Understanding how dominant plants respond to nitrogen(N)addition is critical for accurately predicting the potential effects of N deposition on ecosystem structure and functionality.Biomass partitioning serves as a va...Understanding how dominant plants respond to nitrogen(N)addition is critical for accurately predicting the potential effects of N deposition on ecosystem structure and functionality.Biomass partitioning serves as a valuable indicator for assessing plant responses to environmental changes.However,considerable uncertainty remains regarding how biomass partitioning shifts with increasing N inputs in sandy ecosystems.To address this gap,we conducted a greenhouse N fertilization experiment in April 2024,using seeds from 20 dominant plant species in the Horqin Sandy Land of China representing 5 life forms:annual grasses,annual forbs,perennial grasses,perennial forbs,and shrubs.Six levels of N addition(0.0,3.5,7.0,14.0,21.0,and 49.0 g N/(m2•a),referred to as N0,N1,N2,N3,N4,and N5,respectively)were applied to investigate the effects of N inputs on biomass partitioning.Results showed that for all 20 dominant plant species,the root biomass:shoot biomass(R:S)consistently declined across all N addition treatments(P<0.050).Concurrently,N addition led to a 23.60%reduction in root biomass fraction,coupled with a 12.38%increase in shoot biomass fraction(P<0.050).Allometric partitioning analysis further indicated that N addition had no significant effect on the slopes of the allometric relationships(leaf biomass versus root biomass,stem biomass versus root biomass,and shoot biomass versus root biomass).This suggests that plants can adjust resource investment—such as allocating more resources to shoots—to optimize growth under favorable conditions without disrupting functional trade-offs between organs.Among different life forms,annual grasses,perennial grasses,and annual forbs exhibited increased allocation to aboveground biomass,enhancing productivity and potentially altering community composition and competitive hierarchies.In contrast,perennial forbs and shrubs maintained stable biomass partitioning across all N addition levels,reflecting conservative resource allocation strategies that support long-term ecosystem resilience in nutrient-poor environments.Taken together,these findings deepen our understanding of how nutrient enrichment influences biomass allocation and ecosystem dynamics across different plant life forms,offering practical implications for the management and restoration of degraded sandy ecosystems.展开更多
Bentonite is a very useful material for improving soil properties,which enhances the ability of plants to grow and produce in different conditions.The experiment was carried out in an agricultural nursery in one of th...Bentonite is a very useful material for improving soil properties,which enhances the ability of plants to grow and produce in different conditions.The experiment was carried out in an agricultural nursery in one of the areas of the City of Diwaniyah,in a house covered with green netting,with a shade rate of 25%,to study the effect of bentonite and humic acid on the growth and flowering of a Catharanthus roseus L.plant in sandy soil.The experiment included two factors:the first factor was bentonite clay,and the second factor was humic acid.Using a randomized complete block design(R.C.B.D)with three replications,data were analyzed using the analysis of variance(ANOVA)method,and comparison was made according to the least significant difference(L.S.D)test at a probability level of 0.05.The experiment consisted of adding bentonite clay at 0,2,6,and 8 g L-1,humic acid at 0,0.5,1,and 10 g L-1.The results showed that adding bentonite clay and humic acid to sandy soil can have a significant positive effect on the growth and flowering of the Catharanthus roseus plant grown in poor sandy soil conditions.Bentonite,clay and humic acid were added at concentrations of 8 and 10 g L-1,which led to an increase in plant height and number of leaves and leaf area.They reached 30.07,23.84 cm2,76.62,63.42 cm2 for leaf-1 and 24.73,20.22 cm2 for leaf-1,respectively.The results also showed an increase in the content of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K)in leaves by 2.27,1.92,1.99%and 1.51,1.22,1.77%.This also led to an increase in chlorophyll pigment and anthocyanin at the highest concentration and gave the highest value.Therefore,adding bentonite and humic acid together gave the highest values in vegetative and chemical characteristics,compared to treatments without addition.展开更多
The progressive failure characteristics of geomaterial are a remarkable and challenging topic in geotechnical engineering.To study the effect of salt content and temperature on the progressive failure characteristics ...The progressive failure characteristics of geomaterial are a remarkable and challenging topic in geotechnical engineering.To study the effect of salt content and temperature on the progressive failure characteristics of frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil,a series of uniaxial compression tests were performed by integrating digital image correlation(DIC)technology into the testing apparatus.The evolution law of the uniaxial compression strength(UCS),the failure strain,and the formation of the shear band of the frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil were analyzed.The test results show that within the scope of this study,with the increase of salt content,both the UCS and the shear band angle initially decrease with increasing salt content before showing an increase.In contrast,the failure strain and the width of the shear band exhibit an initial increase followed by a decrease in the samples.In addition,to investigate the brittle failure characteristics of frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil,two classic brittleness evaluation methods were employed to quantitatively assess the brittleness level for the soil samples.The findings suggest that the failure characteristics under all test conditions in this study belong to the transition stage between brittle and ductile,indicating that frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil exhibits certain brittle behavior under uniaxial compression conditions,and the brittleness index basically decreases and then increases with the rise in salt content.展开更多
In Switzerland,the Opalinus Clay has been selected as a potential host rock for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste due to its low hydraulic conductivity and favorable swelling properties.During the oper...In Switzerland,the Opalinus Clay has been selected as a potential host rock for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste due to its low hydraulic conductivity and favorable swelling properties.During the operational phase of the repository,the host rock will be exposed to pH values as high as 13.5 due to concrete degradation,which will certainly affect its hydraulic properties.This study investigates the effect of pH increase on the water retention properties of Opalinus Clay.A series of samples from the lower sandy facies of the Mont Terri site in Switzerland,at initial dry state,were exposed to a hyperalkaline solution of pH=13.5 and to the synthetic water of pH=7.5 at different water contents.After equilibrium,the total suction was measured with a dew point potentiometer and microstructural analyses were conducted via mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)and nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique.It was found that the total suction decreased with hydration and pH increase.Since the two investigated solutions have the same osmotic suction,the decrease in total suction was attributed to the decrease in matric suction.Indeed,the total porosity increased with saturation and pH increase.This was confirmed by MIP data that evidenced an increase in the proportion of macropores,and by Barret eJoynereHalenda(BJH)data that showed mesopore generation.The specific surface area(SSA)also increased.The previous results were due to mineral hydration and,exclusively in the case of alkaline solution,to(1)the dissolution of quartz and calcite and(2)the acid-base reactions,which were concentrated at the edges of the clay particles,leading to an increase in negatively charged groups and thus to a face-to-face association of the clay particles(dispersion),causing an increase in the repulsive forces between the clay particles.In addition,the weakening of covalent bonds led to the primary dissolution of clay minerals,i.e.silicon and aluminum detachment.展开更多
In recent years,intensive human activities have increased the intensity of desertification,driving continual desertification process of peripheral meadows.To investigate the effects of restoration on soil microbial co...In recent years,intensive human activities have increased the intensity of desertification,driving continual desertification process of peripheral meadows.To investigate the effects of restoration on soil microbial communities,we analyzed vegetation-soil relationships in the Hulun Buir Sandy Land,northern China.Through the use of high-throughput sequencing,we examined the structure and diversity in the bacterial and fungal communities within the 0-20 cm soil layer after 9-15 a of restoration.Different slope positions were analyzed and spatial heterogeneity was assessed.The results showed progressive improvements in soil properties and vegetation with the increase of restoration duration,and the following order was as follows:bottom slope>middle slope>crest slope.During the restoration in the Hulun Buir Sandy Land,the bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Acidobacteria,whereas the fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.Eutrophic bacterial abundance increased with the restoration duration,whereas oligotrophic bacterial and fungal abundance levels decreased.The soil bacterial abundance significantly increased with the increasing restoration duration,whereas the fungal diversity decreased after 11 a of restoration,except that at the crest slope.Redundancy analysis showed that pH,soil moisture content,total nitrogen,and vegetation-related factors affected the bacterial community structure(45.43%of the total variance explained).Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that pH,total phosphorus,and vegetation-related factors shaped the bacterial community structure(31.82%of the total variance explained).Structural equation modeling highlighted greater bacterial responses(R^(2)=0.49-0.79)to changes in environmental factors than those of fungi(R^(2)=0.20-0.48).The soil bacterial community was driven mainly by pH,soil moisture content,electrical conductivity,plant coverage,and litter dry weight.The abundance and diversity of the soil fungal community were mainly driven by plant coverage,litter dry weight,and herbaceous aboveground biomass,while there was no significant correlation between the soil fungal community structure and environmental factors.These findings highlighted divergent microbial succession patterns and environmental sensitivities during sandy grassland restoration.展开更多
