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Elsevier

Books in Earth and planetary sciences

Elsevier's Earth and Planetary Sciences collection brings together pioneering research on the complexities of our planet and beyond. Covering topics from Earth's structural dynamics and ecosystems to planetary exploration, these titles support advancements in geoscience, environmental science, and space studies, offering essential insights for researchers, professionals, and students.

  • Principles of Induced Polarization for Geophysical Exploration

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • J.S. Sumner
    • English
    Developments in Economic Geology, 5: Principles of Induced Polarization for Geophysical Exploration focuses on the principles, methodologies, and approaches involved in induced polarization (IP), including anisotropism, electromagnetic coupling, and electrical circuits. The book first takes a look at resistivity principles, theory of IP, and laboratory work in IP. Concerns cover electrical measurements of rocks, anisotropism, early part of decay curve and the comparison with frequency effects, electrical models of induced polarization, electrical polarization, resistivities of earth materials, and resistivity exploration methods. The manuscript then elaborates on IP field equipment, telluric noise and electromagnetic coupling, IP field surveying, and drill-hole and underground surveying and the negative IP effect. Discussions focus on differences between surface and subsurface methods, current-sending system in the field, telluric (earth) currents, electromagnetic coupling, design considerations, coupling of electrical circuits, design considerations, and signal-generating system. The manuscript ponders on the complex-resistivity method and interpretation of induced-polarization data, including grade estimation of mineralization using the IP method, complex-resistivity survey, signal detection capabilities of the complex-resistivity method, and disadvantages of the complex-resistivity method. The text is a valuable source of information for researchers wanting to study induced polarization.

  • Limit Analysis in Soil Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 52
    • W.F. Chen + 1 more
    • English
    During the last ten years, our understanding of the perfect plasticity and the associated flow rule assumption on which limit analysis is based has increased considerably. Many extensions and advances have been made in applications of limit analysis to the area of soil dynamics, in particular, to earthquake-induced slope failure and landslide problems and to earthquake-induced lateral earth pressures on rigid retaining structures. The purpose of the book therefore is in part to discuss the validity of the upper bound work (or energy) method of limit analysis in a form that can be appreciated by a practicing soil engineer, and in part to provide a compact and up-to-date summary of recent advances in the applications of limit analysis to earthquake-induced stability problems in soil mechanics.

  • Natural Phenomena

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 14A
    • English
    Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 14A: Rockslides and Avalanches, 1: Natural Phenomena focuses on attempts to provide a foundation for studies of mass movement phenomena in the Western Hemisphere. The selection first elaborates on Albert Heim's observations on landslides and relevance to modern interpretations, Frank rockslide in Alberta, Canada, and Lower Gros Ventre slide in Wyoming, U.S.A. Discussions focus on geologic environment, events triggered by rise and fall of slide lake level, description of slide mass and zone of detachment, stability analysis, travel distance of sturzstrom deposits, and geometry of the Elm sturzstrom deposits. The publication then takes a look at Madison Canyon rockslide in Montana, U.S.A., Little Tahoma Peak rockfalls and avalanches in Mount Rainier, Washington, U.S.A., Sherman Glacier rock avalanche in Alaska, U.S.A., and Nevados Huascaran avalanches in Peru. Topics include rockslide kinematics, associated seismic activity, meteorological and hydrological conditions, mode of emplacement of other Alaskan rock avalanches, and applicability of mechanical fluidization to other rock avalanches. The text examines the mechanics of glacier movement, dynamics of snow avalanches, failure of snow slopes, and role of gravity in plate tectonics. The selection is a valuables reference for researchers wanting to study further rockslides and avalanches.

  • Rock Grouting and Diaphragm Wall Construction

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 55
    • J. Verfel
    • English
    The foundation of structures and the construction of underground railways in urban areas would be impossible without the use of diaphragm walls, grouting, anchors, micropiles, slender retaining walls, etc. Based on the author's own experience and taking into account the findings of various other authors, this book explains these methods in an intelligible manner, enabling the reader to judge for himself their suitability in construction practice.The aim of the book is to instruct experts in the correct application of grouting methods, and the correct choice of drilling systems and tools. It provides mainly practical information, and describes the most suitable, up-to-date technology available. Grouting applications in Czechoslovakia and abroad are illustrated by a series of practical examples.The book is designed for students of civil engineering faculties specializing in structural foundation, specialists of building companies, and experts in structural foundation. It will also be appreciated by experts in underground railway and tunnel construction, in structural engineering and urban development (landslides), as well as by manufacturers of the respective technology.

  • Underground Structures

    Design and Instrumentation
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 59A
    • R.S. Sinha
    • English
    This book presents the most up to date information relevant to the design and instrumentation of underground structures. The structure might be a tunnel, shaft, cavern, or pressure unit, or a combination thereof.Empirical, rational, numerical, convergence and confinement, and discontinuity analysis methods are treated comprehensively. Special chapters are devoted to underground structures in rock burst, swelling, squeezing, and seismic zones. Water control, instrumentation, and tunneling through soft ground are also treated extensively. Sections on the design of pressure tunnels, shafts, caverns, shotcreting, water control, and soft ground tunnels are informative and authoritative. Worked examples are included on the design of rock tunnels, soft ground tunnels, and the treatment of underground structures through difficult ground.Extensive references are provided, and figures, sketches and photographs aid presentation. Important tables on planning, and case histories, allow the reader to build confidence in his design of underground structures.The book will be beneficial to civil, structural, geotechnical and mining engineers, geologists, and planners and managers associated with the design and construction of underground structures.

