Numerical simulation of rock deformation during the mineralization of the Xiangshan uranium deposit, Jiangxi province, south China

The Xiangshan uranium deposit in Jiangxi province is one of the most important uranium deposits in China. The aim of our study is to obtain a better understanding of rock deformation and dilation associated with mineralization, to predict the most favorable locations of mineralization, and to assist with future mineral exploration in this deposit. On the basis of geological and structural data from previous studies, we have constructed a coupled deformation and fluid flow numerical model and simulated the faulting deformation and major mechanical factors controlling mineralization in the deposit. Particular attention has been paid to variations in regional stress, distributions of shear strain, volumetric strain and pore pressure. The relationship between the struc-tural/faulting movement and mineralization is obtained through analyzing the deformation state of fault zones. The results suggest that the mineralization is related to volumetric strain, shear strain and pore pressures. The locations displaying all these factors rep-resent the most favorable sites for mineralization. These model results are important for guiding the exploration of new uranium deposits in Xiangshan.

Effect of mechanical activation on alkali leaching of chromite ore

Mechanical activation was used to improve the extraction of chromium in molten NaOH.It is observed that the extraction ratio reaches 97% after leaching for 200 min when chromite ore is mechanically activated for 10 min,but only 34% if not activated.Mechanical activation can decrease the particle size,increase the surface area,and enhance the lattice distortion.Further,the mechanisms for mechanical activation were exposed.The results show that the mechanical activation mainly focuses on chromite ore particle size decrease and the lattice distortion.The formation of aggregation weakens the strengthening effect of mechanical activation for releasing high surface energy.

Behaviour of large post-liquefaction deformation in saturated sand-gravel composites

The laboratory tests on the post-liquefaction deformation of saturated sand-gravel composites were performed to investigate the characteristics of stress-strain relation and the dissipation of pore water pressure by the hollow cylinder apparatus. It is found that the stress-strain response and the dissipation process of pore water pressure are composed of three stages, including the low intensive strength stage, the superlinear strength recovery stage and the sublinear strength recovery stage, and the demarcation points of the curve of pore water pressure are lag behind those of the stress-strain response. The comparison results of the behaviour of large post-liquefaction deformation between saturated sand-gravel composites and Nanjing fine sand show that the low intensive strength stage and the superlinear strength recovery stage of saturated sand-gravel composites are shorter while the sublinear strength recovery stage is longer. A stress-strain model and a dissipation model of excess pore water pressure of liquefied sand-gravel composites are established, in which the initial confining pressure and the relative density can be considered synthetically. And it is found that the predicted results by the two models are in good agreement with experimental data.

Numerical modelling rock deformation subject to nitrogen cooling to study permeability evolution

How to model the permeability evolution of rock subjected to liquid nitrogen cooling is a key issue. This paper proposes a simple but practical method to study the permeability evolution of rocks subject to liquid nitrogen cooling. FLAC with FISH function was employed to numerically model the rock behavior under cooling. The enhanced perme- ability of the volumetric strain was defined, and the permeability was directly evaluated based on element＇s volumetric strain. Detailed procedures for implementing the evolution model of permeability in this paper were presented. A case study was carried out to simulate a coal bed where liquid nitrogen was injected in the bore hole. And a semi-submerged test of liquid nitrogen was performed. The method to model the permeability evolution of rocks subject to liquid nitrogen shock in this paper was proved to be right by the test results. This simulation results are discussed with the hope to provide some insight into understanding the nitrogen cooling practice.

Age, Growth and Distribution of the Antarctic Fish Chaenocephalus Aceratus Based on Otoliths

The Chaenocephalus aceratus were sampled in summers between 1979 and 1990. Their otoliths show pattern of daily microincrements as otoliths of similar species--Pseudochaenichthys georgianus and fishes both temperate and tropical waters. Changes of the microincrements growth pattern and otolith shape are described in relation to larval, hatching and metamorphosis stages have similar patterns for Ps. georgianus and Charnpsocephalus gunnari, reflecting similar habitats in their early life. Width of larvae-postlarvae daily increments are： （1.0-1.6）×10-3 SSI, （1.8-2.8）×10-3 SG1 and （1.5-2.4）×10-3 ANI. They were search and chosen automatically from density profiles of otolith tissues. Tissues were prepared by new saving time and materials way--one time up to 40 ones per microscopic glass. Age of fish estimated from microincrements was alike to that inferred from the body length distribution, otoliths mass （age （years） = 140.82 OM （g） ＋ 0.8546） and otolith shape changes--large in length and surface on medial plane. Those parameters create age groups of close neighbours. They have different environments. C. aceratus due to its adaptation to cold water, attain rapidly large body according to a growth equation： Lt= 75.1 ×10-3 （1-e-0.26（t-0.51）. Among large fishes there were only females.

