KT Boundary Chromites Determined to be Terrestrial:Cr Isotopic Evidence for Excavation and Ejection of Mafic/Ultramafic Rocks by the KT Boundary Impact

Evidence for a mantle and/or basaltic component in KT boundary distal ejecta is apparently inconsistent with ejection from Chicxulub Crater since it is located on;5km thick continental crust（De Paolo et al.,1983;Montanari et al.,1983;Hildebrand and Boynton,1988,1990）.Evidence for mafic/ultramafic target rocks was reinforced by discovery of chromites,some with shock planar deformation features（PDF）,in impact layer samples from sites in southern Colorado and eastern Wyoming（Bohor et al.,1990）.However,until now it was unclear whether the chromites originated with an impactor or with terrestrial target rocks.To this end,high-precision 54Cr/52Cr isotope ratios were measured on KT boundary chromites along with known terrestrial chromites.We find a terrestrial 54Cr/52Cr ratio in KT boundary chromites from impact layer samples collected at the above sites over the last several years（Fig.1）.Ejected terrestrial chromites suggest the impact sampled terrestrial mafic and/or ultramafic target rocks not known to exist in the Chicxulub target area.

Experimental investigation on the effects of microwave irradiation on kimberlite and granite rocks

This study is a part of an overall research project on the effects of microwave(MW)irradiation on rocks for assisted rock breaking systems as well as mineral processing at McGill University.For the first time,this paper highlights a comprehensive investigation on the effects of microwave irradiation on Canadian kimberlites.Potential contribution to the continuous rock excavation and rock weakening effect prior to implementation of mechanical techniques was explored.Two different kimberlite rocks,i.e.volcaniclastic kimberlite(VK)and hypabyssal kimberlite(HK),and granite samples were studied.Some important physical properties of the rock samples were measured including rock quality designation(RQD),specific gravity,porosity,and specific heat capacity.Rock samples were treated for various exposure times using a multi-mode MWunit at different power levels ranging from 2 kW to 15 kW.The effect of MW irradiation on rock samples was investigated.The results indicate that the mechanical properties including unconfined compressive strength(UCS)and Brazilian tensile strength(BTS)were significantly dropped as a result of MWirradiation.Finally,the effect on rock abrasivity using the Cerchar abrasivity index(CAI)has also been discussed.

Key rock mechanical problems of underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station

The complicated rock structures and the stability of surrounding rocks of the underground powerhouse were the key rock mechanical problems in Shuibuya hydropower station.In order to overcome the related rock mechanical problems encountered during its construction,a comprehensive research was carried out for the underground powerhouse in Shuibuya hydropower station based on a detailed geological survey.It covers the investigations on the initial in-situ stress distribution features,rock mechanical properties,engineering rock mass classifications by different methods,numerical modeling for stability and support analysis,proper measures for rock excavation and support.The results show that the rock excavations of the underground powerhouse under the given geological conditions can be controlled effectively.Some measures,suggested by the designers,are proved to be rational and effective.These measures mainly consist of:(1) the soft rock replacements by concrete in local area below the crane beam,(2) the shotcrete and reinforcement by rock bolts and anchor cables in surrounding rocks,and (3) 2 m concrete placement on the rock bench between adjacent tailrace tubes.The engineering practice shows that the treated surrounding rocks have a good overall stability.The deformation behaviors observed by safety equipments are within the designing limits.The research conclusions on the related rock mechanical problems,prior to the underground powerhouse excavations,are reliable.

Fracture development around deep underground excavations: Insights from FDEM modelling

