A numerical simulation technique for modeling the depositional and structural history of the Mississippi submarine fan /
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| Other Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1989.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The advent of the electronic computer during the last half of this century has produced spectacular advances in the applied sciences. In the process, a completely new mode of research, the computational approach, has come into existence. One of the primary tools of this new approach is the technique of computer modeling and simulation which allows a physical system to be studied by computer manipulation of its mathematical model. This dissertation describes the development of a numerical modeling and simulation technique for application in the field of geotechnical engineering. An important area of research in geotechnical engineering is the study of marine sediments. Very large accumulations of terrigenous sediments are commonly found in the deep water basins which border many of the continental margins. These deposits, known as submarine fans, have come under increasing study in recent years. The specific focus of this research is the development of modeling and simulation techniques to facilitate the study of these deposits. A methodology has been developed which allows the structural history of a submarine fan to be recreated by simulating the fan's growth, layer by layer, from the beginning of its existence until the present time. The technique is based on the concept of geotechnical stratigraphy and involves the simulation of two processes: the deposition of new sediment layers, and the consolidation of existing layers. In order to model the deposition process, the fan's current stratigraphy must be determined. This is done on the basis of a seismic analysis. The identified layers are then "layed down" in discrete segments at appropriate times during the simulation. The two main difficulties in this procedure are determining proper times for deposition and determining how thick the layers should be at initial deposition. Once deposited, layer geometry is continually changing due to the process of consolidation. A mathematical model, based on a nonlinear partial differential equation, is used to simulate this process. The equation is solved by means of a Crank-Nicolson finite difference procedure modified to handle the equation nonlinearity. The techniques developed here are applied to the Mississippi submarine fan located in the Gulf of Mexico. Results, after 2,170,000 years of simulation, show a remarkably close agreement between predicted and actual fan geometries. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Computer Science." |
| Physical Description: | xvii, 193 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |