Weathering Characteristics of Sloping Fields in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

For the purpose of understanding the weathering characteristics of surface layers in purple mudstone sloping fields of the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China, oxide content of major elements, composition of clay minerals, magnetic susceptibility, and difference in weathering characteristics of surface layers under different slope gradients were determined. The results showed that the oxide content of Si, Al, and Fe ranged from 60% to 75% and the weathering coefficient with depth showed no trend along the slope gradient. Also, for gentle (10° and 15°) and intermediate (25° and 40°) slopes the clay relative diffraction peak for kaolinite at the surface between 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm declined with an increase in slope gradient, while the relative diffraction peak for kaolinite in weathered layers on steep slopes (50° and 60°) disappeared altogether. Magnetic susceptibility decreased with increasing depth and, for a given depth layer, decreased with an increase in slope gradient. Analysis of the oxide content, weathering coefficients, clay minerals, and magnetic susceptibility showed that in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, the pedogenesis of the weathering layer in purple mudstone sloping fields was weak with weaker soil formation going from gentle slope to steep slope.

Characteristics of viscous debris flow in a drainage channel with an energy dissipation structure

A new type of drainage channel with an energy dissipation structure has been proposed based on previous engineering experiences and practical requirements for hazard mitigation in earthquakeaffected areas.Experimental studies were performed to determine the characteristics of viscous debris flow in a drainage channel of this type with a slope of 15%.The velocity and depth of the viscous debris flow were measured,processed,and subsequently used to characterize the viscous debris flow in the drainage channel.Observations of this experiment showed that the surface of the viscous debris flow in a smooth drainage channel was smoother than that of a similar debris flow passing through the energy dissipation section in a channel of the new type studied here.However,the flow patterns in the two types of channels were similar at other points.These experimental results show that the depth of the viscous debris flow downstream of the energy dissipation structure increased gradually with the length of the energy dissipation structure.In addition,in the smooth channel,the viscous debris-flow velocity downstream of the energy dissipation structure decreased gradually with the length of the energy dissipation structure.Furthermore,theviscous debris-flow depth and velocity were slightly affected by variations in the width of the energy dissipation structure when the channel slope was 15%.Finally,the energy dissipation ratio increased gradually as the length and width of the energy dissipation structure increased;the maximum energy dissipation ratio observed was 62.9%(where B = 0.6m and L/w = 6.0).

Impacts of precipitation variation and soil and water conservation measures on runoff and sediment yield in the Loess Plateau Gully Region, China

The Loess Plateau of China has experienced a lengthy drought and severe soil erosion.Changes in precipitation and land use largely determine the dynamics of runoff and sediment yield in this region. Trend and mutation analyses were performed on hydrological data(1981–2012) from the Yanwachuan watershed in the Loess Plateau Gully Region to study the evolution characteristics of runoff and sediment yield. A time-series contrasting method also was used to evaluate the effects of precipitation and soil and water conservation(SWC) on runoff and sediment yield. Annual sediment yield declined markedly from 1981 to 2012 although there was no significant change in annual precipitation and annual runoff. Change points of annual runoff and annual sediment yield occurred in 1996 and 1997,respectively. Compared with that in the baseline period(1981–1996), annual runoff and annual sediment yield in the change period(1997–2012)decreased by 17.0% and 76.0%, respectively, but annual precipitation increased by 6.3%. Runoff decreased in the flood season and normal season, but increased in the dry season, while sediment yield significantly declined in the whole study period. The SWC measures contributed significantly to the reduction of annual runoff(137.9%) and annual sediment yield(135%) and were more important than precipitation. Biological measures(forestland and grassland) accounted for 61.04% of total runoff reduction, while engineering measures(terraces and dams) accounted for 102.84% of total sediment yield reduction. Furthermore, SWC measures had positive ecological effects. This study provides a scientific basis for soil erosion control on the Loess Plateau.