Sandy braided river deposits are widely preserved in ancient stratigraphic records and act as a significant type of hydrocarbon reservoir.Due to the frequent and rapid migration of channels within the riverbed,the sed...Sandy braided river deposits are widely preserved in ancient stratigraphic records and act as a significant type of hydrocarbon reservoir.Due to the frequent and rapid migration of channels within the riverbed,the sedimentary architecture is highly complex.In this paper,a flume experiment was conducted to reveal the detailed depositional process and establish a fine sedimentary architecture model for sandy braided rivers.The result showed that(1)Three types of braid channels,including the lateral migration channel,the confluence channel,and the deep incised channel,were recognized based on geometry,scale,distribution,and spatial patterns;they are interconnected,forming a complex channel network.(2)Braid channels were characterized by lateral migration,abandonment,filling,and chute cutoff.Lateral migration of channels shaped the braid bars and dominated the formation,growth,and reworking of braid bars.(3)Controlled by the fast and frequent variations of the braid channel network,braid bars were continuously formed,reworked,reshaped,and composited of multiple accretions with different types,orientations,scales,and preservation degrees.Symmetrical and asymmetrical braid bars pre-sented significantly different composition patterns.(4)Dominated by the continuous reworking of braid channels,temporary deposits were limited preserved,braid channel deposits account for 54.3 percent of the eventually preserved braided river deposits,and four types of amalgamate patterns were recognized.Braid bars were cut and limited preserved,only accounting for 45.7 percent of the eventually preserved braided river deposits.(5)During the experiment,only 28 percent of near-surface temporary deposits were eventually preserved in fragmented forms with the final experimental braided river;the shape,spatial patterns,and most of the deposits observed during the depositional process were largely reworked and poorly preserved.(6)The scale of eventually preserved braid bars and braid channels is significantly smaller than the temporary deposits from geomorphic observations.The aspect ratio of the eventually preserved braid bars and the width-to-depth ratio of the eventually preserved braid channel are also significantly different from that of the temporary ones measured from topography data.展开更多
It has been well recognized that sand particles significantly affect the mechanical properties of reconstituted sandy clays,including the hosted clay and sand particles.However,interrelation between the permeability a...It has been well recognized that sand particles significantly affect the mechanical properties of reconstituted sandy clays,including the hosted clay and sand particles.However,interrelation between the permeability and compressibility of reconstituted sandy clays by considering the structural effects of sand particles is still rarely reported.For this,a series of consolidation-permeability coefficient tests were conducted on reconstituted sandy clays with different sand fractions(ψ_(ss)),initial void ratio of hosted clays(e_(c0))and void ratio at liquid limit of hosted clays(e_(cL)).The roles of ψ_(ss) in both the relationships of permeability coefficient of hosted clay(k_(v-hosted clay))versus effective vertical stress(σ'_(v))and void ratio of hosted clay(e_(c-hosted clay))versus σ'_(v) were analyzed.The results show that the permeability coefficient of reconstituted sandy clays(k_(v))is dominated by hosted clay(k_(v)=k_(v-hosted clay)).Both ψ_(ss) and σ'_(v) affect the k_(v) of sandy clays by changing the e_(c-hosted clay) at any given σ'_(v).Due to the partial contacts and densified clay bridges between the sand particles(i.e.structure effects),the e_(c-hosted clay) in sandy clays is higher than that in clays at the same σ'_(v)v.The k_(v)-e_(c-hosted clay) relationship of sandy clays is independent of σ'_(v) and ψ_(ss)but is a function of e_(cL).The types of hosted clays affect the k_(v) of sandy clays by changing the e_(cL).Based on the relationship between permeability coefficient and void ratio for the reconstituted clays,an empirical method for determining the k_(v) is proposed and validated for sandy clays.The predicted values are almost consistent with the measured values with k_(v-predicted)=k_(v-measured)=0.6-2.5.展开更多
Sandy cobble soil exhibits pronounced heterogeneity.The assessment of the uncertainty surrounding its properties is crucial for the analysis of settlement characteristics resulting from volume loss during shield tunne...Sandy cobble soil exhibits pronounced heterogeneity.The assessment of the uncertainty surrounding its properties is crucial for the analysis of settlement characteristics resulting from volume loss during shield tunnelling.In this study,a series of probabilistic analyses of surface and subsurface settlements was conducted considering the spatial variability of the friction angle and reference stiffness modulus,under different volumetric block proportions(Pv)and tunnel volume loss rates(ηt).The non-intrusive random finite difference method was used to investigate the probabilistic characteristics of maximum surface settlement,width of subsurface settlement trough,maximum subsurface settlement,and subsurface soil volume loss rate through Monte Carlo simulations.Additionally,a comparison between stochastic and deterministic analysis results is presented to underscore the significance of probabilistic analysis.Parametric analyses were subsequently conducted to investigate the impacts of the key input parameters in random fields on the settlement characteristics.The results indicate that scenarios with higher Pv or greaterηt result in a higher dispersion of stochastic analysis results.Neglecting the spatial variability of soil properties and relying solely on the mean values of material parameters for deterministic analysis may result in an underestimation of surface and subsurface settlements.From a probabilistic perspective,deterministic analysis alone may prove inadequate in accurately capturing the volumetric deformation mode of the soil above the tunnel crown,potentially affecting the prediction of subsurface settlement.展开更多
Investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation and its response mechanisms to natural and anthropogenic elements is crucial for regional vegetation restoration and ecological preservation.The Mu Us Sandy Lan...Investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation and its response mechanisms to natural and anthropogenic elements is crucial for regional vegetation restoration and ecological preservation.The Mu Us Sandy Land(MUSL),which is situated in the semi-arid zone of northwestern China adjacent to the Loess Plateau,has been at the forefront of desertification and oasis formation over the past two millennia.This study is based on the synthesis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)data from MOD13A3 data in the MODIS(Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)dataset(2002-2021)and climate data(temperature and precipitation)at annual and monthly scales from the National Earth System Science Data Center.A range of analytical methods,including univariate linear regression,Theil-Sen trend analysis and Mann-Kendall significance test,correlation analysis,residual analysis,and Hurst index,were used to explore the response mechanisms of the NDVI to climate change and human activities and to predict the future trends of the NDVI in the MUSL.The results showed that through the method of correlation analysis,in terms of both spatially averaged correlation coefficients and area proportion,the NDVI was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation in 97.59%and 96.51%of the study area,respectively,indicating that temperature has a greater impact on the NDVI than precipitation.Residual analysis quantified the contributions of climate change and human activities to the NDVI changes,revealing that climate change and human activities contribute up to 30.00%and 70.00%,respectively,suggesting that human activities predominantly affect the NDVI changes in the MUSL.The Hurst index was used to categorize the future trend of the NDVI into four main directions of development:continuous degradation(0.05%of the study area),degradation in the past but improvement in the future(54.45%),improvement in the past but degradation in the future(0.13%),and continuous improvement(45.36%).In more than 50.00%of the regions that have been degraded in the past but were expected to improve in the future,the NDVI was expected to exhibit a stable trend of anti-persistent improvement.These findings provide theoretical support for future ecological protection,planning,and the implementation of ecological engineering in the MUSL,and also offer a theoretical basis for the planning and execution of construction projects,environmental protection measures,and the sustainable development of vegetation.展开更多
Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in...Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China,plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological security pattern in this region.However,this sandy land also faces severe sandy desertification and ecological degradation.This study conducted a regional eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land using a comprehensive index evaluation method based on eco-geological theories and survey results.To construct an appropriate index system for the eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land,the study considered the sandy land’s unique characteristics and identified 15 factors of five categories,namely geology,meteorology,soil,topography,and vegetation.The paper calculated the comprehensive weights of all the indices using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and the entropy weight method(EWM).Furthermore,it established the eco-geological vulnerability index(EGVI)and obtained the assessment results.The results showed that the eco-geological vulnerability of the Mu Us Sandy Land gradually intensifies from east to west,manifested as vulnerable eco-geological conditions overall.Specifically,extremely vulnerable zones are found in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the study area,highly vulnerable zones in the western and southern parts,moderately vulnerable zones in the central part,and slightly and potentially vulnerable zones in the eastern and southern parts.Areas with high spatial autocorrelations include the northern Uxin Banner-Otog Banner-Angsu Town area,the surrounding areas of Hongdunjie Town in the southeastern part of the study area,the Hongshiqiao Township-Xiaohaotu Township area,Otog Front Banner,and Bainijing Town,which should be prioritized in the ecological conservation and restoration.Additionally,the paper proposed suggestions for the ecological conservation and restoration of county-level administrative areas in the study area.Overall,the findings provide a valuable reference for the ecological conservation and restoration of the Mu Us Sandy Land and other desert areas in arid and semi-arid regions.展开更多
