Evaluation of the natural vibration frequencies of a historical masonry building accounting for SSI

The dynamic identification of a historical masonry palace located in Benevento (Italy) has been carried out. The case study is representative of many buildings located in historic Italian centres. Since the building has been instrumented by the Department of Civil Protection with a permanent dynamic monitoring system, some of the recorded data, acquired in various operating conditions have been analysed with basic instruments of the Operational Modal Analysis in order to identify the main eingenfrequencies and vibration modes of the structure. The experimental results have been compared to the numerical outcomes provided by a detailed three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model of the building where Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI) has been taken into account. The comparison of experimental vs. numerical frequencies and vibration modes of the palace evidenced the role exerted by the subsoil on the dynamic response of the building.     

GPR survey to confirm the location of ancient structures under the Valencian Cathedral (Spain)

This paper describes the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey performed inside the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain. It is part of historical studies performed in the Cathedral in order to add information to old maps and documents in the Cathedral Archives and also to analyze the extent and importance of potentially destructive moisture areas that were appearing on the floor. The construction of the Cathedral of Valencia occurred in three stages, all of which are well-documented in the Cathedral Archives with detailed drawings, maps, and charts. The radar data were successful in locating crypts, ossuaries, sepulchers, and graves, and the location of ancient walls that existed before the final Cathedral expansion. Three cultural layers corresponding to the three periods of construction were also identified corresponding to the Roman, Arabian and Middle Age Epochs. Measurements of relative sub-floor moisture were obtained by comparing dielectric permittivity changes and radar velocity differences between materials in humid and non-humid areas.     

Changes of GPR spectra due to the presence of hydrocarbon contamination in the ground

The location of hydrocarbon contamination in the ground using the GPR method is based mainly on information taken from reflected signals. In the cases investigated in Polish contaminated sites, such signals were very seldom recorded. A long time after spillage, contamination takes the form of plumes with different size and distribution, which depends on geological and hydraulic properties of the ground. In this paper, it is shown that the set of hydrocarbon plumes should be described with a stochastic model, and such plumes may generate the scattered waves which cause changes in the power spectra. It has been observed that the power spectra of GPR signals over contaminated areas are quite different from such spectra over clear ones. These differences were discussed in this paper on the basis of theoretical analysis, numerical modelling and the results of GPR terrain surveys.     

Babbling brook to thunderous torrent: Using sound to monitor river stage

The passive, ambient sound above the water from a river has previously untapped potential for determining flow characteristics such as stage. Measuring sub-aerial sound could provide a new, efficient way to continuously monitor river stage, without the need for in-stream infrastructure. Previous published work has suggested that there might be a relationship between sound and river stage, but the analysis has been restricted to a narrow range of flow conditions and river morphologies. We present a method to determine site suitability and the process of how to record and analyse sound. Data collected along a 500 m length of the River Washburn during July 2019 is used to determine what makes a site suitable for sound monitoring. We found that sound is controlled by roughness elements in the channel, such as a boulder or weir, which influences the sound produced. On the basis of these findings, we collect audio recordings from six sites around the northeast of England, covering a range of flow conditions and different roughness elements, since 2019. We use data from those sites collected during storms Ciara and Dennis to produce a relationship between this sound and river stage. Our analysis has shown a positive relationship between an R² of 0.73 and 0.99 in all rivers, but requires careful site selection and data processing to achieve the best results. We introduce a filter that is capable of isolating a river's sound from other environmental sound. Future work in examining the role of these roughness elements is required to understand the full extent of this technique. By demonstrating that sound can operate as a hydrometric tool, we suggest that sound monitoring could be used to provide cost-effective monitoring devices, either to detect relative change in a river or, after more research, a reliable stage measurement.     

