Model of rigid and elastic-plastic motion in intraplate blocks and strain status of principal blocks in Chinese mainland

The model of rigid and elastic-plastic motion and strain in intraplate blocks is established in the paper. The unique of strain parameters and minimum root-mean-square error of velocity residual of blocks are tested in the model. Based on the velocity fields in Chinese mainland and its peripheral areas, the strain parameters of 8 blocks are estimated and their strain status analyzed. The estimated strain status of each block is well consistent with those derived by the methods of geology and geophysics. The principal direction of collision force from India plate to Eurasia plate estimated from the azimuth of principal compressive strain of Himalaya block might be N7.1°E.

Database-oriented storage based on LMDB and linear octree for massive block model

Data organization requires high efficiency for large amount of data applied in the digital mine system. A new method of storing massive data of block model is proposed to meet the characteristics of the database, including ACID-compliant, concurrency support, data sharing, and efficient access. Each block model is organized by linear octree, stored in LMDB（lightning memory-mapped database）. Geological attribute can be queried at any point of 3D space by comparison algorithm of location code and conversion algorithm from address code of geometry space to location code of storage. The performance and robustness of querying geological attribute at 3D spatial region are enhanced greatly by the transformation from 3D to 2D and the method of 2D grid scanning to screen the inner and outer points. Experimental results showed that this method can access the massive data of block model, meeting the database characteristics. The method with LMDB is at least 3 times faster than that with etree, especially when it is used to read. In addition, the larger the amount of data is processed, the more efficient the method would be.

Present-day movement characteristics of the Qinghai Nanshan fault and its surrounding area from GPS observation

The Qinghai Nanshan fault is a larger fault in the Northeastern Xizang Plateau.In previous studies,its movement characteristics are mainly investigated with geological and seismic observations,and the tectonic transformation role of the fault on its east is not yet clear.This study uses data fusion to obtain denser GPS observations near the Qinghai Nanshan fault.Based on tectonic characteristics,we establish a block model to investigate the fault slip rate,locking degree,and slip deficit.The results show that the Qinghai Nanshan fault slip rate is characterized by sinistral and convergent movement.Both the sinistral and convergent rates display a decreasing trend from west to east.The locking degree and slip deficit are higher in the western segment(with an average of about 0.74 and 1.1 mm/a)and lower in the eastern segment.Then,we construct a strain rate field using GPS observations to analyze the regional strain characteristics.The results indicate that along the fault,the western segment shows a larger shear strain rate and negative dilation rate.Regional earthquake records show that the frequency of earthquakes is lower near the fault.The joint results suggest that the western segment may have a higher earthquake risk.In addition,the insignificant fault slip rate in the eastern segment may indicate that it does not participate in the tectonic transformation among the Riyueshan,Lajishan,and West Qinling faults.

Circle geometric constraint model for open-pit mine ore-matching and its applications

The circle geometric constraint model （CGCM） was put forward for resolving the open-pit mine ore-matching problems （OMOMP）. By adopting the approaches of graph theory, block model of blasted piles was abstracted into a set of nodes and directed edges, which were connected together with other nodes in the range of circle constraints, to describe the mining sequence. Also, the constructing method of CGCM was introduced in detail. The algorithm of CGCM has been realized in the DIM1NE system, and applied to a short-term （5 d） program calculation for ore-matching of a cement limestone mine in Hebei Province, China. The applications show that CGCM can well describe the mining sequence of ore blocks and its mining geometric constraints in the process of mining blasted piles. This model, which is applicable for resolving OMOMP under complicated geometric constraints with accurate results, provides effective ways to solve the problems of open-pit ore-matching.

Seismic traveltime inversion of 3D velocity model with triangulated interfaces

Seismic traveltime tomographic inversion has played an important role in detecting the internal structure of the solid earth. We use a set of blocks to approximate geologically complex media that cannot be well described by layered models or cells. The geological body is described as an aggregate of arbitrarily shaped blocks,which are separated by triangulated interfaces. We can describe the media as homogenous or heterogeneous in each block. We define the velocities at the given rectangle grid points for each block,and the heterogeneous velocities in each block can be calculated by a linear interpolation algorithm. The parameters of the velocity grid positions are independent of the model parameterization,which is advantageous in the joint inversion of the velocities and the node depths of an interface. We implement a segmentally iterative ray tracer to calculate traveltimes in the 3D heterogeneous block models.The damped least squares method is employed in seismic traveltime inversion,which includes the partial derivatives of traveltime with respect to the depths of nodes in the triangulated interfaces and velocities defined in rectangular grids. The numerical tests indicate that the node depths of a triangulated interface and homogeneous velocity distributions can be well inverted in a stratified model.