  • Clay in Engineering Geology

    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 41
    • J.E. Gillott
    • English
    Engineering geology is an interdisciplinary subject concerned with the application of geological science to engineering practice, and it is therefore important for the engineering geologist to recognize the boundary between engineering application and purely scientific enquiry. Much research in applied clay science results from imperfectly understood engineering behaviour. Engineering geology is most closely allied to the geotechnical and materials areas of civil engineering. The scope of the present book is limited to the influence of clay but because clay is almost ubiquitous in earth materials the subject still remains broad. In soil and rock, clay is the smallest size fraction, but it is that very fact which often determines its major influences on engineering behaviour.In this book the author reviews the importance of clay in engineering geology and summarizes present knowledge in this field. The plan of the book has remained unchanged since the first edition was published in 1968 but the text, diagrams and reference lists have all been extensively updated. The first 5 chapters review the classification, origin, composition, fabric and physical chemistry of clays. Behavioural aspects, covered in the following 4 chapters, include moisture interaction, strength and rheology, soil stabilization and the use of clays as materials. The final 3 chapters describe methods of analysis of clays and soils.Clay in Engineering Geology contains material drawn from a wide variety of sources and, together with its literature review and indexes, will provide much of value to geologists, mineralogists, civil and geotechnical engineers concerned with applied clay science.

  • Spectral Analysis in Geophysics

    • 1st Edition
    • B.M. Båth
    • English

  • Geochemical Studies

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    Geochemical Studies is a collection of papers dealing with ore petrology, particularly on the genesis of ores found in sediments. One paper describes the minor elements in metal deposits in sedimentary rocks, focusing on geochemical work on certain classes of ores in sediments and on the theories of origin of the deposits. With better techniques of microprobe analysis of trace elements, the paper notes that ore deposits in sedimentary rocks can be characterized by their minor element suites. One paper points out that large ore deposits cannot possibly be formed by a migration of substances (known as "negative" diffusion). The paper estimates that the quantities of material that can be accumulated in a sediment horizon with a great affinity for these materials, say in a period of one billion years, will still not be sufficient to produce a large ore deposit. The paper estimates the necessary diffusion coefficients that occur in deep structures, where increased mobilities of various substances occur. Geologists, geochemists, and engineers working with fossil fuels will find the collection highly significant.

  • Subsidence

    Occurrence, Prediction and Control
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 56
    • D.J. Reddish + 1 more
    • English
    Surface subsidence is recognised as a problem in most countries, particularly those with significant mining and other underground resource extraction industries. This book addresses the problems relating to subsidence whether caused naturally, or arising from mining or other forms of underground extractive activity.The main purpose of this book is to bring together subsidence knowledge, experiences and research findings in many countries and rationalise such information especially in respect of its particular field of application. Emphasis has been given to collating field data on subsidence from different countries in order to make direct comparisons. Prediction of subsidence, particularly its occurrence and general characteristics has been seen as an important area where the book can contribute significantly in terms of reviewing available knowledge, methods, scope of application and orders of accuracy achieved. The book also examines methods of controlling subsidence and discusses the response of surface structures to and protection against subsidence.

  • Finite Element Techniques in Groundwater Flow Studies

    With Applications in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 61
    • I. Kazda
    • English
    The finite element method (FEM) is one of those modern numerical methods whose rise and development was incited by the rapid development of computers. This method has found applications in all the technical disciplines as well as in the natural sciences.One of the most effective applications of the finite element method is its use for the solution of groundwater flow problems encountered in the design and maintenance of hydraulic structures and tailing dams, in soil mechanics, hydrology, hydrogeology and engineering geology.The stimuli to write this book came from the results obtained in the solution of practical problems connected both with the construction and maintenance of fill-type dams and tailing dams and the utilization of groundwater in Czechoslovakia, and on the other hand from the experience gained in teaching hydraulic structures theory at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Technical University of Prague. All the experience so far obtained shows markedly the advantages of the finite element method and the great possibilities of its further development as well as its considerable demands on the algorithmization, programming and use of computer possibilities. The reader will find an explanation of the fundamentals of the finite element method directed mainly toward isoparametric elements having an exceptional adaptability and numerical reliability. The finite element method application to groundwater flow concerns mainly two-dimensional problems, which occur most frequently in practice. Considerable attention is given to non-linear and non-stationary problems, which are most important in application.A computer program (based on the eight-noded isoparametric elements) is included and fully documented.The book will be useful to civil engineers, hydrogeologists and engineering geologists who need the finite element method as a solution tool for the complex problems encountered in engineering practice.

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