Three-dimensional GPR study of a prehistoric site in Barbados, West Indies

Prior results of surface artifact collecting, test excavations, and auger sampling on an archaeological site in Barbados suggested that we experiment with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) as a method to target areas for future study. The site is associated with village occupations of Amerindians that are dated to between 2000 and 500 years ago. Archaeological features include burials, hearths, ceramic lined wells and postholes. Artifact middens contain pottery sherds, conch shells, and other marine resource debris. The site selected was located at the southern tip of Barbados and is situated on a deep stabilized surface behind a large active dune system. The soil layer consists of dry, clean quartz sand.We obtained limited ground truth at the site by hand auguring in areas of field-identified anomalies, and by auguring control holes away from anomalies. Anomalies were usually large diffractors such as conch shells and rocks. We used 3D visualisation software to perform standard processing enhancements and to assemble the parallel lines into three-dimensional volumes. The dimensions, distribution, and shapes of time-sliced amplitude anomalies were consistent with those of previously excavated burials, poles, and pit structures. In particular, we interpret the data as indicating the presence of a circular house structure with four center posts; this structure was previously unknown at this site. The work presented here builds upon and extends earlier excavation-based findings at this site, and will allow for better-focused excavations in the future.     

Photographing layer thicknesses and discontinuities in a marble quarry with 3D GPR visualisation

An important problem of marble-quarry management is assessing the quality and the homogeneity of quarry blocks before excavation. In this study, we decided to image the limestone, which we studied in a marble quarry, in terms of layer thickness, discontinuities and cavities using the ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) method. The method was successfully applied to detect and map the fractures with the cavities in a marble layer according to depth in the Ankara City Polatli Town (Turkey) region, which represents upper Miocene–Pliocene lacustrine carbonate rocks.This paper is based on interactive transparent 3D visualisation of the 2D GPR profiles to determine changes in layer thickness and discontinuities. In addition, this paper indicates the importance of the appropriate opacity-function construction to obtain transparent 3D visualisation. Firstly we acquired and processed parallel 2D GPR profile data, then we assigned two different amplitude–colour ranges using a limited number of colours to determine the layer thickness and its discontinuities separately. We obtained a 3D volume using parallel 2D GPR data and displayed a limited amplitude range by arranging an opacity function. Therefore, we obtained transparent 3D blocks for thickness and discontinuities, and we formulated an interactive 3D display to image the horizontal, vertical and inclined discontinuities and their directions in the x–y plane versus depth. The GPR results were compared with the petrographical investigation on the basis of textural and mineralogical compositions. The vesicular textures within carbonate platform were supported by the GPR results.     

The use of GPR and VES in delineating a contamination plume in a landfill site: a case study in SE Brazil

This paper presents the results of the application of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method, or Georadar, in outlining a zone of contamination due to solid residues at the waste burial site of Rio Claro in the state of São Paulo, SE Brazil. A total of eight GPR profiles with 50- and 100-MHz antennae were surveyed. Six profiles were located within the landfill site and the remaining two were outside. The main objective of the GPR survey was to evaluate the side extension of contamination. A Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) survey was performed at four points within the site in order to investigate the vertical extent of the contamination plume and to define the bottom of the landfill. Two additional VESs were done outside the landfill with the purpose of determining the top of the ground water table and the geoelectric stratigraphy of the background. From the interpretation of the GPR profiles, it was possible to locate the top of the contamination plume and to infer that it was migrating laterally beyond the limits of the waste disposal site. This was observed along the profile situated close to the highway SP-127, which was about 20 m from the limit of the site. The signature of the contaminant appears as a discontinuous reflector that is believed to be a shallow ground water table. The discontinuity is marked by a shadow zone, which is characteristic of conductive contaminant residues. The contamination did not move far enough to reach a sugar cane plantation located at approximately 100 m from the border of the site. In the regions free from contamination, the ground water table was mapped at approximately 10 m of depth, and it was characterized by a strong and continuous reflector. The radar signal penetrated deep enough and enabled the identification of a second reflector at approximately 14 m deep, interpreted as the contact between the Rio Claro and the Corumbataí formations. The contact is marked by the presence of gravel characterized by ferruginous concretes, which cause the strong amplitude reflection in the GPR profile. Within the landfill site, the quantitative interpretation of the VES results showed the contamination zone. The base of the landfill varies between 11 and 15 m deep. Outside the landfill site, the VES results showed no indication of contamination and allowed the determination of the top of the ground water table and the contact between the Rio Claro and the Corumbataí formations. The results of GPR and VES showed a good agreement and the integrated interpretations were supported by local geology and information from several boreholes, about 17 m depth, on average. The bottom of the landfill reaches a maximum of 14.5 m depth.     

