Numerical analysis of canister movements in an engineered barrier system     

Fabrice Dupray  Lyesse Laloui 《Acta Geotechnica》2016,11(1):145-159

The mid-term safety of deep geological nuclear waste repositories is based in part on the presence of a buffer, the main role of which is to isolate the environment from radionuclides. A design evaluation of such a repository is necessary to assess the potential vertical canister movement inside the drift that could reduce the buffer efficiency. A thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) simulation is performed in a vertical cross-section of the drift. The THM couplings are described, and their influences on the mid-term (300 years) response of the engineered barrier system (EBS) are revealed. This study uses an advanced constitutive model to simulate the THM processes that occur in a specific EBS design case. The near-field simulations of the nuclear waste canister are performed in a two-dimensional finite element configuration that considers the effect of gravity. The focus of this study is on the mechanical behaviour of the buffer, which consists of two different forms of bentonite. Such an approach allows realistic consideration of the effect of the wetting and drying of the buffer material in non-isothermal conditions. Due to a specific design that includes bentonite blocks and pellets, the canister is observed to heave slightly during the re-saturation period, which extends up to 100 years.  相似文献   

Understanding single-station ground motion variability and uncertainty (sigma): lessons learnt from EUROSEISTEST     

Olga-Joan Ktenidou  Zafeiria Roumelioti  Norman Abrahamson  Fabrice Cotton  Kyriazis Pitilakis  Fabrice Hollender 《Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering》2018,16(6):2311-2336

Accelerometric data from the well-studied valley EUROSEISTEST are used to investigate ground motion uncertainty and variability. We define a simple local ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) and investigate changes in standard deviation (σ) and its components, the between-event variability (τ) and within-event variability (φ). Improving seismological metadata significantly reduces τ (30–50%), which in turn reduces the total σ. Improving site information reduces the systematic site-to-site variability, φ _S2S (20–30%), in turn reducing φ, and ultimately, σ. Our values of standard deviations are lower than global values from literature, and closer to path-specific than site-specific values. However, our data have insufficient azimuthal coverage for single-path analysis. Certain stations have higher ground-motion variability, possibly due to topography, basin edge or downgoing wave effects. Sensitivity checks show that 3 recordings per event is a sufficient data selection criterion, however, one of the dataset’s advantages is the large number of recordings per station (9–90) that yields good site term estimates. We examine uncertainty components binning our data with magnitude from 0.01 to 2 s; at smaller magnitudes, τ decreases and φ _SS increases, possibly due to κ and source-site trade-offs Finally, we investigate the alternative approach of computing φ _SS using existing GMPEs instead of creating an ad hoc local GMPE. This is important where data are insufficient to create one, or when site-specific PSHA is performed. We show that global GMPEs may still capture φ _SS , provided that: (1) the magnitude scaling errors are accommodated by the event terms; (2) there are no distance scaling errors (use of a regionally applicable model). Site terms (φ _S2S ) computed by different global GMPEs (using different site-proxies) vary significantly, especially for hard-rock sites. This indicates that GMPEs may be poorly constrained where they are sometimes most needed, i.e., for hard rock.  相似文献   

Application-driven ground motion prediction equation for seismic hazard assessments in non-cratonic moderate-seismicity areas     

D. Bindi  F. Cotton  S. R. Kotha  C. Bosse  D. Stromeyer  G. Grünthal 《Journal of Seismology》2017,21(5):1201-1218

We present a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA) in low-to-moderate seismicity areas, such as Germany. Starting from the NGA-West2 flat-file (Ancheta et al. in Earthquake Spectra 30:989–1005, 2014), we develop a model tailored to the hazard application in terms of data selection and implemented functional form. In light of such hazard application, the GMPE is derived for hypocentral distance (along with the Joyner-Boore one), selecting recordings at sites with vs30 ≥ 360 m/s, distances within 300 km, and magnitudes in the range 3 to 8 (being 7.4 the maximum magnitude for the PSHA in the target area). Moreover, the complexity of the considered functional form is reflecting the availability of information in the target area. The median predictions are compared with those from the NGA-West2 models and with one recent European model, using the Sammon’s map constructed for different scenarios. Despite the simplification in the functional form, the assessed epistemic uncertainty in the GMPE median is of the order of those affecting the NGA-West2 models for the magnitude range of interest of the hazard application. On the other hand, the simplification of the functional form led to an increment of the apparent aleatory variability. In conclusion, the GMPE developed in this study is tailored to the needs for applications in low-to-moderate seismic areas and for short return periods (e.g., 475 years); its application in studies where the hazard is involving magnitudes above 7.4 and for long return periods is not advised.  相似文献   

Influence of the microstructural properties of biocemented sand on its mechanical behavior     

Abdelali Dadda  Christian Geindreau  Fabrice Emeriault  Annette Esnault Filet  Aurélie Garandet 《国际地质力学数值与分析法杂志》2019,43(2):568-577

