Parametric and numerical modeling tools to forecast hydrogeological impacts of a tunnel

The project of interest involving a hydroelectrical diversion tunnel through a crystalline rock massif in the Alps required a detailed hydrogeological study to forecast the magnitude of water inflows within the tunnel and possible effects on groundwater flow The tunnel exhibits a length of 9.5 km and is located on the right side of the Toce River in Crevoladossola (Verbania Province, Piedmont region, northern Italy). Under the geological framework of the Alps, the tunnel is located within the Lower Penninic Frappes in the footwall of the Simplon Normal Fault, and the geological succession is mostly represented by Antigorio gneiss (metagranites) and Baceno metasediments (metacarbonates). Due to the presence of important mineralized springs for commercial mineral water purposes, the above mentioned hydrogeological study focused on both quantity and quality aspects via rainfall data analysis, monitoring of major spring flow rates, monitoring of hydraulic heads and pumping rates of existing wells/boreholes, hydrochemical and isotopic analysis of springs and boreholes and hydraulic tests (Lefranc and Lugeon). The resulting conceptual model indicated dominant low-permeability (aquitard) behavior of the gneissic rock masses, except under conditions of intense fracturing due to tectonization, and aquifer behavior of the metasedimentary rocks, particularly when interested by dissolution. Groundwater flow systems are mainly controlled by gravity. The springs located near the Toce River were characterized by high mineralization and isotopic ratios, indicating long groundwater flow paths. Based on all the data collected and analyzed, two parametric methods were applied: 1) the Dematteis method, slightly adapted to the case study and the available data, which allows assessment of both potential inflows within the tunnel and potential impacts on springs (codified as the drawdown hazard index; DHI); 2) the Cesano method, which only allow assessment of potential inflows within the tunnel, thereby discriminating between major and minor inflows. Contemporarily, a groundwater flow model was implemented with the equivalent porous medium (EPM) approach in MODFLOW-2000. This model was calibrated under steady-state conditions against the available data (groundwater levels inside wells/piezometers and elevation and flow rate of springs). The Dematteis method was demonstrated to be more reliable and suitable for the site than was the Cesano method. This method was validated considering a tunnel through gneissic rock masses, and this approach considered intrinsic parameters of rock masses more notably than morphological and geomorphological factors were considered. The Cesano method relatively overestimated tunnel inflows, considering variations in the topography and overburden above the tunnel. Sensitivity analysis revealed a low sensitivity of these parametric methods to parameter values, except for the rock quality designation (RQD) employed to represent the fracturing degree. The numerical model was calibrated under ante-operam conditions, and sensitivity analysis evaluated the influence of uncertainties in the hydraulic conductivity (K) values of the different hydrogeological units.The hydraulic head distribution after tunnel excavation was forecasted considering three scenarios, namely, a draining tunnel, tunnel as a eater loss source, and tunnel sealed along its aquifer sectors, considering 3 levels of K reduction. Tunnel impermeabilization was very effective, thus lowering the drainage rate and impact on springs. The model quantitatively defined tunnel inflows and the effects on spring flow at the surface in terms of flow rate decrease. The Dematteis method and numerical model were combined to obtain a final risk of impact on the springs. This study likely overestimated the risk because all the values assigned to the parameters were chosen in a conservative way, and the steady-state numerical simulations were also very conservative (the transient state in this hydrogeological setting supposedly lasts 1-3 years). Monitoring of the tunnel and springs during tunnel boring could facilitate the feedback process

Hydrogeological characterization and parameters estimation of the aquifer close to the Adige River (Verona, Italy) for the design of deep excavations

In the framework of the final design of a new hydroelectric plant close to the existing dam on the Adige River in the municipality of San Giovanni Lupatoto (VR, Italy), the design of deep excavations in loose sediments below groundwater level, and the connected risks of piping and excavation bottom heave required a detailed study of hydrogeological characterization, aimed to an accurate aquifer parameterization and so a confident design of excavation supports and dewatering systems. Particularly a three-dimensional analysis of the problem was necessary, because the hydrogeological system was complicated by many "artificial" boundary conditions (dam on the river, deep foundations of the existing and new engineering works) causing vertical not negligible flow paths. The conceptual model has been developed applying, in parallel, different prospecting tools: a preliminary Step Drawdown Test, a long duration Constant Rate Test, a multiple tracing test and the implementation of a three-dimensional numerical model of groundwater flow (MODFLOW-2005 code) and advective transport (MODPATH code). The modeling has allowed a good estimate of the aquifer parameters such as hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity through calibration of the pumping/tracing tests under transient conditions. Moreover, the simulation of post operam conditions and the comparison with ante operam, in terms of flow paths length and filtration velocity, showed that the construction of the new works foundations would have determined a sensitive reduction of groundwater velocities closed to the existing dam

