Geological Engineering Commons^™

Reliability-Based Designs Procedure Of Earth Retaining Walls In Geotechnical Engineering, Juan Camilo Viviescas, Juan Pablo Osorio, Julio E. Canon

Articles

The design and construction of foundations, retaining structures and slopes are usually based on deterministic formulations that do not allow the distinction between the natural variability and the inherent dispersion in the geotechnical parameters. Due to the inherent variability of the soil properties, there is a growing trend to implement reliability-based designs in geotechnical engineering to reduce design uncertainties by probabilistic methods. The reliability designs require the definition of the probability density functions of the geotechnical properties, as well as knowledge of the spatial variability of soils. This paper identifies the procedures, type of soil investigations, simulations and the most …

Suitability Of River Delta Sediment As Proppant, Missouri And Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska And South Dakota, 2015, Ronald B. Zelt, Christopher M. Hobza, Bethany L. Burton, Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Nadine M. Piatak-Hackley

United States Geological Survey: Water Reports and Publications

Document abstract

Sediment management is a challenge faced by reservoir managers who have several potential options, including dredging, for mitigation of storage capacity lost to sedimentation. As sediment is removed from reservoir storage, potential use of the sediment for socioeconomic or ecological benefit could potentially defray some costs of its removal. Rivers that transport a sandy sediment load will deposit the sand load along a reservoir-headwaters reach where the current of the river slackens progressively as its bed approaches and then descends below the reservoir water level. Given a rare combination of factors, a reservoir deposit of alluvial sand has …

Modelling Tree Contribution In Susceptibility Analysis Of Shallow Llandslides, Roberto José Marín Sánchez, Juan Pablo Osorio

Articles

In this paper an assessment of shallow landslides susceptibility in a tropical and mountainous terrain is made. A method that allows to model slope stability over large areas is used. Tree contribution is quantified by means of three parameters: rainfall interception, root reinforcement and tree surcharge. A rainfall interception model is used to determine the rain available for infiltration and its temporal distribution during the simulation. The hydrological models included in TRIGRS are described, which allows to determine the pore water pressure depending on the initial conditions. This pore water pressure is used in the revised infinite slope stability model, …

Drained Elastoplastic Solution For Cylindrical Cavity Expansion In K0-Consolidated Anisotropic Soil, Jingpei Li, Weibing Gong, Lin Li, Fang Liu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a semi analytical solution for drained expansion of a cylindrical cavity in K0-consolidated clay. The solution is derived based on the K0-based anisotropic modified Cam-clay model (K0-AMCC), which can properly consider the initial stress anisotropy and the initial stress-induced anisotropy of natural soils. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of different over consolidation ratios on the growth of plastic zone and cavity pressure, the distributions of the stress components and the specific volume around the cavity, and the effective stress path. The results are compared with the published solution based on the modified Cam-clay …

Early Warning System For Shallow Landslides Using Rainfall Threshold And Slope Stability Analysis, Shruti Naidu, K. S. Sajinkumar, Thomas Oommen, V.J. Anuja, Rinu Samuel, C. Muraleedharan

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

A combined cluster and regression analysis were performed for the first time to identify rainfall threshold that triggers landslide events in Amboori, Kerala, India. Amboori is a tropical area that is highly vulnerable to landslides. The 2, 3, and 5-day antecedent rainfall data versus daily rainfall was clustered to identify a cluster of critical events that could potentially trigger landslides. Further, the cluster of critical events was utilized for regression analysis to develop the threshold equations. The 5-day antecedent (x-variable) vs. daily rainfall (y-variable) provided the best fit to the data with a threshold equation of …

Engineering Decision Making Under Uncertainties, Snehamoy Chatterjee

TechTalks

Uncertainty is an inherent component of any engineering problem. Uncertainty comes at different stages of an engineering project with different level of complexities. Decision making by neglecting uncertainty may leads to an incorrect solution for a project. Our research focuses on identification and quantification of different sources of uncertainness, and bringing uncertainties within the decision making framework. We are developing algorithms for uncertainty evaluation of spatial and temporal data by integrating multiple source and multiple scale data types, and stochastic optimization models to take into account multiple objectives and constraints. We are applying our research on mining, geology, and geo-hydrology …

Reliability Analysis Of Active Earth Pressure For Cantilever Walls On Mudflows And Residual Soils Of The Aburrá Valley, Juan David Castro, Juan Camilo Viviescas, Juan Pablo Osorio

