An experimental model application of wavescreen: Dynamic pressure, water particle velocity, and wave measurements

This paper analyses the results of an application of a piled wavescreen. Experimental measurements were undertaken in the laboratory conditions for a given structural configuration under the attack of regular and irregular waves. Dynamic pressure distribution along and around the inclined piles was obtained employing pressure transducers. Using these data, in-line dynamic wave forces acting on piles were also determined. Water particle (orbital) velocities were measured at seaward and landward of the wavescreen using two acoustic Doppler velocimeters (ADV) simultaneously. Furthermore, wave data were collected using resistance type wave gauges at the seaward and landward of the structure. Based on those data, wave attenuation performance of the wavescreen was explored for two different depth values. Findings showed that piled wavescreen can provide effective shore protection as an environmentally friendly coastal structure.     

Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization of a karstic mountain region

Karstic limestone formations in the Mediterranean basin are potential water resources that can meet a significant portion of groundwater demand. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly study the hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of karstic mountain regions. This paper presents a detailed hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization of the Nif Mountain karstic aquifer system in western Turkey, an important recharge source for the densely populated surrounding area. Based on the geological and hydrogeological studies, four major aquifers were identified in the study area including the allochthonous limestone in Bornova flysch, conglomerate-sandstone and clayey-limestone in Neogene series, and the Quaternary alluvium. Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater were measured in situ, and samples were collected at 59 locations comprised of springs and wells. Samples were analyzed for major ions, isotopic composition, arsenic, boron and heavy metals among other trace elements. It was found that the hydrogeological structure is complex with many springs having a wide range of discharge rates. High-discharge springs originate from allochthonous limestone units, whereas low-discharge springs are formed at the contacts with claystone and limestone units. Using stable isotope analysis data, a δ¹⁸O-deuterium relationship was obtained that lies between the Mediterranean meteoric and mean global lines. Tritium analyses showed that low-discharge springs originating from contact zones had longer circulation times compared to the high-discharge karstic springs. Furthermore, hydrogeochemical data revealed that groundwater quality significantly deteriorated as water moved from the mountain to the plains. Heavy metal, arsenic and boron concentrations were generally within drinking-water quality standards with a few exceptions occurring in residential and industrial areas located at the foothills of the mountain. Elevated arsenic concentrations were related to local geologic formations, which are likely to contain oxidized sulfite minerals in claystones. It is concluded that Nif Mountain overall has a significant potential to provide high-quality water with a safe yield of at least 50 million m³/year, which corresponds to about 28% of the mean annual inflow to the Tahtali reservoir, a major water resource for the city of Izmir. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Fast segmentation algorithms for long hydrometeorological time series

A time series with natural or artificially created inhomogeneities can be segmented into parts with different statistical characteristics. In this study, three algorithms are presented for time series segmentation; the first is based on dynamic programming and the second and the third—the latter being an improved version of the former—are based on the branch‐and‐bound approach. The algorithms divide the time series into segments using the first order statistical moment (average). Tested on real world time series of several hundred or even over a thousand terms the algorithms perform segmentation satisfactorily and fast. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complex basin evolution in the Gökova Gulf region: implications on the Late Cenozoic tectonics of southwest Turkey

Southwestern Turkey experienced a transition from crustal shortening to extension during Late Cenozoic, and evidence of this was recorded in four distinct basin types in the Mu?la–Gökova Gulf region. During the Oligocene–Early Miocene, the upper slices of the southerly moving Lycian Nappes turned into north-dipping normal faults due to the acceleration of gravity. The Kale–Tavas Basin developed as a piggyback basin along the fault plane on hanging wall blocks of these normal faults. During Middle Miocene, a shift had occurred from local extension to N–S compression/transpression, during which sediments in the Eskihisar–T?naz Basins were deposited in pull-apart regions of the Menderes Massif cover units, where nappe slices were already eroded. During the Late Miocene–Pliocene, a hiatus occurred from previous compressional/transpressional tectonism along intermountain basins and Yata?an Basin fills were deposited on Menderes Massif, Lycian Nappes, and on top of Oligo–Miocene sediments. Plio-Quaternary marked the activation of N–S extension and the development of the E–W-trending Mu?la–Gökova Grabens, co-genetic equivalents of which are common throughout western Anatolia. Thus, the tectonic evolution of the western Anotolia during late Cenozoic was shifting from compressional to extensional with a relaxation period, suggesting a non-uniform evolution.     

Hanger replacement influence on seismic response of suspension bridges: Implementation to the Bosphorus Bridge subjected to multi-support excitation

The effects of hanger replacement from inclined to vertical configuration on seismic response of long-span suspension bridges are investigated considering multi-support earthquake excitation. The Bosphorus Bridge is investigated due to its recent comprehensive rehabilitation, mainly involving hanger replacement. The finite-fault stochastic simulation method (FINSIM) is utilized for multi-point earthquake time-history generation. The developed finite element (FE) model both for the inclined and vertical hanger arrangement are verified through the structural health monitoring (SHM) data. Based on the comparative analysis, the tension force of vertical hangers is found to be lower than that of inclined hangers, whereas the tension force of the main and back-stay cables remains the same. The compressive axial force of the deck decreases relatively in the case of the vertical hanger arrangement, whereas the cross-sectional forces at the tower base section increase. The approach viaducts are not affected by the vertical hanger arrangement. According to the demand/capacity ratios for damage estimation under the max. earthquake (2475 years return period), structural damage on the tower base section may be expected for both hanger arrangements, while these sections perform well under design scenario earthquake. The expansion joint of the bridge with inclined hangers is also estimated to be damaged; however, this displacement is lower in the case of the vertical hanger arrangement due to the viscous dampers. The findings also reveal that a change in hanger form of a suspension bridge can necessitate other structural retrofit, such as using viscous dampers to limit longitudinal displacements of the deck and retrofitting the bridge towers.     

Evaluation of diaphragm conditions in AAC floor structures with RC beams

Diaphragm action in floor structures is an important aspect that affects both local behaviors of individual members and consequently, the global response of a structure. The diaphragm action of a built structure, therefore needs to be compatible with the assumed diaphragm condition in the design phase to prevent unpredicted overloading of load bearing members in a seismic action. Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a cost-effective, lightweight and energy efficient material, and its usage as a construction material has rapidly increased in recent decades. However, there is a limited experience regarding the in-plane behavior of the floor structures made of AAC panels in terms of diaphragm action. In this paper, the in-plane response of AAC floors is experimentally investigated and the floor performance of a typical building is analytically investigated according to ASCE 7-16 (ASCE/SEI in Minimum design loads for buildings and other structures, The American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, 2016). Full-scale experiments carried out through loading AAC floors in lateral directions to the panels, either parallel or perpendicular, provided important information about the damage progress and overall performance of such floors. A number of finite element modeling techniques that are generally used for modeling of AAC floors were examined and then validated through comparisons with test results. Finally, the diaphragm condition of a three-story building made of AAC walls and floor panels was assessed. The results indicated that the AAC floors in the examined building can be idealized as rigid diaphragms according to ASCE 7-16.