Article
Geography, Physical
Sarah Kamleitner, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Giovanni Monegato, Franco Gianotti, Naki Akcar, Christof Vockenhuber, Marcus Christl, Hans-Arno Synal
Summary: We present a new glacier chronology of the Ticino-Toce glacier in the Southern Alps, reconstructing the timing and extent of its Last Glacial Maximum advance with detailed landform relationships and surface exposure dating. The study reveals that the glacier remained relatively stable with only minor oscillations over a period of approximately 5000 years, and the Verbano piedmont lobe was larger than previously thought. Additionally, the research suggests synchronized glacier advances across the Western Alps, except for the southwestern massifs.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Irene Schimmelpfennig, Joerg M. Schaefer, Jennifer Lamp, Vincent Godard, Roseanne Schwartz, Edouard Bard, Thibaut Tuna, Naki Akcar, Christian Schluechter, Susan Zimmerman
Summary: This study focuses on the fluctuations of mid-latitude mountain glaciers and their relationship with local summer temperature changes. The researchers reconstruct the millennial recession and advance periods of the Steingletscher glacier in the European Alps during the Holocene. The findings suggest that glaciers in the region were similar to or even smaller than their current extent for most of the early and mid-Holocene, indicating that the summer temperatures during that time were similar to those at the end of the 20th century. However, due to the accelerating anthropogenic warming, glaciers in the Alps are currently far from equilibrium, making a simple comparison between modern and paleo-glacier sizes challenging.
CLIMATE OF THE PAST
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohannad Naeem, Hsu-Chiang Kuan, Andrew Michelmore, Sirong Yu, Adrian P. Mouritz, Sanjay S. Chelliah, Jun Ma
Summary: A green and novel method was developed for preparing epoxy/graphene nanocomposites by microwave radiation and mechanical stirring, which successfully produced surface-modified graphene platelets without the need for organic solvents and surfactants. The process resulted in exfoliated and well-dispersed graphene platelets with improved mechanical and functional properties of the epoxy resin.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Eva Klocker, Lorenz Meuli, Simon Rauch, Alexandre Kottmann, Ueli Mosimann, Mathieu Pasquier, Pierre Metrailler, Pascal Doppman, Roland Albrecht, Urs Pietsch
Summary: Injuries in crevasse accidents can range from benign to life-threatening. This study retrospectively analyzed mountain rescue missions in Switzerland from 2010 to 2020 and found that over half of victims were uninjured or had mild injuries. Life-threatening injuries accounted for approximately 10%, and the fatality rate was 6.5%. There was a positive correlation between the depth of fall and injury severity, with greater depths seen in winter.
INJURY-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARE OF THE INJURED
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. B. J. Dunne, P. E. Arratia, D. J. Jerolmack
Summary: Cohesion is a crucial factor in determining erosion rates and morphodynamics of sediment deposits. A new instrument is introduced in this study that can measure the cohesion of submerged sediments, providing a convenient method for in situ measurements.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Pietari Skytta, Nicklas Nordback, Antti Ojala, Niko Putkinen, Ismo Aaltonen, Jon Engstrom, Jussi Mattila, Nikolas Ovaskainen
Summary: This paper investigates the impact of fractures within crystalline bedrock on glacial erosion processes. The results show that the type of fracture is critical for a glacier's ability to erode the bedrock, and specific fracture-controlled erosion signatures can be recognized from bedrock surface morphologies. Individual joints or shear fractures only lead to minor vertical breaks, while the linkage of several parallel shear fractures or the presence of larger faults with gouge-bearing cores and well-developed damage zones cause localized disintegration of the rock material and the subsequent development of distinct topographic depressions.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Carole Petit, Tristan Salles, Vincent Godard, Yann Rolland, Laurence Audin
Summary: Detrital Be-10 is widely used to determine denudation rates of terrestrial catchments. However, the Be-10 signal recorded in sediments may be affected by different factors such as mountainous catchment response time and sediment storage. This study compares model-based denudation rates with Be-10 records from local continental sediments and offshore sediments to examine the accuracy of estimating continental denudation rates.
