Journal of Engineering Geology

The effects of aquifer and well parameters on Capture Zone and Discharge Zone in alluvial unconfined aquifers

Amin Ahmadi

In order to protect water wells, it is necessary to analyze the zones of influence, capture, recharge and discharge zones. Despite much research, this issue still needs further discussion. The purpose of this research is to analyze the capture and discharge zones of water wells in alluvial unconfined aquifers. For this purpose, a hypothetical aquifer was simulated using the Modflow and Modpath models. The accuracy of the numerical model outputs was confirmed by comparison with the analytical calculations, and then the effect of the independent parameters of the well and the aquifer was investigated. This research showed that, contrary to popular belief, changes in hydraulic conductivity, specific yield, bedrock dip, initial thickness, porosity, and heterogeneity do not cause changes in the surface extent of the well's capture zone in the unconfined aquifer.This research has shown that changes in surface recharge, discharge and well location cause many changes in the surface extent of the well capture zone in unconfined alluvial aquifers. Investigation of the effect of pumping time in a single well system showed that the size of the capture zone initially increases, but after a short period, of time, despite the continued expansion of the drawdown cone, its position stabilises. It was found that the change in all the above parameters causes a change in the size of the well's discharge zone. The stability of the above-mentioned areas is very important for the determination of zones for the protection of the quantity and quality of water wells! It has been found that the relative stability of the water level in the aquifer at an appropriate level is necessary, and this requires the management of the aquifer and the allocation of a limited percentage of the aquifer recharge to discharge through wells.

Investigation of geomechanical properties of rock units of the eastern tunnel of Pervadeh Tabas coal mine and presenting experimental relationship

naser Hafezi Moghads

The design of underground or terrestrial structures on the rock bed depends on the physical and mechanical properties. Considering the mining method in Tabas coal mine extraction method is long and destructive, the evaluation of the geomechanical properties of the rocks is more necessary. In this research, the characteristics of the rock units of the eastern tunnel No. 3 of Tabas coal Pervadeh mine were investigated. In this study, 3 samples of shale, sandstone and mudstone were examined. Considering the importance of the subject in this research, new experimental relations have been proposed, and their application shows desirable results. In order to obtain geomechanical characteristics and empirical relationships, physical tests such as porosity, water absorption percentage, unit volume weight, and mechanical properties such as uniaxial compressive strength, point load index, Brazilian tensile strength, direct cutting test, durability and brittleness index were carried out. To achieve the desired objective, the most appropriate relationships are presented using the regression method. Statistical analysis shows good correlation between different parameters in shale, sandstone and mudstone samples.

Investigating the effective parameters on the stability system of tunnels using the Rock Engineering System (RES) method

Mehdi Talkhablou

The stabilization of underground spaces is one of the most challenging topics in engineering geology. There are several methods to determine the type of tunnel stabilization system, but most of these methods have several weaknesses. Therefore, the development of a method that comprehensively considers almost all parameters influencing tunnel stability and their interdependencies has not received sufficient attention. The aim of this research is to investigate the parameters influencing the stability of tunnels using the rock mechanics system method. In this paper, 6 tunnels with different geological characteristics were selected. The effective parameters on the primary stabilization of these tunnels were coded using the ESQ method. Subsequent analyses were performed using the RES rock engineering system method to estimate and evaluate the optimal tunnel stabilization system. The results showed that parameters such as weathering of the joint surface, backfill and joint spacing played a more effective role than other parameters. For comparison, the analyses were also carried out using the RMR rock mass ranking method. The comparison between the results of the RES and RMR methods showed that the results of the RES method are in better agreement with the actual tunnel conditions and the shotcrete thickness of the proposed stabilization system of the studied tunnels. Since there is no limit to the number of input parameters in this method and, on the other hand, the mutual influence of the parameters on each other is considered, the relationships obtained from the RES method in this research can be effectively used in engineering projects along with other methods.

Geotechnical and dynamic characterization assessment of North-West region of Shiraz city

Mehdi Mokhberi

Marls are one of the problematic soils that undergo more erosion due to their deformability and sensitivity to humidity and weather conditions. The effects of these soils have been observed on subgrades of pavements, abutment of dams, foundation of high-rise structures, the interaction of soil-structure and etc. The strength and deformation of marls are more effective to moisture content. In addition, the dynamic parameters of theses soil are considerable as well as static geotechnical specifications. Soil dynamic parameters can be obtained from both laboratory experiments and field experiments. With the aim of understanding the dynamic behavior of marl soils, this study was carried out to evaluate the marls of northwest region of Shiraz City which is mixture of marls containing the expansive anhydride gypsum. For this purpose, the laboratory cyclic triaxial test and in situ downhole test has been performed. The results showed that for normal consolidated marls, with increasing the confined pressure from 400 to 600 kPa (increasing soil depth), the shear modulus increases from 50 to 200 kPa. In addition, the behavior of the damping ratio is relatively different for strains less than and greater than 1%, but in general, for strains higher than 1%, the damping ratio decreases from 0.21 to 0.18 with the increase confined pressure from 100 to 600 kPa.

Ranking of ground motion prediction equation for use in the seismic hazard analysis of Ahvaz city using data envelopment analysis

Nasrollah Eftekhari

In the variability of earthquake hazard analysis results, ground motion prediction equations play an important role. Selection of appropriate prediction relationships for the region can lead to stability and accuracy of earthquake hazard analysis results. In this study, different prediction relationships were investigated and analyzed for earthquake hazard analysis in Ahvaz city. These relationships were ranked based on the criteria of logarithmic probability, Euclidean distance and deviation information in different periods. Then the most efficient relationships were selected by data envelopment analysis (DEA) method on the basis of differences in the obtained results. Out of 67 possible relationships, 5 were identified as suitable relationships for earthquake hazard analysis in the Ahvaz urban area. Then, a special efficiency criterion was used to determine the weight of these relationships. The results of this study can help to reduce to a large extent the uncertainties involved in analyzing the seismic hazard of the area studied.