Comparison of satellite-estimated and model-forecasted rainfall data during a deadly debris-flow event in Zhouqu, Northwest China

The data of several rainfall products, including those estimated from satellite measurements and those forecasted via numerical weather modeling, for a severe debris-flow event in Zhouqu, Northwest China, are compared and analyzed in this paper. The satellite products, including CPC MORPHing technique（CMORPH）, TMPA-RT, and PERSIANN are all near-real-time retrieved with high temporal and spatial resolutions. The numerical weather model used in this paper for precipitation forecasting is WRF. The results show that all three satellite products can basically reproduce the rainfall pattern, distribution, timing, scale, and extreme values of the event, compared with gauge data. Their temporal and spatial correlation coefficients with gauge data are as high as about 0.6, which is statistically significant at 0.01 level. The performance of the forecasted results modeled with different spatial resolutions are not as good as the satellite-estimated results, although their correlation coefficients are still statistically significant at 0.05 level. From the total rainfall and extreme value time series for the domain, it is clear that, from the grid-to-grid perspective, the passive microwave-based CMORPH and TRMM products are more accurate than the infrared-based PERSIANN, while PERSIANN performs very well from the general point of view, especially when considering the whole domain or the whole convective precipitation system. The forecasted data — especially the highest resolution model domain data — are able to represent the total or mean precipitation very well in the research domain, while for extreme values the errors are large. This study suggests that satellite-retrieved and model-forecasted rainfall data are a useful complement to gauge data, especially for areas without gauge stations and areas not covered by weather radars.

Influence of Housing and Urban Development on Debris Flow Flooding and Deposition

Debris flows form deposits when they reach an alluvial fan until they eventually stop.However,houses located in the alluvial fan might affect the debris flow flooding and deposition processes.Few previous studies have considered the effects of houses on debris flow flooding and deposition.This study conducted model experiments and numerical simulations using the Kanako2D debris flow simulator to determine the influence of houses on debris flow flooding and deposition.The model experiments showed that when houses are present,the debris flow spreads widely in the cross direction immediately upstream of the houses,especially when the flow discharge is large or the grain size is small.Houses located in the alluvial fan also influence the deposition area.The presence of houses led to flooding and deposition damage in some places and reduced the damage in others.The simulation also demonstrated the influence of houses.Both the model experiment and the simulation showed that houses change the flooding and deposition areas.

Water Yield and Sediment Yield Simulations for Teba Catchment in Spain Using SWRRB Model: Ⅱ. Simulation Results

Simulated results of water yield, sediment yield, surface runoff,subsurface runoff, peak flow, evapo- transipiration, etc., in theTeba catchment, Spain, using SWRRB (Simulator for Water Resources inRural Basins) model are presented and the related problems arediscussed. The results showed that water yield And sediment yieldcould be satisfactorily simulated using SWRRB model. The accuracy ofthe annual water Yield simulation in the Teba catchment was up to83.68/100, which implied that this method could be effectively Usedto predict the annual or inter-annual water yield and to realize thequantification of geographic elements And processes of a river basin.

Geoelectric response of porous media in water and grout injection processes

Significant changes in spontaneous potential and exciting currents are observed during water and grout injection in a simulated porous media. Obvious correlations between the seepage flow field and the electric field in the porous media are identified.In this work, a detailed experimental study of geoelectric field variation occurring in water migration was reported by analyzing water and grout injection processes in a simulated porous media. The spontaneous potential varies linearly with the thickness of unsaturated porous media. Very interestingly, the spontaneous potential generated in the second grout injection exhibits some"memory" of previous grouting paths. The decreases in spontaneous potential observed during grout injection is very probably due to that the spontaneous potential variations are primarily caused by electro-filtration potential, as indicated by the far larger viscosity of grout compared to that of water. The geoelectric response can be utilized to effectively identify the grouting paths in water-bearing rocks.

Comparative experimental investigation of chemical grouting into a fracture with flowing and static water

We present a series of experimental tests on chemical grouting into a fracture with flowing and static water,using a transparent fracture grouting experimental device.Variations of seepage pressure and grout propagation were compared in our investigation.The results show that flowing water results in drops of seepage pressure,development of penetration radii in the upstream side and drops of propagation area during the same period,compared with grouting in static water.The propagation area in static water is always round before grouts reach the joint boundaries.However,the propagation shape changes from round to an elliptic shape for grouting into a fracture with flowing water.A theoretical model for the grout penetration radius in a fracture considering flowing velocity was developed and validated by our experimental results.These results are helpful in improving understanding of fracture grouting mechanism and in guiding engineering practices.

