Numerical Evaluation for Roads Considering the Addition of Geogrids in Karst Geohazards Zones

Design of road infrastructure in karst terrain is a challenge for any geotechnical condition caused by the weathering of the subsoil. Previous investigations pointed out the efficiency of the roads with geogrids, however there are few studies analyzing road reinforced under karst geohazards. This paper presents a numerical study of the geogrid additions in a typical Mexican road and considering 19 cavities in the subsoil due to failures of the roads in these terrains. The rocks and the soil were simulated by Hoek–Brown and Mohr–Coulomb constitutive models, considering specific characteristics of karstic materials. Hence, it was carried out in different two-dimension finite element models to analyze the geogrid behavior and its benefits. First, the geogrid position was varied inside of the road structure and applying a heavy truck load in its surface and finally, underground cavities were sequentially opened in the numerical model. It was established the best combination of the road-geogrid structure construction and the influence when cavities are developed underground analyzing the stress paths in the medium. From this study, it is found, that when the geogrid layer is embedded between bedrock and subgrade, the failure is mitigated, observing an increase in the factor of safety even with 19 voids presence in the model. Concluding that the geogrid is an adequate solution of reinforcement of roads.

Hydrochemical and Isotopic Difference of Spring Water Depending on Flow Type in a Stratigraphically Complex Karst Area of South Korea

Characterizing the subsurface flow in karstic areas is challenging due to distinct flow paths coexisting, and lithologic heterogeneity makes it more difficult. A combined use of hydrochemical, environmental isotopic, and hydrograph separation study was performed to understand the subsurface flow in a karst terrain where Ordovician carbonate rocks overlie Jurassic sandstone and shale along thrusts. Spring water collected was divided into Type Ⅰ (n = 11) and Ⅱ (n = 30) based on flow patterns (i.e., low and high discharge, respectively). In addition, groundwater (n = 20) was examined for comparison. Three Type Ⅱ springs were additionally collected during a storm event to construct hydrographs using δ18O and δD. As a result, Type Ⅱ had higher electrical conductivity, Mg2+, HCO3−, and Ca2+/(Na+ + K+) than Type Ⅰ and was mostly saturated with calcite, similar to deep groundwater. The hydrochemical difference between Types Ⅰ and Ⅱ was opposite to the expectation that Type Ⅱ would be undersaturated given fast flow and small storage, which could be explained by the distinct geology and water sources. Most Type Ⅱ springs and deep groundwater occurred in carbonate rocks, whereas Type Ⅰ and shallow groundwater occurred in various geological settings. The carbonate rocks seemed to provide conduit flow paths for Type Ⅱ given high solubility and faults, resulting in 1) relatively high tritium and NO3− and Cl−via short-circuiting flow paths and 2) the similar hydrochemistry and δ18O and δD to deep groundwater via upwelling from deep flow paths. The deep groundwater contributed to 83–87% of the discharge at three Type Ⅱ springs in the dry season. In contrast, Type Ⅰ showed low Ca2+ + Mg2+ and Ca2+/(Na+ + K+) discharging diffuse sources passing through shallow depths in a matrix in mountain areas. Delayed responses to rainfall and the increased concentrations of contaminants (e.g., NO3−) during a typhoon at Type Ⅱ implied storage in the vadose zone. This study shows that hydrochemical and isotopic investigations are effective to characterize flow paths, when combined with hydrograph separation because the heterogenous geology affects both flow paths and the hydrochemistry of spring water passing through each pathway.

Detecting Karst Voids Based on Dominant Frequencies of Seismic Profiles

The presence of near-surface karst voids is an extremely difficult issue in the construction of a high-speed rail (HSR) foundation. Seismic constant-offset profile (COP) method is one of the shallow geophysics technologies which may be used for the detection of karst voids. Although a COP image does not directly reveal the characters related to the anomalies in a karst terrain, the dominant frequency of the COP image in a karst terrain is significantly lower than the dominant frequency over the background without karstification or voids. This dominant-frequency anomaly is due to the strong attenuation effect when seismic waves propagate through any karst voids. Thus, we propose using the dominant-frequency anomalies of the COP image to directly detect near-surface karst voids in a karst terrain. First, we generate a high-resolution time–frequency spectrum for each COP trace, using the modified Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) algorithm which combines WVD with a multichannel maximum entropy method. Second, we estimate a high-precision dominant-frequency function which varies along the reflection time, based on the corresponding high-resolution time–frequency spectrum. Finally, we detect the geological anomalies by analyzing low-frequency distributions in the dominant-frequency image for all traces. We demonstrate this procedure with a case study for the detection of karst voids within the high-speed rail foundation in a karst terrain, and verify the interpretation of hidden voids, cavities, clays and peats directly with drilling cores.