The mechanical efficiency of the biocementation process is directly related to the microstructural properties of the biocemented sand, such as the volume fraction of calcite, its distribution within the pore space, coordination number, contact surface area, and types of contact. In the present work, some of these microscopic properties are computed, from 3D images obtained by X-ray tomography of biocemented sand. These properties are then used as an input in current analytical models to estimate the elastic properties (Young and shear moduli) and the strength properties (Coulomb cohesion). For the elastic properties, the analytical estimates (contact cement theory model) are compared with classical bounds, self-consistent estimate and numerical results obtained by direct computation (FEM computation) on the same 3D images. Concerning the cohesion, an analytical model initially developed to estimate the cohesion due to suction in unsaturated soils is modified to evaluate the macroscopic cohesion of biocemented sands. Such analytical model is calibrated on experimental data obtained from triaxial tests performed on the same biocemented sand. In overall, the presented results point out the important role of some microstructural parameters, notably those related to the contact, on such effective parameters.  相似文献   

Synthesis of a spinifex‐textured basalt as an analog to Gusev crater basalts,Mars     

Nicolas BOST  Frances WESTALL  Fabrice GAILLARD  Claire RAMBOZ  Frédéric FOUCHER 《Meteoritics & planetary science》2012,47(5):820-831

Abstract– Analyses by the Mars Exploration Rover (MER), Spirit, of Martian basalts from Gusev crater show that they are chemically very different from terrestrial basalts, being characterized in particular by high Mg‐ and Fe‐contents. To provide suitable analog basalts for the International Space Analogue Rockstore (ISAR), a collection of analog rocks and minerals for preparing in situ space missions, especially, the upcoming Mars mission MSL‐2011 and the future international Mars‐2018 mission, it is necessary to synthesize Martian basalts. The aim of this study was therefore to synthesize Martian basalt analogs to the Gusev crater basalts, based on the geochemical data from the MER rover Spirit. We present the results of two experiments, one producing a quench‐cooled basalt (<1 h) and one producing a more slowly cooled basalt (1 day). Pyroxene and olivine textures produced in the more slowly cooled basalt were surprisingly similar to spinifex textures in komatiites, a volcanic rock type very common on the early Earth. These kinds of ultramafic rocks and their associated alteration products may have important astrobiological implications when associated with aqueous environments. Such rocks could provide habitats for chemolithotrophic microorganisms, while the glass and phyllosilicate derivatives can fix organic compounds.  相似文献   

Raman spectroscopic properties and Raman identification of CaS‐MgS‐MnS‐FeS‐Cr2FeS4 sulfides in meteorites and reduced sulfur‐rich systems     

Caroline Avril  Valérie Malavergne  Razvan Caracas  Brigitte Zanda  Bruno Reynard  Emeline Charon  Ema Bobocioiu  Fabrice Brunet  Stephan Borensztajn  Sylvain Pont  Martine Tarrida  François Guyot 《Meteoritics & planetary science》2013,48(8):1415-1426

Raman spectra were acquired on a series of natural and synthetic sulfide minerals, commonly found in enstatite meteorites: oldhamite (CaS), niningerite or keilite ((Mg,Fe)S), alabandite (MnS), troilite (FeS), and daubreelite (Cr₂FeS₄). Natural samples come from three enstatite chondrites, three aubrites, and one anomalous ungrouped enstatite meteorite. Synthetic samples range from pure endmembers (CaS, FeS, MgS) to complex solid solutions (Fe, Mg, Ca)S. The main Raman peaks are localized at 225, 285, 360, and 470 cm^?1 for the Mg‐rich sulfides; at 185, 205, and 285 cm^?1 for the Ca‐rich sulfides; at 250, 370, and 580 cm^?1 for the Mn‐rich sulfides; at 255, 290, and 365 cm^?1 for the Cr‐rich sulfides; and at 290 and 335 cm^?1 for troilite with, occasionally, an extra peak at 240 cm^?1. A peak at 160 cm^?1 is present in all Raman spectra and cannot be used to discriminate between the different sulfide compositions. According to group theory, none of the cubic monosulfides oldhamite, niningerite, or alabandite should present first‐order Raman spectra because of their ideal rocksalt structure. The occurrence of broad Raman peaks is tentatively explained by local breaking of symmetry rules. Measurements compare well with the infrared frequencies calculated from first‐principles calculations. Raman spectra arise from activation of certain vibrational modes due to clustering in the solid solutions or to coupling with electronic transitions in semiconductor sulfides.  相似文献   

SLRS‐5 Elemental Concentrations of Thirty‐Three Uncertified Elements Deduced from SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 Ratios     

Alexie Heimburger  Mickael Tharaud  Fabrice Monna  Rémi Losno  Karine Desboeufs  Elisabeth B. Nguyen 《Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research》2013,37(1):77-85