Model analysis of crust motion in the Chinese mainland by CMONOC

We report a new horizontal Global Positioning System velocity field in the Chinese mainland from the data analysis of about 2000 GPS sites observed in 2009, 2011 and 2013 through three campaigns of the CMONOC project. Assuming the crustal block to characterize their kinematic behaviors, we estimate parameters of 22 crustal blocks to fit the GPS-derived velocity by using GIPSY software. We restrict us to compare two competing models in which the rigid blocks and the deforming blocks are involved. Our modeling suggests that the most crustal blocks characterized by coherent movement and internal strain may be better in describing the kinematics of crustal deformation in the Chinese mainland.

Integrating artificial neural networks and geostatistics for optimum 3D geological block modeling in mineral reserve estimation:A case study

In this research, a method called ANNMG is presented to integrate Artificial Neural Networks and Geostatistics for optimum mineral reserve evaluation. The word ANNMG simply means Artificial Neural Network Model integrated with Geostatiscs, In this procedure, the Artificial Neural Network was trained, tested and validated using assay values obtained from exploratory drillholes. Next, the validated model was used to generalize mineral grades at known and unknown sampled locations inside the drilling region respectively. Finally, the reproduced and generalized assay values were combined and fed to geostatistics in order to develop a geological 3D block model. The regression analysis revealed that the predicted sample grades were in close proximity to the actual sample grades, The generalized grades from the ANNMG show that this process could be used to complement exploration activities thereby reducing drilling requirement. It could also be an effective mineral reserve evaluation method that could oroduce optimum block model for mine design.

Integration of three-dimensional continuum model and two-dimensional bonded block model for studying the damage process in a granite pillar at the Creighton Mine,Sudbury,Canada

Bonded blockmodel(BBM)has shownpotential in replicating rockmass behavior aswell as the rockesupport interactionmechanism,but their practical application is limited totwo dimensions due to the high associated computational demand.To allow for the use of BBM in simulating three-dimensional(3D)problems,this study proposes an integrated 3D continuumetwo-dimensional(2D)discontinuum approach,in context of rock pillars.A cross-section of a granite pillar was simulated using a BBM with a load path from a calibrated mine-scale FLAC^(3D)model.Pillar support as employed in the mine was also incorporated in different stages during the simulation.Themodel was calibrated by varying the input parameters until the displacements at six locations within the pillarmatchedthosemeasuredby amulti-point borehole extensometer(MPBX)inthe field.The calibratedmodel was subsequently used to understand how the support and load path influenced the damage evolution in the pillar.The shear component of the load pathwas found to have amajor effect on the severity and extent of the damaged regions.When the support density was increased in the model,the lateral displacements along the pillar walls were significantly suppressed in a somewhat unpredictable manner.Thiswas explained by the interaction between the supports and the damaged regions at the corners,which ultimately modified the stresses along the pillar periphery.The amount of displacement reduction obtained by increasing the support density illustrates the potential of BBMto be used as a support design tool.

GEODYNAMICAL MODELING OF CRUSTAL DEFORMATION OF THE NORTH CHINA BLOCK

The North China block,the western portion of the Sino- Korean Craton,is rounded byYanshanian in the north and Qinling- Dabie orogenic belts in the south.The widespread de-velopment of extensional basins in thisblock indicates horizontal extension or continued thin-ning of a previousely thickened,unstable lithosphere throughout the Mesozoic.In this pa-per,we attempt to simulate numerically the geodynamical process of the basin formation byusing the mountain- basin evolution system.We assume thatthe formation of numeroussedi-mentary basins in the North China block is the resultofthe crustal extension,which destruc-ts rapidly the previously thickened crust.The gravitational collapse of the thickened crust ispossibly triggered by the re- orientation of the far- field stress regime,or the relaxation of theboundary resistantstress.