The soil packing,influenced by variations in grain size and the gradation pattern within the soil matrix,plays a crucial role in constituting the mechanical properties of sandy soils.However,previous modeling approach...The soil packing,influenced by variations in grain size and the gradation pattern within the soil matrix,plays a crucial role in constituting the mechanical properties of sandy soils.However,previous modeling approaches have overlooked incorporating the full range of representative parameters to accurately predict the soaked California bearing ratio(CBR_(s))of sandy soils by precisely articulating soil packing in the modeling framework.This study presents an innovative artificial intelligence(AI)-based approach for modeling the CBR_(s)of sandy soils,considering grain size variability meticulously.By synthesizing extensive data from multiple sources,i.e.extensive tailored testing program undertaking multiple tests and extant literature,various modeling techniques including genetic expression programming(GEP),multi-expression programming(MEP),support vector machine(SVM),and multi-linear regression(MLR)are utilized to develop models.The research explores two modeling strategies,namely simplified and composite,with the former incorporating only sieve analysis test parameters,while the latter includes compaction test parameters alongside sieve analysis data.The models'performance is assessed using statistical key performance indicators(KPIs).Results indicate that genetic AI-based algorithms,particularly GEP,outperform SVM and conventional regression techniques,effectively capturing complex relationships between input parameters and CBR_(s).Additionally,the study reveals insights into model performance concerning the number of input parameters,with GEP consistently outperforming other models.External validation and Taylor diagram analysis demonstrate the GEP models'superiority over existing literature models on an independent dataset from the literature.Parametric and sensitivity analyses highlight the intricate relationships between grain sizes and CBR_(s),further emphasizing GEP's efficacy in modeling such complexities.This study contributes to enhancing CBR_(s)modeling accuracy for sandy soils,crucial for pertinent infrastructure design and construction rapidly and cost-effectively.展开更多
Due to space constraints in urban areas,metro tunnels are typically constructed in pairs,with a small clearance.The interaction between twin tunnels leads to a significantly more complex ground deformation and stress ...Due to space constraints in urban areas,metro tunnels are typically constructed in pairs,with a small clearance.The interaction between twin tunnels leads to a significantly more complex ground deformation and stress distribution than that observed in a single tunnel scenario,particularly if the tunnels are excavated in sequence.A series of physical model tests were conducted to investigate soil deformation and stress disturbances caused by the excavation of twin tunnels.The test results indicate that the interaction between the twin tunnels was observed.Due to the soil arching effect,the excavation of Tunnel 2 increases the soil stress acting on Tunnel 1.An analytical method was proposed to determine soil stress considering the soil arching effect and the interaction between twin tunnels.The method categorized the relative locations between twin tunnels into non-influenced,partially influenced,and fully influenced scenarios.For non-influenced and fully influenced scenarios,the soil stresses above twin tunnels were calculated based on a symmetric major principal stress trace.For the partially influenced scenario,however,the soil arch above Tunnel 2 was asymmetric due to the interaction,and the stress distribution was obtained based on a new asymmetric major principal stress trace.The soil stress on Tunnel 1 was influenced by the load transferred from Tunnel 2 and calculated based on the force equilibrium.A comparison of the analytical and test results indicates that the proposed method effectively predicts the soil stress in the cover layer above twin tunnels excavated sequentially,considering the interaction and soil arching effects.展开更多
Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabin...Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabina vulgaris on soil physical and chemical properties on the southeastern fringe of the Mu Us Sandy Land,China.We collected soil samples from five depth layers(0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80,and 80-100 cm)in the S.vulgaris plantation plots across four plantation ages(4,7,10,and 16 years)in November 2019,and assessed soil physical(soil bulk density,soil porosity,and soil particle size)and chemical(soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),cation-exchange capacity(CEC),salinity,p H,and C/N ratio)properties.The results indicated that the soil predominantly consisted of sand particles(94.27%-99.67%),with the remainder being silt and clay.As plantation age increased,silt and very fine sand contents progressively rose.After 16 years of planting,there was a marked reduction in the mean soil particle size.The initial soil fertility was low and declined from 4 to 10 years of planting before witnessing an improvement.Significant positive correlations were observed for the clay,silt,and very fine sand(mean diameter of 0.000-0.100 mm)with SOC,AK,and p H.In contrast,fine sand and medium sand(mean diameter of 0.100-0.500 mm)showed significant negative correlations with these indicators.Our findings ascertain that the plantation of S.vulgaris requires 10 years to effectively act as a windbreak and contribute to sand fixation,and needs 16 years to improve soil physical and chemical properties.Importantly,these improvements were found to be highly beneficial for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas.This research can offer valuable insights for the protection and restoration of the vegetation ecosystem in the sandy lands in China.展开更多
This study focuses on the analytical prediction of subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum considering the volumetric deformation modes of the soil above the tunnel crown.A series of...This study focuses on the analytical prediction of subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum considering the volumetric deformation modes of the soil above the tunnel crown.A series of numerical analyses is performed to examine the effects of cover depth ratio(C/D),tunnel volume loss rate(h t)and volumetric block proportion(VBP)on the characteristics of subsurface settle-ment trough and soil volume loss.Considering the ground loss variation with depth,three modes are deduced from the volumetric deformation responses of the soil above the tunnel crown.Then,analytical solutions to predict subsurface settlement for each mode are presented using stochastic medium theory.The influences of C/D,h t and VBP on the key parameters(i.e.B and N)in the analytical expressions are discussed to determine the fitting formulae of B and N.Finally,the proposed analytical solutions are validated by the comparisons with the results of model test and numerical simulation.Results show that the fitting formulae provide a convenient and reliable way to evaluate the key parameters.Besides,the analytical solutions are reasonable and available in predicting the subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum.展开更多
Coral sandy soils widely exist in coral island reefs and seashores in tropical and subtropical regions.Due to the unique marine depositional environment of coral sandy soils,the engineering characteristics and respons...Coral sandy soils widely exist in coral island reefs and seashores in tropical and subtropical regions.Due to the unique marine depositional environment of coral sandy soils,the engineering characteristics and responses of these soils subjected to monotonic and cyclic loadings have been a subject of intense interest among the geotechnical and earthquake engineering communities.This paper critically reviews the progress of experimental investigations on the undrained behavior of coral sandy soils under monotonic and cyclic loadings over the last three decades.The focus of coverage includes the contractive-dilative behavior,the pattern of excess pore-water pressure(EPWP)generation and the liquefaction mechanism and liquefaction resistance,the small-strain shear modulus and strain-dependent shear modulus and damping,the cyclic softening feature,and the anisotropic characteristics of undrained responses of saturated coral sandy soils.In particular,the advances made in the past decades are reviewed from the following aspects:(1)the characterization of factors that impact the mechanism and patterns of EPWP build-up;(2)the identification of liquefaction triggering in terms of the apparent viscosity and the average flow coefficient;(3)the establishment of the invariable form of strain-based,stress-based,or energy-based EPWP ratio formulas and the unique relationship between the new proxy of liquefaction resistance and the number of cycles required to reach liquefaction;(4)the establishment of the invariable form of the predictive formulas of small strain modulus and strain-dependent shear modulus;and(5)the investigation on the effects of stress-induced anisotropy on liquefaction susceptibility and dynamic deformation characteristics.Insights gained through the critical review of these advances in the past decades offer a perspective for future research to further resolve the fundamental issues concerning the liquefaction mechanism and responses of coral sandy sites subjected to cyclic loadings associated with seismic events in marine environments.展开更多
Background,aim,and scope Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s))is a key parameter in the hydrological cycle of soil;however,we have very limited understanding of K_(s) characteristics and the factors that inf lu...Background,aim,and scope Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s))is a key parameter in the hydrological cycle of soil;however,we have very limited understanding of K_(s) characteristics and the factors that inf luence this key parameter in the Mu Us sandy land(MUSL).Quantifying the impact of changes in land use in the Mu Us sandy land on K_(s) will provide a key foundation for understanding the regional water cycle,but will also provide a scientific basis for the governance of the MUSL.Materials and methods In this study,we determined K_(s) and the basic physical and chemical properties of soil(i.e.,organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition)within the first 100 cm layer of four different land use patterns(farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland)in the MUSL.The vertical variation of K_(s) and the factors that influence this key parameter were analyzed and a transfer function for estimating K_(s) was established based on a multiple stepwise regression model.Results The K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub increased gradually with soil depth while that of grassland remained unchanged.The K_(s) of the four patterns of land use were moderately variable;mean K_(s)values were ranked as follows:grassland(1.38 mm·min^(-1))<tree(1.76 mm·min^(-1))<farmland(1.82 mm·min^(-1))<shrub(3.30 mm·min^(-1)).The correlation between K_(s) and organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition,varied across different land use patterns.A multiple stepwise regression model showed that silt,coarse sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were key predictive factors for the K_(s) of farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,in the MUSL.Discussion The vertical distribution trend for K_(s) in farmland is known to be predominantly influenced by cultivation,fertilization,and other factors.The general aim is to improve the water-holding capacity of shallow soil on farmland(0-30 cm in depth)to conserve water and nutrients;research has shown that the K_(s) of farmland increases with soil depth.The root growth of tree and shrub in sandy land exerts