EARTH SURFACE DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cal Siemens, Jidong Kang, David S. Wilkinson
Summary: This paper investigates the damage evolution and microstrain partitioning behavior of the AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloy (EHEA), as well as the bulk mechanical performance in its as-cast and hot rolled states. Experimental results provide insights into improving crack resistance and understanding the macroscopic mechanical property changes in this alloy system.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Chongyuan Zhang, Weiren Lin, Manchao He, Zhigang Tao, Wen Meng
Summary: This study investigated the in-situ stress state in the shallow crust of the coastal region of Southeastern China and found an extensional shallow crust controlled by normal faulting. The study also analyzed the characteristics of the stress field in the region and its possible effects on exploration and fracture propagation.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ye Tian, Hang Zhao, Rui Yang, Xiaomei Liu, Xiuyong Chen, Jiahao Qin, Andre McDonald, Hua Li
Summary: This study investigated the effect of stress on the microstructure evolution of austenitic stainless steels under cavitation erosion and cavitation erosion-corrosion. The findings reveal the differences in stress release and accumulation in different environments, as well as the potential of ductility in austenitic stainless steels to prevent pre-existing pores from initiating cavitation erosion.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
David B. Loope, James F. Elder, Vitaly A. Zlotnik, Garrison R. Loope, Daren Blythe
Summary: On Navajo Sandstone outcrops in southern Utah, the presence of scarps and smooth slopes highlights the impact of water and freezing cycles. Scarps form due to sheeting joints and water emergence, while smooth slopes are stabilized by lichens. Freeze/thaw cycles play a crucial role in the backwasting of scarps, which is further influenced by temperature and water variations.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xinjiang Yan, Zehao Zhang, Jifei Yu, Yanfeng Cao, Yanguang Yuan
Summary: This study demonstrates through laboratory experiments that even under high in situ stress anisotropy conditions, proper hydraulic injection operations can still generate complex fracture patterns, increasing the water injection rate and oil recovery of offshore oilfields.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Dimitri Bandou, Fritz Schlunegger, Edi Kissling, Urs Marti, Regina Reber, Jonathan Pfander
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms behind the formation of tunnel valleys in the Swiss foreland near Bern. Through the use of 3D mapping and gravity modeling, the researchers were able to identify the characteristics and geometry of these overdeepenings. The results suggest that the valleys were formed by both water erosion and glacial activity, with different shapes and depths observed in different locations.
SWISS JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Zhixue Sun, Chuanyin Jiang, Xiaoguang Wang, Wen Zhou, Qinghua Lei
Summary: A new fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model was developed to study the combined effects of thermal perturbation and in-situ stress on heat transfer in two-dimensional fractured rocks. The study identified underlying mechanisms and revealed significant impacts of in-situ stress on fracture apertures and flow rates, affecting heat transfer predictions. The results emphasize the importance of considering in-situ stress effects for accurate assessments of heat extraction efficiency in geothermal reservoirs.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
A. Gupta, R. S. Crum, C. Zhai, K. T. Ramesh, R. C. Hurley
Summary: Understanding particle-scale dynamics in granular materials during rapid compaction and flow is crucial for various applications. A new method using 2D x-ray imaging has been introduced to determine time-resolved 3D particle-scale dynamics, revealing complex velocity and porosity fields evolving heterogeneously. This technique can be applied to studying granular dynamics during rapid compaction events and rearrangements during slower non-quasi-static flows.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Geological
Qinghua Lei, Simon Loew
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Shucai Li, Jie Hu, Florian Amann, Liping Li, Hongliang Liu, Shaoshuai Shi, Pooya Hamdi
Summary: The paper introduces a new rock testing system that can simulate complex tensile-compressive-shear stress states. The system allows for laboratory tests under various failure modes and provides valuable information on failure characteristics.
JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Ali Aminzadeh, Florian Amann
Summary: This article studies the stresses at the center of a disk made of transversely isotropic rocks in Brazil. It finds that the solution for these stresses depends on the radius of the disk, the applied load, the material orientation, and two dimensionless ratios related to Young's modulus and apparent shear modulus. Finite element simulations are conducted to determine the stresses at the disk center, and an approximate formula is derived from analytical results. The formula is compared to numerical solutions, and simple and practical equations are proposed for estimating the stresses at the center of the disk specimen.
JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Claudia Post, Niklas Heyden, Andre Reinartz, Aaron Foerderer, Simon Bruelisauer, Volker Linnemann, William Hug, Florian Amann
Summary: The entire water cycle is contaminated with undetected micropollutants, which poses a threat to wastewater treatment. In our case study, we used Deep-UV laser-induced Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with a CNN-based AI support to analyze samples from different treatment stages of a wastewater treatment plant. The results showed the potential of this method for online monitoring and analysis of micropollutants in wastewater treatment.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhengyang Song, Yunfeng Wu, Heinz Konietzky, Florian Amann, Zhen Yang, Wengang Dang
Summary: The mechanical responses of coal exposed to wetting-drying conditions and compressive cyclic loading were investigated to reveal its behaviors. Experimental results showed that wetting-drying cycles had an exponential attenuation effect on the P-wave velocity of coal, while different loading rates led to different failure modes and energy dissipation. In addition, wetting-drying action induced macro-cracks, and the width of the cracks was proportional to the number of cycles. These testing results provide practical guidance for evaluating the stability of coal mines in in-situ applications.
