Engineering Geological Study of Regional Tectonic Stability in the Area of the Longyang Gorge Power Station on the Huanghe (Yellow) River

In the stability study of the regional structures in the area of the Longyang Gorge Hydroelectrical Power Station, a model of the current stress-deformation field of the area was constructed based on analyses of available data of regional surveys and historical earthquakes and field investigations of active faults and ancient earthquakes. This model was examined and verified by physical and mathematical simulation experiments, and quantitative relations and data were obtained.

COLD AND ARID REGIONS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Cold and Arid Regions Environmental andEngineering Research Institute(CAREERI) wascreated in June 1999 as a result of the current PilotRroject of the Knowledge Innovation Program of theChinse Academy of Sciences (CAS). Formed onthe basis of three former CAS institutes,namely, theLanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology,the Lanzhou Institute of Desert Studies, and

Prevention and treatment technologies of railway tunnel water inrush and mud gushing in China

Water inrush and mud gushing are one of the biggest hazards in tunnel construction. Unfavorable geological sections can be observed in almost all railway tunnels under construction or to be constructed, and vary in extent. Furthermore, due to the different heights of mountains and the lengths of tunnels, the locations of the unfavorable geological sections cannot be fully determined before construction, which increases the risk of water inrush and mud gushing. Based on numerous cases of water inrush and mud gushing in railway tunnels, the paper tries to classify water inrush and mud gushing in railway tunnels in view of the conditions of the surrounding rocks and meteorological factors associated with tunnel excavation. In addition, the causes of water inrush and mud gushing in combination of macroand micromechanisms are summarized, and site-specifc treatment method is put forward. The treatment methods include choosing a method of advance geological forecast according to risk degrees of different sections in the tunnel, determining the items of predictions, and choosing the appropriate methods, i.e. draining-oriented method, blocking-oriented method or draining-and-blocking method. The treatment technologies of railway water inrush and mud gushing are also summarized, including energy relief and pressure relief technology, advance grouting technology, and advance jet grouting technology associated with their key technical features and applicable conditions. The results in terms of treatment methods can provide reference to the prevention and treatment of tunnel water inrush and mud gushing.

Freeze–thaw resistance of eco–material stabilized loess

In the Loess Plateau in Northern China,repeated freeze–thaw(FT)cycles deteriorate the strength and structure of loess as a foundation soil,resulting in the instability or failure of supporting structure.Lignosulfonate is an eco–material,utilized as an effective and nontraditional stabilizer to improve the engineering properties of metastable soils.A series of laboratory tests,including unconfined compression tests,cyclic loading–unloading tests and scanning electron microscopy,on calcium lignosulfonate(CL)-and sodium lignosulfonate(SL)-stabilized loess were performed to investigate the stabilization effect,deterioration mechanisms of the FT cycles,and the resistance to FT cycles.Two traditional stabilizers,quicklime(QL)and sodium silicate(SS),were selected,and the engineering properties of QL-and SS-stabilized loess were compared with those of CL-and SLstabilized loess.The results showed that the strength values of CL-and SL-stabilized loess specimens decreased by 34.2%and 50%respectively,after 20 FT cycles,whereas those of the traditionally SS-and QL-stabilized specimens decreased by 85.3%and 82.87%,respectively.The elastic moduli of SL-and QL-stabilized loess specimens decreased by 22.1%and 92.0%,respectively.The mean energy dissipations of nontraditionally treated specimens also decreased significantly less than those of traditionally treated specimens.Overall,the results showed CL and SL had better stabilization effects on engineering properties of loess than QL and SS,and their stabilized loess specimens exhibited stronger resistance to FT cycles.The study findings demonstrated the significant potential of lignosulfonate for extensive application in cold loess areas.

Computing a ground appropriateness index for route selection in permafrost regions

The reasonable calculation of ground appropriateness index in permafrost region is the precondition of highway route design in permafrost region. The theory of knowledge base and fuzzy mathematics are applied, and the damage effect of permafrost is considered in the paper. Based on the idea of protecting permafrost the calculation method of ground appro- priateness index is put forward. Firstly, based on the actual environment conditions, the paper determines the factors affecting the road layout in permafrost areas by qualitative and quantitative analysis, including the annual slope, the average annual ground temperature of permafrost, the amount of ice in frozen soil, and the interference engineering. Secondly, based on the knowledge base theory and the use of Delphi method, the paper establishes the knowledge base, the rule base of the permafrost region and inference mechanism. The method of selecting the road in permafrost region is completed and realized by using the software platform. Thirdly, taking the Tuotuo River to Kaixin Mountain section of permafrost region as an example, the application of the method is studied by using an ArcGIS platform. Results show that the route plan determined by the method of selecting the road in perma-frost region can avoid the high temperature and high ice content area, conform the terrain changes and evade the heat disturbance among the existing projects. A reasonable route plan can be achieved, and it can provide the basis for the next engineering construction.