A decision support system for geotechnical applications

A knowledge-based system shell called ‘Confound’ has been developed for the production of decision support systems. It was initially used for developing a system for conceptual foundation design but has subsequently been used for retaining wall, expansive soil and ground investigation applications. It uses a hierarchical object-oriented knowledge base where each object represents a decision in the decision making process. A simple rule-based approach is used to provide advice on the suitability of each potential choice, based on project specific information that is provided by the user. Confound has the ability to work with incomplete information and uses a system of confidence levels so that the user is aware of the confidence with which each piece of advice is given. Conflicting information in areas where knowledge is poorly defined can also be handled. Confound is designed to leave the user in full control. It simply provides comments on suitability (with an indication of confidence) and leaves the final decision to the user.     

基于脲酶诱导碳酸钙沉积固化土体的研究进展

诱导碳酸钙沉积的土体固化是近年来岩土工程领域新兴起的新型环保地基处理技术, 该技术利用产脲酶菌的微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积（Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation,即MICP技术）或基于脲酶的酶诱导碳酸钙沉积（Enzyme Induced Carbonate Precipitation,即EICP技术）,将松散的土体颗粒胶结成为整体,达到提高土体抗剪强度的目的。与MICP技术相比,EICP技术不存在生物安全风险,无需考虑是否有氧,且可适用于更小粒径土体的处理,因此具备广阔的实际工程应用前景。文章从脲酶类型与来源、EICP固化土体处理方法及EICP固化土体强度增长等方面,对近20年基于脲酶诱导碳酸钙沉积固化土体的研究进行了回顾与总结。     

重大工程地下环境信息系统的设计与实现

地下环境信息系统是运用岩土工程、地理学、计算机图形学、计算数学等多学科理论和方法，以GIS技术为基础，结合数据库处理、C 语言编程、OpenGL编程技术、三维图像处理技术建立的对地下环境信息进行数据综合管理和分析的大型信息管理系统。结合笔者开发的广东省东深供水改造工程地下环境信息系统特点，阐述了重大工程地下环境信息系统的功能特征：探讨了GIS二次开发的主要技术，包括：SQL Server数据库处理技术、OpenGL三维图形编程技术、C Builder面向对象编程技术、MAPGIS二次开发技术等；建立了地层三维模型，并提出了映射变换和插值技术相结合的地层切剖原理，以及在地层三维显示和分析中实用的径向基函数插值、滑动最小二乘插值、分片Lagrange插值等方法；开发了数字制图与分析、地基基础设计计算与稳定性分析、三维空间分析的主要功能；提出了地面结构景观和地下空间一体化分析的研究方向，并初步实现其分析功能。最后，在东深供水改造工程中进行了成功应用。     

基于WEBGIS与三库一体模式的土壤盐渍化监测预警系统平台研发

随着计算机应用操作技术不断进步,软件技术的不断完善以及可视化技术的蓬勃发展,使WEBGIS系统的可操作性能越来越好。本文以新疆渭库绿洲盐渍地为背景,提出了基于GIS、网络技术与安全监测相结合的WEBGIS与"三库一体模式"技术的平台。首先根据大量野外实测数据、文献资料、人文经济数据、基础地理地质等数据建立SQL Server数据库,之后以集成适用于盐渍地特点的21种监测模型的模型库为主导,调用盐渍化分析方法,提取数据进行相关计算,对模型求解并辅助专家进行决策。本系统采用B/S模式,HTML(超文本标记语言)设计并建立盐渍化监测预警模型,分析评价盐渍化程度、影响及其发展趋势,从而开发出盐渍化监测与预警智能分析相结合的系统工程应用网络。系统实现了数据库的储存、分析和管理;盐渍化监测模型分析;信息结果发布等功能。提高了地理空间信息的表现力,促进了干旱区信息化应用水平和信息共享平台扩展,为区域可持续发展提供了强有力的技术支撑。     

振动沉模大直径现浇薄壁管桩技术及其应用 (Ⅰ):开发研制与设计

振动沉模现浇混凝土薄壁管桩（PCC桩）技术是河海大学自主开发研制的用于地基加固处理的专利技术，是一种适合于软土地区的新型高效优质桩型，可有效地提高地基承载力和减小地基沉降。笔者介绍了振动沉模现浇混凝土薄壁管桩的技术原理、加固机理、施工设备、施工工艺及其设计与质量检测方法。该桩型具有承载力高、质量可靠和工程造价低等优点，具有较大的推广应用价值。     

电阻率法在地基处理工程中的应用探讨

土的电阻率相关参数指标与土的工程力学指标紧密相连,并可反映土的一些特殊性质,如土的污染特征、地基液化特征等。本文首先简要介绍了土的电阻率理论,分析了土电阻率的室内外测试原理与方法。在归纳相关文献与工作的基础上,探讨土电阻率法在地基处理及其相关领域中的应用。深入分析了电阻率法在水泥土搅拌桩质量评价、地基处理效果评价、地基液化评判、压实土质量评价以及地基污染中的应用特征以及评价方法。并讨论了土的电阻率理论研究中存在的问题,展望了土电阻率理论的研究与应用前景。     

Contribution of the Root to Slope Stability

Land sliding is a geotechnical event that includes a wide range of ground movements such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, and it can cause various problems in varied civil fields such as roads and dams. Since most conventional methods are neither inexpensive nor applicable everywhere, attention has nowadays been drawn to soil bioengineering using vegetation as the environment-friendly method for slope stabilization. Soil bioengineering or using vegetation in civil engineering design is mostly applicable to shallow slope stabilization projects characterized by unstable slopes with surface movement. Vegetation has both a silent effect on soil improvement to predict the landslide and a mechanical role to increase shear and pulling-out stress on the soil. During the last decade, many researches have been carried out to clarify the effect of vegetation on slope stability, but many questions still remain to be answered.     

基于生物酶的固土技术在香港的应用研究

传统加固土体的方法主要是通过在土中加入一定量的高性能掺合剂使之成为一种强度较高的复合土体,但这种方法需要较长的养护时间,且不经济。利用一种新型实用的生物酶固化技术,针对香港地区3种常见的海洋黏土、完全风化花岗岩和完全风化凝灰岩,开展了土体加固试验研究。试验结果表明,生物酶对海洋土的加固效果最好,强度增加最高可达20%,而生物酶对完全风化花岗岩的加固效果则不太理想,抗剪强度指标只有少许改变。此外,海洋土和完全风化凝灰岩的压缩性因为生物酶的作用反而有所增强。最后,从微观上分析了生物酶固土作用的本质,指出固土效果主要缘自于生物酶分子与土中的黏土矿物分子发生相互作用产生的胶结作用。     

高速铁路软土地基处理方法对比试验

为探索高速铁路较薄软土地基的加固处理方法,在中国江苏省某铁路试验段进行了针对淤泥质黏土厚度为2～5 m的软土地基现场填筑试验,包括袋装砂井加爆炸、塑料排水板加等载预压、两种间距粉喷桩及砂垫层处理共5个区段。通过为期14个月的原位测试,得到较薄软土地基的沉降变形特性;并通过加固方案效果对比,研究了工后沉降控制效果和工程经济性,其成果对高速铁路软土地基加固处理方案、设计参数的选有一定的参考价值。     

Early Estimation of Seismic Hazard for Strong Earthquakes in Taiwan

A shakemap system providing rapid estimates of strong ground shaking could be useful for emergency response providers in a damaging earthquake. A hybrid procedure, which combines site-dependent ground motion prediction models and the limited observations of the Real-Time Digital stream output system (RTD system operated by Central Weather Bureau, CWB), was set up to provide a high-resolution shakemap in a near-real-time manner after damaging earthquakes in Taiwan. One of the main factors that affect the result of ground motion prediction analysis is the existence of site effects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the local site effects and their influence in the ground shaking and then establish an early estimation procedure of potential hazard for damaging earthquakes. Based on the attenuation law, the site effects of each TSMIP station are discussed in terms of a bias function that is site and intensity-level dependent function. The standard deviation of the site-dependent ground motion prediction model can be significantly reduced. The nonlinear behavior of ground soil is automatically taken into account in the intensity-level dependent bias function. Both the PGA and the spectral acceleration are studied in this study. Based on the RTD data, event correctors are calculated and applied to precisely estimate the shakemap of damaging earthquakes for emergency response.     

Malaysian Experiences of Peat Stabilization,State of the Art

Peat has been considered as an organics remnant that suffers decomposition process throughout times under overburden pressure. Composition of peats normally consists of organics materials which sometimes exceed 75% specifically from woods that grows in marshes and places in conditions where deficiencies of oxygen exist. Usually peat area related with swampy and normally a low shear strength region. High compressibility is significant and often related to problematic soil for construction purposes. In this article, extensive number of studies are reviewed to understand the behavior of the peat after being stabilized. New findings indicated that the peat contents differs from one location to another, thus inevitably gives different behavior. Many improvisation methods have been put forward such as chemical stabilization, cement stabilization, deep mixing and fiber reinforcement to name a few to enhance the strength properties of the peat. This is mainly for construction reliability purposes. However, the suitability of the ground improvement for peat thus depend on its fundamental properties and cost involve for any dedicated ground construction work. This paper review the properties of peat in Malaysia and reviewed recent development in the peaty soil stabilization in Malaysia. It is also compared the materials used for the peat stabilization and the expansive clay soils as the main two problematic soils.     

松南深层火成岩储层的损害分析与保护技术

松南火成岩的储层特征中石英发育裂隙,发育构造微裂缝,由于天然气气层存在易于移动、易被压缩,且存在束缚水含量高、低压敏感性强、高毛管力等特点,导致气层更容易受到损害,从钻井取心、测井解释和有关的地质描述看,深层储气层普遍存在着裂隙。在对松南深层储层物性的认识以及实施常规钻井技术下储层潜在损害方式、损害程度研究的基础上,研究分析了钻井、完井等各个阶段保护技术的作用原理,制定了针对性的储层保护方案。研究实践表明,同时采用欠平衡钻井工艺,实施屏蔽暂堵的承压堵漏方案,采用优质非渗透钻井液完井液体系,改善侵入储层滤液性质,基本满足深层勘探钻井完井过程中保护储层的技术需求。现场应用表明,各项储层保护措施的实施在保护储层、地质资料需求和勘探发现等方面取得了良好的效果。     

Determination of potential runoff coefficient for Al-Baha Region,Saudi Arabia using GIS

The curve number (CN) is a hydrologic parameter used to describe the stormwater runoff potential for drainage areas, and it is a function of land use, soil type, and soil moisture. This study was conducted to estimate the potential runoff coefficient (PRC) using geographic information system (GIS) based on the area’s hydrologic soil group, land use, and slope and to determine the runoff volume. The soil map for the study area was developed using GPS data carried on to identify the soil texture to be used in building a soil hydrological groups map. Unsupervised and supervised classifications were done to Landsat 5/7 TM/ETM image to generate land-use and land-cover map. This map was reclassified into four main classes (forest, grass and shrub, cropland, and bare soil). Slope map for Al-Baha was generated from a 30-m digital elevation model. The GIS technique was used to combine the previous three maps into one map to generate PRC map. Annual runoff depth is derived based on the annual rainfall surplus and runoff coefficient per pixel using raster calculator tool in ArcGIS. An indication that in the absence of reliable ground measurements of rainfall product, it can satisfactorily be applied to estimate the spatial rainfall distribution based on values of R and R ² (0.9998) obtained. Annual runoff generation from the study area ranged from 0 to 82 % of the total rainfall. Rainfall distribution in the study area shows the wise use of identifying suitable sites for rainwater harvesting, where most of the constructed dams are located in the higher rainfall areas.     

A cheap and third-age-friendly home device for monitoring indoor air quality

Nowadays, thanks to the hardware costs reduction everyone at home owns at least one hi-technology devices to support life quality. This paper proposes a new methodology to analyse the indoor air quality with a cheap and third-age-dedicated device. A new prototype, called Home Pollution Embedded System (HOPES), was developed to give simple and understandable information, also comprehensible for people with cognitive problems or that are not familiar with new technologies. The device gathers pollutants data and displays to the user different air pollutants concentrations, from toxics gasses up to explosives. Moreover, an overall air quality index has been elaborated and is displayed by HOPES with lights and numerical information. HOPES is an Internet of things device that works in real time and that can be connected to the web and to a geographic information system platform to add spatial information of each pollutant. The hardware architecture employs a set of gas semiconductor sensors and an IR particulate matter sensor. Experimental results demonstrated that HOPES has an accurate sensor response and is suitable to be used with the proposed indices. In fact, despite of the poor-selective metal oxide sensors, the results highlighted how it is possible to get useful air quality information with a cheap device. However, the system needs more tests to validate the sensors array with different substances.     

浅谈空调节能新技术

空调能耗在建筑能耗中所占的比重越来越大,本文简介了近年来空调节能的新技术,包括变频技术的发展和应用、太阳能制冷技术的发展潜力、地源热泵的应用、新型蓄能技术和分布式冷热电联产系统的研究。     

Chemical stabilization of sabkha soils at high moisture contents

Vast expanses of arid, saline soils that occur along the Arabian Gulf seaboard and elsewhere possess a very low density and strength that necessitate improvement before any actual construction takesplace. For large-scale constructions, several field improvement techniques have recently been implemented with various degrees of success. In surficial, small-scale applications, chemical stabilization provides a potential technique to improve the inferior properties of these soils, known locally as sabkha. A literature search indicates that chemical stabilization of soils usingasphalt, lime and cement is usually conducted at lower moisture contents than the optimum. Such moisture contents are also much lower than the natural moisture content of sabkha, and if applied to sabkha in the field, this wouldrequire lowering the moisture content before any stabilization commenced; whichwould be neither feasible nor economical.

In this investigation, an eastern Saudi sabkha soil was chemically stabilized at its natural moisture level, which varies from 16% to 22%. In addition to the characterization of the soil and standard compaction tests, cement and lime sabkha mixtures were prepared at five additions and cured for up to 90 days in plastic wrap. Results indicate that cement-stabilized sabkha gained high strength with time and proved to have a potential use in construction.     

地基处理管理信息系统的开发和应用

针对我国地基处理工程管理现状与问题, 开发了交互友好、可拓展式的地基处理工程管理信息系统,该系统由资料库及方法选择、图档库及设计、信息交流库及施工与验收、并行工作流控制库等子系统组成。文中介绍了该系统的组成、特点、开发方法、开发软硬件环境、系统实施以及系统的建立,并以广州国际会展中心周边道路的地基处理工程为例,描述了系统的使用方法。     

A preliminary design of a radon potential map for Canada: a multi-tier approach

Canada is a vast country with most of the population living on a small portion of the land. However, for a national radon potential map, it is mandatory to cover the entire country including sparsely populated areas. Because of these characteristics, the radon map development for Canada is challenging. After briefly reviewing of radon map development in the world, this study considers a multi-tier approach to best use available however limited resources and to generate a national radon map in a timely fashion. In summary, radon potential maps for highly populated areas should be determined by direct indoor radon measurements where enough indoor radon data are available. In areas where indoor radon measurements are limited or not yet available, the radon potential maps could be developed from various data sources with a multi-factor scoring system including geological information on soil permeability, soil gas radon concentration and ground uranium concentration. In sparsely populated areas, radon potential maps can only be generated with geological predictive tools, especially in those areas where no houses have yet been built. Because indoor radon measurement data and geological information relevant to radon are very limited in Canada, a multi-step strategy is also worth considering in addition to the multi-tier approach.     

探地雷达技术对表层岩溶带典型剖面组构刻画与界面识别

表层岩溶带是岩溶研究的重要对象,以往研究以剖面调查半定量为主,文章利用探地雷达属性技术对其发育情况进行定量研究。选取3个表层岩溶带的典型剖面（浅裂隙土、深裂隙土、厚土层覆盖）,并采集探地雷达数据,通过提取相干体属性和均方根振幅属性来挖掘雷达数据中的潜在信息,用于区分介质组构和识别发育深度界面。结果表明,均方根振幅属性较好地区分出了浅裂隙土型和深裂隙土型的岩土介质,厚土层覆盖型的犁耕层与非犁耕层土壤介质;相干体属性能较好地识别出表层岩溶带和下部完整基岩,定量化其发育厚度。      

An operational multiscale system for hazards prediction, mapping, and response

By definition, a crisis is a situation that requires assistance to be managed. Hence, response to a crisis involves the merging of local and non-local emergency response personnel. In this situation, it is critical that each participant: (1) know the roles and responsibilities of each of the other participants; (2) know the capabilities of each of the participants; and (3) have a common basis for action. For many types of natural disasters, this entails having a common operational picture of the unfolding events, including detailed information on the weather, both current and forecasted, that may impact on either the emergency itself or on response activities. The Consequences Assessment Tool Set (CATS) is a comprehensive package of hazard prediction models and casualty and damage assessment tools that provides a linkage between a modeled or observed effect and the attendant consequences for populations, infrastructure, and resources, and, hence, provides the common operational picture for emergency response. The Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA) is an atmospheric simulation system that links the latest methods in computational fluid dynamics and high-resolution gridding technologies with numerical weather prediction to provide specific weather analysis and forecast capability that can be merged into the geographic information system framework of CATS. This paper documents the problem of emergency response as an end-to-end system and presents the integrated CATS–OMEGA system as a prototype of such a system that has been used successfully in a number of different situations.