mechanical force on the soil due to biophysical processes involving rhizospheres,thus leading to a significant change in K_(s).We found that shallow high-density fine roots increased the volume of soil pores and eliminated large pores,thus resulting in a reduction in shallow K_(s).Therefore,the K_(s) of tree and shrub increased with soil depth.Analysis also showed that the K_(s) of grassland did not change significantly and exhibited the lowest mean value when compared to other land use patterns.This finding was predominantly due to the shallow root system of grasslands and because this land use pattern is not subject to human activities such as cultivation and fertilization;consequently,there was no significant change in K_(s) with depth;grassland also had the lowest mean K_(s).We also established a transfer function for K_(s) for different land use patterns in the MUSL.However,the predictive factors for K_(s) in different land use patterns are known to be affected by soil cultivation methods,vegetation restoration modes,the distribution of soil moisture,and other factors,thus resulting in key differences.Therefore,when using the transfer function to predict K_(s) in other areas,it will be necessary to perform parameter calibration and further verification.Conclusions In the MUSL,the K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub gradually increased with soil depth;however,the K_(s) of grassland showed no significant variation in terms of vertical distribution.The mean K_(s) values of different land use patterns were ranked as follows:shrub>farmland>tree>grassland;all land use patterns showed moderate levels of variability.The K_(s) for different land use patterns exhibited differing degrees of correlation with soil physical and chemical properties;of these,clay,silt,sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were identified as important variables for predicting K_(s) in farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,respectively.Recommendations and perspectives In this study,we used a stepwise multiple regression model to establish a transfer function prediction model for K_(s) for different land use patterns;this model possessed high estimation accuracy.The ability to predict K_(s) in the MUSL is very important in terms of the conservation of water and nutrients.展开更多
The NATO agreement STANAG 4569 defines the protection levels for the occupants of logistic and light armored vehicle.The Allied Engineering Publication,AEP-55,Volume 2 document outlines the test conditions for underbe...The NATO agreement STANAG 4569 defines the protection levels for the occupants of logistic and light armored vehicle.The Allied Engineering Publication,AEP-55,Volume 2 document outlines the test conditions for underbelly improvised explosive device(IEDs),which must be buried in water-saturated sandy gravel.The use of sandy gravel has some drawbacks,for instance reproducibility,time consumption,and cost.This paper focuses on the investigation of four alternatives to sandy gravel,which could produce similar specific and cumulative impulses:a concrete pot filled with water,a concrete pot filled with quartz sand,a steel pot without filling and a concrete pot filled with glass spheres(diameter 200μm—300μm)and different water contents.The impulses are measured with a ring technology developed at the Fraunhofer EMI.A numerical soil model based on the work of Marrs,2014 and Fi serov a,2006 and considering the soil moisture was used to simulate the experiments with glass spheres at different water contents,showing much better agreement with the experiments than the classical Laine&Sandvik model,even for high saturation levels.These results can be used to create new test conditions at original scale that are more cost-effective,more reproducible and simpler to manage in comparison to the current tests carried out with STANAG sandy gravel.展开更多
During the operation of sandy railways, the challenge posed by wind-blown sand is a persistent issue. An in-depth study on the influence of wind-blown sand content on the macroscopic and microscopic mechanical propert...During the operation of sandy railways, the challenge posed by wind-blown sand is a persistent issue. An in-depth study on the influence of wind-blown sand content on the macroscopic and microscopic mechanical properties of the ballast bed is of great significance for understanding the potential problems of sandy railways and proposing reasonable and adequate maintenance and repair strategies. Building upon existing research, this study proposes a new assessment indicator for sand content. Utilizing the discrete element method(DEM) and fully considering the complex interactions between ballast and sand particles, three-dimensional(3D) multi-scale analysis models of sandy ballast beds with different wind-blown sand contents are established and validated through field experiments. The effects of varying wind-blown sand content on the microscopic contact distribution and macroscopic mechanical behavior(such as resistance and support stiffness) of ballast beds are carefully analyzed. The results show that with the increase in sand content, the average contact force and coordination number between ballast particles gradually decrease, and the disparity in contact forces between different layers of the ballast bed diminishes. The longitudinal and lateral resistance of the ballast bed initially decreases and then increases, with a critical point at 10% sand content. At 15% sand content, the lateral resistance is mainly shared by the ballast shoulder. The longitudinal resistance sharing ratio is always the largest on the sleeper side, followed by that at the sleeper bottom, and the smallest on the ballast shoulder. When the sand content exceeds 10%, the contribution of sand particles to stiffness significantly increases, leading to an accelerated growth rate of the overall support stiffness of the ballast bed, which is highly detrimental to the long-term service performance of the ballast bed. In conclusion, it is recommended that maintenance and repair operations should be promptly conducted when the sand content of the ballast bed reaches or exceeds 10%.展开更多
Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestiris Linnaeus var. mongolica Litvinov) as a valuable conifer tree species has been broadly introduced to the sandy land areas in 揟hree North?regions (North, northwest and northeast of Chi...Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestiris Linnaeus var. mongolica Litvinov) as a valuable conifer tree species has been broadly introduced to the sandy land areas in 揟hree North?regions (North, northwest and northeast of China), but many problems occurred in the earliest Mongolian pine plantations in Zhanggutai, Zhangwu County, Liaoning Province (ZZL). In order to clarify the reason, comprehensive investigations were carried out on differences in structure characteristics, growth processes and ecological factors between artificial stands (the first plantation established in ZZL in 1950s) and natural stands (the origin forests of the tree species in Honghuaerji, Inner Mongolia) on sandy land. The results showed that variation of diameter-class distributions in artificial stands and natural stands could be described by Weibull and Normal distribution models, respectively. Chapman-Richards growth model was employed to reconstruct the growth process of Mongolian pine based on the data from field investigation and stem analysis. The ages of maximum of relative growth rate and average growth rate of DBH, height, and volume of planted trees were 11, 22 years, 8, 15 years and 35, 59 years earlier than those of natural stand trees, respectively. In respect of the incremental acceleration of volume, the artificial and natural stands reached their maximum values at 14 years and 33 years respectively. The quantitative maturity ages of artificial stands and natural stands were 43 years and 102 years respectively. It was concluded that the life span of the Mongolian pine trees in natural stands was about 60 years longer than those in artificial stands. The differences mentioned above between artificial and natural Mongolian pine forests on sandy land were partially attributed to the drastic variations of ecological conditions such as latitude, temperature, precipitation, evaporation and height above sea level. Human beings' disturbances and higher density in plantation forest may be ascribed as additional reasons. Those results may be potentially useful for the management and afforestation of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land in arid and semi-arid areas.展开更多
The concentrations of the foliar and surface soil nutrients and the variation with species and stand age were studied inPinus spp. plantations in Zhanggutai area, northeast China. The results showed that the total N, ...The concentrations of the foliar and surface soil nutrients and the variation with species and stand age were studied inPinus spp. plantations in Zhanggutai area, northeast China. The results showed that the total N, total P and C: N ratio of the soil inP. sylvestris var.mongolica stands were significantly higher in comparison with those inP. tabulaeformis andP. densiflora stands. ForP. sylvestris var.mongolica, the foliar P concentration appeared to decrease with age, and the foliar N and K concentrations did not show a consistent change with age. As for the different tree species of the similar age, the foliar N and P concentrations were significantly different (p<0.05), being withP. sylvestris var.mongolica>P. densiflora>P. tabulaeformis. The foliar N: P ratio ofP. densiflora significantly was higher thanP. sylvestris var.mongolica andP. tabulaeformis, while the foliar K was no obvious difference between the three tree species. There were significant correlation (p<0.05) between soil total N and P, soil organic matter and total P, foliar N and P, but it did not show significant correlations between soil and foliar nutrient concentrations, which might attribute to the excessive litter raking, overgrazing and low soil moisture in this area. Based on the foliar N: P ratio, we introduced a combination threshold index of N: P ratio with their absolute foliar nutrient concentrations to determine the possible limiting nutrient. According to the critical N: P ratio and their absolute foliar N, P concentrations, theP. sylvestris var.mongolica stands showed a decreased N limitation degree with age, theP. densiflora stands showed unlimited by N and P in the whole, and theP. tabulaeformis stands showed co-limited by N and P. No significant difference in soil nutrient concentrations of the surface soils was found between 45, 29, 20-yr-oldPinus sylvestris var.mongolica plantation stands. Keywords coniferous trees - foliar nutrient concentration - limiting nutrients - N - P ratio - Zhanggutai sandy land CLC number S718.55 Document code A Article ID 1007-662X(2004)01-0011-08 Foundation item: This research was supported by Key Knowledge Innovation Project (KZCX3-SW-418) of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Biography: CHEN Guang-sheng (1978-), male, master candidate in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. ChinaResponsible editor: Song Funan展开更多
基金supported by the National Grassland Technology Innovation Centre(Preparation)Project(CCPTZX2023B02-2)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071845)the Key Science and Technology Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(2021ZD001505).
