Effects of Thinning and Litter Fall Removal on Fine Root Production and Soil Organic Carbon Content in Masson Pine Plantations

Soils play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, and can be major source or sink of CO2 depending upon land use, vegetation type and soil management practices. Fine roots are important component of a forest ecosystem in terms of water and nutrient uptake. In this study the effects of thinning and litter fall removal on fine root production and soil organic carbon content were examined in 20-year-old Masson pine (Pinus resinosa) plantations in Huitong, Hunan Province of China in the growing seasons of 2004 and 2005. The results showed that fine root production was significantly lower in the thinning plots than in the control plots, with a decrease of 58% and 14% in 2004 and 2005 growing seasons, respectively. Litter fall removal significantly increased fine root production by 14% in 2004. Soil temperature (Tsoil) and soil moisture (Msoil) were higher in the thinning plots than those in the controls. Litter fall removal had significant effiects on Tsoil and Msoil. Soil organic carbon content was higher in the thinning plots but was lower in the plots with litter fall removal compared with that in the controls. Our results also indicated that annual production of fine roots resulted in small carbon accumulation in the upper layers of the soil, and removal of tree by thinning resulted in a significant increase of carbon storage in Masson pine plantations.

Experimental investigation on static and dynamic resilient moduli of compacted fine soil

To investigate the static and dynamic resilient modulus of fine soil,and adapting to the new design code and maintenance system of highway subgrade in China,a series of static and dynamic tests were carried out according to the standard laboratory test methods(JTG E40-2007 and JTG D30-2015,respectively).The effects of initial water content,compactness and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic resilient moduli of fine soil were investigated and analyzed.Experimental test results show that with increasing water content,dry density and freeze-thaw cycles,the static moduli reduces about10.2%~40.0%,14.4%~45.5%,and 24.0%~50.3%,and dynamic moduli reduces about 10.9%~90.8%,2.5%~38.4%,and0.0%~46.0%,respectively.Then,the empirical mathematical relationship between static and dynamic resilient moduli was established under different water content,dry density and freeze-thaw cycles.The investigation results can be used to determine the dynamic modulus of fine soil by widely used static modulus,which could meet the requirement of adopting dynamic modulus index in new specification.

Influence of fines content on the anti-frost properties of coarse-grained soil

This paper aims to determine the optimal fines content of coarse-grained soil required to simultaneously achieve weaker frost susceptibility and better bearing capacity. We studied the frost susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil by means of frost heaving tests and static triaxial tests, and the results are as follows： （1） the freezing temperature of coarse-grained soil decreased gradually and then leveled off with incremental increases in the percent content of fines; （2） the fines content proved to be an important factor influencing the frost heave susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil. With incremental increases in the percent content of fines, the frost heave ratio increased gradually and the cohesion function of fines effectively enhanced the shear strength of coarse-grained soil before freeze-thaw, but the frost susceptibility of fines weakened the shear strength of coarse-grained soil after freeze-thaw; （3） with increasing numbers of freeze-thaw cycles, the shear strength of coarse-grained soil decreased and then stabilized after the ninth freeze-thaw cycle, and therefore the mechanical indexes of the ninth freeze-thaw cycle are recommended for the engi- neering design values; and （4） considering frost susceptibility and strength properties as a whole, the optimal fines content of 5% is recommended for railway sub,fade coarse-~rained soil fillings in frozen re^ions.

Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Fine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.

Experimental study on the moving characteristics of fine grains in wide grading unconsolidated soil under heavy rainfall

The initiation mechanism of debris flow is regarded as the key step in understanding the debrisflow processes of occurrence, development and damage. Moreover, migration, accumulation and blocking effects of fine particles in soil will lead to soil failure and then develop into debris flow. Based on this hypothesis and considering the three factors of slope gradient, rainfall duration and rainfall intensity, 16 flume experiments were designed using the method of orthogonal design and completed in a laboratory. Particle composition changes in slope toe, volumetric water content, fine particle movement characteristics and soil failure mechanism were analyzed and understood as follows: the soil has complex, random and unstable structures, which causes remarkable pore characteristics of poor connectivity, non-uniformity and easy variation. The major factors that influence fine particle migration are rainfall intensity and slope. Rainfall intensity dominates particle movement, whereby high intensity rainfall induces a large number of mass movement and sharp fluctuation, causing more fine particles to accumulate at the steep slope toe. The slope toe plays an important role in water collection and fine particleaccumulation. Both fine particle migration and coarse particle movement appears similar fluctuation. Fine particle migration is interrupted in unconnected pores, causing pore blockage and fine particle accumulation, which then leads to the formation of a weak layer and further soil failure or collapses. Fine particle movement also causes debris flow formation in two ways: movement on the soil surface and migration inside the soil. The results verify the hypothesis that the function of fine particle migration in soil failure process is conducive for further understanding the formation mechanism of soil failure and debris flow initiation.

