Numerical modeling of traffic-induced ground vibration

Ground vibrations due to road traffic constitute a major environmental problem. This paper presents a numerical model for the analysis and prediction of the ground vibrations due to the road traffic. A car model with four degrees of freedom is used for the determination of the load due to the road traffic. The load is then introduced in a 3D finite difference model for the determination of the traffic-induced ground vibrations. The numerical model is validated using field data. Numerical analyses show that both the amplitude and frequency of the traffic-induced vibrations are mainly affected by the vehicle speed, the road unevenness and the vehicle suspension system. Some recommendations are suggested for the reduction of these vibrations.     

Microseism Induced by Transient Release of In Situ Stress During Deep Rock Mass Excavation by Blasting

During deep rock mass excavation with the method of drill and blast, accompanying the secession of rock fragments and the formation of a new free surface, in situ stress on this boundary is suddenly released within several milliseconds, which is termed the transient release of in situ stress. In this process, enormous strain energy around the excavation face is instantly released in the form of kinetic energy and it inevitably induces microseismic events in surrounding rock masses. Thus, blasting excavation-induced microseismic vibrations in high-stress rock masses are attributed to the combined action of explosion and the transient release of in situ stress. The intensity of stress release-induced microseisms, which depends mainly on the magnitude of the in situ stress and the dimension of the excavation face, is comparable to that of explosion-induced vibrations. With the methods of time–energy density analysis, amplitude spectrum analysis, and finite impulse response (FIR) digital filter, microseismic vibrations induced by the transient release of in situ stress were identified and separated from recorded microseismic signals during a blast of deep rock masses in the Pubugou Hydropower Station. The results show that the low-frequency component in the microseismic records results mainly from the transient release of in situ stress, while the high-frequency component originates primarily from explosion. In addition, a numerical simulation was conducted to demonstrate the occurrence of microseismic events by the transient release of in situ stress, and the results seem to have confirmed fairly well the separated vibrations from microseismic records.     

深埋洞室开挖瞬态卸荷诱发振动的衰减规律

深埋洞室爆破开挖过程中围岩初始地应力的瞬态卸荷会诱发振动。针对圆形隧洞开挖,分析了地应力瞬态卸荷过程中围岩应变能、动能、径向应力做功3者之间的平衡机制,并采用量纲分析,建立了基于开挖岩体应变能的瞬态卸荷诱发振动衰减公式。结合锦屏二级引水隧洞和瀑布沟地下主厂房爆破开挖实例,开展了瞬态卸荷诱发振动的识别分离,并分析了诱发振动的衰减规律。研究表明：地应力瞬态卸荷诱发振动的峰值与被开挖岩体应变能密度的二次方根成正比,且开挖卸荷体积越大,诱发振动越强烈;与Lu-Hustrulid衰减公式相比,新衰减公式应用范围更广,使用精度更高。     

列车运行对周围地面振动影响的试验研究

针对日益严重的轨道交通引起的环境振动问题,通过对京―广铁路线附近某小区内地面的竖向、横向振动速度和加速度的现场测试,研究了运行列车引起的地面振动及其传播规律。由试验分析可知,列车引起的地面振动速度、加速度振级均随着列车速度的提高和轴重的增加而增大。速度每小时提高10 km时,速度振级和加速度振级均增大约3 dB;车速相同的货车比客车引起的速度振级竖向大10 dB左右,横向大5～15 dB左右;加速度振级竖向大 12 dB,横向大8 dB。钢轨接缝附近地面的振动比无接缝附近的地面振动大,速度振级大2～6 dB。振动随着距振源距离的增大而逐渐减小,竖向振级的衰减过程表现出一定的波动性;横向振级的衰减随距离增大单调减小。     