Experimental study of entrainment behavior of debris flow over channel inflexion points

On-spot observation and field reconnaissance of debris flows have revealed that inflexion points in the longitudinal profile of a movable channel may easily become unstable points that significantly affect their entrainment behavior.In this study,small-scale flume experiments were performed to investigate the entrainment characteristics of debris flows over two types of inflexion points,namely,a convex point,which has an upslope gradient that is less than the downslope gradient,and a concave point,which has an upslope gradient that is greater than the downslope gradient.It was observed that when debris flowed over a convex point,the entrainment developed gradually and progressively from the convex point in the downstream direction,and the primary control factors were the slope gradient and friction angle.Conversely,when debris flowed over a concave point,the entrainment was characterized by impacting and impinging erosion rather than traditional hydraulic erosion,and the impingement angle of the flow significantly determined the maximum erosion depth and outflow exit angle.An empirical relationship between the topography change and the control factors was obtained from the experimental data.

Analysis on mechanism and key factors of surrounding rock instability in deeply inclined roadway affected by argillation and water seepage

Based on the characteristics of surrounding rocks for deeply inclined roadway affected by argillation and water seepage, a structure model of layer crack plate was established to analyze the shear sliding instability mechanism. Through solid mechanics analysis of anchored surrounding rock with defect from water seepage, combined with numerical analysis for instability mechanism under water seepage in deeply inclined roadway, key factors were proposed. Results show that with increasing height of layer crack plate, lateral buckling critical load value for high wall of the roadway decreases; there is a multistage distribution for tensile stress along the anchor bolt with defect under pulling state condition;groundwater seepage seriously affects the strength of surrounding rock of the roadway, to some extent the plastic zone of the high side rises up to 8 m. Finally some support strategies were proposed for the inclined roadway and successfully applied to Haoyuan coal mine in Tiela mining area,western China.

The Disastrous 23 July 2009 Debris Flow in Xiangshui Gully, Kangding County, Southwestern China

On 23 July 2009, a catastrophic debris flows were triggered by heavy rainfall in Xiangshui gully, Kangding county, southwestern China. This debris flow originating shortly after a rainstorm with an intensity of 28 mm per hour transported a total volume of more than 480×103 m3 debris, depositing the poorly sorted sediment including boulders up to 2-3 m in diameter both onto an existing debris fans and into the river. Our primary objective for this study was to analyze the characteristics of the triggering rainfall and the debris supply conditions, and to estimate debris-flow volume, mean velocity, and discharge. A comparison with adjacent rain-gage records indicates that debris flows in this setting can be produced in response to as little as 17 mm/hour or 3.5 mm/10-minute of rainfall intensity with relatively lower amount of cumulative antecedent rainfall. The field measurement and the interpretation of the Worldview image indicate that abundant landslides occurred on steep slopes within areas underlain by highly weathered granite. Using empirical equations that combine flow depth and channel slope, the mean velocity and discharge of the debris flow were estimated to be 9.2 m/s and 2150 m3/s, respectively. The results contribute to a better understanding of the conditions leading to catastrophic debris flows.

Debris Flow Formation Process and Critical Hydrodynamic Conditions in the Meizoseismal Area of the Wenchuan Earthquake

Abstract： The Wenchuan earthquake generated strong surface disturbances and triggered a large number of loose deposits, resulting in the disaster- prone environment with special watershed hydrological characteristics. This paper was to propose a debris flow formation process and explore the permeability characteristics and critical hydrodynamic conditions of the loose deposits triggered by the earthquake. The Guo Juanyan gully （31005＇27＂ N to 31005＇46＂ N, 103036＇58＂ E to 103037＇09＂ E） in Du Jiangyan City, located in the meizoseismal areas of the Wenchuan earthquake, was chosen as the study area and the disaster-prone environment was analyzed. The formation process of the debris flow was first proposed using a stability analysis, and then, the permeability characteristics of loose deposits were determined via in situ permeability experiments. Finally, the critical 1 h rainfall was simulated through a distributed hydrological model and verified by field observations. The formation process of debris flow could be divided into three stages based on the relationship between the hydrodynamic force and loose deposit resistance. The critical 1 h rainfall amounts under three antecedent moisture conditions （I-dry, Ⅱ-normal and Ⅲ-wet） were 52 mm/h, 43 mm/h and 34 mm/h, respectively. This study proposed a debris flow formation process in the meizoseismal areas of the Wenchuan earthquake based on the stability analysis and defined the rainfall threshold for debris flow early warning at the local level, which is significant for debris flow mitigation and risk management.

