Experimental and numerical interpretation on composite foundation consisting of soil-cement column within warm and ice-rich frozen soil

Affected by climate warming and anthropogenic disturbances, the thermo-mechanical stability of warm and ice-rich frozen ground along the Qinghai-Tibet engineering corridor(QTEC) is continuously decreased, which may delay the construction of major projects in the future. In this study, based on chemical stabilization of warm and icerich frozen ground, the soil-cement column(SCC) for ground improvement was recommended to reinforce the foundations in warm and ice-rich permafrost regions. To explore the validity of countermeasures mentioned above, both the original foundation and the composite foundation consisting of SCC with soil temperature of -1.0℃ were prepared in the laboratory, and then the plate loading tests were carried out. The laboratory investigations indicated that the bearing capacity of composite foundation consisting of SCC was higher than that of original foundation, and the total deformation of original foundation was greater than that of composite foundation, meaning that overall stability of foundation with warm and ice-rich frozen soil can be improved by SCC installation. Meanwhile, a numerical model considering the interface interaction between frozen soil and SCC was established for interpretating the bearing mechanism of composite foundation. The numerical investigations revealed that the SCC within composite foundation was responsible for the more applied load, and the applied load can be delivered to deeper zone in depth due to the SCC installation, which was favorable for improving the bearing characteristic of composite foundation. The investigations provide the valuable guideline for the choice of engineering supporting techniques to major projects within the QTEC.

RIGID FINITE ELEMENT AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING

Rigid Finite Element Method (RFEM) was proposed to simulate the mechanical behavior of discontinuous structures such as rock and soil structures. The authors' work on the theory and applications of RFEM is summarized in this paper. Based on the theory of RFEM, the Elastic Body-Seams Model (EBSM) is proposed to take the deformation and damage of rock masses into account.

Effects of heavy metal pollution on farmland soils and crops:A case study of the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt,China

This paper focuses on the heavy metal enrichment and heavy metal pollution degree associated with mining activities in some crops and the soils of different parent materials in the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt.According to the geochemical analysis results of the soils observed in the gold belt,the soils are most highly enriched in Pb,followed by Cr,Cu,and Zn.Furthermore,they are relatively poor in Hg,Cd,and As.It is also shown that the heavy metals in all kinds of soils have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt.As for the crops(such as corn and wheat)in the gold belt,Zn and Cu are the most abundant elements,followed by Pb and Cr.Meanwhile,Hg,Cd,and As were found to have relatively low concentrations in the crops.The heavy metals in wheat and corn have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt in general.Compared to the aeolian loess soils and the crops therein,heavy metals are more enriched in diluvial and alluvial soils and the crops therein.As shown by relevant studies,the Hg,Pb,Cd,Cu,and Zn pollution are mainly caused by mining activities.Corn and wheat in the gold belt have a high tendency of risk exposure to heavy metal pollution since they are mostly affected by mining activities and feature high background values of heavy metal concentrations.Furthermore,wheat is more liable to be enriched in heavy metals than corn is grown in all types of soils.The Hg pollution in soils leads to Hg accumulation,increasing the risk of Hg uptake in crops,and further affecting human health.This study will provide a scientific basis for the control and management of heavy metals in farmland soils of mining areas.

Engineering practice of mechanical soil aeration for the remediation of volatile organic compound-contaminated sites in China： Advantages and challenges

In recent years, many industrial enterprises located in the urban centers of China have been relocated owing to the rapid increase in urban development. At the sites abandoned by these enterprises, volatile organic compounds have frequently been detected, sometimes at high concentrations, particularly at sites abandoned by chemical manufacturing enterprises. With the redevelopment of sites and changes in land-use tvpe associated with these sites, substantial amounts of contaminated soils now require remediation. ＂Since China is a developing country, soil remediation warrants the usage of techniques that are suitable for addressing the unique challenges faced in this country. Land shortage is a common problem in China; the large numbers of contaminated sites, tight development schedules, and limited financial resources necessitate the development of .cost-effective methods for land reclamation.Mechanical soil aeration is a simple, effective, and low-cost soil remediation tectm^que mat is particularly suitable for the remediation of large volatile organic compound-contaminated sites. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by conducting laboratory studies, pilot tests, and full-scale projects.This study reviews current engineei-ing practice and developmental trends of mechanical soil aeration and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of this technology for application in China as an emerging soil remediation market. The findings of this study might aid technology development in China, as well as assist other developing countries in the assessment and implementation of costeffective hazardous waste site soil remediation programs.