Reducing ground vibrations caused by underground blasts in LKAB Malmberget mine

Due to the large-scale sub-level caving in Malmberget mine and the short distance between the mine and Malmberget town, the ground vibrations in the town have reached a high level since the year 2001 when large scale caving mining started. In order to control and reduce the high vibrations, LKAB launched a research project on active reduction of vibrations in Malmberget by using the wave interference or wave superposition method with electronic detonators. By means of this method, the vertical vibrations were reduced by 10% and the total vibration time for a ring blast was reduced by 80% according to five ring tests in the mine. For a further reduction of the vibrations, a second method, named changing initiation sequence in ring blasts, was developed on the basis of stress wave theory and the geographic conditions of the town and the mine. The second method has so far been applied in all of the drifts near the town, and the vibrations measured at the town show that the vertical vibrations caused by production blasts in the mine have been reduced by more than 31% on average. In addition, a third method, dividing a ring into two parts during blasting, was developed and used to reduce the ground vibrations from a number of very large rings in the mine. The results indicate that the vibrations have been reduced by more than 33%, and a more interesting and surprising result is that ore extraction has been increased by the third method.     

Coupling of two methods,waveform superposition and numerical,to model blast vibration effect on slope stability in jointed rock masses

Drilling and blasting is a major technology in mining since it is necessary for the initial breakage of rock masses in mining. Only a fraction of the explosive energy is efficiently consumed in the actual breakage and displacement of the rock mass, and the rest of the energy is spent in undesirable effects, such as ground vibrations. The prediction of induced ground vibrations across a fractured rock mass is of great concern to rock engineers in assessing the stability of rock slopes in open pit mines. The waveform superposition method was used in the Gol-E-Gohar iron mine to simulate the production blast seismograms based upon the single-hole shot vibration measurements carried out at a distance of 39 m from the blast. The simulated production blast seismograms were then used as input to predict particle velocity time histories of blast vibrations in the mine wall using the universal distinct element code (UDEC). Simulated time histories of particle velocity showed a good agreement with the measured production blast time histories. Displacements and peak particle velocities were determined at various points of the engineered slope. The maximum displacement at the crest of the nearest bench in the X and Y directions was 26 mm, which is acceptable in regard to open pit slope stability.     

Coupled simulation of wave propagation and water flow in soil induced by high‐speed trains

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the coupled dynamic deformation and water flow that occur in saturated soils when subjected to traffic loads, which is a problem with several practical applications. The wave propagation causes vibrations leading to discomfort for passengers and people in the surroundings and increase wear on both the vehicle and road structure. The water flow may cause internal erosion and material transport in the soil. Further, the increased pore water pressure could reduce the bearing capacity of embankments. The saturated soil is modelled as a water‐saturated porous medium. The traffic is modelled as a number of moving wheel contact loads. Dynamic effects are accounted for, which lead to a coupled problem with solid displacements, water velocity and pressure as primary unknowns. A finite element program has been developed to perform simulations. The simulations clearly demonstrate the induced wave propagation and water flow in the soil. The simulation technique is applicable to railway as well as road traffic. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factor of safety in a partially saturated slope inferred from hydro‐mechanical continuum modeling

Rainfall weakens an earth slope and triggers mass movement. Relevant triggering mechanisms are complex and include reduction of capillary pressure due to increased saturation and frictional drag on the sediment induced by fluid flow. Physics‐based continuum models utilizing modern computational tools are useful for understanding the mechanisms of deformation in partially saturated slopes; however, they do not provide a scalar indicator called ‘factor of safety’ that measures the potential of a given slope for mass movement. In the present work, we employ sequential calculations consisting of a physics‐based finite element model that couples solid deformation with fluid flow to quantify the stress and deformation fields in a steep hillside slope subjected to rainfall infiltration. This is followed by a limit‐equilibrium calculation based on the method of slices that evaluates the desired factor of safety. The field condition investigated is similar to the steep experimental catchment CB1 near Coos Bay, Oregon, which failed as a large debris flow from heavy rainfall. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用数据场模型评价北京地面沉降交通载荷程度

地面沉降是指地面标高降低的一种缓变地质灾害现象,严重时对城市建设和人民生活会构成威胁。为评价地面沉降交通载荷程度,利用永久散射体干涉测量(PS-InSAR)技术提取北京东部地区沉降信息,利用数据场模型,以地铁站信息和道路节点信息为指标,采用因子贡献权重方法,获取北京地面沉降交通载荷程度分区图。研究结果表明:PS-InSAR方法可以获取区域地面沉降的空间分布趋势,研究区内最大沉降速率达到77.69 mm/a;地面沉降交通高载荷主要分布在北京市朝阳区北部与中部区域,而交通低载荷区域主要位于远离城市重要交通道路和地铁线路不发达乡镇。     

Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in urban topsoil from inside the Xi’an second ringroad, NW China

The paper reports the spatial distribution and contamination level of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) in urban topsoil from the interior area of the second ringroad of Xi’an city, China, based on X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. Geostatistical analysis shows that Co, Cu, and Pb have similar spatial distribution patterns. Heavy traffic density mainly contributed to the high concentrations of Co, Cu and Pb. The spatial distribution of Cr coincides with the industrial activity, whereas the spatial distribution of Zn differs from other heavy metals. The high concentrations of Zn coincide with heavy traffic and high population density. For Mn, Ni and V, natural factors are important in controlling their distribution. The calculated geoaccumulation indices indicate that urban topsoil inside the Xi’an second ringroad was uncontaminated by Cr, V, Mn and Ni, while Pb, Cu, Co and Zn are classified as uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with means of 0.64, 0.46, 0.26 and 0.21, respectively. The Nemero synthesis pollution index of these heavy metals revealed that the topsoil inside Xi’an second ringroad has been heavily contaminated due to anthropogenic activity.     

北京市怀柔区土壤重金属的分布特征、来源分析及风险评价

在北京市怀柔区东南部农业区采集了977个表土样品,对其中Cr、V、Ni、As、Pb、Zn、Hg和Cd 8种重金属元素含量进行测试分析。通过地球化学成图清晰地呈现了这些元素的空间分布特征。利用数据统计分析,阐明了表土中这些重金属元素的含量分布特征,探讨了不同重金属的来源,并评估预测了其生态风险。研究结果表明Cr、V、Ni、As主要来源于成土母质;而Pb、Zn、Hg受交通和大气沉降等人类活动的影响较大;Cd则主要受到周边工厂以及农业施肥的影响。利用Hakanson法预测8种重金属的生态风险,除Cd外其他7种元素潜在生态风险均较低。本研究对怀柔区农业土壤的污染风险评价及土地利用规划具有一定的借鉴作用。     

The effect of traffic on levels,distribution and chemical partitioning of harmful metals in the street dust and surface soil from urban areas of Tehran,Iran

Due to the explosive industrialization and rapid expansion of the population in many parts of the world, heavy metals are released into the environment continuously and pose a great risk on human health. Street dust and surface soil samples from very heavy, heavy, medium and low traffic areas and a natural site in Tehran, Iran, were analyzed for some physicochemical features, total and chemical fractionating of selected metals (Zn, Al, Sr, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Co, Ni and V) to investigate the influence of traffic on their mobility and accumulation in the environment. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbonates and organic carbon contents were similar in soil and dust samples from the areas with same traffic. The traffic increases EC contents in dust/soil matrixes, but has no effect on concentrations of metals in soil samples. Rises in metal levels with traffic were found in dust samples. Moreover, the traffic increases the percentage of both acid-soluble and reducible fractions, which are related to Pb and Zn. The mobilization of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr in dust samples was easier than in soil. The speciation of metals except Cd is mainly affected by physicochemical features in soil, though total metals affected the speciation in dust samples (except chromium and nickel).     

Effect of Blast-Induced Vibration from New Railway Tunnel on Existing Adjacent Railway Tunnel in Xinjiang, China

The vibrations of existing service tunnels induced by blast-excavation of adjacent tunnels have attracted much attention from both academics and engineers during recent decades in China. The blasting vibration velocity (BVV) is the most widely used controlling index for in situ monitoring and safety assessment of existing lining structures. Although numerous in situ tests and simulations had been carried out to investigate blast-induced vibrations of existing tunnels due to excavation of new tunnels (mostly by bench excavation method), research on the overall dynamical response of existing service tunnels in terms of not only BVV but also stress/strain seemed limited for new tunnels excavated by the full-section blasting method. In this paper, the impacts of blast-induced vibrations from a new tunnel on an existing railway tunnel in Xinjiang, China were comprehensively investigated by using laboratory tests, in situ monitoring and numerical simulations. The measured data from laboratory tests and in situ monitoring were used to determine the parameters needed for numerical simulations, and were compared with the calculated results. Based on the results from in situ monitoring and numerical simulations, which were consistent with each other, the original blasting design and corresponding parameters were adjusted to reduce the maximum BVV, which proved to be effective and safe. The effect of both the static stress before blasting vibrations and the dynamic stress induced by blasting on the total stresses in the existing tunnel lining is also discussed. The methods and related results presented could be applied in projects with similar ground and distance between old and new tunnels if the new tunnel is to be excavated by the full-section blasting method.     

