Prioritization of disaster risk in a community using GIS

Prioritization of disaster risk was carried out for a community in Toronto, Canada. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used for spatial analysis, including spatial overlays and clipping for extracting spatial and attribute information related to people’s vulnerability, critical infrastructure and landuse. In order to determine disaster risk, the overall community vulnerability was evaluated by combining social, economic, physical and environmental vulnerabilities. This paper uses the propane explosion incident as the case in point to demonstrate the methodology and procedure used to evaluate risk using GIS techniques. City of Toronto spatial data have been integrated with the study area to gather landuse information, identify risk zones based on the propane storage facility location and evaluate risks. Statistics Canada 2006 census data have been used for area demographics and people’s social and economic status. Vulnerability indicators were determined based on the GIS-derived spatial and attribute data for the hazard and evacuation zones followed by a quantitative spatial risk estimation and ranking. The methodology of this study, based on the risk evaluation and prioritization conducted, can be applied to future decision making in effective landuse planning and the development of risk management strategies.     

Engineering-geological and geotechnical investigation for risk assessment

Before construction activities could begin, engineering geological and geotechnical investigations had to be approved in order to establish a map with suitable areas for safe construction. The example used in this study is Tunis City which has complex geology and geomorphology. The risk analysis was based on a large-scale land-suitability map that was prepared using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The approach used in this study combined physical data with the geotechnical properties of Tunis City. The adopted methodology and analyses were performed to assess the risk of urban expansion and landscape management. Results are presented as a zoning map that shows the suitable area for safe extension of the urban area. The data used and multi-criterion analysis of geotechnical and geological data seems to be useful for similar case studies and the adopted methodology can be used successfully for identifying similar cities for risk assessment.     

Geographical information system-based computational implementation and application of spatial three-dimensional slope stability analysis

Three-dimensional (3D) evaluation of slope stability is a widely addressed problem in the domain of geotechnical engineering. The growing popularity of the geographical information system (GIS) approach, with capacities ranging from conventional data storage to complex spatial analysis and graphical presentation, means that it is also becoming a powerful tool for geotechnical engineers. In this study, in which we combine GIS grid-based data with four proposed column-based models of 3D slope stability analysis, we have devised new correspondent GIS grid-based 3D deterministic models to calculate the safety factor of the slope. Based on the four GIS-based 3D slope stability analysis models, a GIS-based program, 3DSlopeGIS, has been developed to implement the algorithm where all the input data are in the same format as the GIS dataset. The 3DSlopeGIS system, which is an extension of the widely used GIS software package, represents the combined development of 3D slope stability analysis and GIS-based component object model (COM) skills. Since all related data are supplied in the GIS format, this new database approach will be convenient for the repeated renewal and consulting of data. Certain widely addressed examples are evaluated in this paper and the results show the correction and potential of this GIS-based tool as a means of assessing the 3D stability of a slope. Two practical slope problems have been evaluated using the 3DSlopeGIS system. The results illustrate the convenience of data management as well as the effective range selection of Monte-Carlo random variables and the critical slip surface location in some parts of a lava dome.     

Groundwater potentiality mapping of hard-rock terrain in arid regions using geospatial modelling: example from Wadi Feiran basin,South Sinai,Egypt

Identifying a good site for groundwater exploitation in hard-rock terrains is a challenging task. In Sinai, Egypt, groundwater is the only source of water for local inhabitants. Interpretation of satellite data for delineation of lithological units and weathered zones, and for mapping of lineament density and their trends, provides a valuable aid for the location of groundwater promising areas. Complex deformational histories of the wide range of lithological formations add to the difficulty. Groundwater prospect mapping is a systematic approach that considers the major controlling factors which influence the aquifer and quality of groundwater. The presented study aims to delineate, identify, model and map groundwater potential zones in arid South Sinai using remote sensing data and a geographic information system (GIS) to prepare various hydromorphogeological thematic maps such as maps of slope, drainage density, lithology, landforms, structural lineaments, rainfall intensity and plan curvature. The controlling-factor thematic maps are each allocated a fixed score and weight, computed by using a linear equation approach. Furthermore, each weighted thematic map is statistically computed to yield a groundwater potential zone map of the study area. The groundwater potential zones thus obtained were divided into five categories (very poor, poor, moderate, good and very good) and were validated using the relation between the zone and the spatial distribution of productive wells and of previous geophysical investigations from a literature review. The results show the groundwater potential zones in the study area, and create awareness for better planning and management of groundwater resources.     

