Numerical modeling and neural networks to identify model parameters from piezocone tests: II. Multi‐parameter identification from piezocone data

This paper completes the study presented in the accompanying paper, and demonstrates a numerical algorithm for parameter prediction from the piezocone test (CPTU) data. This part deals with a development of neural network (NN) models which are able to map multi‐variable input data onto typical geotechnical characteristics and constitutive parameters of the modified Cam clay model, which has been applied in this study. The identification procedure is designed for the coupled hydro‐mechanical boundary value problem in normally‐and lightly overconsolidated clayey soils including partially drained conditions that may appear during cone penetration. The NN models are trained with pseudo‐experimental measurements derived with the aid of the numerical model of the piezocone test, presented in the accompanying paper. Different input configurations containing CPTU measurements and some complementary data are studied with respect to the accuracy of predicted parameter values. Finally, the performance of the developed NN predictors is tested with field CPTU data which are derived from three well‐documented characterization sites, and the obtained predictions are compared with benchmark laboratory results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of global storm activity rate calculated from Schumann resonance background components to electric field intensity E0Z

This work presents the results of a comparison between the global storm activity rate I_RS and electric field intensity E_0Z. The permanent analysis of the I_RS may become an important tool for testing Global Electric Circuit models. I_RS is determined by a new method that uses the background component of the first 7 Schumann resonances (SR). The rate calculations are based on ELF observations carried out in 2005 and 2006 in the observatory station “Hylaty” of the Jagiellonian University in the Eastern Carpathians (Kułak, A., Zięba, S., Micek, S., Nieckarz, Z., 2003. Solar variations in extremely low frequency propagation parameters: I. A two-dimensional telegraph equation (TDTE) model of ELF propagation and fundamental parameters of Schumann resonances, J. Geophys. Res., 108, 1270, doi:10.1029/2002JA009304). Diurnal runs of the I_RS rate were compared with diurnal runs of E_0Z amplitudes registered at the Earth's surface in the Geophysical Observatory of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Świder (Kubicki, M., 2005. Results of Atmospheric Electricity and Meteorological Observations, S. Kalinowski Geophysical Observatory at Świder 2004, Pub. Inst. Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, D-68 (383), Warszawa.). The days with the highest values of the correlation coefficient (R) between amplitudes of both observed parameters characterizing atmosphere electric activity are shown. The seasonal changes of R, I_RS and E_0Z are also presented.     

Book reviews

Pure and Applied Geophysics -     

Electromechanical effects associated with earthquakes

Summary A theoretical model of an electroelastic continuum has been applied in this paper to the problem of electrodynamic phenomena (piezoelectricity, electrostriction, etc.) associated with earthquakes. In such a model the coupling between electric and mechanical fields expresses itself by a change of scale of mechanical effects along the electric field, as well as by the additional electric charge created by the earthquake source.The electrokinetic phenomena associated with earthquakes and caused by the diffusion of fluids into the dilatant region have been considered using the theory of porous media with interstitial fluid flow. General relations describing electrokinetic effects caused by the deformation processes in an earthquake source have been obtained.     

The kinematic inverse problem for weakly laterally inhomogeneous anisotropic media

We derive a dynamic ray tracing system for seismic waves in an anisotropic medium. It consists of ten equations and can be solved numerically. For isotropic media it does not reduce to the DRT systems derived by other authors.     

Sulphate Sources in the Sava and Ljubljanica Rivers, Slovenia, Inferred from Sulphur and Oxygen Isotope Compositions

Measurements were made of sulphur and oxygen isotope ratios of sulphate in some Slovenian rivers, lakes and tap waters. δ³⁴S ranged from −0.2 to + 13.3‰, δ¹⁸O ranged from +4.9 to + 13.6‰, and the sulphate content varied from 0.8 to 41.4 mg/L. Rivers flowing from the Julian Alps contain a very low amount of sulphate that is leached from a thin horizon of soil by rain. As confirmed by their low δ¹⁸O values, these sulphates do not enter the rivers directly in rain, but arise from biochemical cycling in the soil. The low δ³⁴S of this sulphate indicates that it originates from the oxidation of sedimentary sulphides. The evolution of sulphates along the river course was investigated for the Sava and Ljubljanica rivers. The variations observed in sulphate from the waters studied result from variations in the contribution of sulphates of different origin. Downstream the Sava River sulphate is depleted in the heavy isotopes of both sulphur and oxygen, with δ-values gradually tending toward the δ-values of groundwater sulphates in the watershed. In contrast, the δ-values of sulphate in the Ljubljanica River are almost constant and similar to those of sulphate in local groundwater. Introduction of water from Italian and Slovenian mines was recorded in the Soča River, where the lowest δ³⁴S value of sulphate sulphur (−0.2‰) was observed. In addition, the influence of sulphate from the oxidation of sedimentary sulphides was recorded in the Sotla River. No evidence was found for introduction of sulphate from factories.     

Maximum likelihood estimation of Gutenberg-Richterb parameter for uncertain magnitude values

The maximum likelihood estimation of theb parameter in the Gutenberg-Richter relation is extended to the case of uncertain magnitude. An interval which contains the real unknown magnitude is used rather than the uncertain magnitude itself. The proposed approach is very flexible, it allows for the combination of the parts of a catalog of different quality into a single minimally biased set of recurrence parameters.On leave from the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-973 Warsaw, Pasteura 3, Poland