The fifth version of natural river water certified reference material, SLRS‐5 (National Research Council – Conseil National de Recherches Canada), is commonly used to control the quality of major and trace element measurements. Concentrations of silicon and thirty‐one uncertified trace elements have been reported for the certified reference material SLRS‐4, but they are not yet available for SLRS‐5. Here, SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 ratios were deduced from SLRS‐5 and SLRS‐4 measurements by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry and high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry for certified elements and thirty‐five uncertified elements (rare earth elements, B, Bi, Br, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hf, Li, Nb, P, Pd, Rb, Rh, S, Sc, Si, Sn, Th, Ti, Tl, Y). Both reference materials were measured directly one after the other, so that calculated elemental ratios would not be notably influenced either by calibration uncertainties or by eventual long‐term instrumental drift. The computed ratios are in good agreement with those deduced from the certified values. We also report concentrations for thirty‐three uncertified elements in SLRS‐5 by combining the measured SLRS‐5/SLRS‐4 ratios and the published SLRS‐4 values. The resulting new data set provides target SLRS‐5 values, which will be useful in quality control procedures.  相似文献   

Multifrequency observations of the jets in the radio galaxy NGC 315     

R. A. Laing  J. R. Canvin  W. D. Cotton  A. H. Bridle 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2006,368(1):48-64

We present images of the jets in the nearby radio galaxy NGC 315 made with the Very Large Array at five frequencies between 1.365 and 5 GHz with resolutions between 1.5 and 45 arcsec. Within 15 arcsec of the nucleus, the spectral index of the jets is  α= 0.61  . Further from the nucleus, the spectrum is flatter, with significant transverse structure. Between 15 and 70 arcsec from the nucleus, the spectral index varies from ≈0.55 on-axis to ≈0.44 at the edge. This spectral structure suggests a change of dominant particle acceleration mechanism with distance from the nucleus and the transverse gradient may be associated with shear in the jet velocity field. Further from the nucleus, the spectral index has a constant value of 0.47. We derive the distribution of Faraday rotation over the inner ±400 arcsec of the radio source and show that it has three components: a constant term, a linear gradient (both probably due to our Galaxy) and residual fluctuations at the level of 1–2 rad m⁻². These residual fluctuations are smaller in the brighter (approaching) jet, consistent with the idea that they are produced by magnetic fields in a halo of hot plasma that surrounds the radio source. We model this halo, deriving a core radius of ≈225 arcsec and constraining its central density and magnetic field strength. We also image the apparent magnetic field structure over the first ±200 arcsec from the nucleus.  相似文献   

The measurement of diffusion coefficients in the Conwy estuary     

John R. West  Andrew P. Cotton 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》1981,12(3):323-336

  相似文献   

Apparent discrepancy in contamination history of a sub-tropical estuary evaluated through 210Pb profile and chronostratigraphical markers     

Marques AN  Monna F  da Silva Filho EV  Fernex FE  Fernando Lamego Simões Filho F 《Marine pollution bulletin》2006,52(5):532-539

Zn and Cd concentrations, stable lead isotopes and ²¹⁰Pb-derived chronology were determined in a sediment core sampled at Sepetiba Bay (South-eastern Brazil). During the last decades, the bay’s watershed has been modified by the increase of industrial activities and human interventions. In particular, Zn and Cd ore treatment plants were built near the coast in 1960 and 1970, respectively, and water has been diverted from the adjacent Paraíba do Sul River watershed since 1950. The core collected at shallow depth near the industrial area exhibits four successive events: (i) at 50 cm depth, a change in the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratio from about 1.162 to more than 1.18 might be the result of the São Francisco Channel opening and water diversion from Paraíba do Sul river; (ii) at 40 cm depth, Zn concentration starts to increase (up to 0.8 mg g⁻¹) (iii) above 30 cm depth, relatively high Cd concentrations (up to 1.6 μg g⁻¹) are observed and (iv) at 16 cm depth, change in unsupported ²¹⁰Pb slope is probably related to a waste dam built to prevent strong metal contamination in the bay. Sediment accumulation rates evaluated by Zn and Cd profiles used as time-markers are higher than those calculated from ²¹⁰Pb-based chronology models. Using the constant initial concentration (CIC) model both events are supposed to date back to about 1884 and 1902, respectively, while using the constant rate of supply (CRS) model it shifts to about 1925 and 1935. Such discrepancies are probably assigned to the fact that these models do not take into account site-specific local sedimentation dynamics. In the study area, particles deposition seems to be controlled by enrichment with unsupported ²¹⁰Pb transported by runoff from a mangrove flat bank. Chronology derived from a model that assumes an exponential increase of the initial ²¹⁰Pb activity fits well with the estimated rates obtained from historical events.  相似文献