Integrated evaluation of urban development suitability based on remote sensing and GIS techniques: contribution from the analytic hierarchy process

Urban, industrial, and tourist developments are considered of high priority in Egypt. In the current research, the site suitability investigation for rating the different environmental, geological, and geotechnical conditions facing civil engineering projects were assessed using a geographic information system (GIS) multi-criteria approach. The study area is one of the most promising areas for urban and touristic as well as industrial developments in Egypt, which is located on the NW coast of the Gulf of Suez. This area may face several geo-environmental problems that will limit its suitability for civil projects. Weighted GIS model, which integrates different types of data sources, such as land use/cover, geological, geomorphological, geophysical, environmental, remote sensing, and field data, can be achieved to create a site suitability map. In this paper, an analytical hierarchy process approach has been used to develop the weighted model for different factors. As a result of this study, areas of potential geotechnical and geo-environmental hazards that could impact the design and construction of civil projects were identified. Therefore, changes can be made early in the design process before significant design efforts are being invested.     

Mapping of groundwater prospective zones integrating remote sensing,geographic information systems and geophysical techniques in El-Qaà Plain area,Egypt

The geospatial mapping of groundwater prospective zones is essential to support the needs of local inhabitants and agricultural activities in arid regions such as El-Qaà area, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The study aims to locate new wells that can serve to cope with water scarcity. The integration of remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and geophysical techniques is a breakthrough for groundwater prospecting. Based on these techniques, several factors contributing to groundwater potential in El-Qaà Plain were determined. Geophysical data were supported by information derived from a digital elevation model, and from geologic, geomorphologic and hydrologic data, to reveal the promising sites. All the spatial data that represent the contributing factors were integrated and analyzed in a GIS framework to develop a groundwater prospective model. An appropriate weightage was specified to each factor based on its relative contribution towards groundwater potential, and the resulting map delineates the study area into five classes, from very poor to very good potential. The very good potential zones are located in the Quaternary deposits, with flat to gentle topography, dense lineaments and structurally controlled drainage channels. The groundwater potential map was tested against the distribution of groundwater wells and cultivated land. The integrated methodology provides a powerful tool to design a suitable groundwater management plan in arid regions.     

基于GIS模型库集成的土地利用变化预测系统

根据当前土地利用变化分析及预测研究现状,提出了以焦作市高新区1990~2005年土地利用空间数据资料为试验数据,对系统图形与属性数据建库、模型库及其同G IS的集成土地利用变化预测系统并且进行了初步设计及实现。利用VC 和MapObjects编程实现地图查询与分析、指标测算、模型构建及检验等功能,为用地变化预测及研究者们实现预测模型的构建、属性数据的统计运算、图形数据的处理提供功能集成的应用型G IS平台,该系统也为合理利用土地提供更为科学和准确的决策。     

Real-time assessment framework of spatial liquefaction hazard in port areas considering site-specific seismic response

This paper proposes a systematic framework for real-time assessment of spatial liquefaction hazard of port areas considering local seismic response characteristics based on a geographic information system (GIS) platform. The framework is integrated and embedded with sequential, interrelated subprocedures and a database for liquefaction-induced damage evaluation that standardizes and both individually and collectively quantifies analytical results. To integrate the current in situ condition of a selected port area, the framework functions as a spatial database system for geotechnical and structural data and as a recipient of automatic transmission of seismic monitoring data. The geotechnical profile correlated with liquefaction potential is compiled into a geotechnical spatial grid built by geostatistical methods. Linked with the geotechnical spatial grid, the processing of site-specific responses is automatically interpreted from previously derived correlations between rock acceleration and maximum acceleration of each soil layer. As a result, the liquefaction severity is determined based on a combined geotechnical spatial grid with seismic load correlation in real-time according to a simplified procedure, allowing calculation of the liquefaction potential index (LPI). To demonstrate practical applications of the framework in estimating the liquefaction hazard in real-time, liquefaction-hazard maps were visualized for two earthquake scenarios, verifying the applicability of the proposed framework.     