Assessment of Flood Catastrophe Risk for Grain Production at the Provincial Scale in China Based on the BMM Method

Flood catastrophe risk assessment is imperative for the steady development of agriculture under the context of global climate change,and meanwhile,it is an urgent scientific issue need to be solved in agricultural risk assessment discipline.This paper developed the methodology of flood catastrophe risk assessment,which can be shown as the standard process of crop loss calculation,Monte Carlo simulation,the generalized extreme value distribution（GEV） fitting,and risk evaluation.Data on crop loss were collected based on hectares covered by natural disasters,hectares affected by natural disasters,and hectares destroyed by natural disasters using the standard equation.Monte Carlo simulation based on appropriate distribution was used to expand sample size to overcome the insufficiency of crop loss data.Block maxima model（BMM） approach based on the extreme value theory was for modeling the generalized extreme value distribution（GEV） of flood catastrophe loss,and then flood catastrophe risk at the provincial scale in China was calculated.The Type III Extreme distribution（Weibull） has a weighted advantage of modeling flood catastrophe risk for grain production.The impact of flood catastrophe to grain production in China was significantly serious,and high or very high risk of flood catastrophe mainly concentrates on the central and eastern regions of China.Given the scenario of suffering once-in-a-century flood disaster,for majority of the major-producing provinces,the probability of 10% reduction of grain output is more than 90%.Especially,the probabilities of more than 15% decline in grain production reach up to 99.99,99.86,99.69,and 91.60% respectively in Anhui,Jilin,Liaoning,and Heilongjiang.Flood catastrophe assessment can provide multifaceted information about flood catastrophe risk that can help to guide management of flood catastrophe.

Risk reduction in Sechahun iron ore deposit by geological boundary modification using multiple indicator Kriging

Uncertainty on the geological contacts and the block volumes of the models along boundaries is often a major part of the global uncertainty of reserve estimation.This work introduces a geostatistical technique that has been developed and tested in an iron ore deposit at Bafq mining district,in central Iran,and that,based on a probability criterion,helps to objectively model the geometry of this iron ore deposit.The main problem in reserve estimation of this ore body is its geometrical modeling and uncertainty in geological boundaries.This work deals with the geostatistical method of multiple indicator kriging,which is used to determine the real boundaries of ore body in different categories.This approach has potential to improve project performance and decrease operational risk.For this purpose,the ore body is separated into two categories including rich iron zone(w(Fe)>45%)and poor iron zone(20%<w(Fe)<45%).It significantly benefits to decrease the risk of reserve evaluation in the deposit.This case study also highlights the value of multiple indicator kriging as a tool for estimates the position of grade boundaries within the deposit.Comparison of the resultant probability maps with the real ore/waste contacts on the extracted levels shows that the first indicator model could separate the whole ore body(poor plus rich)from the waste zone by probability of more than 0.35,which concludes the total reserve of 53 million tons.The second indicator model applied to separate the rich and poor domains and the results show that the blocks with the estimated probability of equal to or more than 0.4 lay within the rich ore zone consisting of 15.8 million tons reserve.

Numerical simulation of land subsidence and verification of its character for an iron mine using sublevel caving

Combined with a digital bored photography system and in-situ statistics concerning the joints and fissures of both ore-body and surrounding rock,a 2D discrete model was constructed using UDEC.The stress field and displacement field changes of different sublevel stoping systems were also studied.Changes in the overlying rock strata settlement pattern has been analyzed and validated by in-situ monitoring data.The results show that:in the caving process,there exists an obvious delay and jump for the overlying rock strata displacement over time,and a stable arch can be formed in the process of caving,which leads to hidden goafs.Disturbed by the mining activity,a stress increase occurred in both the hanging wall and the foot wall,demonstrating a hump-shaped distribution pattern.From the comparison between simulation results and in-situ monitoring results,land subsidence shows a slow-development,suddenfailure,slow-development cycle pattern,which leads eventually to a stable state.This pattern validates the existence of balanced arch and hidden goafs.

Development and Testing of a Method to Estimate the Mineral Composition of Ore from Chemical Assays with a View toward Geometallurgy: Application to an Iron Ore Concentrator

For complex orebodies in which the valuable metal is carried by several minerals that respond differently to the concentration process, an ore block model should not be characterized solely with elemental assays, as this information is not sufficient to anticipate the mill performances. Data from an iron ore concentrator is used to demonstrate the idea. A method is then proposed to estimate the mineral contents of ore samples from elemental assays. The method can readily be extended to combine the estimation of the mineral contents in the feed of the mill with an estimation of the recovery of these minerals into the products of the concentrator. These mineral recoveries can subsequently be incorporated into a block model to predict the concentrator response to the processing of an ore block.