重金属污染物侵入对岩石力学性能影响的研究

通过抗剪强度试验、风化耐久性强度试验、耐崩解试验、点荷载试验,对受重金属污染的泥岩、页岩、砂岩的力学强度变化特性进行了研究,并根据试验结果绘制了3种岩石抗压强度与重金属含量的关系曲线,采用线性回归法分析了岩石抗压强度与重金属质量比的相关关系。研究结果表明:在岩性、含水量、试验条件等相同的条件下, 3种重金属污染岩石的力学强度都随着重金属污染物含量的增加而减小; 重金属污染的泥岩、砂岩和页岩的单轴抗压强度与重金属质量比关系分别呈幂函数(泥岩、砂岩)、对数函数(页岩)关系,关系分化度为较显著-显著负相关。根据Weibull分布定律与对流-扩散特性建立了重金属污染物侵入与延伸性能方程,并对泥岩试验结果进行了计算,绘制了侵入性能、延伸性能与时间的关系曲线。结果表明: 4种金属元素在泥岩中平均侵入性能与延伸性能的大小顺序为Cd2+ Pb2+ Cu2+ Zn2+,且元素活性越大,侵入能力与延伸能力越强,侵入性能随着时间变化而逐渐减小,延伸性能随时间变化而逐渐增加。     

Response of Strata and Buildings to Blast Induced Vibrations in the Presence and Absence of a Tunnel

Blast induced vibrations form an inevitable and major part of modern day construction. The changes that happen to the strata or buildings surrounding the blast are evident in a fraction of a second. Effect of damage is more pronounced in the absence/presence of the tunnel. The vibration produced due to blast may be induced due to a deep underground explosion, a surface explosion or even an in-tunnel explosion. In this study the above three situations are numerically modeled by a Distinct Element software 3DEC (3.0). Soil properties are varied representing soft and stiff strata. Further, three velocity time histories of 2, 45 and 85 Hz are used as an input in the model and are applied at three different boundaries of the model. Results of the analysis reveal that the response of building in softer strata and lower frequencies led to greater magnification of velocities and displacements compared to response of buildings in stiff strata. Presence of the tunnel led to reduction of peak velocity (PV’s) and displacements at the building top due to damping effect. PV’s at the top floor were greater than the PV’s at the bottom floor and there was an upliftment of the soil mass at the ground level. However, the upliftment in the presence of the building was lower than the upliftment in the absence of the building. Stress in the tunnel lining increased in the presence of the building, however percentage reduction of stress depends on the number of building stories.     

Dynamic changes in the energy–carbon performance of Chinese transportation sector: a meta-frontier non-radial directional distance function approach

The transportation sector is the main energy consumer and carbon emitter in China. To accurately evaluate the dynamic changes in the energy–carbon performance of the sector and to propose alternatives for sustainable development, this paper proposes an approach incorporating the meta-frontier method, global benchmark technology, and non-radial directional distance function. Using this approach, the paper proposes a new definition, named the global meta-frontier non-radial Malmquist energy–carbon performance index (GMNMECPI). GMNMECPI can be decomposed into technical efficiency change (EC), best-practice gap change (BPC), and technology gap change (TGC). This new method was then used to estimate the dynamic changes of energy–carbon performance in China’s transportation sector from 2006 to 2015. The paper also identifies the effect of current policies. The empirical results show that the energy–carbon performance of China’s transportation sector decreased annually by 1.636% during the study period. This reduction was mainly caused by a significant technology lag in the central area while primarily influenced by deterioration in efficiency in both the east and west. There is a distinct heterogeneity in technology across China’s three areas. Based on the findings, the paper closes with policy implications.     