Conference papers

According to the variability of the local geology of the Aburrá Valley, two geological strata with similar grain size distribution were analyzed. The geologies are composed of mudflows and residual soils from the San Diego stock in the Poblado neighborhood. These soils show a similar mechanical behavior in relation to the number of blows of the standard penetration test SPT. The analysis was carried out by reliability methods for the determination of the active earth pressure for the geotechnical design of a cantilever walls. The analysis consists in the variation of the height of the retaining wall between 1 and …

Geology Influence In The Slope Stability Analysis By Limit Equilibrium, Finite Elements And Random Finite Elements Methods, Juan Camilo Viviescas, Juan Pablo Osorio

Conference papers

Slope stability analyzes correspond to the evaluation of the safety factors commonly performed through the limit equilibrium and finite element methods. Due to the uncertainty of the geotechnical parameters, different statistical methods have emerged such as the limit equilibrium combined with the Monte Carlo simulation method and the random finite elements, which have been widely accepted in recent years. Normally, these analyzes are not performed taking into account the geological influence on the geotechnical properties, so in this work we proceed with the comparison of several geometrical typologies of slopes for mudflows and a residual soils of the Stock San …

Atmospheric Processes Affecting The Separation Of Volcanic Ash And So < Inf> 2 In Volcanic Eruptions: Inferences From The May 2011 Grímsvötn Eruption, Fred Prata, Mark Woodhouse, Herbert E. Huppert, Andrew Prata, Thor Thordarson, S. Carn

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The separation of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas is sometimes observed during volcanic eruptions. The exact conditions under which separation occurs are not fully understood but the phenomenon is of importance because of the effects volcanic emissions have on aviation, on the environment, and on the earth's radiation balance. The eruption of Grímsvötn, a subglacial volcano under the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland during 21-28 May 2011 produced one of the most spectacular examples of ash and SO2 separation, which led to errors in the forecasting of ash in the atmosphere over northern Europe. Satellite data from several sources …

A Novel Applications Of Photogrammetry For Retaining Wall Assessment, Renee Oats, Rudiger Escobar-Wolf, Thomas Oommen

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Retaining walls are critical geotechnical assets and their performance needs to be monitored in accordance to transportation asset management principles. Current practices for retaining wall monitoring consist mostly of qualitative approaches that provide limited engineering information or the methods include traditional geodetic surveying, which may provide high accuracy and reliability, but is costly and time-consuming. This study focuses on evaluating failure modes of a 2.43 m × 2.43 m retaining wall model using three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry as a cost-effective quantitative alternative for retaining wall monitoring. As a remote sensing technique, photogrammetry integrates images collected from a camera and creates a …

Unified Solution To Drained Expansion Of A Spherical Cavity In Clay And Sand, Lin Li, Jingpei Li, De'an Sun, Weibing Gong

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a novel unified solution to drained expansion of a spherical cavity in both clay and sand. The large-strain theory and a critical state model with a unified hardening parameter are used to describe the elastoplastic behavior of the soils after yielding. The elastoplastic constitutive tensor of the critical state model is developed to be a system of first-order differential equations for the drained expansion of a spherical cavity. The problem is formulated as an initial value problem in terms of the Lagrangian scheme by introducing an auxiliary variable and is solved numerically. With the present solution, curves …

A Geologic Study To Determine The Potential To Create An Appalachian Storage Hub For Natural Gas Liquids, Kristin M. Carter, Douglas G. Patchen, Jessica P. Moore, Mohammad Fakhari, Gary W. Daft Jr, Michael Solis, Brian J. Dunst, Robin V. Anthony, Katherine W. Schmid, Kyle Metz, Philip Dinterman, Julie M. Bloxson, Erica N. Schubert, John Saucer

Appalachian Oil and Natural Gas Research Consortium

The Marcellus and Utica shale plays continue to lead the way in an ever-expanding shale revolution with average daily production, growing from about 3 billion cubic feet (BCF) in 2010 to more than 24 BCF today. Forecasts suggest that this could grow to as much as 40 BCF in the next 5 years. Fortunately, sweet spots in the Utica in eastern Ohio and in the Marcellus in northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania are areas of wet gas production, downdip from oil production and updip from dry gas. Production in these regions represents about 40 percent of the total from …

Expanding Understanding Of Optical Variability In Lake Superior With A 4-Year Dataset, Colleen B. Mouw, Audrey B. Ciochetto, Brice Grunert, Angela W. Yu

