Strata Architectural Variability and Facies Distribution in a Structural Transfer Zone: A Case Study of Fushan Sag, Northern South China Sea

Structural transfer zones in a half-graben rift basin play a significant role in controlling sandy sediments and providing a target for hydrocarbon exploration. Previous studies have classified the transfer zone in lacustrine environments into two different patterns: synthetic approaching transfer zones and synthetic overlapping transfer zones. However, the evolution of the depositional pattern and the controlling factors of the above transfer zones are still unclear. In the Fushan Sag, the northern South China Sea, an overlapping transfer zone developed in the early Eocene Epoch, while a synthetic approaching transfer zone developed in the late Eocene, due to tectonic uplift. This evolutionary process provided an opportunity to study the stacking pattern of strata architectural variability and facies distribution in the structural transfer zone of the Eocene lacustrine basin. In this study, following the indications of the oriented sedimentary structures in core samples and heavy mineral assemblages of 18 wells, the evolution of the paleo-hydrodynamic distribution during the early and late Eocene has been reconstructed. The sequence-stratigraphy was then divided and the sand body parameters calculated, according to the seismic data and well log interpretations. During the early Eocene, the lake level was at a low stand, the faults broken displacement in the East block being over 50 m. The prograding delta and turbidites are oriented perpendicular to the structural transfer zone. According to the quantitative analysis of the flow rate and the depositional parameters, we speculate that gravity transportation of the sediment and the sediment-supply are the dominating factors during this period. Up to the late Eocene, the rising lake level and the decreased fault displacement leads the flow to divert to a NE-direction, resulting in it being parallel to the axis of the transfer zone. Thus, we speculate that the accommodation space is predominant in this period. In comparison with the above two periods, a braided river delta with an isolated sand body and turbidites developing in the deep area is prominent in the overlapping transfer zone, while a meandering river delta is characteristic of the synthetic approaching transfer zone.

Mechanical Properties and ITZ Microstructure of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Using Carbonated Recycled Coarse Aggregate

The effect of carbonation treatment and mixing method on the mechanical properties and interfacial transition zone（ITZ） properties of recycled aggregate concrete（RAC） was investigated. Properties of recycled concrete aggregate（RCA） were tested firstly. Then, five types of concretes were made and slump of fresh concrete was measured immediately after mixing. Compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of hardened concrete were measured at 28 d. Meanwhile, the microstructure of RAC was analyzed by backscattered electron（BSE） image. It was found that the water absorption ratio of carbonated recycled concrete aggregate（CRCA） was much lower when compared to the untreated RCA. Comparatively, the apparent density of CRCA was not significantly modified. The concrete strength results indicate that the mix CRAC-2 prepared with CRCA by adopting two-stage mixing approach shows the highest compressive strength value compared to the other mixes. The microstructural analysis demonstrate that the mix CRAC-2 has a much denser old ITZ than the untreated RAC because of the chemical reaction between CO2 and the hydration products of RCA. This study confirms that the ITZ microstructure of RAC can be efficiently modified by carbonation treatment of RCA and encourages broadening the application of construction and demolition wastes.