Analysis of Morphological Processes in a Disturbed Gravel-Bed River （Piave River）： Integration of LiDAR Data and Colour Bathymetry

The magnitude of river morphological changes are better analyzed through the use of quantitative approaches, wherein resolution accuracy and uncertainty assessment are treated as crucial key-factors. In this sense, the creation of precise DEMs （Digital Elevation Models） of rivers represents an affordable tool to analyze geomorphic variations and budgets, except for wetted areas, where reliable channel digitalization can normally be obtained only using expensive bathymetric surveys. The proposed work aims at improving channel surface models without having available bathymetric sensors, by deriving dry areas elevations from LiDAR data and water depth of wetted areas from aerial photos through a predictive depth-colour relationship. The methodology was applied to two different sub-reaches of the Piave River, a gravel-bed river which suffered severe flood events in 2010. Erosion and deposition patterns were identified through DEM differencing, showing a predominance of scour processes which can lead to channel instability situations. The bathymetric output was compared to other previously-derived models confirming the accuracy of the in-channel elevation estimates. Finally, a discussion on the role played by longitudinal protections during the studied flood events is proposed, focusing the attention on the incidence of two major bank erosions that removed significant volumes of stable areas.

Plastic zone analysis and support optimization of shallow roadway with weakly cemented soft strata

Based on a shallow roadway with weakly cemented soft strata in western China, this paper studies the range and degree of plastic zones in soft strata roadways with weak cementation. Geological radars were used to monitor the loose range and level of surrounding rocks. A mechanical model of weakly cemented roadway was established, including granular material based on the measured results. The model was then used to determine the plastic zone radium. The predicted results agree well with measured results which provide valuable theoretical references for the analysis of surrounding rock stability and support reinforcing design of weakly cemented roadways. Finally, a combined supporting scheme of whole section bolting and grouting was proposed based on the original supporting scheme. It is proved that this support plan can effectively control the deformation and plastic zone expansion of the roadway surrounding rock and thus ensure the long-term stable and safe mining.

Determination of volumetric changes at an underground stone mine： a photogrammetry case study

Photogrammetry, as a tool for monitoring underground mine deformation, is an alternative to traditional point measurement devices, and may be capable of accurate measurements in situations where technolo- gies such as laser scanning are unsuited, undesired, or cost-prohibitive. An underground limestone mine in Ohio is used as a test case for monitoring of structurally unstable pillars. Seven pillars were pho- tographed over in a 63 day period, punctuated by four visits. Using photogrammetry, point clouds of the mine geometry were obtained and triangulation surfaces were generated to determine volumes of change over time. Pillar spaUing in the range of 0.29-4.03 m3 of rock on individual rib faces was detected. Isolated incidents of rock expansion prior to failure, and the isolated failure of a weak shale band were also observed. Much of the pillars remained unchanged during the monitoring period, which is indicative of proper alignment in the triangulated surfaces. The photographs of some ribs were of either too poor quality or had insufficient overlap, and were not included. However, photogrammetry was successfully aonlied to multiole ribs in auantifving the oillar geometrv change over time.

Role of plastic deformation in tailoring ultrafine microstructure in nanotwinned diamond for enhanced hardness

Nanotwinned diamond（nt-diamond）,which demonstrates unprecedented hardness and stability,is synthesized through the martensitic transformation of onion carbons at high pressure and high temperature（HPHT）.Its hardness and stability increase with decreasing twin thickness at the nanoscale.However,the formation mechanism of nanotwinning substructures within diamond nanograins is not well established.Here,we characterize the nanotwins in nt-diamonds synthesized under different HPHT conditions.Our observation shows that the nanotwin thickness reaches a minimum at ~20 GPa,below which phase-transformation twins and deformation twins coexist.Then,we use the density-functional-based tight-binding method and kinetic dislocation theory to investigate the subsequent plastic deformation mechanism in these pre-existing phase-transformation diamond twins.Our results suggest that pressure-dependent conversion of the plastic deformation mechanism occurs at a critical synthetic pressure for nt-diamond,which explains the existence of the minimum twin thickness.Our findings provide guidance on optimizing the synthetic conditions for fabricating nt-diamond with higher hardness and stability.

Fusulinid species determination based on population variation:An example from Eopolydiexodina

To make fusulinid morphospecies more accordant with biological species, it is necessary and reasonable to constrain the conventional determination of fusulinid species with population-level morphological variation. As an example, morphospecies identification on population level was conducted on Eopolydiexodina specimens from a single bed of the Middle Permian Shazipo Formation of Xiaoxinzhai Section in western Yunnan, China. These specimens were identified with the consideration of fossil population by morphometric analysis of their characteristic morphological variates (diameter of proloculus, size and ratio of inner and outer volutions). The results reveal that the studied variates have wide but overall continuous variation and generally follow the normal distribution. The studied individuals, therefore, have consistent morphological variation with a single population and should belong to one fusulinid morphospecies. This study supports the assumption that fusulinid individuals of one genus from the same bed in one locality should constitute a single fossil population.