Characteristics of a Drainage Channel with Staggered Indented Sills for Controlling Debris Flows

The characteristics of a new type of drainage channel with staggered indented sills for controlling debris flows were studied. The intermediate fluid in the non-viscous debris flow exhibited a helical movement, whereas the fluid near the sidewall had a stop-start movement pattern; the viscous debris flow exhibited a stable structure between the indented sills. The experimental results indicate that the mean velocity of the debris flow increased with increasing channel gradients, and the debris flow velocity was slightly affected by the angle of the sills. The average velocity of the non-viscous debris flow increased in the range of(0.5–1.5) interval between the indented sills, whereas the average velocity of the viscous debris flow increased initially and then decreased in the range of(0.75–1.25) interval between the indented sills. The depth of the non-viscous debris flow tended to gradually increase as the channel gradients increased, whereas the depth of the viscous debris flow gradually decreased as the channel gradients increased. When the discharge of the debris flow was constant, the angle and the interval between the indented sills had a slight effect on the depth of the viscous debris flow, whereas the depth of the non-viscous debris flow exhibited a different trend, as the sill angles and intervals were varied.

Research on rheological properties of micro-fine grouting cement

This article studies the influence of the fineness of cement, fly ash(FA), its composite admixture and the amount and way mixed with superplasticizer on the rheological properties of micro fine cement(MC). By means of modern instruments and technologies (such as XRD, SEM, laser granulometer and superficial potential apparatus etc.), the article studies the mineral compositions, the appearance character of grains, particle size distribution and superficial potential of FA and its composite materials. And through that, the reducing mechanism of FA is thoroughly analyzed. The study shows that FA and its composite admixture are excellent components which can effectively improve the rheological properties of micro fine cement, and that the superplasticizer has a saturation point and the mixing way of it has a great influence on the rheological properties.

Filling of the Three Gorges Reservoir to the 135-m Level: Instant Effects on the Yangtze Discharge and Suspended Sediment Concentration Entering the Estuary

Via the valuable opportunity of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) 135-m filling in June 2003, the Yangtze discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) entering the estuary during the period from 15 May to 15 July 2003 were analyzed to examine the instant effects of the filling on them. The Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary in the periods before, during and after the filling clearly indicated three phases: 1) the pre-storage phase characterized by natural conditions, in which the SSC increased with increasing water discharge; 2) the storage phase, during which the SSC decreased dramatically with decreasing water discharge; and 3) the post-storage phase, during which both the SSC and water discharge remained at relatively low levels first until the end of June, then the SSC increased gradually with increasing water discharge. It seems that the times for the instant effects of the decreasing discharge downstream from the upper Yangtze on the Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary due to the TGR 135-m filling to take place were about 5 d and 1 d respectively, while both were about 18 d for those of the increasing discharge. This probably reflects the buffering and resultantly hysteresis of the 1800-km stretch from the upper Yangtze to the estuary. The results are helpful for scientific and hydrological investigation of the Yangtze mainstream downstream from the TGR Dam and of the estuarine and adjacent coastal waters.

Effect of clay content to the strength of gravel soil in the source region of debris flow

The production of runoff in the source area of a debris flow is the consequence of a reduction in soil strength. Gravel soil is widely distributed in the source region, and the influence of its clay content on soil strength is one of the important questions regarding the formation mechanism of debris flows. In this paper, the clay content in gravel soil is divided into groups of low clay content(1%, 2, 5%), moderate clay content(3.75%, 5.00%, 6.25%, 7.5%) and high clay content(10.0%, 12.5%, 15%). Tests of the unconsolidated undrained shear strength and consolidated drained shear strength were performed. The unconsolidated undrained shearing(UU) experiment simulates the rapid shear failure of loose gravel soil under the conditions of brief heavy rainfall. The consolidated drained shearing(CD) experiment simulates creep failure of consolidated sediment during extended rainfall. The pore water pressure first increased and then decreased as the clay content increased, and the increase in pore pressure was relatively high in the gravel soil sample when the clay content is in the range of 3.25-7.50%, and stress in the gravel soil is relatively low for a moderate clay content. Gravelly soils with a moderate clay content are moreprone to debris-flow initiation. This paper presents a mathematical formula for the maximum shear stress and clay content of gravel soil under two conditions. The key processes whereby the soil fails and triggers a debris flow—volume contraction of soil, expansion of clay soil, and rise of pore pressure―cause reductions in the soil friction force and enhancement of the water content in the clay particles, and subsurface erosion of soil reduces the soil viscosity, which eventually reduces the soil strength so that the soil loses its stability, liquefies and generates a debris flow.