Experimental study of the effects of non-uniformly distributed fine soil on mechanical properties of Shenyang–Dandong Railway coarse-grained soil

The stress produced by repeated train loads decreases with increasing railway subgrade bed depth, and slightly weathered coarse particles of subgrade bed fillings can be broken at different levels under continuous load. Thus, the mass of fine soil, with a diameter of not more than 0.075 mm, is different at different depths. Fine soil is also sensitive to frost heave and thaw settlement. In order to study the effects of non-uniformly distributed fine soil on the mechanical properties of coarse-grained soil of the Shenyang-Dandong Railway, triaxial tests were conducted with three types of specimens, un- dergoing six freeze-thaw cycle numbers （0, 1, 3, 7, 9, 12） and three confining pressures （100, 200, 300 kPa）. The freezing temperature is -5 ~C and the thawing temperature is ＋15 ~C. The stress-strain behavior, static strength, resilient modulus, cohesive force and the angle of internal friction were measured for different tested specimens. As a result, the law of static strength and resilient modulus of different specimens following the increase of freeze-thaw cycles under three confining pressures is obtained. The changing law of cohesive force and friction angle of three specimens following the increase of freeze-thaw cycles is also calculated, and the different results of different specimens are also compared.

Microstructure of Fine Clay Soils Stabilized with Sugarcane Molasses

Sugar cane molasses has proved cohesive and excellent performance on soil aggregates (fine particles). However, the microstructure of consolidated soil by the molasses is not yet subjected to research. The analysis results of sample without molasses (0%) and consolidated samples at 8%, 12%, and 16% show that the molasses acts on the structure of clayey fine soil developing its microstructure of airy matrix type (sample without molasses (0%) to a microstructure of a qualified type, more solid. Consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, 16% of molasses). We also observe the presence of inter-aggregate pores (mesopores) of similar size in all samples. The results of porosimetrical analyses (BJH) of the sample without molasses and consolidated samples to 8%, 12%, and 16% show that simultaneous porous volumes of samples are reduced with the increasing of molasses quantity. This latter, therefore, acts on the porous volume (micropore 2 nm and mesopore 9 nm) by reducing them which really means, molasses occupies the porous volume of the sample. However, this sample seems not to have any effect on the size of mesopores 9 nm. Thus, this product induces the evolution of the soil structure towards the highly dense and condensed structure. Consequently, materials in consolidated soil by molasses will have mechanical properties far superior to those of materials consolidated soil without molasses.

Response of Surface Soft Soil and Fine-Grained Sand Layers to Seismic Waves

Shanghai is located in eastern China and is built on overburden soil layers. It can be seen from the Mexico M S=8.1 earthquake on September 19, 1985 and the Hanshin M S=7.4 earthquake on January 17,1995 that heavy casualties and property losses have a direct relationship with overburden soil layers. Ground motions caused by earthquakes are significantly amplified when passing through the soil layers. Under the influence of these amplified motions, building structures, whose nature frequency is within the frequency band of soil amplification response, will experience more severe damage than those built on bedrock. Therefore, engineering seismologists have paid considerable attention the amplification responses in the Shanghai overburden soil layers. The amplification responses of soil and sand layers in this paper are given by the M L=4.1 earthquake in Nantong, Jiangsu Province on December 25, 2001 at 31.8° N, 120.9° E. It can be seen that the responses of soil and sand layers are very different. That is important.

