RC pile–soil interaction analysis using a 3D‐finite element method with fibre theory‐based beam elements

To evaluate the overall response of a structural system including its foundation and surrounding soil, an equivalent finite element model with reduced degrees of freedom using fibre theory‐based beam element was proposed. The proposed model was based on investigations of the subgrade soil reaction of a single‐layer model, and was verified for the cyclic behaviour of a laterally loaded single RC pile in terms of the load–displacement relationship, pile deformation, and soil pressures on the pile surface. Also investigated was the effect of the interfacial element between pile and soil on the behaviour of the laterally loaded pile. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pressure dependence of electrical conductivity of (Mg,Fe)SiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ilmenite

The electrical conductivity of (Mg_0.93Fe_0.07)SiO₃ ilmenite was measured at temperatures of 500–1,200 K and pressures of 25–35 GPa in a Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus equipped with sintered diamond anvils. In order to verify the reliability of this study, the electrical conductivity of (Mg_0.93Fe_0.07)SiO₃ perovskite was also measured at temperatures of 500–1,400 K and pressures of 30–35 GPa. The pressure calibration was carried out using in situ X-ray diffraction of MgO as pressure marker. The oxidation conditions of the samples were controlled by the Fe disk. The activation energy at zero pressure and activation volume for ilmenite are 0.82(6) eV and −1.5(2) cm³/mol, respectively. Those for perovskite were 0.5(1) eV and −0.4(4) cm³/mol, respectively, which are in agreement with the experimental results reported previously. It is concluded that ilmenite conductivity has a large pressure dependence in the investigated P–T range.     

Cyclic behavior of laterally loaded concrete piles embedded into cohesive soil

Modern seismic design codes stipulate that the response analysis should be conducted by considering the complete structural system including superstructure, foundation, and ground. However, for the development of seismic response analysis method for a complete structural system, it is first imperative to clarify the behavior of the soil and piles during earthquakes. In this study, full‐scale monotonic and reversed cyclic lateral loading tests were carried out on concrete piles embedded into the ground. The test piles were hollow, precast, prestressed concrete piles with an outer diameter of 300 mm and a thickness of 60 mm. The test piles were 26 m long. Three‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis was then performed to study the behavior of the experimental specimens analytically. The study revealed that the lateral load‐carrying capacity of the piles degrades when subjected to cyclic loading compared with monotonic loading. The effect of the use of an interface element between the soil and pile surface in the analysis was also investigated. With proper consideration of the constitutive models of soil and pile, an interface element between the pile surface and the soil, and the degradation of soil stiffness under cyclic loading, a 3D analysis was found to simulate well the actual behavior of pile and soil. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probing the evolution of early-type galaxies using multicolour number counts and redshift distributions

We investigate pure luminosity evolution models for early-type (elliptical and S0) galaxies (i.e. no number density change or morphological transition), and examine whether these models are consistent with observed number counts in the B , I and K bands, and redshift distributions of two samples of faint galaxies selected in the I and K bands. The models are characterized by the star formation time-scale τ _SF and the time t _gw when the galactic wind starts to blow, in addition to several other conventional parameters. We find that the single-burst model ( τ _SF=0.1 Gyr and t _gw=0.353 Gyr), which is known to reproduce the photometric properties of early-type galaxies in clusters, is inconsistent with the redshift distributions of early-type galaxies in the field environment, owing to overpredictions of the number of galaxies at z ≳1.4 even with strong extinction which is at work until t _gw. In order for dust extinction to be more effective, we treat τ _SF and t _gw as free parameters, and find that models with τ _SF≳0.5 Gyr and t _gw>1.0 Gyr can be made consistent with both the observed redshift distributions and the number counts, if we introduce strong extinction [ E ( B − V )≥1 as a peak value]. These results suggest that early-type galaxies in the field environment do not have the same evolutionary history as described by the single-burst model.     

Determination of Swelling and Shrinkage Properties of Undisturbed Expansive Soils