Application of an earthquake early warning system and a real-time strong motion monitoring system in emergency response in a high-rise building

We apply a combination of earthquake early warning system (EEWS) and real-time strong motion monitoring system (RSMS) to emergency response for a high-rise building; The Kogakuin University has a 29-story high-rise building in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The proposed strategy is based on the Plan, Do, Check, Action (PDCA) Cycle to brush up the systems and the users: in the “Plan” stage, we apply EEWS and RSMS to the building, where EEWS predicts not only short-period strong ground motions but also long-period ground motions [1]. The system is built into a building announcement system, an emergency elevator control system, and an email message system, which quickly send emails to the emergency response team. Meanwhile, RSMS provides information on seismic intensities at each floor of the building via the web browser in real time using the existing network in the building. In addition, the building response and structural damage can be estimated based on this information. The network system is impervious to the earthquake damage, because the network cable has extra length, there is, however, possible that a network system does not work due to power outage. Thus, we develop the network system that has uninterruptible power-supply system (UPS) and apply it to EEWS and RSMS. The high-rise building has the emergency call units to the security control center in the building on every floor. The emergency call line, however, will be busy promptly, because it is able to use only one line. Therefore, we installed IP telephone which uses the network system on main floors. UPS will work about 30 min after a major earthquake, it is supposed to be enough time for gathering the damage information about the building during initial response. In the “Do” stage, we prepare emergency response instruction manuals and educate the faculty members and students to carry out promptly emergency response. In the “Check” stage, the validity of the proposed systems are verified by carrying out an earthquake drill in an actual high-rise building. The earthquake drill confirmed that our proposed approach is valid. In the final “Action” stage, we improve these systems and emergency response manual and educate people in the building how to use effectively these systems.     

Structural performance of a base-isolated reinforced concrete building subjected to seismic pounding

The effects of seismic pounding on the structural performance of a base-isolated reinforced concrete (RC) building are investigated, with a view to evaluate the influence of adjacent structures and separation between structures on the pounding response. In particular, seismic pounding of a typical four-story base-isolated RC building with retaining walls at the base and with a four-story fixed-base RC building is studied. Three-dimensional finite element analyses are carried out considering material and geometric nonlinearities. The structural performance of the base-isolated building is evaluated considering various earthquake excitations. It is found that the performance of the base-isolated building is substantially influenced by the pounding. The investigated base-isolated building shows good resistance against shear failure and the predominant mode of failure due to pounding is flexural. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response of a RC frame building designed according to old and modern practices

In the paper the seismic response of different variants of the three-story reinforced concrete frame structure SPEAR is compared. The basic structure is representative of building practice before the adoption of seismic codes. This structure has been compared with four modified variants, which were designed partly or completely in accordance with the Eurocode family of standards. For seismic assessment the practice-oriented nonlinear N2 method was used. The results demonstrate the low seismic resistance of buildings designed for gravity loads only. On the other hand, the advantages of new standards are clearly apparent. By taking into account the requirements of Eurocode 8 it is possible to ensure adequate strength, stiffness and ductility. By means of capacity design it is possible to ensure a global plastic mechanism. All these characteristics contribute to the high seismic resistance of structures designed according to Eurocode 8 and to their satisfactory behaviour during earthquakes.     