Prediction of ground vibrations resulting from the blasting operations in an open-pit mine by adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

The aim of this study is to predict the peak particle velocity (PPV) values from both presently constructed simple regression model and fuzzy-based model. For this purpose, vibrations induced by bench blasting operations were measured in an open-pit mine operated by the most important magnesite producing company (MAS) in Turkey. After gathering the ordered pairs of distance and PPV values, the site-specific parameters were determined using traditional regression method. Also, an attempt has been made to investigate the applicability of a relatively new soft computing method called as the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to predict PPV. To achieve this objective, data obtained from the blasting measurements were evaluated by constructing an ANFIS-based prediction model. The distance from the blasting site to the monitoring stations and the charge weight per delay were selected as the input parameters of the constructed model, the output parameter being the PPV. Valid for the site, the PPV prediction capability of the constructed ANFIS-based model has proved to be successful in terms of statistical performance indices such as variance account for (VAF), root mean square error (RMSE), standard error of estimation, and correlation between predicted and measured PPV values. Also, using these statistical performance indices, a prediction performance comparison has been made between the presently constructed ANFIS-based model and the classical regression-based prediction method, which has been widely used in the literature. Although the prediction performance of the regression-based model was high, the comparison has indicated that the proposed ANFIS-based model exhibited better prediction performance than the classical regression-based model.     

微生物诱导碳酸盐岩沉淀过程及作用机理

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, MICP)是一种在自然界中广泛存在的生物矿化过程。由于MICP具有反应速度快、环境条件要求低、应用范围广、温室气体减排效应显著等特点,在地质、土木、水利、环境多个领域中广泛推广应用。文章在分析国内外相关研究成果的基础上,归纳整理出反硝化过程、硫酸盐还原作用、尿素分解作用等多种微生物诱导下碳酸钙矿化途径和作用机制。以尿素分解菌为代表,重点讨论微生物诱导碳酸盐沉淀过程中pH、温度、离子浓度等环境因素对生成矿物晶型晶貌等方面的影响,总结了MICP的环境应用机制,即环境中的重金属元素通过替换作用替换矿化矿物中的Ca2+或CO₃2?从而被固定。MICP作为一种简单高效的地质环境过程,在生态环境修复领域具有广阔的应用前景。      

Multivariate analysis of heavy metal pollution in street dusts of Xianyang city, NW China

Urban street dust is one of important indicators of the status of urban environmental pollution. There are many studies in capital cities, but little attention has been paid to this kind of study in medium cities, especially in China. The dust samples were collected in the district of traffic crossroads in Xianyang city, Shaanxi Province. Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr and Mn concentrations were determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicate that street dusts in Xianyang city have elevated metal concentrations as a whole in comparison with Shaanxi Province soil, except for Mn. The content of heavy metals was comparable to those in capital cities. Correlation coefficient analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used and three main sources were identified; Mn comes mainly from soil sources; Cu, Zn and Ni are mainly derived from industrial sources combined with traffic sources; Pb, Cr and Cd have traffic sources. Heavy metal enrichment factors were calculated, which can reflect human influence degree of street dusts.     

Investigation of carbon monoxide in heavy traffic intersections of municipal districts

In this research, an investigation of carbon monoxide in heavy traffic intersections of Kerman municipal districts in 2003–2004 has been performed. Kerman City is located at the south-eastern part of Iran. Carbon monoxide in highly toxic for human health and natural ecosystems in metropolition districts especially due to high traffic and industrial activities. For this reason, it was decided to investigate and find out the high concentration of CO pollutants in heavy traffic intersections of Kerman City. In this regards 21 heavy traffic squares and intersections were selected and the concentration of CO were measured. In the middle of each month during the year, sampling and measurement were scheduled three times at daily times according 7–12 a.m.; 12–16 and 16–20 p.m. In each period, 12 samples of 5 minutes were collected and CO concentration for 1-hr was calculated. The results obtained indicate that the hourly mean concentrations were lower than WHO guidelines and also lower than measurements of 1989, which has already done. In spite of more cases and higher populations, natural gas distribution was the cause of decline in CO concentrations.