Expansive soils exhibit large volume changes when their water content changes. Alternate heave and settlement due to seasonal climatic variations result in distress and damage in civil infrastructure systems. This research focuses on the understanding of swelling and shrinkage phenomenon in the surface layer of expansive soils. Undisturbed field samples were used to capture the effect of in situ conditions (geologically induced fissuring and environmentally caused saturation) on volume change properties of Regina clay. Based on laboratory investigations, the swelling potential and swelling pressure of the native clay at S = 82% were found to be 1.5% and 3.5 kPa, respectively. The swell-shrink path during progressive soil drying followed an S-shaped curve comprising of an initial low structural shrinkage followed by a sharp decline during normal shrinkage and then by a low decrease during residual shrinkage. The soil microstructure correlated well with the observed volume change behaviour as well as with the consistency limits. The presence of fissures in field samples at various degrees of saturation confirmed that the investigated deposit is at an equilibrium condition with respect to the swell-shrink phenomenon. The swelling properties at any initial saturation state were estimated using the free swelling test and the swell-shrink test data in conjunction. The swelling potential increased 12 times (from 2 to 24%) and the swelling pressure increased by two orders of magnitude (from 27 to 2500 kPa) with a change in the degree of saturation from 80% (at the plastic limit) to 60% (at the shrinkage limit).     

Provenance diversification within an arc‐trench system induced by batholith development: the Cretaceous Japan case

By comparing detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra of coeval fore‐arc and back‐/intra‐arc basin sandstones, we identified the overall distributary pattern of terrigenous clastic material within the Cretaceous arc system of SW Japan. Abundant Proterozoic (c. 1500–2500 Ma) detrital grains from the interior of East Asia are present in the Cretaceous intra‐arc basin. However, after a barrier mountain range formed during batholith emplacement, Proterozoic clastics were rarely transported into the fore‐arc domain. Episodic batholith formation in Pacific‐type orogens likely played a major role in controlling terrigenous supply routes between coeval back‐arc and fore‐arc domains. The Cretaceous orogen in Japan thus provides a good template for analysing the tectono‐sedimentary development of other arc‐related basins.     

Role of bedrock groundwater in the rainfall–runoff process in a small headwater catchment underlain by volcanic rock

The role of bedrock groundwater in rainfall–runoff processes is poorly understood. Hydrometric, tracer and subsurface water potential observations were conducted to study the role of bedrock groundwater and subsurface flow in the rainfall–runoff process in a small headwater catchment in Shiranui, Kumamoto prefecture, south‐west Japan. The catchment bedrock consists of a strongly weathered, fractured andesite layer and a relatively fresh continuous layer. Major chemical constituents and stable isotopic ratios of δ¹⁸O and δD were analysed for spring water, rainwater, soil water and bedrock groundwater. Temporal and spatial variation in SiO₂ showed that stream flow under the base flow condition was maintained by bedrock groundwater. Time series of three components of the rainstorm hydrograph (rainwater, soil water and bedrock groundwater) separated by end member mixing analysis showed that each component fluctuated during rainstorm, and their patterns and magnitudes differed between events. During a typical mid‐magnitude storm event, a delayed secondary runoff peak with 1·0 l s⁻¹ was caused by increase in the bedrock groundwater component, whereas during a large rainstorm event the bedrock groundwater component increased to ≈ 2·5 l s⁻¹. This research shows that the contribution of bedrock groundwater and soil water depends strongly on the location of the groundwater table, i.e. whether or not it rises above the soil–bedrock interface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behavior of zircon in the upper-amphibolite to granulite facies schist/migmatite transition, Ryoke metamorphic belt, SW Japan: constraints from the melt inclusions in zircon

Behavior of zircon at the schist/migmatite transition is investigated. Syn-metamorphic overgrowth is rare in zircon in schists, whereas zircon in migmatites has rims with low Th/U that give 90.3 ± 2.2 Ma U–Pb concordia age. Between inherited core and the metamorphic rim, a thin, dark-CL annulus containing melt inclusion is commonly developed, suggesting that it formed contemporaneous with the rim in the presence of melt. In diatexites, the annulus is further truncated by the brighter-CL overgrowth, suggesting the resorption and regrowth of the zircon after near-peak metamorphism. Part of the zircon rim crystallized during the solidification of the melt in migmatites. Preservation of angular-shaped inherited core of 5–10 μm in zircon included in garnet suggests that zircon of this size did not experience resorption but developed overgrowths during near-peak metamorphism. The Ostwald ripening process consuming zircon less than 5–10 μm is required to form new overgrowths. Curved crystal size distribution pattern for fine-grained zircons in a diatexite sample may indicate the contribution of this process. Zircon less than 20 μm is confirmed to be an important sink of Zr in metatexites, and ca. 35-μm zircon without detrital core are common in diatexites, supporting new nucleation of zircon in migmatites. In the Ryoke metamorphic belt at the Aoyama area, monazite from migmatites records the prograde growth age of 96.5 ± 1.9 Ma. Using the difference of growth timing of monazite and zircon, the duration of metamorphism higher than the amphibolite facies grade is estimated to be ca. 6 Myr.