Terenski pregled krške zaravni na području Jasenica i Obrovca

The paper presents a study conducted by applying the method of archaeological field surveying. The survey was conducted on the Dinara mountain karst of the Jasenice and Obrovac areas. It defines the formation processes and the archaeological potential of the surveyed area. In addition, it discusses the applied methodology and its suitability for karst relief. It further presents the main characteristics of archaeological sources on karst terrain and categorises them by taking into account the material features and processes of Dinaric karst. The empirical data collected during the surveying are presented in chronological order.

Soil properties of agricultural area in karst terrain of Parakan, Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia

a clayed soil characterized by reddish in colour, thick solum and neutral acidity. Farmers in Parakan area, Parigi District of Pangandaran, usually cultivate cash crops in terra rossa. Nowadays, farmers have no information about the properties of the soil, which is an important factor to maintain and increase plant productivity. The objective of this descriptive quantitative study was to verify the soil characteristic included physicochemical and microbiological properties in a selected agricultural field of Parakan. The soil samples were taken from three different areas covered with different vegetation. The study showed that terra rossa in the karst area is a non-saline soil with neutral acidity and low electrical conductivity. The texture of all soils were clay contained >50% clay particle. The soils were low in organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphor; but high in total phosphor and potassium, as well as cation exchange capacity. The population of soil microbes include total and fungal bacteria, as well as nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, were average. In order to increase the organic carbon level; and the availability of phosphor and nitrogen, organic matter amendment is needed.

Stability Assessment of Ground Surface along Tunnels in Karst Terrain Using Improved Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation

The stability of ground surface along tunnels in karst terrain is influenced by complex factors, among which the karst features are the significant ones. Under the influence of karst, the ground surface along tunnels is very easy to collapse, thus causing great casualties and economic losses. To provide guidance for maintaining the stability of ground surface along tunnels, an analysis system is proposed for assessing the stability of ground surface along tunnels in karst terrain based on an improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. Based on the case analysis of ground collapse along tunnels in karst terrain and the review of the related researches, the evaluation index system for ground surface stability assessment was established. The ridge-shaped membership functions were constructed to calculate the membership degree for the evaluation indices. The comprehensive weighting method combining the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process and correlation analysis was applied to determine weights for evaluation indices. And the ground surface stability level was recognized based on the maximum membership principle. The proposed assessment system was applied to assess the ground surface stability along the tunnels of Guiyang Metro Line 1, and the assessment results agreed well with the regional ground collapse history, verifying the effectiveness and reliability of the assessment system. Combining with the assessment results, a series of measures were conducted to promote the ground surface stability before tunnel excavation. This system provides a valuable tool for assessing and guiding to improve stability of the ground surface along tunnels in karst terrain.

Diel Variation of Hydrochemistry and Carbon Flux in the Banzhai River, SW China

This study was undertaken in the Banzhai, a small groundwater-fed stream flowing over carbonate karst terrain in the southwest of Guizhou, China. To assess the biogeochemical processes behind carbon fluxes and sinks and calculate the end-member contribution to the geological carbon sink, samples were collected at a 2-h sampling interval during a two-day period, and the diel-variation of δ13CDIC, δ13CPOC, and C/N were analyzed. During the sampling period, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (Do), and chlorophyll were measured at a 15-min interval using in situ sensors. The results showed that (1) the hydro-chemical variations reflected the photosynthesis of subaquatic plants and degassing. These processes likely turned a part of HCO3- to organic carbon, which subsequently precipitated. (2) The 13C isotope ratios indicated a varying intensity of photosynthesis and degassing during the HCO3- migration process. Moreover, subaquatic plants changed their metabolic pathway from C3 to C4 carbon fixation due to the lack of CO2 in the water and utilized HCO3- in the water as their carbon source. (3) The net carbon sink flux was 1784.54 kg CO2, where carbonate weathering, the biological carbon pump, and weathering of silicate rocks accounted for 85.80 %, 13.64 %, and 0.56 %, respectively. (4) In the Banzhai ground river, the DIC during the migration process was mainly lost through degassing, allogenic acid, and consumption by photosynthesis of subaquatic plants.