Evaluation of the in situ state of Fraser River sand

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
A V Chillarige ◽  
P K Robertson ◽  
N R Morgenstern ◽  
H A Christian
Keyword(s):  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastien J.P. Lenard ◽  
Maarten Lupker ◽  
Irene Schimmelpfennig ◽  
Vincent Godard ◽  
Clement Desormeaux ◽  
...  

<p>Denudation rates are routinely derived from concentrations of terrestrial in situ produced cosmogenic nuclides (TCN), particularly from <sup>10</sup>Be concentrations in river sand. Denudation rates are calculated assuming that they remain steady throughout the integration time scale of the TCN. However, such an assumption is possibly unverified in settings with negligible tectonics, where rates typically range from 10 to 100 mm/ky. In those settings, the TCN conveys a signal that integrates denudation over a time span longer than a few thousand years. The signal may include periods when anthropogenic and climatic forcing on denudation was distinct from modern times. For instance, agricultural practices were limited before 6,000 years B.P. and climatic conditions were colder and drier before 10,000 years B.P. A variable forcing may produce variable and transient denudation rates. In that case, the assumption of steady denudation rates is invalid, and their derivation may introduce a bias.</p><p>To detect transient landscapes and resolve such a bias, we can take advantage of the different sensitivity of the <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>10</sup>Be TCNs to recent and short-term changes in surface denudation. In situ <sup>14</sup>C is more sensitive than <sup>10</sup>Be to such changes, because of a shorter half-life (5,700 y compared to 1.4 My). This potential application of coupled <sup>14</sup>C - <sup>10</sup>Be measurements has recently been discussed in several theoretical studies (Hippe, 2017; Mudd, 2017; Skov et al., 2019). Despite the improvement of <sup>14</sup>C extraction lines and measurement facilities (Hippe et al., 2009; Lupker et al., 2019), sensitivity tests remain limited on natural cases (Hippe et al., 2012).</p><p>Here, we propose assessing this new application by in situ <sup>14</sup>C - <sup>10</sup>Be measurements on river sand from the Cevennes and the Monts Margeride within the Variscan Massif Central in France. With an average elevation of ~700 m, this mountain range presents an asymmetrical topography, composed of a low-relief surface reaching 1,700 m, and bordered by a gently sloping flank to the west and a steep escarpment to the southeast, along the Cevennes fault. This escarpment receives frequent and seasonal extreme precipitation events (300-700 mm in 48h) on its southeast flank.</p><p>The range is subject to very limited seismic activity and appears relevant for an application of the <sup>14</sup>C-<sup>10</sup>Be couple. Basins are rich in quartz and have homogeneous lithology. The recent paleoclimatic context is well constrained, with substantial climatic variations but with limited Pleistocene glaciations (e.g. Fauquette et al., 1999; Magny et al., 2003; Mayewski et al., 2004). The Massif Central is subject to active erosion processes, without major contribution from stochastic events such as landslides. Denudation rates are in the range of the theoretical study of Skov et al. 2019 (Schaller et al. 2001; Molliex et al. 2016; Olivetti et al. 2016; Desormeaux et al., 2021) and several studies have suggested transient denudation patterns (Schaller et al. 2001; Olivetti et al. 2016). With our new measurements, we will verify whether the <sup>14</sup>C-<sup>10</sup>Be couple has sufficient resolution to detect such transience in natural cases.</p>


1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 866-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl B Crawford ◽  
K Ian Morrison

The technique of preloading the deep, compressible soils in the Fraser River delta has been used for more than 40 years to prevent excessive settlement of major structures. This paper documents 22 years of settlement under preloading and after construction of the facilities for a major waste water treatment plant in the delta. These results are similar to observations for as long as 28 years at five additional sites in the delta. It was found that as much as one half of the measured surface settlement occured during or within a few weeks of the full apllication of the preload and that subsequent settlements have the characteristics of secondary consolidation. This could not have been predicted from laboratory tests, and it raises questions concerning the true nature of consolidation in situ. For practical purposes the observations provide guidance for the prediction of long-term settlements in the region. Key words: case history, consolidation, field observations, preloading, settlement.


