Influence of the characteristics of fault gouge on the stability of a borehole wall

How to find more effective way to stabilize the borehole wall in the fault gouge section is the key technical challenge to control the stability of the borehole wall in the Wenchuan fault gouge section during the process of core drilling. Here we try to describe the characters of deep fault gouge in fracture zones from the undisturbed fault gouge samples which are obtained during the core drilling. The X- Ray Diffraction （XRD）, X-Ray Fluorescence （XRF） and Scanning Electron Microscope （SEM） provided the detailed information of the fault gouge＇s microscopic characteristics on the density, moisture content, expansibility, dispersity, permeability, tensile strength and other main physical-mechanical properties. Based on these systematic experimental studies above and analysis of the fault gouge instability mechanism, a new technical procedure to stabilize the borehole wall is proposed -- a low water and a low loss low permeability drilling fluid system that consists of 4% day ＋ 0.5% CMC-HV ＋ 2% S-1 ＋ 3%sulfonated asphalt ＋ 1% SMC ＋ 0.5% X-1 ＋ 0-5% T type lubricant ＋ barite for core drilling in fault gouge sections.

Study on the performance of the micropile-mechanically stabilized earth wall

The Micropile-Mechanically Stabilized Earth(MSE) wall, specially designed for mountain roads, is proposed to improve the MSE wall local stability, global stability and impact resistance of roadside barriers. Model tests and the corresponding numerical modeling were conducted to validate the serviceability of the Micropile-MSE wall and the reliability of the numerical method. Then, a parametric study of the stress and deformation of Micropile-MSE wall based on the backfill strength and interfacial friction angle between backfill and backslope is conducted to evaluate its performance.The test results indicate that the surcharge-induced horizontal earth pressure, base pressure and lateral displacement of the wall panel of Micropile-MSE wall decrease. The corresponding numerical results are nearly equal to the measured values. The basic failure mode of MSE wall in steep terrain is the sliding of backfill along the backslope, while A-frame style micropiles are capable of preventing the sliding trend.The maximum resultant displacement can be decreased by 6.25% to 46.9% based on different interfacial friction angles, and the displacement canbe reduced by 6% ~ 56.1% based on different backfill strengths. Furthermore, the reduction increases when the interfacial friction angle and internal friction angle of backfill decrease. In addition, the lateral displacement of wall panel, the deformation of backfill decrease and the tension strain of geogrid obviously, which guarantees the MSE wall functions and provides good conditions for mountain roads.

Experimental evaluation of mechanically stabilized earth walls with recycled crumb rubbers

Traditional techniques for treatment of waste rubber, such as burning, generate some highly non- degradable synthetic materials that cause unrepairable environmental damages by releasing heavy metals, such as arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. For this, scrap tires are used as light- weight alternative materials in many engineering applications, such as retaining wall backfilling. In the present study, 90 laboratory models were prepared to evaluate the stability of mechanically stabilized earth （MSE） walls with plate anchors. Then, the bearing capacity and horizontal displacements of the retaining walls were monitored by exerting a static loading to investigate the effects of adding different contents （5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%） of recycled crumb rubber （RCR） to the fill of a mechanically stabilized retaining wall with plate anchors. To visualize the critical slip surface of the wall, the particle image velocimetry （PIV） technique was employed. Results showed that the circular anchor plates almost continually provided a higher bearing capacity and wall stability than the square plates. Moreover, the backfill with 15 wt% RCR provided the maximum bearing capacity of the wall. Increasing the weight percentage of RCR to 20 wt% resulted in a significant reduction in horizontal displacement of the wall, which occurred due to the decrease in lateral earth pressure against the whole walls. An increase in RCR content resulted in the decrease in the formation of failure wedge and the expansion of the wall slip surface, and the failure wedge did not form in the sand mixtures with 15 wt% and 20 wt% RCRs.

Study on a Polyamine-Based Anti-Collapse Drilling Fluid System

In complex strata, oil-based drilling fluid is the preferred drilling fluid system, but its preparation cost is high, and there are hidden safety risks. Therefore, the new progress of high-performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid at home and abroad is analyzed. It is difficult to prevent and control the well collapse. Once the well wall instability problem occurs, it will often bring huge economic losses to the enterprises, and the underground safety accidents will occur. In order to ensure the stability of the well wall and improve the downhole safety, the key treatment agent of water-based collapse drilling fluid is selected, the anti-collapse drilling fluid system is formulated, the evaluation method of drilling fluid prevention performance is established, and a set of water-based drilling fluid system suitable for easy to collapse strata in China is selected to ensure the downhole safety. The development trend of high performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid is expected to provide a reference for the research of high performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid system and key treatment agent.

Effect of earth reinforcement,soil properties and wall properties on bridge MSE walls

Mechanically stabilized earth(MSE)retaining walls are popular for highway bridge structures.They have precast concrete panels attached to earth reinforcement.The panels are designed to have some lateral movement.However,in some cases,excessive movement and even complete dislocation of the panels have been observed.In this study,3-D numerical modeling involving an existing MSE wall was undertaken to investigate various wall parameters.The effects of pore pressure,soil cohesion,earth reinforcement type and length,breakage/slippage of reinforcement and concrete strength,were examined.Results showed that the wall movement is affected by soil pore pressure and reinforcement integrity and length,and unaffected by concrete strength.Soil cohesion has a minor effect,while the movement increased by 13–20 mm for flexible geogrid reinforced walls compared with the steel grid walls.The steel grid stresses were below yielding,while the geogrid experienced significant stresses without rupture.Geogrid reinforcement may be used taking account of slippage resistance and wall movement.If steel grid is used,non-cohesive soil is recommended to minimize corrosion.Proper soil drainage is important for control of pore pressure.