GEOMECHANICS AND GEOPHYSICS FOR GEO-ENERGY AND GEO-RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Garri Gaus, Eva-Maria Hoyer, Timo Seemann, Reinhard Fink, Florian Amann, Ralf Littke
Summary: This study investigates the potential effects of diagenesis on permeability, pore space, and unconfined compressive strength in organic-lean mudstones that have undergone different maximum burial depths. The results show that permeabilities and porosities significantly decrease up to a maximum burial depth of approximately 2,500 m, while further burial to 3,600 m has negligible impact on these properties. The findings provide important insights into the physical properties of mudstones and their relevance in oil and gas exploration and development.
ZEITSCHRIFT DER DEUTSCHEN GESELLSCHAFT FUR GEOWISSENSCHAFTEN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Florian Amann, Francesca Badaracco, Riccardo DeSalvo, Luca Naticchioni, Andrea Paoli, Luca Paoli, Paolo Ruggi, Stefano Selleri
Summary: This paper proposes a new topology for the Einstein Telescope that separates key components and noise-inducing equipment into separate excavations, allowing continuous detection during maintenance and upgrades. The distribution of seismic attenuation chain components over multiple tunnel levels improves event detection efficiency and leaves room for future upgrades. The design also eliminates mechanical crowding around the test masses, reducing the need for support measures.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Y. Li, K. Leith, M. A. Perras, S. Loew
Summary: Moisture variation affects the strains and elastic properties of granite. Increasing the ambient humidity from 20% to 90% results in an average decline of 13% in Young's modulus, which nearly returns to the initial dry value when the humidity is reduced to 20%. Poisson's ratio increases by 130% in response to the same humidity change, and approximately 60% of it is reversed when dried. These changes occur linearly with a volumetric strain of up to 8 x 10(-4), equivalent to 24.5 MPa internal stress.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Retraction
Construction & Building Technology
Manuel Entfellner, Pooya Hamdi, Xiaoyue Wang, Helmut Wannenmacher, Florian Amann
TUNNELLING AND UNDERGROUND SPACE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qinghua Lei, Didier Sornette, Haonan Yang, Simon Loew
Summary: Researchers have developed a physics-based framework to assess the potential risk of landslide slope failures. By studying extreme events in natural systems, they have developed statistical tools to detect the emergence of "dragon-kings" events during landslide evolution. They have also constructed a phase diagram to determine whether the slope is evolving towards a catastrophic or slow landslide.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
L. Winhausen, K. Khaledi, M. Jalali, M. Bretthauer, F. Amann
Summary: This study investigates the anisotropic behavior of Opalinus Clay, a selected host rock for nuclear waste disposal in Switzerland, by examining its unconfined compressive and tensile strength, poromechanical response, and effective shear strength. The results reveal that the rock exhibits a directional dependency in its strength properties, with the lowest values observed at specific angles between the bedding orientation and the load direction. The study also shows that the orientation of the bedding plane with respect to the maximum principal stress significantly influences the poromechanical behavior and the effective strength of the rock.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
N. Oestreicher, Q. Lei, S. Loew, C. Roques
Summary: Seasonal deformation of mountain rock slopes can be driven by groundwater infiltration and depletion, with fracture network geometry, fracture aperture, and regional stress field being the key geological factors controlling the type and magnitude of reversible slope deformations. Heterogeneity and anisotropy of bedrock hydromechanical responses also play a critical role in groundwater recharge and slope deformation.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Lisa Winhausen, Kavan Khaledi, Mohammadreza Jalali, Janos L. Urai, Florian Amann
Summary: This study investigates the failure mode of Opalinus Clay under different stress conditions. The results show a transition from brittle to ductile deformation with increasing stress, and the deformation localizes in distinct shear bands. The study also reveals less dilation in the shear zones at higher stresses.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xiaodong Ma, Marian Hertrich, Florian Amann, Kai Broeker, Nima Gholizadeh Doonechaly, Valentin Gischig, Rebecca Hochreutener, Philipp Kaestli, Hannes Krietsch, Michele Marti, Barbara Naegeli, Morteza Nejati, Anne Obermann, Katrin Plenkers, Antonio P. Rinaldi, Alexis Shakas, Linus Villiger, Quinn Wenning, Alba Zappone, Falko Bethmann, Raymi Castilla, Francisco Seberto, Peter Meier, Thomas Driesner, Simon Loew, Hansruedi Maurer, Martin O. Saar, Stefan Wiemer, Domenico Giardini
Summary: The increased interest in subsurface development and associated seismicity requires a better understanding of hydro-seismo-mechanical coupling in fractured rock masses. In order to bridge the knowledge gap between laboratory and reservoir scales, controllable in situ experiments are necessary. The BedrettoLab provides a testing ground for studying the hydro-seismo-mechanical response of fractured crystalline rock masses.