Abstract
Pumping-induced earth fissuring occurs in many localities and represents an important economic problem associated with damage to infrastructures. In this work, a descriptive analysis of the natural conditions of selected localities undergoing fissuring is first performed. Then, numerical simulations are developed using the finite-element code ABAQUS to analyze the evolution of stress induced by pumping that can favor the initiation and propagation of fissures. The scenario used in the numerical simulations is based on the observed features from the descriptive analysis. These natural conditions include a complex stratigraphy, a buried fault scarp and a fault zone cutting the entire sedimentary sequence. Both fault zones and buried fault scarps influence the accumulation of stresses at different times. The fault zone has more influence on the patterns of tension/compression, while the buried fault scarp has more influence on the patterns of shear stress. Results show that a tensile-induced fissure is initiated close to the fault zone in the hanging wall. This fissure originates near the surface and migrates downward, terminating near the saturated–unsaturated interface. Factors involved in the propagation path of the fissure are the occurrence of a fault zone, the location of pumping, and the hydromechanical properties of the vadose zone.
Résumé
Les pompages qui induisent des fissures dans le sol apparaissent dans de nombreuses localités et représentent un problème économique important associé à des dommages sur des infrastructures. Dans le cadre de ce travail, une analyse descriptive des conditions naturelles d’une sélection de localités affectées par des fissurations est tout d’abord effectuée. Ensuite, des simulations numériques sont développées utilisant un code à éléments finis, le code ABAQUS, afin d’analyser l’évolution des contraintes induites par pompage, qui peuvent favoriser l’initiation et la propagation des fissures. Le scénario utilisé dans les simulations numériques est basé sur les caractéristiques observées dans l’analyse descriptive. Ces conditions naturelles comprennent la stratigraphie complexe, un escarpement sous couverture associé à une faille et une zone de faille recoupant toute une série sédimentaire. La zone de faille ainsi que les escarpements de faille sous couverture influence toutes deux l’accumulation de contraintes au cours du temps. La zone de faille a plus d’influence sur le schémas tension/compression, alors que l’escarpement sous couverture associé à une faille influence davantage les schémas de contraintes de type cisaillement. Les résultats montrent qu’une fissure induite par un tenseur est initié à proximité de la zone de faille dans une paroi. La fissuration prend naissance à proximité de la surface et migre vers le bas, pour se terminer dans la zone d’interface zone non saturée et zone saturée. Les facteurs impliqués dans la propagation de la fissure sont la présence d’une zone de faille, la localisation du pompage et les propriétés hydromécaniques de la zone non saturée.
Resumen
La fisuración de la tierra por bombeo inducido ocurre en muchas localidades y representa un problema económico importante asociado con el daño a las infraestructuras. En este trabajo, primero se realiza un análisis descriptivo de las condiciones naturales de las localidades seleccionadas que experimentan la fisuración. Luego, se desarrollan las simulaciones numéricas usando el código de elementos finitos ABAQUS para analizar la evolución de la tensión inducida por el bombeo que puede favorecer la iniciación y propagación de fisuras. El escenario usado en las simulaciones numéricas está basado en los aspectos observados a partir del análisis descriptivo. Estas condiciones naturales incluyen una estratigrafía compleja, una escarpa de falla enterrada y una zona de falla que corta la secuencia sedimentaria por completo. Tanto las zonas de fallas como las escarpas de fallas enterradas influyen en la acumulación de las tensiones en distintos tiempos. La zona de falla tiene más influencia sobre los esquemas de tensión/compresión, mientras que la escarpa de falla enterrada tiene más influencia en los esquemas del esfuerzo de corte. Los resultados muestran que una fisura inducida tensionalmente es iniciada cerca a la zona de falla en su techo. Esta fisura se origina cerca de la superficie y migra hacia abajo, terminando cerca de la interfase saturada–no saturada. Los factores que involucran las trayectorias de propagación de fisuras son la existencia de una zona de falla, la ubicación del bombeo, y las propiedades mecánicas de la zona vadosa.
摘要
许多地方出现抽水诱发的地裂缝, 对基础设施造成损害。本文对若干正产生地裂缝的地区的自然条件进行了叙述。然后, 应用有限元数值模拟程序ABAQUS分析了抽水造成的可引起地裂缝产生和扩展的应力变化。数值模拟中应用的情景系基于描述性分析所观察到的特性。这些自然条件包括一套复杂的地层、一个隐伏断层崖和一条贯穿所有地层序列的断裂带。断裂带和隐伏断层崖对应力集中的影响时间不同。断裂带对拉张/挤压影响较大, 而隐伏断层崖对剪切应力影响较大。结果表明, 张应力诱导断层发生在靠近断层带的上盘。这种裂缝自近地表产生后向下发展, 终止于饱和带-非饱和带界面。裂缝扩展路径的影响因素包括 : 断裂带的位置、抽水井位置, 及包气带水力性质等。
Resumo
A fissuração terrestre induzida por bombagem ocorre em muitos locais e representa um importante problema económico associado aos danos a infraestruturas. Neste trabalho, faz-se primeiro uma análise descritiva das condições naturais numa selecção de locais sujeitos a fissuração terrestre. Seguidamente, desenvolvem-se simulações numéricas com o código de elementos finitos ABAQUS para analisar a evolução do stress induzido por bombagem que pode favorecer a iniciação e propagação de fissuras. O cenário usado nas simulações numéricas baseia-se em particularidades observadas a partir da análise descritiva. Estas condições naturais incluem uma estratigrafia complexa, uma escarpa de falha oculta e uma zona de falha que atravessa toda a sequência sedimentar. Quer a zona de falha quer a falha oculta influenciam a acumulação de stress em diferentes tempos. A zona de falha tem mais influência nos padrões de tensão/compressão, enquanto a escarpa de falha oculta tem mais influência nos padrões de cisalhamento. Os resultados mostram que se inicia uma fissura induzida por tensão perto do tecto da zona de falha. Esta fissura origina-se perto da superfície e migra para baixo, terminando perto da interface da zona não saturada com a zona saturada. Os factores envolvidos no percurso de propagação da fissura são a ocorrência de uma zona de falha, a localização da bombagem e as propriedades hidromecânicas da zona vadosa.
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Acknowledgements
The corresponding author is thankful to CONACYT for financial support. The authors are also grateful for the comments and suggestions from Devin Galloway and an anonymous reviewer, which greatly improved the quality of this manuscript.
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Hernandez-Marin, M., Burbey, T.J. Controls on initiation and propagation of pumping-induced earth fissures: insights from numerical simulations. Hydrogeol J 18, 1773–1785 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0642-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0642-9