Using a historical aerial photograph analysis to inform trout habitat restoration efforts

Restoration of the upper Strawberry River included bank stabilization techniques because it was assumed that excessive bank erosion was degrading spawning habitat for Bonneville cutthroat trout (BCT). Using a long‐term aerial photograph record, the historical range of variability in bank erosion rates and channel geometry was determined, and this information was used to assess present‐day conditions and the rationale for restoration. Relative to historical variability, the channel planform was relatively stable and bank erosion rates were the lowest recorded in the post‐disturbance era. Although a historical loss of riparian vegetation coincided with a shift to a wider and more sinuous channel, lateral migration rates declined and the channel narrowed as riparian cover increased in the decades before restoration, indicating a process of natural recovery. Furthermore, it was found that the percentage of fine sediment in the streambed before restoration was insufficient to affect BCT spawning success. Together these results suggest that bank erosion and fine sediment did not affect the quality of spawning habitat or the abundance of BCT on the upper Strawberry River. The results highlight how a historical analysis can be used to identify the sources of habitat degradation and inform the selection of restoration goals and strategies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

西南地区1900—1970年历史地震震源参数推断及结果的不确定性分析

西南地区处于青藏高原东缘川滇、巴颜喀拉和华南三大活动块体的交接部位,是我国地震活动最强烈的地区之一.然而该区大多数历史地震震源参数均存在缺失或者不准确的问题.本文主要通过以下三点工作:(1)基于西南地区地震地质及区域构造应力场研究结果,推断了西南地区M≥6.0的部分历史地震(1900年至1970年)断层面参数,并对结果的不确定性进行了分析,发现该推断断层面参数的方法在西南地区复杂的构造应力场条件下的适用程度有限;(2)使用1900年至1970年之间Shide Circulars (British Association for the Advancement of Science, Seismological Committee (BAASSC), 1900—1912),《国际地震资料汇编》(ISS)和EHB Bulletin的P波和S波到时,对该时间范围内41个地震事件重新定位,得到了其中32个地震事件的可靠定位结果;(3)使用1933年(ISS从1933年开始收录P波初动记录)至1970年之间ISS的P波初动,对该时间范围内的29个地震事件求解震源机制解,得到了其中14个地震事件的震源机制解的可靠结果,从而丰富了西南地区1900年来历史强震目录震源参数资料.     

西南地区1900—1970年历史地震震源参数推断及结果的不确定性分析

西南地区处于青藏高原东缘川滇、巴颜喀拉和华南三大活动块体的交接部位,是我国地震活动最强烈的地区之一.然而该区大多数历史地震震源参数均存在缺失或者不准确的问题.本文主要通过以下三点工作:(1)基于西南地区地震地质及区域构造应力场研究结果,推断了西南地区M≥6.0的部分历史地震(1900年至1970年)断层面参数,并对结果的不确定性进行了分析,发现该推断断层面参数的方法在西南地区复杂的构造应力场条件下的适用程度有限;(2)使用1900年至1970年之间Shide Circulars (British Association for the Advancement of Science, Seismological Committee (BAASSC), 1900—1912),《国际地震资料汇编》(ISS)和EHB Bulletin的P波和S波到时,对该时间范围内41个地震事件重新定位,得到了其中32个地震事件的可靠定位结果;(3)使用1933年(ISS从1933年开始收录P波初动记录)至1970年之间ISS的P波初动,对该时间范围内的29个地震事件求解震源机制解,得到了其中14个地震事件的震源机制解的可靠结果,从而丰富了西南地区1900年来历史强震目录震源参数资料.     

Development of a seismic damage and loss scenario for contemporary and historical buildings in Thessaloniki, Greece

The methodologies used in Greece for estimating direct losses in both reinforced concrete (R/C) and masonry buildings (also including monuments) are summarised, the critical issue of data collection is addressed, and practical solutions that have been tried are discussed. The development of a seismic risk scenario for contemporary and historical buildings in Thessaloniki is then presented and some key results are given, including the expected geographical distribution of building damage (due to the scenario earthquake) in the municipality of Thessaloniki; damage is described both in structural and in economic terms.     