Application of Nanotechnology in Soil Stabilization

Nano-technology is expanding its horizon in various science and technology fields.In civil engineering,soil is a complex material and used for various functions and applications.Meanwhile,sometimes an effective soil stabilization technique is needed to fulfil the site criteria and can be achieved by adopting various methods e.g.,physical,chemical,thermal or reinforcement using geotextiles and fabrics.The mechanism of soil stabilization using nanomaterials is still unexplored and open to prospective researchers.The present article attempts to touch and explore the possibilities of nano-technology in soil improvement and its applications in various civil engineering works.Microstructural analysis of the nanomaterials treated soils using the latest equipment has also been discussed.The study interprets that the use of nano materials is still limited,due to their high cost and sophisticated handling procedures.Though the use of nanoparticles in soil stabilization results in extraordinary improvements in various soil properties,the improved soil properties could be utilized for various geotechnical projects.The present study bridges the past findings to the present scenario of nanomaterials in soil improvement.

含泥量对砂类硫酸盐渍土工程特性的影响分析

为了明确含泥量对砂类硫酸盐渍土的盐胀和力学特性的影响,人工配制了不同细粒土含量的砂类硫酸盐渍土,在1%和3%(质量分数,下同)含盐量单向冻结盐胀试验的基础上,选取了细粒土含量为5%、15%、30%和40%的砂样进行常温、低温三轴剪切试验。研究结果表明:此试验条件下,不同级配砂类硫酸盐渍土的冻结温度为-0.7~-0.1℃,当砂样孔隙溶液浓度在冻结温度之上达到饱和时,降温过程中会首先生成盐结晶;1%含盐量条件下,高细粒土含量(≥30%)砂样的起胀温度在4~9℃之内,而低细粒土含量砂样的起胀温度在0℃附近,3%含盐量砂样的起胀温度为20~23℃;试验含水率和细粒土含量通过影响土体中自由水的含量对盐冻胀产生显著影响。在力学特性方面,随着细粒土掺量的增加,砂类硫酸盐渍土的抗剪强度表现出先增大后减小的趋势,细粒土由增强摩擦转变为颗粒间的“润滑”作用;此外,冻结后砂土转变为承载能力更强的“土-盐-冰骨架结构”,抗剪强度大幅提高,并呈现出明显的脆性破坏特征,由于冻结砂土受相对温度的影响,随着含盐量的增加,破坏应力呈先减小后增大的趋势。

球状风化花岗岩类土质边坡土-岩界面优势流潜蚀特性研究

受降雨作用,球状风化花岗岩类土质边坡的土-岩差异风化界面极易演化为优势渗流通道而发生渗流潜蚀,进而加速该类边坡的变形失稳,然而当前有关其渗流潜蚀作用特征、细颗粒迁移规律等的研究仍鲜见开展。基于多孔介质非饱和渗流理论,综合考虑细颗粒运移、潜蚀启动响应与非饱和渗流的耦合关系,提出一种可准确描述土-岩界面渗流潜蚀过程的数值计算框架。采用有限元方法,构建优势流作用下非饱和花岗岩残积土的渗流潜蚀模型,并以均质土柱的渗流潜蚀过程为参考,系统研究3种典型土-岩界面埋藏状态下的优势流潜蚀特性。结果表明:球状风化花岗岩类土质边坡的土-岩界面与基质渗透性存在高度差异性,湿润锋形成向下凹陷的渗透漏斗,且随着降雨的持续,湿润锋的凹陷程度愈发明显;细颗粒流失程度与土-岩界面的埋藏状态相关,其中下填土体工况的优势流潜蚀最为显著,其界面处甚至出现超孔隙水压力,最不利于该类边坡的稳定性。研究成果可为降雨条件下球状风化花岗岩类土质边坡稳定性的准确评价提供科学依据。

砂砾土渗流侵蚀中细粒迁移-沉积-滤通的物理水力临界条件

细粒迁移机制是理解砂砾土渗流侵蚀过程的基础与关键,对研究砂砾土斜坡雨水侵蚀过程的细观致灾机制具有重要意义。目前其运移模式及运移状态发生转变的临界条件并不清晰,不同物理水力条件下的细粒运动类型有所不同。为掌握砂砾土侵蚀过程中细粒的整体运动类型及其发生改变的临界条件,采用可视圆柱入渗试验和离散元数值模拟,分析了细粒迁移的影响因素和内部机理。结果表明:(1)细粒迁移受级配和水力梯度影响显著,而受初始孔隙率影响不显著,且级配的影响大于水力梯度;(2)水力作用下细粒整体运动状态可分为沉积和滤通2种模式,内部结构不稳定的砂砾土细粒运动处于滤通状态,内部结构稳定和稳定性过渡型砂砾土随水力梯度升高细粒的运动状态从整体沉积转变为整体滤通;i=3.4-(3)细粒运动状态在粒径比和水力梯度共同作用下存在明显界限,最终得到细粒沉积-滤通转变的临界条件为0.12e(D15/d85)/1.5。研究可为砂砾土斜坡渗蚀失稳防护提供理论指导。