GIS地表塌陷计算的有限棱柱法及三维数据模型

具有强大信息管理和可视化功能的GIS已在地下硐室开挖、矿山采掘、边坡等许多工程领域中得到了广泛应用。笔者给出了一种用于地下开挖变形描述和应力分析的方法——有限棱柱法，并就该方法与GIS集成中的数据模型和数据组织方法进行了探讨，建立了基于GIS的虚拟地质体地下开挖变形描述与评价计算的三维可视化系统，并对多语言集成模式和数据可视化方法进行了探讨。同时还给出了该方法的工程应用实例，对该方法的可靠性和有效性进行了验证。     

基于IFC标准的三维地质模型扩展研究

岩土工程信息化迫切需要加强大数据集成共享和多专业协同合作,BIM技术在工程建设领域的成功经验给我们以启示,可将BIM技术应用于岩土工程信息化建设,但是当前存在的主要问题是地质模型与BIM模型数据标准不统一。为了解决这个问题,提出了地质模型采用BIM数据标准IFC的思路。采用IFC实体扩展及属性集扩展模式,建立了面向三维地质模型的扩展模型IFC-3DGeoMdl。利用已有的IFC对象类型,派生相应的地质物理实体以及地质空间结构实体,给出地质物理实体的空间表达形式;利用IFC中已有的关系类,定义地质物理实体与空间结构实体的关系;进而,基于IFC中的属性表达方式,实现了地质对象的地层信息与物理力学参数等属性的扩展;最后,给出了创建该模型的具体实现过程,并利用实例验证了该模型的实际应用效果。结果表明,采用该模型,可有效实现岩土工程地质模型与BIM结构模型的集成,从而为深化岩土工程的结构设计、施工等提供有效的地质模型信息。     

基于GIS边坡稳定三维极限平衡方法的开发及应用

由于GIS强大的功能从一般的数据存储到复杂的空间分析及图形显示,在岩土工程分析中亦必将成为一个常用工具。本文研究基于GIS栅格数据和4个边坡稳定三维极限平衡模型,开发了一个GIS扩展模块用于边坡三维安全系数计算。考题和实例计算表明了该模块的正确性和便利性。     

Geotechnical Cartographic Synthesis of Bejaia City,North East of Algeria

Geotechnics has a significant contribution in the construction engineering and natural risks, by providing for many useful data to direct the regional planning and prevent catastrophes. The geotechnical cartography became imperative to satisfy the intensive requirement of data concerning the soil and the basement, which initiated the urban development, often anarchistic. Indeed the cartography in geotechnics is a very complex task, because information concerning the soil and the basement are diverse. Due to its coastal and touristic position, Bejaia is one of the promising cities of Algeria. The site, on which the city is erected, is as an amphitheater where the sea is the scene. Indeed, Bejaia is located on a site surrounded by mountains on the three sides, north-south -west and it faces the sea on the east, its extension requires the use of lands with broken topography, and lead to appearance of new urban zones. These were built without consulting the experts in the field of the civil engineering, particularly geotechnics. This article presents the geotechnical cartography of Bejaia city; which shows the preliminary results of the zone of study, based on existing geotechnical, geological and topographic data.     

岩土工程勘察、设计与施工一体化模式探讨研究

建筑工程勘察、设计和施工一体化模式,逐渐成为国内大型勘察设计企业新的核心竞争力,亦是国际国内经济一体化和市场经济发展的必然趋势。本文结合目前国内主要从事岩土工程的勘察、设计或施工企业对项目的运作情况,提出了岩土工程勘察、设计和施工一体化运作模式。通过对目前国内岩土工程勘察、设计和施工独立运作模式和一体化模式的对比研究和分析,结合典型的工程实例,总结和分析了采用一体化或近似一体化模式运作项目的优劣和经验。针对目前国内大型勘察设计企业实施岩土工程勘察、设计和施工一体化模式的困难进行了探讨并提出相关建议,供相关部门或同行参考。     

Applications of a GIS-based geotechnical tool to assess spatial earthquake hazards in an urban area

A geotechnical information system (GTIS) was constructed within a spatial geographic information system (GIS) framework to reliably predict geotechnical information and accurately estimate site effects at Gyeongju, an urban area in South Korea. The system was built based on both collected and performed site investigation data in addition to acquired geo-knowledge data. Seismic zoning maps were constructed using the site period (T _G) and mean shear wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (V _S30), and these maps were presented as a regional strategy to mitigate earthquake-induced risks in the study area. In particular, the T _G distribution map indicated the susceptibility to ground motion resonance in periods ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 s and the corresponding seismic vulnerability of buildings with two to five stories. Seismic zonation of site classification according to V _S30 values was also performed to determine the site amplification coefficients for seismic design and seismic performance evaluation at any site and administrative subunit in the study area. In addition, we investigated the site effects according to subsurface and surface ground irregularities at Gyeongju by seismic response analyses in time domains based on both two- and three-dimensional spatial finite element models, which were generated using spatial interface coordinates between geotechnical subsurface layers predicted by the GTIS. This practical study verified that spatial GIS-based geotechnical information can be a very useful resource in determining how to best mitigate seismic hazards, particularly in urban areas.     

Ground motion phenomena in Caltanissetta (Italy) investigated by InSAR and geological data integration

Urban areas are frequently affected by ground instabilities of various origins. The location of urban zones affected by ground instability phenomena is crucially important for hazard mitigation policies. Satellite-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has demonstrated its remarkable capability to detect and quantify ground and building motion in urban areas, especially since the development of Advanced Differential Interferometric SAR techniques (A-DInSAR). In fact, the high density of reflectors like buildings and infrastructures in urban areas improves the quality of the InSAR signal, allowing sub-centimetric displacements to be reliably detected. The A-DInSAR techniques allow urban zones affected by ground deformation to be located and mapped, but clearly they are not able to point out the causes of the instability phenomena. These can only be highlighted by an integrated analysis of multidisciplinary data, like geological, geotechnical, SAR interferometric and historical data. The overlay of these data, which is possible within a Geographic Information System (GIS), is a useful tool to identify ground motion phenomena affecting urban zones. In this study we apply this kind of approach to Caltanissetta, a provincial capital in Sicily (Italy), where local damage has been detected. The reconstruction of the local near-surface geology shows the presence of zones affected by local natural hazard factors, essentially due to the local presence of soils with poor mechanical properties or swelling soils, high topographic gradients and steep slopes on loose soils. Processing 17 ASAR-ENVISAT SAR images covering the time interval October 2002–December 2005 by means of an A-DInSAR procedure, the Caltanissetta deformation map has been realized. It shows that most of the city is stable, with the exception of three zones, situated in the northwestern, northeastern and southern parts of the city, respectively. Two of them, characterized by high topographic gradients and steep slopes on sandy soils, are affected by subsidence ground motion. An uplift motion is recognized in the other zone, characterized by the local presence of expansible clays. Geotechnical swelling tests carried out on them have shown a swelling behavior. On site surveys have highlighted the presence of damage in the zones affected by ground motion.     

空间三维滑坡敏感性分区工具及其应用

对于滑坡敏感性分区目前有三种方法:定性法、统计法和基于岩土定量模型的确定性方法。定性法基于对滑坡敏感性或灾害评估的人为判断;统计法用一个来源于结合了权重因子的预测函数或指标;而确定性法,或者说是物理定量模型法以质量、能量和动量守恒定律为基础。二维确定性模型广泛用于土木工程设计,而无限边坡模型(一维)也用于滑坡灾害分区的确定性模型。文中提出了一个新的基于GIS(地理信息系统)的滑坡敏感性分区系统,这个系统可用于从复杂地形中确认可能的危险三维(3-D)滑坡体。所有与滑坡相关的空间数据(矢量或栅格数据)都被集成到这个系统中。通过把研究区域划分为边坡单元并假定初始滑动面是椭球的下半部分,并使用Monte Carlo随机搜索法,三维滑坡稳定性分析中的三维最危险滑面是三维安全系数最小的地方。使用近似方法假定有效凝聚力、有效摩擦角和三维安全系数服从正态分布,可以计算出滑坡失稳概率。3DSlopeGIS是一个计算机程序,它内嵌了GIS Developer kit(ArcObjects of ESRI)来实现GIS空间分析功能和有效的数据管理。应用此工具可以解决所有的三维边坡空间数据解问题。通过使用空间分析、数据管理和GIS的可视化功能来处理复杂的边坡数据,三维边坡稳定性问题很容易用一个友好的可视化图形界面来解决。将3DSlopeGIS系统应用到3个滑坡敏感性分区的实例中:第一个是一个城市规划项目,第二个是预测以往滑坡灾害对临近区域可能的影响,第三个则是沿着国家主干道的滑坡分区。基于足够次数的Monte Carlo模拟法,可以确认可能的最危险滑坡体。这在以往的传统边坡稳定性分析中是不可能的。     

A geo-environmental map for the sustainable development of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

An engineering and environmental geological map of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal has been elaborated within a project of German-Nepalese cooperation. In the Kathmandu Valley, the major geo-environmental problems arise from haphazard exploitation of geologic resources, local landslide zones, severe problems of garbage disposal, river flooding and a dramatic river pollution. The map was prepared by the use of GIS techniques. It contains all basic geological and environmental data, as geotechnical risk zones (landslide-prone areas or those of poor foundation conditions), areas for preferable extraction of construction material and those not to be allowed to be exploited, areas of immediate need of reforestation in order to prevent landslide or badland development, groundwater protection zones, and suitable garbage disposal sites. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Teaching GIS in the Gulf Co-operation Council Universities – With a case study of the geography department, University of the United Arab Emirates

Within universities there has developed a clear theoretical convergence between Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and geography (Antenuccl, 1991). Studies have revealed that one of the qualified departments to teach GIS within universities is the geography department. This study focuses on: the importance of establishing GIS as a major curriculum element within universities. In geography departments, economic geography students require a strong statistical/mathematical background to allow them to work with major databases. They should know how to design a specific database for economic activities, such as agriculture and manufacturing, and tertiary industry and how to relate this database to a map, so that changes can be monitored more accurately. In any aspect of geography spatial location is a key factor and GIS allows spatial patterns to be interpreted with great facility. Therefore it is important that students have a good knowledge not only of computers and related software on economic geography, but also on GIS systems (Burrough, 1993). The work of geography students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) geography departments is examined to evaluate the importance of training in GIS technology. This paper evaluates the effects of implementing GIS as a tool in teaching economic geography. At present there are 15 geography departments in the GCC which offer economic geography. Of those 15 departments, only 3 provide GIS courses within their curriculum, and 4 have basic equipment, although 6 additional departments are to introduce GIS in the near future. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reliability updating in geotechnical engineering including spatial variability of soil

At geotechnical sites, deformation measurements are routinely performed during the construction process. In this paper, it is shown how information from such measurements can be utilized to update the reliability estimate of the geotechnical site at future construction stages. A recently proposed method for Bayesian updating of the reliability is successfully applied in conjunction with a stochastic nonlinear geotechnical finite element model. Therein, uncertainty in the soil material properties is modelled by non-Gaussian random fields. The structural reliability evaluations required for the Bayesian updating are carried out by means of subset simulation, an efficient adaptive Monte Carlo method. The approach is demonstrated through an application to a sheet pile wall at a deformation-sensitive geotechnical construction site.     

三峡坝区工程地质信息系统集成开发研究

对数据库管理系统、地理信息系统、计算机辅助图件编绘系统三者的技术特性与相关性加以分析,结合三峡坝区工程地质信息特点,展示了”３Ｓ“技术在空间信息一体化管理中的作用。研究成果表明：对具有较高性能价格比的ＤＢＭＳ,ＧＩＳ及ＣＡＤＳ进行二次集成开发,所构成的系统对数据具有快速采集、实时更新、图文一体化管理和年辅助编绘功能,为工程勘察和施工技术的提高及施工周期的缩短提供了科学的方法。