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Lake Superior is one of the largest freshwater lakes on our planet, but few optical observations have been made to allow for the development and validation of visible spectral satellite remote sensing products. The dataset described here focuses on coincidently observing inherent and apparent optical properties along with biogeochemical parameters. Specifically, we observe remote sensing reflectance, absorption, scattering, backscattering, attenuation, chlorophyll concentration, and suspended particulate matter over the ice-free months of 2013-2016. The dataset substantially increases the optical knowledge of the lake. In addition to visible spectral satellite algorithm development, the dataset is valuable for characterizing the variable light field, …

Analysis Of Time-Dependent Bearing Capacity Of A Driven Pile In Clayey Soils By Total Stress Method, Lin Li, Jingpei Li, De'an Sun, Weibing Gong

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes an analytical approach to evaluate the time-dependent bearing capacity of a driven pile in clayey soils by taking the pile installation and subsequent reconsolidation effects into consideration. The process of pile installation is modeled by undrained expansion of a spherical cavity at the pile tip and a cylindrical cavity around the pile shaft. The cavity expansion solution, which is based on a K0-consolidated anisotropic modified Cam-clay model (K0-AMCC), is used to capture the pile installation effects. After pile installation, the dissipation of the excess pore water and the increase of the effective stress in the surrounding soil …

Spatial Variability Of Co < Inf> 2 Uptake In Polygonal Tundra: Assessing Low-Frequency Disturbances In Eddy Covariance Flux Estimates, Norbert Pirk, Jakob Sievers, Jordan Mertes, Frans Jan W. Parmentier, Mikhail Mastepanov, Torben R. Christensen

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The large spatial variability in Arctic tundra complicates the representative assessment of CO2 budgets. Accurate measurements of these heterogeneous landscapes are, however, essential to understanding their vulnerability to climate change. We surveyed a polygonal tundra lowland on Svalbard with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that mapped ice-wedge morphology to complement eddy covariance (EC) flux measurements of CO2. The analysis of spectral distributions showed that conventional EC methods do not accurately capture the turbulent CO2 exchange with a spatially heterogeneous surface that typically features small flux magnitudes. Nonlocal (low-frequency) flux contributions were especially pronounced during snowmelt and introduced a large bias …

Effects Of Vegetation On Slope Stability: A Review, Roberto José Marín Sánchez, Juan Pablo Osorio

Articles

Slope stability is usually affected by factors that reduce soil strength and increase driving forces acting on the slope material, sometimes generating mass movements. Among these factors, vegetation has an important role related to hydrological (e.g. evapotranspiration and infiltration) and mechanical (e.g. tree surcharge and root reinforcement provided by trees) mechanisms. In this review, vegetation influences associated to slope stability are identified, describing the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of mass movements. Finally, the way these factors affect slope stability is explained according to soil properties, climatic conditions and environmental characteristics.

Geoengineering, Marine Microalgae, And Climate Stabilization In The 21st Century, Charles H. Greene, Mark E. Huntley, Ian Archibald, Léda N. Gerber, Deborah L. Sills, Joe Granados, Colin M. Beal, Michael J. Walsh

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

Society has set ambitious targets for stabilizing mean global temperature. To attain these targets, it will have to reduce CO2 emissions to near zero by mid-century and subsequently remove CO2 from the atmosphere during the latter half of the century. There is a recognized need to develop technologies for CO2 removal; however, attempts to develop direct air-capture systems have faced both energetic and financial constraints. Recently, BioEnergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has emerged as a leading candidate for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. However, BECCS can have negative consequences on land, nutrient, and water use as well as …

New-Generation Nasa Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (Omi) Volcanic So2 Dataset: Algorithm Description, Initial Results, And Continuation With The Suomi-Npp Ozone Mapping And Profiler Suite (Omps), Can Li, Nickolay A. Krotkov, Simon Carn, Yan Zhang, Robert J.D. Spurr, Joanna Joiner

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Since the fall of 2004, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) has been providing global monitoring of volcanic SO2 emissions, helping to understand their climate impacts and to mitigate aviation hazards. Here we introduce a new-generation OMI volcanic SO2 dataset based on a principal component analysis (PCA) retrieval technique. To reduce retrieval noise and artifacts as seen in the current operational linear fit (LF) algorithm, the new algorithm, OMSO2VOLCANO, uses characteristic features extracted directly from OMI radiances in the spectral fitting, thereby helping to minimize interferences from various geophysical processes (e.g., O3 absorption) and measurement details (e.g., wavelength shift). To solve …

Arctic Micromonas Uses Protein Pools And Non-Photochemical Quenching To Cope With Temperature Restrictions On Photosystem Ii Protein Turnover, Guangyan Ni, Gabrielle Zimbalatti, Cole D. Murphy, Audrey B. Barnett, Christopher M. Arsenault, Gang Li, Amanda M. Cockshutt, Douglas A. Campbell

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Micromonas strains of small prasinophyte green algae are found throughout the world’s oceans, exploiting widely different niches. We grew arctic and temperate strains of Micromonas and compared their susceptibilities to photoinactivation of Photosystem II, their counteracting Photosystem II repair capacities, their Photosystem II content, and their induction and relaxation of non-photochemical quenching. In the arctic strain Micromonas NCMA 2099, the cellular content of active Photosystem II represents only about 50 % of total Photosystem II protein, as a slow rate constant for clearance of PsbA protein limits instantaneous repair. In contrast, the temperate strain NCMA 1646 shows a faster clearance …

Fate And Impacts Of Priority Pollutant Metals In Coal Fly Ash–Soil–Switchgrass Plant Mesocosms, Olushola M. Awoyemi, E. Kudjo Dzantor

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Coal fly ash (CFA) is a coal combustion by-product containing heavy metals (HMs) that can enter and accumulate in environmental matrices. The current study assessed the fate and effects of HMs contained in CFA on Armour silt loam (ASL) soil, switchgrass plant, and leachate. Soil impact indices compared levels of HMs in the CFA-soil admixtures to control soil (without CFA). These indices include contamination factor (*C*~f~), modified degree of contamination (m*C*~d~), and pollution load index (PLI). The ratio of the levels of HMs in switchgrass root and shoot tissues to their levels in the CFA-soil admixtures were used to determine …

Geopolymerization Of Coal Ash To Produce Cementless Binders, Hamid Akbari, Robert Mensah-Biney, Jonathan Simms

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

The main objective of this study was to evaluate geopolymer concrete made from coal combustion by-products, disposed of in landfills, as a potential substitute for the ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which is responsible for 5-8% of the total CO2 emissions in the world. In this study, a coal fly ash sample from the Carolinas was used in a chemical process known as geopolymerization to produce a “geopolymer” binder. The developed geopolymer binder could competently substitute the OPC binder in regular concrete applications. An experimental design program was conducted to optimize parameters of the geopolymerization affecting the strength of the final …

Groundwater Monitoring And Data Analysis Under The Coal Combustion Residuals Rule, Bruce Hensel

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

No abstract provided.

Ponded And Landfilled Fly Ash As A Source Of Rare Earth Elements From A Kentucky Power Plant, James C. Hower, John G. Groppo, Kevin R. Henke, Uschi M. Graham, Madison M. Hood, Prakash Joshi, Dorin V. Preda

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Twenty samples, with one composite sample built out of the 20 individual samples, of ponded ash were collected at a Kentucky power plant. The coal feed throughout the history of the power plant was central eastern Kentucky low- to moderate-S high volatile A bituminous coal. The pond was in the process of being excavated, with the ash moved to a landfill on another company property. In spite of the long history of the pond and the expected variation in coal supply, and perhaps because of the mixing due to the excavation, there is little variation in ash-basis rare earth elements …

Rare Earth Element Distribution In Fly Ash Derived From The Fire Clay Coal, Kentucky, Madison M. Hood, Ross K. Taggart, Ryan C. Smith, Heileen Hsu-Kim, Kevin R. Henke, Uschi Graham, John G. Groppo, Jason M. Unrine, James C. Hower

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Fly ash was collected from individual mechanical and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) hoppers at a 130-MW pulverized-coal utility unit burning a southeastern Kentucky moderate- to high-S Pennsylvanian Fire Clay coal. The fly ash particle size is generally similar within each row of the mechanical and ESP hoppers, with the mean particle diameter decreasing from >36 μmin the mechanical hoppers to 6 μm in the last ESP row. Rare earth element (REE)–bearing phases occur within fine minerals and, possibly, as part of the fly ash glass phase. Transmission electron microscopy was used to identify Y-Ce-Nd-La–bearing regions within a glassy matrix. Y- and …