文摘Understanding how dominant plants respond to nitrogen(N)addition is critical for accurately predicting the potential effects of N deposition on ecosystem structure and functionality.Biomass partitioning serves as a valuable indicator for assessing plant responses to environmental changes.However,considerable uncertainty remains regarding how biomass partitioning shifts with increasing N inputs in sandy ecosystems.To address this gap,we conducted a greenhouse N fertilization experiment in April 2024,using seeds from 20 dominant plant species in the Horqin Sandy Land of China representing 5 life forms:annual grasses,annual forbs,perennial grasses,perennial forbs,and shrubs.Six levels of N addition(0.0,3.5,7.0,14.0,21.0,and 49.0 g N/(m2•a),referred to as N0,N1,N2,N3,N4,and N5,respectively)were applied to investigate the effects of N inputs on biomass partitioning.Results showed that for all 20 dominant plant species,the root biomass:shoot biomass(R:S)consistently declined across all N addition treatments(P<0.050).Concurrently,N addition led to a 23.60%reduction in root biomass fraction,coupled with a 12.38%increase in shoot biomass fraction(P<0.050).Allometric partitioning analysis further indicated that N addition had no significant effect on the slopes of the allometric relationships(leaf biomass versus root biomass,stem biomass versus root biomass,and shoot biomass versus root biomass).This suggests that plants can adjust resource investment—such as allocating more resources to shoots—to optimize growth under favorable conditions without disrupting functional trade-offs between organs.Among different life forms,annual grasses,perennial grasses,and annual forbs exhibited increased allocation to aboveground biomass,enhancing productivity and potentially altering community composition and competitive hierarchies.In contrast,perennial forbs and shrubs maintained stable biomass partitioning across all N addition levels,reflecting conservative resource allocation strategies that support long-term ecosystem resilience in nutrient-poor environments.Taken together,these findings deepen our understanding of how nutrient enrichment influences biomass allocation and ecosystem dynamics across different plant life forms,offering practical implications for the management and restoration of degraded sandy ecosystems.
文摘Bentonite is a very useful material for improving soil properties,which enhances the ability of plants to grow and produce in different conditions.The experiment was carried out in an agricultural nursery in one of the areas of the City of Diwaniyah,in a house covered with green netting,with a shade rate of 25%,to study the effect of bentonite and humic acid on the growth and flowering of a Catharanthus roseus L.plant in sandy soil.The experiment included two factors:the first factor was bentonite clay,and the second factor was humic acid.Using a randomized complete block design(R.C.B.D)with three replications,data were analyzed using the analysis of variance(ANOVA)method,and comparison was made according to the least significant difference(L.S.D)test at a probability level of 0.05.The experiment consisted of adding bentonite clay at 0,2,6,and 8 g L-1,humic acid at 0,0.5,1,and 10 g L-1.The results showed that adding bentonite clay and humic acid to sandy soil can have a significant positive effect on the growth and flowering of the Catharanthus roseus plant grown in poor sandy soil conditions.Bentonite,clay and humic acid were added at concentrations of 8 and 10 g L-1,which led to an increase in plant height and number of leaves and leaf area.They reached 30.07,23.84 cm2,76.62,63.42 cm2 for leaf-1 and 24.73,20.22 cm2 for leaf-1,respectively.The results also showed an increase in the content of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K)in leaves by 2.27,1.92,1.99%and 1.51,1.22,1.77%.This also led to an increase in chlorophyll pigment and anthocyanin at the highest concentration and gave the highest value.Therefore,adding bentonite and humic acid together gave the highest values in vegetative and chemical characteristics,compared to treatments without addition.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42372312,and 42172299)the Pyramid Talent Training Project of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture(Grant No.JDYC20220807).
文摘The progressive failure characteristics of geomaterial are a remarkable and challenging topic in geotechnical engineering.To study the effect of salt content and temperature on the progressive failure characteristics of frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil,a series of uniaxial compression tests were performed by integrating digital image correlation(DIC)technology into the testing apparatus.The evolution law of the uniaxial compression strength(UCS),the failure strain,and the formation of the shear band of the frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil were analyzed.The test results show that within the scope of this study,with the increase of salt content,both the UCS and the shear band angle initially decrease with increasing salt content before showing an increase.In contrast,the failure strain and the width of the shear band exhibit an initial increase followed by a decrease in the samples.In addition,to investigate the brittle failure characteristics of frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil,two classic brittleness evaluation methods were employed to quantitatively assess the brittleness level for the soil samples.The findings suggest that the failure characteristics under all test conditions in this study belong to the transition stage between brittle and ductile,indicating that frozen sodium sulfate saline sandy soil exhibits certain brittle behavior under uniaxial compression conditions,and the brittleness index basically decreases and then increases with the rise in salt content.
文摘In Switzerland,the Opalinus Clay has been selected as a potential host rock for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste due to its low hydraulic conductivity and favorable swelling properties.During the operational phase of the repository,the host rock will be exposed to pH values as high as 13.5 due to concrete degradation,which will certainly affect its hydraulic properties.This study investigates the effect of pH increase on the water retention properties of Opalinus Clay.A series of samples from the lower sandy facies of the Mont Terri site in Switzerland,at initial dry state,were exposed to a hyperalkaline solution of pH=13.5 and to the synthetic water of pH=7.5 at different water contents.After equilibrium,the total suction was measured with a dew point potentiometer and microstructural analyses were conducted via mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)and nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique.It was found that the total suction decreased with hydration and pH increase.Since the two investigated solutions have the same osmotic suction,the decrease in total suction was attributed to the decrease in matric suction.Indeed,the total porosity increased with saturation and pH increase.This was confirmed by MIP data that evidenced an increase in the proportion of macropores,and by Barret eJoynereHalenda(BJH)data that showed mesopore generation.The specific surface area(SSA)also increased.The previous results were due to mineral hydration and,exclusively in the case of alkaline solution,to(1)the dissolution of quartz and calcite and(2)the acid-base reactions,which were concentrated at the edges of the clay particles,leading to an increase in negatively charged groups and thus to a face-to-face association of the clay particles(dispersion),causing an increase in the repulsive forces between the clay particles.In addition,the weakening of covalent bonds led to the primary dissolution of clay minerals,i.e.silicon and aluminum detachment.
基金supported by the National Ecological Environment Survey and Assessment(2024-vertical-0107)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution(2023YSKY-26)the Hulun Buir Grassland Ecological Restoration Comprehensive Survey Project(DD20230474).
文摘In recent years,intensive human activities have increased the intensity of desertification,driving continual desertification process of peripheral meadows.To investigate the effects of restoration on soil microbial communities,we analyzed vegetation-soil relationships in the Hulun Buir Sandy Land,northern China.Through the use of high-throughput sequencing,we examined the structure and diversity in the bacterial and fungal communities within the 0-20 cm soil layer after 9-15 a of restoration.Different slope positions were analyzed and spatial heterogeneity was assessed.The results showed progressive improvements in soil properties and vegetation with the increase of restoration duration,and the following order was as follows:bottom slope>middle slope>crest slope.During the restoration in the Hulun Buir Sandy Land,the bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Acidobacteria,whereas the fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.Eutrophic bacterial abundance increased with the restoration duration,whereas oligotrophic bacterial and fungal abundance levels decreased.The soil bacterial abundance significantly increased with the increasing restoration duration,whereas the fungal diversity decreased after 11 a of restoration,except that at the crest slope.Redundancy analysis showed that pH,soil moisture content,total nitrogen,and vegetation-related factors affected the bacterial community structure(45.43%of the total variance explained).Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that pH,total phosphorus,and vegetation-related factors shaped the bacterial community structure(31.82%of the total variance explained).Structural equation modeling highlighted greater bacterial responses(R^(2)=0.49-0.79)to changes in environmental factors than those of fungi(R^(2)=0.20-0.48).The soil bacterial community was driven mainly by pH,soil moisture content,electrical conductivity,plant coverage,and litter dry weight.The abundance and diversity of the soil fungal community were mainly driven by plant coverage,litter dry weight,and herbaceous aboveground biomass,while there was no significant correlation between the soil fungal community structure and environmental factors.These findings highlighted divergent microbial succession patterns and environmental sensitivities during sandy grassland restoration.