Debris Flows Introduced in Landslide Deposits under Rainfall Conditions:The Case of Wenjiagou Gully

Debris flows often occur in landslide deposits during heavy rainstorms.Debris flows are initiated by surface water runoff and unsaturated seepage under rainfall conditions.A physical model based on an infinitely long,uniform and void-rich sediment layer was applied to analyze the triggering of debris-flow introduced in landslide deposits.To determine the initiation condition for rainfall-induced debris flows,we conducted a surface water runoff and saturated-unsaturated seepage numerical program to model rainfall infiltration and runoff on a slope.This program was combined with physical modeling and stability analysis to make certain the initiation condition for rainfall-introduced debris flows.Taking the landslide deposits at Wenjiagou gully as an example,the initiation conditions for debris flow were computed.The results show that increase height of surface-water runoff and the decrease of saturated sediment shear strength of are the main reasons for triggering debris-flows under heavy rainfall conditions.The debris-flow triggering is affected by the depth of surface-water runoff,the slope saturation and shear strength of the sediment.

The influence of discharge style on the separation of coarse coal slime by a hindered fluidized bed

Two kinds of liquid distributor, a central discharge or a peripheral discharge, were designed into a hindered fluid- ized bed separator. The beneficiation performance of the fluidized bed was investigated using 0.25-1.00 mm coarse coal slime and the two different distributors. The experimental results show that the heterogeneity of axial particle velocity in the radial direction of the bed can be reduced by a distributor that has a central discharge. The beneficiation performance for this dis- tributor is improved relative to the distributor with the peripheral discharge. This indicates that it is necessary to eliminate or suppress the core-annulus structure within a hindered fluidized bed. Increasing superficial water velocity causes the clean coal ash content, the railings ash content, and the combustible recovery to increase. Additionally, increasing the bed height decreases all of these three indexes. The optimum superficial water velocity and bed height for a 0.25-1.00 mm coal feed were deter- mined to be 3 mm/s and 800 mm, respectively. This work provides a foundation for the scale-up of the bed.

Runoff and Sediment Load from the Right Bank Valleys of Mosul Dam Reservoir

Mosul Dam is a Multipurpose Project on the River Tigris in Iraq with 11.11 billion m3 storage capacity. It is used to store the water for irrigation, hydropower generation, and flood control. As in other dams in the world, this dam also have sedimentation problem. Sediment accumulation in its reservoir can effect the dam operation （pumping station, hydropower plants, and bottom outlets） and it will definitely shorten the life span of the dam. In this study, the SWAT （soil and water assessment tool） under （]IS （Geographical Information System） was applied to simulate the yearly surface rtmoff and sediment load for the main three valleys on the right bank of Mosul Dam Reservoir. The simulation considered for the twenty one years begin from the dam operation in 1988 to 2008. The resultant values of the average annual sediment load are 35.6~ 103, 4.9 ~ 103, and 2.2~ 103 ton, while the average values of sediment concentration are 1.73, 1.65, and 2.73 kg/m3 for the considered valleys one, two and three respectively. This implies that significant sediment load enters the reservoir from these valleys. To minimize the sediment load entering the reservoir, a check dam is to be constructed in suitable sites especially for valley one. The check dam can store the runoff water and trap the sediment load, and then the flow can be released to the reservoir.

Simulation and Calibration of Hydro-Debris 2D Model （HD2DM） to Predict the Particle Segregation Processes in Debris Flow

The principal aim of a vertical two-dimensional numerical model development is for estimating the particle tracing and mechanism of 10 mm and 2.5 mm debris. The particle tracing movement can be visually analyzed by using a high speed video camera （HSVC）. A numerical model was developed using the Marker and Cell Method, which involves a Subgrid-Scale （SGS） model and the Particle Source in Cell （PSI-Cell） Method. The transportation processes of debris and air bubble were simulated in lagrangian form by introducing air bubbles and debris markers. Air bubble movement characteristics were simulated by this numerical model. Bigger particles flow at the upper part, while smaller particles attach near to the bottom. This phenomenon is similar to what we observed in the experimental studies. As a conclusion, the calibration processes for velocity was successful. The value of virtual mass （CM） was found to be one of the most important criteria that should be considered in the calibration process, as this parameter dominates fundamental characteristics of sediment particle movement in the lagrangian numerical scheme. The best fitted CM in this study was 0.35. The mean average velocity value ranging from 1.2% to 22.61% is obtained from the velocity results of numerical studies compared to the experimental studies.