The Relative Impact Framework For Evaluating Coal Combustion Residual Surface Impoundment Closure Options: Applications And Lessons Learned, Ari S. Lewis, Andrew B. Bittner

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule regarding the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCRs), many utilities need to re-examine their waste disposal practices and make decisions regarding if and how unlined surface impoundments (SIs) should be closed. The two primary options for closing SIs are in-place closure, with capping and engineering controls, and excavation of the CCR for transport to and re-disposal in a lined landfill. To help inform closure option decisions, we supported the Electric Power Research Institute’s development of a practical, science-based decision framework that comprehensively evaluates the potential impacts to human health and …

Successful Field Application Of A New Polymer Flooding Technique Suitable For Mature Oilfields Against Low-Oil-Price Background - A Case Study From East China, X. Wu, Y. Wu, C. Xiong, H. Xu, X. Jia, L. Shao, Y. Xiong, J. Zhang, A. Wang, H. Xu, J. Tian, Baojun Bai, X. Tian

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

DGXJ is a sandstone reservoir with temperature of 113 °C, salinity of 36235mg/L, and calcium and magnesium content of 1152mg/L and 30mg/L respectively. The reservoir is not only vertically multilayered and severe heterogeneous, but also witnesses water flowing channels, irregular and imperfect injecting production well patterns, high recovery degree (43%) and high water cut (97%). A new particle-type polymer (SMG) slug combined several small linked-polymer-gel (LPG)slugs and pregelled swellable particle (PSP) was applied during 2011-2015 and achieved remarkable technical and economic effect. The application area is composed of 16 injection wells and 22 production wells. Among the 22 wells, 17 …

Performance Evaluation Of Integrated Co2 Huff-N-Puff And Wag In Low-Pressure Heterogeneous Reservoir, Hutthapong Yoosook

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The integrated CO2 Huff-n-Puff and WAG is a novel technique to combine CO2 Huff-n-Puff technique that conducted at early state and followed by WAG technique until the end of operating time. This technique is effectiveness in term of increased oil recovery and reduced CO2 utilization. However, the integrated CO2 Huff-n-Puff and WAG process contains numerous adjustable operating parameters. Hence, numerical simulation study and sensitivity analysis become essential to investigate the effects of main operational parameters and evaluate the performance of the integrated CO2 Huff-n-Puff and WAG process in low-pressure heterogeneous reservoir to achieve the maximum benefits. According to simulation results, …

Comparing The Depositional Environment Of The Upper Smackover Formation In Southwestern Clarke County, Mississippi And Brooklyn/ Little Cedar Creek Field, Alabama, Elsie Ekene Okoye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluated the depositional settings of the upper Smackover formation in southwestern Clarke County (scc), Mississippi and compared its facies to those of the Brooklyn and little cedar creek fields (bf/lcc) in Conecuh and Escambia Counties, Alabama. The Smackover formation has been a prolific oil producing formation in the Gulf of Mexico since its discovery in Union County, Arkansas in 1937. The discovery of the lcc in 1994 and the bf in 2007 has generated additional interest in the Smackover. The bf/ lcc occur near the updip limit of the upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) Smackover formation. These fields produce from …

Effects Of Post Eviction Resettlement On Land-Use And Cover Change In Uganda’S Oil Exploration Areas, Joseph Ssekandi, John Mburu, Oliver Wasonga, Laban Macopiyo, Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Evaluation of the changes in land use and land cover change (LULCC) in respect to oil exploration across the Albertine region in Uganda has been focused around the exploration areas and protected areas, with no attention to the potential impacts of evictees’ activities on resettled areas. This study used LANDSAT images to analyze the land use and land cover changes (LULCC) among the period before eviction (2002 and 2005) at the climax of eviction and resettlements (2005-2011), and during the post-resettlement period (2011-2015) to quantify the impacts of resettlements on the environment. LANDSAT images were processed using ERDAS IMAGINE software …

Designing Efficient Petroleum Fiscal System For Mozambique, Nelson Victor

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Nowadays, tax regime is designed to attract investment and provide the contractor with fair return on investment, at the same time, provide the host government with adequate resources for rent, thereby resulting in win-win situation. This study analyses the existing petroleum fiscal regime in the Republic of Mozambique and proposes a more efficient and flexible regime. The analysis shows that the government take currently remains at around 39% while the contactors' net present value (NPV) increases as field sizes and oil prices increase. The current system is considered a regressive system which is inefficient in distributing wealth from oil profit. …