基金funded by two projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41802123,42130813).
文摘Sandy braided river deposits are widely preserved in ancient stratigraphic records and act as a significant type of hydrocarbon reservoir.Due to the frequent and rapid migration of channels within the riverbed,the sedimentary architecture is highly complex.In this paper,a flume experiment was conducted to reveal the detailed depositional process and establish a fine sedimentary architecture model for sandy braided rivers.The result showed that(1)Three types of braid channels,including the lateral migration channel,the confluence channel,and the deep incised channel,were recognized based on geometry,scale,distribution,and spatial patterns;they are interconnected,forming a complex channel network.(2)Braid channels were characterized by lateral migration,abandonment,filling,and chute cutoff.Lateral migration of channels shaped the braid bars and dominated the formation,growth,and reworking of braid bars.(3)Controlled by the fast and frequent variations of the braid channel network,braid bars were continuously formed,reworked,reshaped,and composited of multiple accretions with different types,orientations,scales,and preservation degrees.Symmetrical and asymmetrical braid bars pre-sented significantly different composition patterns.(4)Dominated by the continuous reworking of braid channels,temporary deposits were limited preserved,braid channel deposits account for 54.3 percent of the eventually preserved braided river deposits,and four types of amalgamate patterns were recognized.Braid bars were cut and limited preserved,only accounting for 45.7 percent of the eventually preserved braided river deposits.(5)During the experiment,only 28 percent of near-surface temporary deposits were eventually preserved in fragmented forms with the final experimental braided river;the shape,spatial patterns,and most of the deposits observed during the depositional process were largely reworked and poorly preserved.(6)The scale of eventually preserved braid bars and braid channels is significantly smaller than the temporary deposits from geomorphic observations.The aspect ratio of the eventually preserved braid bars and the width-to-depth ratio of the eventually preserved braid channel are also significantly different from that of the temporary ones measured from topography data.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.52278334 and 4197724)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No.2242024k30066).
文摘It has been well recognized that sand particles significantly affect the mechanical properties of reconstituted sandy clays,including the hosted clay and sand particles.However,interrelation between the permeability and compressibility of reconstituted sandy clays by considering the structural effects of sand particles is still rarely reported.For this,a series of consolidation-permeability coefficient tests were conducted on reconstituted sandy clays with different sand fractions(ψ_(ss)),initial void ratio of hosted clays(e_(c0))and void ratio at liquid limit of hosted clays(e_(cL)).The roles of ψ_(ss) in both the relationships of permeability coefficient of hosted clay(k_(v-hosted clay))versus effective vertical stress(σ'_(v))and void ratio of hosted clay(e_(c-hosted clay))versus σ'_(v) were analyzed.The results show that the permeability coefficient of reconstituted sandy clays(k_(v))is dominated by hosted clay(k_(v)=k_(v-hosted clay)).Both ψ_(ss) and σ'_(v) affect the k_(v) of sandy clays by changing the e_(c-hosted clay) at any given σ'_(v).Due to the partial contacts and densified clay bridges between the sand particles(i.e.structure effects),the e_(c-hosted clay) in sandy clays is higher than that in clays at the same σ'_(v)v.The k_(v)-e_(c-hosted clay) relationship of sandy clays is independent of σ'_(v) and ψ_(ss)but is a function of e_(cL).The types of hosted clays affect the k_(v) of sandy clays by changing the e_(cL).Based on the relationship between permeability coefficient and void ratio for the reconstituted clays,an empirical method for determining the k_(v) is proposed and validated for sandy clays.The predicted values are almost consistent with the measured values with k_(v-predicted)=k_(v-measured)=0.6-2.5.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality(No.8222004),Chinathe National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51978019)+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province(No.252300420445),Chinathe Doctoral Research Initiation Fund of Henan University of Science and Technology(No.4007/13480062),Chinathe Henan Postdoctoral Foundation(No.13554005),Chinathe Joint Fund of Science and Technology R&D Program of Henan Province(No.232103810082),China。
文摘Sandy cobble soil exhibits pronounced heterogeneity.The assessment of the uncertainty surrounding its properties is crucial for the analysis of settlement characteristics resulting from volume loss during shield tunnelling.In this study,a series of probabilistic analyses of surface and subsurface settlements was conducted considering the spatial variability of the friction angle and reference stiffness modulus,under different volumetric block proportions(Pv)and tunnel volume loss rates(ηt).The non-intrusive random finite difference method was used to investigate the probabilistic characteristics of maximum surface settlement,width of subsurface settlement trough,maximum subsurface settlement,and subsurface soil volume loss rate through Monte Carlo simulations.Additionally,a comparison between stochastic and deterministic analysis results is presented to underscore the significance of probabilistic analysis.Parametric analyses were subsequently conducted to investigate the impacts of the key input parameters in random fields on the settlement characteristics.The results indicate that scenarios with higher Pv or greaterηt result in a higher dispersion of stochastic analysis results.Neglecting the spatial variability of soil properties and relying solely on the mean values of material parameters for deterministic analysis may result in an underestimation of surface and subsurface settlements.From a probabilistic perspective,deterministic analysis alone may prove inadequate in accurately capturing the volumetric deformation mode of the soil above the tunnel crown,potentially affecting the prediction of subsurface settlement.
基金funded by the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology(2023JCYB449)the Yan'an University Project(YDBK2017-19)+1 种基金the Yan'an Science and Technology Bureau's List System Project(2023SLJBZ002)the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education Natural Science Special Project(23JK0725,24JK0716).
文摘Investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation and its response mechanisms to natural and anthropogenic elements is crucial for regional vegetation restoration and ecological preservation.The Mu Us Sandy Land(MUSL),which is situated in the semi-arid zone of northwestern China adjacent to the Loess Plateau,has been at the forefront of desertification and oasis formation over the past two millennia.This study is based on the synthesis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)data from MOD13A3 data in the MODIS(Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)dataset(2002-2021)and climate data(temperature and precipitation)at annual and monthly scales from the National Earth System Science Data Center.A range of analytical methods,including univariate linear regression,Theil-Sen trend analysis and Mann-Kendall significance test,correlation analysis,residual analysis,and Hurst index,were used to explore the response mechanisms of the NDVI to climate change and human activities and to predict the future trends of the NDVI in the MUSL.The results showed that through the method of correlation analysis,in terms of both spatially averaged correlation coefficients and area proportion,the NDVI was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation in 97.59%and 96.51%of the study area,respectively,indicating that temperature has a greater impact on the NDVI than precipitation.Residual analysis quantified the contributions of climate change and human activities to the NDVI changes,revealing that climate change and human activities contribute up to 30.00%and 70.00%,respectively,suggesting that human activities predominantly affect the NDVI changes in the MUSL.The Hurst index was used to categorize the future trend of the NDVI into four main directions of development:continuous degradation(0.05%of the study area),degradation in the past but improvement in the future(54.45%),improvement in the past but degradation in the future(0.13%),and continuous improvement(45.36%).In more than 50.00%of the regions that have been degraded in the past but were expected to improve in the future,the NDVI was expected to exhibit a stable trend of anti-persistent improvement.These findings provide theoretical support for future ecological protection,planning,and the implementation of ecological engineering in the MUSL,and also offer a theoretical basis for the planning and execution of construction projects,environmental protection measures,and the sustainable development of vegetation.
基金This research was jointly supported by the project of the China Geological Survey(DD20242481)Key Laboratory of Airborne Geophysics and Remote Sensing Geology,MNR(2020YFL33)。
文摘Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China,plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological security pattern in this region.However,this sandy land also faces severe sandy desertification and ecological degradation.This study conducted a regional eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land using a comprehensive index evaluation method based on eco-geological theories and survey results.To construct an appropriate index system for the eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land,the study considered the sandy land’s unique characteristics and identified 15 factors of five categories,namely geology,meteorology,soil,topography,and vegetation.The paper calculated the comprehensive weights of all the indices using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and the entropy weight method(EWM).Furthermore,it established the eco-geological vulnerability index(EGVI)and obtained the assessment results.The results showed that the eco-geological vulnerability of the Mu Us Sandy Land gradually intensifies from east to west,manifested as vulnerable eco-geological conditions overall.Specifically,extremely vulnerable zones are found in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the study area,highly vulnerable zones in the western and southern parts,moderately vulnerable zones in the central part,and slightly and potentially vulnerable zones in the eastern and southern parts.Areas with high spatial autocorrelations include the northern Uxin Banner-Otog Banner-Angsu Town area,the surrounding areas of Hongdunjie Town in the southeastern part of the study area,the Hongshiqiao Township-Xiaohaotu Township area,Otog Front Banner,and Bainijing Town,which should be prioritized in the ecological conservation and restoration.Additionally,the paper proposed suggestions for the ecological conservation and restoration of county-level administrative areas in the study area.Overall,the findings provide a valuable reference for the ecological conservation and restoration of the Mu Us Sandy Land and other desert areas in arid and semi-arid regions.