The role of GPR techniques in determining ice cave properties: Peña Castil ice cave,Picos de Europa

The structure and ice content of ice caves are poorly understood. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can provide useful insights but has only rarely been applied to ice caves. This paper interprets GPR images (radargrams) in terms of internal structure, stratification, compaction, thickness and volume of the ice block in the Peña Castil ice cave (Central Massif of Picos de Europa, northern Spain), providing the endokarst geometry of the ice cave in GPR data reflections. Eight radargrams were obtained by applying a shielded ground‐coupled antenna with a nominal frequency of 400 MHz. Although the radargrams do not depict the ice–basal bedrock interface, they suggest that the ice block is at least 54 m deep and similarly thick. Some curved reflection signatures suggest a potential vertical displacement in the block of ice, and thus certain dynamics in the ice body. Other images show numerous interbedded clasts and thin sediment layers imaged as banded reflections. In this particular cave a direct visual inspection of the ice stratigraphy is a difficult task but GPR provides clear reflectivity patterns of some of its internal features, making GPR a suitable instrument for this and future studies to achieve a better and broader understanding of the internal behavior of ice caves.     

华北地区1900-1970年5级以上地震发震位置与震源机制研究

本文通过整理世界地震台网1900-1970年世界台站震相报告,对该时期发生在我国华北地区震级5级以上强震的震源位置及震源机制（断层面解）进行了测量.具体开展了以下三点工作：（1）使用1900-1970年之间Shide Circulars（BAASSC,1900-1912）,《国际地震资料汇编》（ISS）和EHB Bulletin的震相到时,对该时间范围内的22个地震事件重新定位,得到了21个地震事件的可靠结果;（2）使用1933年至1970年之间ISS的P波初动,对该时间范围内的15个地震事件求解震源机制解,得到了其中12个地震事件的震源机制解的可靠结果,从而丰富了华北地区基于全球地震台网观测的1900-1970年历史强震目录震源机制资料;（3）基于华北地区地震地质及区域构造应力场研究结果,推断了华北地区M≥5.0的部分缺乏地震资料观测的历史地震断层面参数,并对这种方法推断的断层面参数的可靠性进行了讨论.     

用模式匹配算法研究层状各向异性倾斜

利用数值模式匹配技术,研究并建立层状各向异性倾斜地层中多分量感应测井响应的快速数值模拟算法.首先将位于井轴上的三个相互正交磁偶极子转化成关于极角θ的三个谐变分量的叠加,以便将三个正交磁偶极子电磁场的正演问题完全简化成三个谐变分量电磁场的轴对称定解问题,并给出电磁场各个谐变分量在井轴上满足的边界条件,保证电磁场在井轴附近仍然可解.然后利用数值模式匹配技术建立电磁场各个谐变分量的正演过程,得到层状各向异性地层中磁流源并矢Green函数的半解析表达式,给出计算层状各向异性倾斜地层中多分量感应测井响应的具体方法,最后通过数值计算结果证明该算法的有效性并考察几种不同情况下多分量感应测井响应特征.     

用模式匹配算法研究层状各向异性倾斜地层中多分量感应测井响应

利用数值模式匹配技术,研究并建立层状各向异性倾斜地层中多分量感应测井响应的快速数值模拟算法.首先将位于井轴上的三个相互正交磁偶极子转化成关于极角θ的三个谐变分量的叠加,以便将三个正交磁偶极子电磁场的正演问题完全简化成三个谐变分量电磁场的轴对称定解问题,并给出电磁场各个谐变分量在井轴上满足的边界条件,保证电磁场在井轴附近仍然可解.然后利用数值模式匹配技术建立电磁场各个谐变分量的正演过程,得到层状各向异性地层中磁流源并矢Green函数的半解析表达式,给出计算层状各向异性倾斜地层中多分量感应测井响应的具体方法,最后通过数值计算结果证明该算法的有效性并考察几种不同情况下多分量感应测井响应特征.     

Transient and permanent shear strains in a building excited by strong earthquake pulses

Nonlinear waves in a building with bi-linear constitutive law are described for excitation by vertically propagating S-wave pulses. Conditions that lead to the nonlinear deformation are described in terms of dimensionless amplitudes and wavelengths of these pulses. It is shown that a building can fail during the first passage of the incident wave (during a time shorter than the travel time from the bottom to the top of the building). Peak amplitudes of (1) transient strains, (2) permanent strains, and (3) the peak ductility in the building are described in terms of (a) the amplitudes of incident pulses and (b) the places where the pulses occur in the building.