Slip Rates of the Major Faults on the Mid-southern Section of the North-South Seismic Belt Calculated from the Block Theory

In this paper, using the 1999 ~ 2007 GPS velocity field data, and by choosing the optimal block model, we obtained the deformation models applicable to the boundary zones of major blocks and the slip rates of block boundary faults on the mid-southern segment of the North-South Seismic Belt. The results show that： on the Longmenshan fault zone, the tensional and compressive slip rate is small on the Baoxing-Wenchuan segment, about 0. 5 ~ 1.8mm·a^-1, and the rate is relatively significant on the segment of the Wenchuan--Maoxian, as 1.8 ~3.8mm·a^-1; on the Xianshuihe fault belt, there is a certain difference in spatial distribution between the tensional slip rag.e and strike-slip rate： the tensional slip rate （ 8. lmm^a-1） is bigger than the sinistral strike-slip rate （ 4.8mm·a^-1） at the north of the Luhuo region; the tension and compression slip rate is basically the same as the strike-slip rate at Luhuo-Dawu; the Dawu-Kangding section presents a trend of decreased strike-slip rate and increased tensional slip rate; the Kangding-ghimian segment shows a strike-slip nature; the strike-slip rate is significantly greater than the tension/compression rate on the Xiaojiang fault zone; the slip rate on the Red River fault zone shows obvious spatial segmentation, the slip rate is smaller in its northwest part, but with a certain amount of tensional/compression component, 4. 7mm·a^-1 on the Jingdong segment. The segment east of Jingdong （ western Gejiu） is mainly of strike-slip, with a slip rate of 4. 5mm·a^-1.

Test on Stochastic Block Model:Local Smoothing and Extreme Value Theory

In this paper,to obtain a consistent estimator of the number of communities,the authors present a new sequential testing procedure,based on the locally smoothed adjacency matrix and the extreme value theory.Under the null hypothesis,the test statistic converges to the type I extreme value distribution,and otherwise,it explodes fast and the divergence rate could even reach n in the strong signal case where n is the size of the network,guaranteeing high detection power.This method is simple to use and serves as an alternative approach to the novel one in Lei(2016)using random matrix theory.To detect the change of the community structure,the authors also propose a two-sample test for the stochastic block model with two observed adjacency matrices.Simulation studies justify the theory.The authors apply the proposed method to the political blog data set and find reasonable group structures.

The present-day kinematics of the Tianshan orogenic belt constrained by GPS velocities

Since the late Cenozoic,the reactivated Tianshan orogenic belt has accommodated crustal shortening exceeding 200 km,primarily due to the far-field effects of the India-Eurasia plate collision.However,the details of the strain partitioning in the Tianshan Mountain range remain elusive.We interpret a new compilation of GPS velocities covering the whole Tianshan range with a classic elastic block model.Compared to previous studies with a block modeling approach,the Tianshan orogenic belt is further subdivided into several blocks based on geological fault traces and a clustering analysis approach.In addition to obvious crustal shortening on the bounding thrust faults of the Tianshan,our inverted fault slip rates also reveal that faults within the Tianshan orogenic belt,such as the Nalati Fault and the southern margin of the Issyk-Kul Lake Fault,which plays a crucial role in accommodating the tectonic crustal shortening.In the 72°E-78°E region,the internal shortening rate within the mountain is approximately 5-7 mm/yr.Besides crustal shortening,strike-slip motion occurs on faults in the interior of the mountain range as well as in the foreland fold-and-thrust belts,especially in the southern margin of the Tianshan.These findings suggest that the crustal deformation in the Tianshan Mountain range is more complex than previously thought,and the oblique convergence between the Tarim Basin and the Tianshan probably results in both strike-slip and thrust motion.

Quantifying multiple social relationships based on a multiplex stochastic block model

Online social networks have attracted great attention recently, because they make it easy to build social connections for people all over the world. However, the observed structure of an online social network is always the aggregation of multiple social relationships. Thus, it is of great importance for real-world networks to reconstruct the full network structure using limited observations. The multiplex stochastic block model is introduced to describe multiple social ties, where different layers correspond to different attributes(e.g., age and gender of users in a social network). In this letter, we aim to improve the model precision using maximum likelihood estimation, where the precision is defined by the cross entropy of parameters between the data and model. Within this framework, the layers and partitions of nodes in a multiplex network are determined by natural node annotations, and the aggregate of the multiplex network is available. Because the original multiplex network has a high degree of freedom, we add an independent functional layer to cover it, and theoretically provide the optimal block number of the added layer.Empirical results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method using four measures, i.e., error of link probability,cross entropy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and Bayes factor.

Impact of Wavelength-Routed Network Physical Topology on Blocking Probability Using a Dynamic Traffic Growth Model

We investigate the impact of network topology on blocking probability in wavelength-routed networks using a dynamic traffic growth model. The dependence of blocking on different physical parameters is assessed.