根土微环境对早实核桃细根时空分布、养分特征的影响

以长势基本一致且处于稳产期的‘新新2号’早实核桃(Juglans regia L.)后代为研究对象,按照小格子法将根土连续体划分为144个采样小区。于2022年每月采集根、土样品,测定细根生物量并构建二维空间分布图,研究细根形态指标、养分特征以及土壤水、养质量分数并分析其对早实核桃细根时空分布、养分特征的影响。结果表明:早实核桃细根主要分布在垂直方向的0~0.4 m土层和距树干水平方向1.5 m范围内,占细根分布总量的80%。细根形态参数值(生物量、根长密度、根表面积密度、根体积密度)和养分质量分数均随土层加深呈下降趋势,细根在微环境水平变异时差异不明显。夏、秋季细根形态参数值均显著高于春、冬季。土壤全氮、全磷质量分数随土层加深逐渐减少,土壤全钾质量分数在整个空间分布上无明显差异。土壤含水率随土层加深而增加,距树干距离越远含水率越低。土壤各养分质量分数的季节性差异较大,全氮质量分数在夏、秋季较高,在春季最低;全磷质量分数在春季最高;全钾质量分数在冬季最高;土壤含水率在秋、冬季最高。细根形态、养分质量分数与土壤全氮、全磷、含水率的关系更密切,相关性存在一定季节差异。细根生长在细微变异的环境下仍具有一定的趋水趋肥性。对早实核桃进行肥水精细化管理时,可根据根土的时空关系,在根区适时灌溉,季节性调整肥料养分,施肥则以氮、磷肥为主。

碎石土细颗粒迁移特征及优先流形成路径

碎石土是一种非连续、非均质的结构性材料,由于内部含有大量碎石块,容易形成架空结构,使其内部形成复杂独特的渗流通道即优先流通道,碎石土优先流通道是包括水分运移和土体细颗粒迁移的复杂过程,但在研究其优先流路径时通常只考虑了水分的运移而忽略了细颗粒的迁移,颗粒迁移与通道形成密切相关。为此,对两种不同级配土柱(粗细颗粒连续级配和间断级配)分别进行饱和渗流-颗粒迁移试验,从细颗粒迁移的角度分析通道形成的时空发展规律。试验结果表明:细颗粒迁移一部分由于流失引起碎石土渗透性增大,另一部分由于重新沉积而堵塞局部孔隙,降低渗透性,两者作用结果最终加速优先流通道形成;连续级配的碎石土形成大面积交叉分布的管网状渗流通道,间断级配的碎石土则形成集中渗流通道;相同水力条件下,不同级配细颗粒迁移的空间分布特征不同,连续级配的碎石土细颗粒迁移不随空间位置的差异而发生变化,间断级配的碎石土细颗粒迁移随空间位置的差异而发生变化,两种级配下碎石土细颗粒主要流失量的粒径范围均在1~0.075 mm;不同水力梯度条件下,连续与间断级配试验细颗粒流失量均随水力梯度增加而增大,间断级配的碎石土破坏时水力梯度小于连续级配破坏时水力梯度,间断级配碎石土更容易发生破坏。研究成果为进一步揭示碎石土优先流形成机理提供试验依据。