Over the past twenty years, there has been a growing interest in the development of numerical modelsthat can realistically capture the progressive failure of rock masses. In particular, the investigation ofdamage development around underground excavations represents a key issue in several rock engineeringapplications, including tunnelling, mining, drilling, hydroelectric power generation, and the deepgeological disposal of nuclear waste. The goal of this paper is to show the effectiveness of a hybrid finitediscreteelement method （FDEM） code to simulate the fracturing mechanisms associated with theexcavation of underground openings in brittle rock formations. A brief review of the current state-of-theartmodelling approaches is initially provided, including the description of selecting continuum- anddiscontinuum-based techniques. Then, the influence of a number of factors, including mechanical and insitu stress anisotropy, as well as excavation geometry, on the simulated damage is analysed for threedifferent geomechanical scenarios. Firstly, the fracture nucleation and growth process under isotropicrock mass conditions is simulated for a circular shaft. Secondly, the influence of mechanical anisotropy onthe development of an excavation damaged zone （EDZ） around a tunnel excavated in a layered rockformation is considered. Finally, the interaction mechanisms between two large caverns of an undergroundhydroelectric power station are investigated, with particular emphasis on the rock mass responsesensitivity to the pillar width and excavation sequence. Overall, the numerical results indicate that FDEMsimulations can provide unique geomechanical insights in cases where an explicit consideration offracture and fragmentation processes is of paramount importance. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Failure responses of rock tunnel faces during excavation through the fault-fracture zone

It is essential to cast light on the construction risks in tunnel excavations through the fault-fracture zone(FFZ).This study adopts the material point method(MPM)to simulate the failure responses of a rock tunnel face during excavation through the FFZ.A numerical study was conducted to compare a physical model test and validate the feasibility of using the MPM in simulating tunnel face failure.One hundred ninety numerical simulation cases were constructed to represent a rock tunnel excavation project with different site con-figurations.The simulation results suggest that the cohesion and the friction angle significantly influence failure responses.The tunnel cover depth can magnify the failure responses,and the FFZ thickness significantly affects the mobilized rock mass volume when the FFZ consists of a weak rock mass.The numerical simulation results suggest three deformation patterns:face bulge,partial failure,and slide collapse.The failure responses can be characterized by stress arch,slip surface,angle of reposing,and influence range.The insights suggested by the face failure responses during excavation through the FFZ can aid field engineers in determining the scope of possible damage,and in establishing emergency measures to minimize losses if such failure occurs.

The relationship between diameter and depth of potholes eroded by running water

Geometrical analyses of 3930 potholes （3565 fluvial potholes, 237 marine potholes and 128 hillside potholes） from 33 localities in the world reveal a consistent, linear relationship： D Nh ＋ M, where h and D are, respectively, the depth and mean diameter of pothole, M is a critical size of the initial concavities （seminal potholes） that subsequently underwent growth, and N is the ratio of diameter expanding （wall erosion） speed to deepening （floor abrasion） speed. For the stream potholes, N is generally less than 1 with an average value of 0.67, M varies from 5.3 cm to 40.5 cm with an average of 20 cm, and N decreases gently with increasing M. However, the marine and hillside potholes are generally characterized by N 〉 1 and M 〈 10-14 cm, and a power-law relationship N 4.24M o.78 （coefficient of determination R2 0.75, M is in cm） exists. The results indicate that depth increases faster than diameter for stream potholes due to the larger size of grinding stones （〉5-10 cm）, while depth increases slower than diameter for marine potholes and hillside potholes due to the smaller size of grinding stones （〈5-10 cm）. The pothole h-D relationship is nearly independent of rock type. Knowledge of the pothole depth-diameter relationship is useful in a number of contexts, including simulation of hydraulic dynamics, theoretical considerations of erosion, comprehension of channel incision and development of canyons and gorges, and accurate estimation of excavation volume and mechanical strength ofpotholed bedrock in the design and stability analysis of hydraulic and environmental engineering projects （e.g. dam construction and river dredging）.

Hydraulic properties of dune sand-bentonite mixtures of insulation barriers for hazardous waste facilities

The material and elastic properties of rocks are utilized for predicting and evaluating hard rock brittleness using artificial neural networks（ANN）. Herein hard rock brittleness is defined using Yagiz＇method. A predictive model is developed using a comprehensive database compiled from 30 years＇ worth of rock tests at the Earth Mechanics Institute（EMI）, Colorado School of Mines. The model is sensitive to density, elastic properties, and P- and S-wave velocities. The results show that the model is a better predictor of rock brittleness than conventional destructive strength-test based models and multiple regression techniques. While the findings have direct implications on intact rock, the methodology can be extrapolated to rock mass problems in both tunneling and underground mining where rock brittleness is an important control.