文摘The soil packing,influenced by variations in grain size and the gradation pattern within the soil matrix,plays a crucial role in constituting the mechanical properties of sandy soils.However,previous modeling approaches have overlooked incorporating the full range of representative parameters to accurately predict the soaked California bearing ratio(CBR_(s))of sandy soils by precisely articulating soil packing in the modeling framework.This study presents an innovative artificial intelligence(AI)-based approach for modeling the CBR_(s)of sandy soils,considering grain size variability meticulously.By synthesizing extensive data from multiple sources,i.e.extensive tailored testing program undertaking multiple tests and extant literature,various modeling techniques including genetic expression programming(GEP),multi-expression programming(MEP),support vector machine(SVM),and multi-linear regression(MLR)are utilized to develop models.The research explores two modeling strategies,namely simplified and composite,with the former incorporating only sieve analysis test parameters,while the latter includes compaction test parameters alongside sieve analysis data.The models'performance is assessed using statistical key performance indicators(KPIs).Results indicate that genetic AI-based algorithms,particularly GEP,outperform SVM and conventional regression techniques,effectively capturing complex relationships between input parameters and CBR_(s).Additionally,the study reveals insights into model performance concerning the number of input parameters,with GEP consistently outperforming other models.External validation and Taylor diagram analysis demonstrate the GEP models'superiority over existing literature models on an independent dataset from the literature.Parametric and sensitivity analyses highlight the intricate relationships between grain sizes and CBR_(s),further emphasizing GEP's efficacy in modeling such complexities.This study contributes to enhancing CBR_(s)modeling accuracy for sandy soils,crucial for pertinent infrastructure design and construction rapidly and cost-effectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52308463)the Shanghai Rising-Star Program(Grant No.23YF1449100)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2023-2-ZD08).
文摘Due to space constraints in urban areas,metro tunnels are typically constructed in pairs,with a small clearance.The interaction between twin tunnels leads to a significantly more complex ground deformation and stress distribution than that observed in a single tunnel scenario,particularly if the tunnels are excavated in sequence.A series of physical model tests were conducted to investigate soil deformation and stress disturbances caused by the excavation of twin tunnels.The test results indicate that the interaction between the twin tunnels was observed.Due to the soil arching effect,the excavation of Tunnel 2 increases the soil stress acting on Tunnel 1.An analytical method was proposed to determine soil stress considering the soil arching effect and the interaction between twin tunnels.The method categorized the relative locations between twin tunnels into non-influenced,partially influenced,and fully influenced scenarios.For non-influenced and fully influenced scenarios,the soil stresses above twin tunnels were calculated based on a symmetric major principal stress trace.For the partially influenced scenario,however,the soil arch above Tunnel 2 was asymmetric due to the interaction,and the stress distribution was obtained based on a new asymmetric major principal stress trace.The soil stress on Tunnel 1 was influenced by the load transferred from Tunnel 2 and calculated based on the force equilibrium.A comparison of the analytical and test results indicates that the proposed method effectively predicts the soil stress in the cover layer above twin tunnels excavated sequentially,considering the interaction and soil arching effects.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42171004)the Key Research and Development Program in Shaanxi Province,China(2021ZDLSF05-02)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0403)。
文摘Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabina vulgaris on soil physical and chemical properties on the southeastern fringe of the Mu Us Sandy Land,China.We collected soil samples from five depth layers(0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80,and 80-100 cm)in the S.vulgaris plantation plots across four plantation ages(4,7,10,and 16 years)in November 2019,and assessed soil physical(soil bulk density,soil porosity,and soil particle size)and chemical(soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),cation-exchange capacity(CEC),salinity,p H,and C/N ratio)properties.The results indicated that the soil predominantly consisted of sand particles(94.27%-99.67%),with the remainder being silt and clay.As plantation age increased,silt and very fine sand contents progressively rose.After 16 years of planting,there was a marked reduction in the mean soil particle size.The initial soil fertility was low and declined from 4 to 10 years of planting before witnessing an improvement.Significant positive correlations were observed for the clay,silt,and very fine sand(mean diameter of 0.000-0.100 mm)with SOC,AK,and p H.In contrast,fine sand and medium sand(mean diameter of 0.100-0.500 mm)showed significant negative correlations with these indicators.Our findings ascertain that the plantation of S.vulgaris requires 10 years to effectively act as a windbreak and contribute to sand fixation,and needs 16 years to improve soil physical and chemical properties.Importantly,these improvements were found to be highly beneficial for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas.This research can offer valuable insights for the protection and restoration of the vegetation ecosystem in the sandy lands in China.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51538001 and 51978019).
文摘This study focuses on the analytical prediction of subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum considering the volumetric deformation modes of the soil above the tunnel crown.A series of numerical analyses is performed to examine the effects of cover depth ratio(C/D),tunnel volume loss rate(h t)and volumetric block proportion(VBP)on the characteristics of subsurface settle-ment trough and soil volume loss.Considering the ground loss variation with depth,three modes are deduced from the volumetric deformation responses of the soil above the tunnel crown.Then,analytical solutions to predict subsurface settlement for each mode are presented using stochastic medium theory.The influences of C/D,h t and VBP on the key parameters(i.e.B and N)in the analytical expressions are discussed to determine the fitting formulae of B and N.Finally,the proposed analytical solutions are validated by the comparisons with the results of model test and numerical simulation.Results show that the fitting formulae provide a convenient and reliable way to evaluate the key parameters.Besides,the analytical solutions are reasonable and available in predicting the subsurface settlement induced by shield tunnelling in sandy cobble stratum.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.52278503。
文摘Coral sandy soils widely exist in coral island reefs and seashores in tropical and subtropical regions.Due to the unique marine depositional environment of coral sandy soils,the engineering characteristics and responses of these soils subjected to monotonic and cyclic loadings have been a subject of intense interest among the geotechnical and earthquake engineering communities.This paper critically reviews the progress of experimental investigations on the undrained behavior of coral sandy soils under monotonic and cyclic loadings over the last three decades.The focus of coverage includes the contractive-dilative behavior,the pattern of excess pore-water pressure(EPWP)generation and the liquefaction mechanism and liquefaction resistance,the small-strain shear modulus and strain-dependent shear modulus and damping,the cyclic softening feature,and the anisotropic characteristics of undrained responses of saturated coral sandy soils.In particular,the advances made in the past decades are reviewed from the following aspects:(1)the characterization of factors that impact the mechanism and patterns of EPWP build-up;(2)the identification of liquefaction triggering in terms of the apparent viscosity and the average flow coefficient;(3)the establishment of the invariable form of strain-based,stress-based,or energy-based EPWP ratio formulas and the unique relationship between the new proxy of liquefaction resistance and the number of cycles required to reach liquefaction;(4)the establishment of the invariable form of the predictive formulas of small strain modulus and strain-dependent shear modulus;and(5)the investigation on the effects of stress-induced anisotropy on liquefaction susceptibility and dynamic deformation characteristics.Insights gained through the critical review of these advances in the past decades offer a perspective for future research to further resolve the fundamental issues concerning the liquefaction mechanism and responses of coral sandy sites subjected to cyclic loadings associated with seismic events in marine environments.