Lifetime environmental tobacco smoke exposure and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), which contains potent respiratory irritants, may lead to chronic airway inflammation and obstruction. Although ETS exposure appears to cause asthma in children and adults, its role in causing COPD has received limited attention in epidemiologic studies. METHODS: Using data from a population-based sample of 2,113 U.S. adults aged 55 to 75 years, we examined the association between lifetime ETS exposure and the risk of developing COPD. Participants were recruited from all 48 contiguous U.S. states by random digit dialing. Lifetime ETS exposure was ascertained by structured telephone interview. We used a standard epidemiologic approach to define COPD based on a self-reported physician diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD. RESULTS: Higher cumulative lifetime home and work exposure were associated with a greater risk of COPD. The highest quartile of lifetime home ETS exposure was associated with a greater risk of COPD, controlling for age, sex, race, personal smoking history, educational attainment, marital status, and occupational exposure to vapors, gas, dusts, or fumes during the longest held job (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.21). The highest quartile of lifetime workplace ETS exposure was also related to a greater risk of COPD (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.002 to 1.84). The population attributable fraction was 11% for the highest quartile of home ETS exposure and 7% for work exposure. CONCLUSION: ETS exposure may be an important cause of COPD. Consequently, public policies aimed at preventing public smoking may reduce the burden of COPD-related death and disability, both by reducing direct smoking and ETS exposure

Classificazioni geomeccaniche, modellazioni numeriche e metodologie di scavo per opere sotterranee. L’impianto idroelettrico di Pieve Vergonte (Alpi Occidentali)

Le classificazioni geomeccaniche costituiscono la base per la descrizione degli ammassi rocciosi, per la previsione del comportamento degli scavi e per la progettazione dei sostegni. Nel presente lavoro vengono illustrati i dati relativi alla caratterizzazione geologico-geomeccanica, al monitoraggio estensimetrico ed alla modellazione numerica di un impianto idroelettrico in caverna realizzato nelle Alpi occidentali, in provincia di Verbania. Tutte le opere dell’impianto (sistema di gallerie e caverna) ricadono all’interno di litotipi metamorfici marcatamente scistosi che, nella zona della caverna, descrivono una piega aperta di dimensioni paragonabili allo scavo stesso. Lo studio ha incluso analisi petrografiche e geomeccaniche dei principali litotipi, determinazioni in sito dello stato tensionale, classificazioni dell’ammasso roccioso sia nella zona della caverna che nelle aree adiacenti ad essa. Sulla base dei risultati delle precedenti analisi sono stati realizzati due modelli numerici della caverna, basati rispettivamente su codici agli Elementi Finiti ed agli Elementi Distinti, al fine di prevedere le deformazioni dell’ammasso roccioso a seguito dello scavo. Le deformazioni reali registrate dagli estensimetri sono risultate in buon accordo con quelle predette dai modelli numerici. Infine, e’ stata analizzata l’influenza della metodologia di scavo rispetto alle condizioni di stabilità delle pareti: l’utilizzo di metodi meccanizzati (raise-borer e TBM) ha determinato un minore degrado delle qualità dell’ammasso roccioso registrato da variazioni nei valori delle classificazioni geomeccaniche e ciò ha consentito la posa di sostegni meno pesanti rispetto a scavi vicini, realizzati con metodi tradizionali (perforazione ed esplosivo)

Osmotic fragility associated with sucrose vacuolation

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Engineering geological characterization and comparison of predicted and measured performance of a cavern in the Italian Alps

A detailed engineering geological characterization and performance monitoring were carried out at the site of an underground powerhouse cavern in the Italian Alps. In the area of the hydroelectric project, consisting of a 4-m diameter and 10-km-long diversion tunnel and a powerhouse cavern (20 m wide, 39 m long and 30 m high), metamorphic anisotropic rocks, are present. A pervasive foliation, whose trend describes an open fold at the cavern site, characterizes the geological structure. The studies include petrographic analyses and geo-mechanical properties of the rocks, in situ stress measurements and rock-mass classifications for the cavern site as well as the surrounding area. Based on field investigations, two numerical models (FEM and DEM codes) were used to investigate the overall stability of the excavation and to predict the expected deformation caused by each excavation phase. The measurements of actual deformations, by multi-base extensometer data, are reasonably close to those predicted through the numerical approaches