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-176
Author(s):  
R. G. Campanella ◽  
R. Hitchman ◽  
W. E. Hodge

An in situ densification probe that employs the novel technique of simultaneous vibration and dewatering has been developed by Phoenix Engineering Ltd. to compact deep, loose, granular soils. It is believed that pumping water out of the soil during the densification process offers improved densification capability over systems operating with vibration alone. An independent study was undertaken by the In-Situ Testing Group at the University of British Columbia to evaluate the performance of the Phoenix system.A field testing programme was conducted at a site in Vancouver where hydraulic sand fill overlies a natural silt and then medium Fraser River sand. Characterization of the site and evaluation of the densification treatment process were achieved using in situ tests. Changes to soil parameters due to densification treatment were examined, taking into account the modification of stresses brought about by the vibro-drainage process. The study investigated the degree of densification achieved, the value of concurrent drainage, the zone of influence of a single compaction probe, and group effects. The study also compares the performance of the Phoenix machine with that of other vibrocompaction equipment. Key words: in situ, densification, soils, granular, probe, vibratory, drainage, compaction, R&D.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Tao Yang ◽  
Jie Zhang

This paper focuses on the failure mechanism of a water-resisting soil layer with both coal excavation and seepage effect. Being taken the simulation principle of fluid-solid coupling as the research basis, we have established a new kind of experimental material for fluid-solid physical simulation (FPS). The material adopts river sand and clay as the aggregates, besides engine oil and low-temperature grease that are used as the gelatinizing agents. According to the relevant property testing on the experimental material, the mechanical parameters and seepage parameters of the material totally match the parameters of the soil layer, which satisfy requirements of the fluid-solid coupling experiment. Simultaneously, we have solved abundant material property problems, such as the material disintegration with water and visuality of water seepage in the simulation. Next, we have built up the FPS model to simulate coal excavation under water-bearing strata with the specific material. The results indicated that in the FPS, movement and failure mechanism of the water-resisting soil layer agree with the in-situ monitoring results. In addition, the revolution law of a mining-induced crack is also fitting the actual data. The mechanism of submarine seepage and its parameters on the material and the prototype are similar. All research results would be necessary for controlling mining-induced destroying of clay water-resisting property. Meanwhile, the model demonstrates that selection of the material and coupling parameters is valid. Finally, we can alter the material matching to obtain the layer materials with various characteristics, which would be applied in extensive experiments for studying soil layer failure and seepage simulation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri Northcutt ◽  
Dharma Wijewickreme

The effect of initial particle fabric on the one-dimensional compression response of Fraser River sand was investigated. One-dimensional compression with lateral stress measurement was carried out on reconstituted Fraser River sand specimens using an instrumented oedometer. Laboratory specimens were reconstituted by air pluviation, tamping, and vibration and were prepared with an initial relative density ranging from medium loose to very dense. For Fraser River sand in one-dimensional compression, air-pluviated specimens yielded the highest values for the coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest (Ko), tamped specimens produced the lowest Ko values, and vibrated specimens produced intermediate Ko values. The results from the present study demonstrate that specimens resulting from different laboratory reconstitution methods (i.e., different initial particle fabrics) exhibit different one-dimensional compression responses and produce different Ko values. A “fabric factor” was introduced to account for the effect of the initial particle fabric on the measured coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest. Using the fabric factor, the constant volume friction angle, and the specimen relative density, a new empirical equation defining the coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest during normally consolidated loading is proposed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Crawford ◽  
N. R. McCammon ◽  
R. C. Butler

This paper describes the settlements of three heavy silo structures at two cement plants located along the south arm of the Fraser River delta. In this area, it has not been possible to obtain sufficiently undisturbed samples for reliable consolidation tests, and it has been necessary therefore to employ in situ tests and site improvement techniques such as preloading and vibrocompaction for the design of foundations. In some cases, piles were used to redistribute heavy loads. Observations during the past 35 years have shown that most of the consolidation settlement has occurred in a deep layer of marine sediments and that it is largely completed within 10 years of the loading. Key words: case record, consolidation, foundation performance, in situ tests, preloading, settlements, site improvement.


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