文摘Background,aim,and scope Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s))is a key parameter in the hydrological cycle of soil;however,we have very limited understanding of K_(s) characteristics and the factors that inf luence this key parameter in the Mu Us sandy land(MUSL).Quantifying the impact of changes in land use in the Mu Us sandy land on K_(s) will provide a key foundation for understanding the regional water cycle,but will also provide a scientific basis for the governance of the MUSL.Materials and methods In this study,we determined K_(s) and the basic physical and chemical properties of soil(i.e.,organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition)within the first 100 cm layer of four different land use patterns(farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland)in the MUSL.The vertical variation of K_(s) and the factors that influence this key parameter were analyzed and a transfer function for estimating K_(s) was established based on a multiple stepwise regression model.Results The K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub increased gradually with soil depth while that of grassland remained unchanged.The K_(s) of the four patterns of land use were moderately variable;mean K_(s)values were ranked as follows:grassland(1.38 mm·min^(-1))<tree(1.76 mm·min^(-1))<farmland(1.82 mm·min^(-1))<shrub(3.30 mm·min^(-1)).The correlation between K_(s) and organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition,varied across different land use patterns.A multiple stepwise regression model showed that silt,coarse sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were key predictive factors for the K_(s) of farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,in the MUSL.Discussion The vertical distribution trend for K_(s) in farmland is known to be predominantly influenced by cultivation,fertilization,and other factors.The general aim is to improve the water-holding capacity of shallow soil on farmland(0-30 cm in depth)to conserve water and nutrients;research has shown that the K_(s) of farmland increases with soil depth.The root growth of tree and shrub in sandy land exerts mechanical force on the soil due to biophysical processes involving rhizospheres,thus leading to a significant change in K_(s).We found that shallow high-density fine roots increased the volume of soil pores and eliminated large pores,thus resulting in a reduction in shallow K_(s).Therefore,the K_(s) of tree and shrub increased with soil depth.Analysis also showed that the K_(s) of grassland did not change significantly and exhibited the lowest mean value when compared to other land use patterns.This finding was predominantly due to the shallow root system of grasslands and because this land use pattern is not subject to human activities such as cultivation and fertilization;consequently,there was no significant change in K_(s) with depth;grassland also had the lowest mean K_(s).We also established a transfer function for K_(s) for different land use patterns in the MUSL.However,the predictive factors for K_(s) in different land use patterns are known to be affected by soil cultivation methods,vegetation restoration modes,the distribution of soil moisture,and other factors,thus resulting in key differences.Therefore,when using the transfer function to predict K_(s) in other areas,it will be necessary to perform parameter calibration and further verification.Conclusions In the MUSL,the K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub gradually increased with soil depth;however,the K_(s) of grassland showed no significant variation in terms of vertical distribution.The mean K_(s) values of different land use patterns were ranked as follows:shrub>farmland>tree>grassland;all land use patterns showed moderate levels of variability.The K_(s) for different land use patterns exhibited differing degrees of correlation with soil physical and chemical properties;of these,clay,silt,sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were identified as important variables for predicting K_(s) in farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,respectively.Recommendations and perspectives In this study,we used a stepwise multiple regression model to establish a transfer function prediction model for K_(s) for different land use patterns;this model possessed high estimation accuracy.The ability to predict K_(s) in the MUSL is very important in terms of the conservation of water and nutrients.
基金Bundeswehr Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition WTD-91 GF-440 in Meppen,Germany for funding this work。
文摘The NATO agreement STANAG 4569 defines the protection levels for the occupants of logistic and light armored vehicle.The Allied Engineering Publication,AEP-55,Volume 2 document outlines the test conditions for underbelly improvised explosive device(IEDs),which must be buried in water-saturated sandy gravel.The use of sandy gravel has some drawbacks,for instance reproducibility,time consumption,and cost.This paper focuses on the investigation of four alternatives to sandy gravel,which could produce similar specific and cumulative impulses:a concrete pot filled with water,a concrete pot filled with quartz sand,a steel pot without filling and a concrete pot filled with glass spheres(diameter 200μm—300μm)and different water contents.The impulses are measured with a ring technology developed at the Fraunhofer EMI.A numerical soil model based on the work of Marrs,2014 and Fi serov a,2006 and considering the soil moisture was used to simulate the experiments with glass spheres at different water contents,showing much better agreement with the experiments than the classical Laine&Sandvik model,even for high saturation levels.These results can be used to create new test conditions at original scale that are more cost-effective,more reproducible and simpler to manage in comparison to the current tests carried out with STANAG sandy gravel.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52372425)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Science and Technology Leading Talent Team Poject) Grant No. 2022JBXT010。
文摘During the operation of sandy railways, the challenge posed by wind-blown sand is a persistent issue. An in-depth study on the influence of wind-blown sand content on the macroscopic and microscopic mechanical properties of the ballast bed is of great significance for understanding the potential problems of sandy railways and proposing reasonable and adequate maintenance and repair strategies. Building upon existing research, this study proposes a new assessment indicator for sand content. Utilizing the discrete element method(DEM) and fully considering the complex interactions between ballast and sand particles, three-dimensional(3D) multi-scale analysis models of sandy ballast beds with different wind-blown sand contents are established and validated through field experiments. The effects of varying wind-blown sand content on the microscopic contact distribution and macroscopic mechanical behavior(such as resistance and support stiffness) of ballast beds are carefully analyzed. The results show that with the increase in sand content, the average contact force and coordination number between ballast particles gradually decrease, and the disparity in contact forces between different layers of the ballast bed diminishes. The longitudinal and lateral resistance of the ballast bed initially decreases and then increases, with a critical point at 10% sand content. At 15% sand content, the lateral resistance is mainly shared by the ballast shoulder. The longitudinal resistance sharing ratio is always the largest on the sleeper side, followed by that at the sleeper bottom, and the smallest on the ballast shoulder. When the sand content exceeds 10%, the contribution of sand particles to stiffness significantly increases, leading to an accelerated growth rate of the overall support stiffness of the ballast bed, which is highly detrimental to the long-term service performance of the ballast bed. In conclusion, it is recommended that maintenance and repair operations should be promptly conducted when the sand content of the ballast bed reaches or exceeds 10%.
基金The research was supported by innovation research project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX3-SW-418) and by Nature Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (20021006).
文摘Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestiris Linnaeus var. mongolica Litvinov) as a valuable conifer tree species has been broadly introduced to the sandy land areas in 揟hree North?regions (North, northwest and northeast of China), but many problems occurred in the earliest Mongolian pine plantations in Zhanggutai, Zhangwu County, Liaoning Province (ZZL). In order to clarify the reason, comprehensive investigations were carried out on differences in structure characteristics, growth processes and ecological factors between artificial stands (the first plantation established in ZZL in 1950s) and natural stands (the origin forests of the tree species in Honghuaerji, Inner Mongolia) on sandy land. The results showed that variation of diameter-class distributions in artificial stands and natural stands could be described by Weibull and Normal distribution models, respectively. Chapman-Richards growth model was employed to reconstruct the growth process of Mongolian pine based on the data from field investigation and stem analysis. The ages of maximum of relative growth rate and average growth rate of DBH, height, and volume of planted trees were 11, 22 years, 8, 15 years and 35, 59 years earlier than those of natural stand trees, respectively. In respect of the incremental acceleration of volume, the artificial and natural stands reached their maximum values at 14 years and 33 years respectively. The quantitative maturity ages of artificial stands and natural stands were 43 years and 102 years respectively. It was concluded that the life span of the Mongolian pine trees in natural stands was about 60 years longer than those in artificial stands. The differences mentioned above between artificial and natural Mongolian pine forests on sandy land were partially attributed to the drastic variations of ecological conditions such as latitude, temperature, precipitation, evaporation and height above sea level. Human beings' disturbances and higher density in plantation forest may be ascribed as additional reasons. Those results may be potentially useful for the management and afforestation of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land in arid and semi-arid areas.
基金Key Knowledge Innovation Project (KZCX3-SW-418) of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
文摘The concentrations of the foliar and surface soil nutrients and the variation with species and stand age were studied inPinus spp. plantations in Zhanggutai area, northeast China. The results showed that the total N, total P and C: N ratio of the soil inP. sylvestris var.mongolica stands were significantly higher in comparison with those inP. tabulaeformis andP. densiflora stands. ForP. sylvestris var.mongolica, the foliar P concentration appeared to decrease with age, and the foliar N and K concentrations did not show a consistent change with age. As for the different tree species of the similar age, the foliar N and P concentrations were significantly different (p<0.05), being withP. sylvestris var.mongolica>P. densiflora>P. tabulaeformis. The foliar N: P ratio ofP. densiflora significantly was higher thanP. sylvestris var.mongolica andP. tabulaeformis, while the foliar K was no obvious difference between the three tree species. There were significant correlation (p<0.05) between soil total N and P, soil organic matter and total P, foliar N and P, but it did not show significant correlations between soil and foliar nutrient concentrations, which might attribute to the excessive litter raking, overgrazing and low soil moisture in this area. Based on the foliar N: P ratio, we introduced a combination threshold index of N: P ratio with their absolute foliar nutrient concentrations to determine the possible limiting nutrient. According to the critical N: P ratio and their absolute foliar N, P concentrations, theP. sylvestris var.mongolica stands showed a decreased N limitation degree with age, theP. densiflora stands showed unlimited by N and P in the whole, and theP. tabulaeformis stands showed co-limited by N and P. No significant difference in soil nutrient concentrations of the surface soils was found between 45, 29, 20-yr-oldPinus sylvestris var.mongolica plantation stands. Keywords coniferous trees - foliar nutrient concentration - limiting nutrients - N - P ratio - Zhanggutai sandy land CLC number S718.55 Document code A Article ID 1007-662X(2004)01-0011-08 Foundation item: This research was supported by Key Knowledge Innovation Project (KZCX3-SW-418) of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Biography: CHEN Guang-sheng (1978-), male, master candidate in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. ChinaResponsible editor: Song Funan
