena show many differences compared to those of typical sands. To study the liquefaction mechanism and triggering evaluation of gravelly soils during this event, comprehensive case studies with measurement of shear wave velocity on both liquefied and non-liquefied sites were carried out according to a suite of recommended procedures for site investigation, field testing and data processing. Three typical cases were provided to illustrate the distinct characteristics of ground motion, liquefaction manifestation, soil profiles and field testing, and explore the possible mechanisms of liquefaction. Eighty-one well identified case histories were obtained, which feature the updated estimation of ground motion parameters from the USGS ShakeMap and the probabilistic treatment of the datasets. The preliminary analyses on liquefaction triggering boundary curves, shear wave velocities of these case histories and the applicability of the Ishihara criterion (1985) indicate that the gravel content plays a key role in the liquefaction mechanism and the consequences of gravelly soil deposits, and the liquefaction evaluation of gravelly sands and sandy gravels should be treated separately.

In-situ Observations of Infragravity Response during Extreme Storms on Sand and Gravel Beaches

Billson, O.J.; Russell, P.; Davidson, M.; Poate, T.; Amoudry, L.O., and Williams, M.E., 2020. In-situ observations of infragravity response during extreme storms on sand and gravel beaches. Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 382–386. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Infragravity waves (frequency = 0.005 – 0.05 Hz) play a key role in coastal storm impacts such as flooding and beach/dune erosion. They are known to dominate the inner surf zone on low-sloping sandy beaches during storms. However, in large wave conditions, their importance on different beach types, of variable swell and wind-waves dominance, is largely unknown. Here, a new dataset is presented comprising in-situ observations during storm wave conditions (significant wave height of 3.3 m, peak periods of 18 s and return periods up to 1 in 60 years) from two contrasting sites: a low-sloping sandy beach and a steep gravel beach. Wave measurements were collected seaward of the breakpoint by wave buoys and bed-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers, and through the surf zone using arrays of pressure transducers. Wave spectra showed contrasting evolution from the shoaling zone to the inner surf zone at the two sites. At the sandy beach, gravity band energy dissipated gradually as depth reduced, while infragravity band energy simultaneously increased, resulting in strongly infragravity-dominated wave spectra in the inner surf zone. At the steep gravel site, a rapid drop in short wave energy was observed, with limited growth of infragravity energy so that inner surf zone spectra showed a low energy peak in the infragravity band. The normalized bed slope parameter indicated whether infragravity waves were generated by bound long wave release or breakpoint forcing, showing that the former (latter) was dominant on the sandy (gravel) beach. In spite of these differences, the shoreline wave spectra under storm wave conditions were infragravity-dominated on both the sandy and gravel beaches.

Experimental study on the effect of fine contents on internal erosion in natural soil deposits

Seepage-induced internal erosion is observed in both artificially engineered fill structures and natural soil deposits. Fine content is of great significance for the fabric of soil. This paper aimed to determine the critical fine contents of natural soil deposits beyond which the internal stability of the mix was distinctly altered and illustrate the internal erodibility from the viewpoint of fabric. To this end, a fixed-wall permeameter capable of accurately detecting the critical hydraulic gradient of erosion initiation and collecting the cumulative eroded soil mass at a constant inflow rate was developed. Silty clay particles and sandy gravel particles extracted from original soil were employed to reconstitute specimens with fine contents ranging from 0 to 100%. Porosity measurement, seepage testing, and direct shear testing were conducted on remolded samples. Companion control specimens were tested under different flow rates to verify the applicability of the experimental device. The results indicate that according to critical fine content, the fabric of the soil samples with different fine contents could be split into coarse-particle-supported structure (CPSS), fine-particle-supported structure (FPSS), and transitional coarse–fine-particle-supported structure (TCFP). The newly developed experimental device provides a feasible methodology to investigate the internal erodibility of natural soil deposits. Different fabrics correspond to disparate shear strengths and distinct erosion characteristics, including the critical hydraulic gradient of erosion initiation, cumulative eroded soil mass, and average hydraulic conductivity. For coarse-particle-supported structure specimens, the coarse particles predominantly govern the mechanical and hydromechanical properties. An increase in fine content within pores formed by coarse particles could increase shear strength and reduce susceptibility to internal erosion. The mechanical and hydromechanical properties of FPSS specimens were basically controlled by fine particles. Coarse particles suspended in a fine matrix could somewhat increase the soil’s shear strength and reduce internal erodibility. TCFP specimens were most vulnerable to internal erosion in terms of minimum critical hydraulic shear stress and maximum cumulative eroded soil mass. It is essential to expand the scope of research to cover the transitional coarse–fine-grain-supported structure instead of remaining limited to the coarse-grain-supported structure.