泥石流物源土体标度分布参数与粘聚力的关系

颗粒级配影响土体力学性质(如粘聚力)。细颗粒(尤其是粘粒)含量对粘聚力起着决定性作用。颗粒级配可用土体特殊粒径(如D50等)来表征,但并不能避免同参异效等问题。采用土体标度分布μ和Dc两个参数,可准确地描述土体颗粒组成特征,但该分布参数的物理意义,以及特征参数与土体力学参数之间的关系尚不明确。本文实施室内试验测试,采用标度分布表征土体颗粒组成,研究在不同含水率和标度参数条件下土体粘聚力的变化特征,探讨土体颗粒组成、含水率和粘聚力之间的关系。结果表明:(1)标度分布参数μ随着细颗粒含量的增加而增大,并呈现指数函数关系;(2)随着细颗粒含量的增加,粘聚力先迅速增大后缓慢增加并趋于稳定,且粘聚力c与标度分布参数μ呈现对数函数关系;(3)粘聚力随着含水率的增大先增大后减小,即存在一个使得土体粘聚力达到最大值的含水率阈值,在达到此阈值之前,细颗粒含量对粘聚力的影响较为显著,达到该阈值之后,含水率成为更主要的影响因素;(4)基于试验结果,得到土体粘聚力随含水率及标度参数共同影响下的二元模型。研究可为明确标度分布参数的物理意义以及确定土体力学参数提供试验依据。

泸定水电站坝基覆盖层深部潜蚀对土骨架变形影响评价试验研究

泸定水电站因坝基覆盖层深部(1)层潜蚀诱发涌水险情,潜蚀过程中大量细颗粒持续流失能否诱发明显土骨架变形关系到电站自身、下游梯级电站及泸定县城的安全。土体颗粒级配、应力状态及细颗粒流失比例等均有可能影响土骨架变形,但其影响机制尚不清楚。为全面评价(1)层潜蚀对土骨架变形的影响,自行研制了可以模拟现场(1)层土体原始级配特征和应力状态的高应力、大直径的土体渗透稳定试验装置,建立了土骨架发生明显变形的判据,即潜蚀过程中试样累计体积应变大于等于1%时,表明土骨架已发生明显变形,提出了细颗粒运移比作为衡量细颗粒流失比例的评价指标。针对(1)层土体,开展了一系列极端不利水力条件下的渗流应力耦合潜蚀试验研究,重点探讨了颗粒级配、应力状态及细颗粒运移比对土骨架变形的影响规律。研究表明:所有试样潜蚀全过程的累计体积应变介于0.1%~0.49%,均小于1%,即(1)层土体中细颗粒大量甚至全部流失也不会诱发明显骨架变形,(1)层潜蚀诱发防渗墙开裂、折断,甚至突然溃坝的风险不大。颗粒级配显著影响细颗粒运移比、潜蚀临界和破坏坡降,5 mm以下颗粒含量越少,细颗粒运移比越大,潜蚀临界和破坏坡降越小;上覆压力对细颗粒运移比影响不大,但对潜蚀临界和破坏坡降影响显著,上覆压力越大,潜蚀临界和破坏坡降越大。研究成果为科学评价泸定水电站深部渗透稳定提供了重要依据,同时,也为其他类似工程安全评价提供了重要借鉴。

渗流侵蚀模拟中离散元模型参数影响性分析

[目的]由于工程中渗流侵蚀发生的隐蔽性和发展的复杂性,离散元模拟成为学者开展渗流侵蚀机理研究的重要手段。固体模型的参数化构建通过控制模型内部颗粒的填充和分布影响水流作用下颗粒的运移和流失,是开展渗流侵蚀离散元模拟的关键环节。[方法]当前有关离散元模型参数的研究主要为单参数讨论,从土体孔隙、土体颗粒和墙体边壁3个维度出发,考虑孔隙率、颗粒重叠比和墙体模量的变化构建6组土体模型,对其进行向上渗流计算并记录内部颗粒流失过程、力链结构变化及孔隙率变化过程,以评估3个参数对模型的影响性大小并从细观角度分析离散元模型参数对渗流侵蚀过程的影响机理。[结果]离散元模型参数通过影响模型内部的颗粒和力链组成影响水流作用下颗粒的流失阶段。初始孔隙率控制模型内部的颗粒填充数目;墙体模量和颗粒重叠比影响模型内部的接触数目。颗粒和接触数目较多的模型,其内部颗粒多以颗粒群的形式移动;反之,不形成接触的自由细颗粒以单颗粒在模型内部发生纵向迁移,孔隙率曲线呈现波动变化。[结论]研究结果从细观角度阐述参数对模型的影响,以期为基于流固耦合理论的离散元模拟方法的使用提供理论参考。