Seismic soil–pile interaction in liquefiable soil

Numerical analysis of seismic soil–pile interaction was considered in order to investigate the influence of flow mechanisms. Two models were employed—a simplified model, where the pore pressure at any depth is that of the free field, and a more complete model in which the pore pressure is associated with three-dimensional flow. The soil behavior was modeled by a nonlinear, quasi-hysteretic constitutive relation. A parametric study was carried out, varying the superstructure mass and soil permeability. It was found that there is a pore pressure threshold below which both models yield similar results, but that this threshold cannot be quantified a priori, as it depends strongly on soil–pile interaction.     

Effects of soil cracking on the seismic response of soil–structure systems

A numerical study on the influence that cracks and discontinuities (closed cracks) can have on the seismic response of a hypothetical soil–structure system is presented and discussed. A 2-D finite-difference model of the soil was developed, considering a bilinear failure surface using a Mohr–Coulomb model. The cracks are simulated with interface elements. The soil stiffness is used to characterize the contact force that is generated when the crack closes. For the cases studied herein, it was considered that the crack does not propagate during the dynamic event. Both cases, open and closed cracks, are considered. The nonlinear behavior was accounted for approximately using equivalent linear properties calibrated against several 1-D wave propagation analyses of selected soil columns with variable depth to account for changes in depth to bed rock. Free field boundaries were used at the edges of the 2-D finite-difference model to allow for energy dissipation of the reflected waves. The effect of cracking on the seismic response was evaluated by comparing the results of site response analysis with and without crack, for several lengths and orientations. The changes in the response obtained for a single crack and a family of cracks were also evaluated. Finally, the impact that a crack may have on the structural response of nearby structures was investigated by solving the seismic-soil–structure interaction of two structures, one flexible and one rigid to bracket the response. From the results of this investigation, insight was gained regarding the effect that discontinuities may have both on the seismic response of soil deposits and on nearby soil–structure systems.     

Anti-plane foundationless soil–structure interaction

This paper presents a closed-form wave function analytic solution of two-dimensional scattering and diffraction of anti-plane SH-waves by a two-dimensional foundationless structure that corresponds to a shear wall on an elastic half-space. A wave-function expansion method is used to solve this model by first prescribing a set of wave functions with undetermined coefficients and then assembling them together based on the stress and displacement boundary conditions on the surface between the structure and half space. This results in a set of infinite equations to be solved by truncating to a finite set. The amplitudes and residuals of the displacement and stress distributions around the structure and nearby ground surface will be discussed carefully. While the solution is analytical, the computation of the numerical results involves the evaluation of complicated integrals. This analytic solution will be helpful to the understanding of propagation of seismic or other stress waves within the superstructure(s) undergoing earthquakes or other blast loads.     

Tree root systems competing for soil moisture in a 3D soil–plant model

Competition for water among multiple tree rooting systems is investigated using a soil–plant model that accounts for soil moisture dynamics and root water uptake (RWU), whole plant transpiration, and leaf-level photosynthesis. The model is based on a numerical solution to the 3D Richards equation modified to account for a 3D RWU, trunk xylem, and stomatal conductances. The stomatal conductance is determined by combining a conventional biochemical demand formulation for photosynthesis with an optimization hypothesis that selects stomatal aperture so as to maximize carbon gain for a given water loss. Model results compare well with measurements of soil moisture throughout the rooting zone, of total sap flow in the trunk xylem, as well as of leaf water potential collected in a Loblolly pine forest. The model is then used to diagnose plant responses to water stress in the presence of competing rooting systems. Unsurprisingly, the overlap between rooting zones is shown to enhance soil drying. However, the 3D spatial model yielded transpiration-bulk root-zone soil moisture relations that do not deviate appreciably from their proto-typical form commonly assumed in lumped eco-hydrological models. The increased overlap among rooting systems primarily alters the timing at which the point of incipient soil moisture stress is reached by the entire soil–plant system.     

Vegetation and soil carbon storage in China

This study estimated the current vegetation and soil carbon storage in China using a biogeochemical model driven with climate, soil and vegetation data at 0.5° latitude-longitude grid spatial resolution. The results indicate that the total carbon storage in China's vegetation and soils was 13.33 Gt C and 82.65 Gt C respectively, about 3% and 4% of the global total. The nationally mean vegetation and soil carbon densities were 1.47 kg C/m2 and 9.17 kg C/m2, respectively, differing greatly in various regions affected by climate, vegetation, and soil types. They were generally higher in the warm and wet Southeast China and Southwest China than in the arid Northwest China; whereas vegetation carbon density was the highest in the warm Southeast China and Southwest China, soil carbon density was the highest in the cold Northeast China and southeastern fringe of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. These spatial patterns are clearly correlated with variations in the climate that regulates plant growth and soil organi     

Blind identification of soil–structure systems

Surrounding soil can drastically influence the dynamic response of buildings during strong ground shaking. Soil’s flexibility decreases the natural frequencies of the system; and in most cases, soil provides additional damping due to material hysteresis and radiation. The additional damping forces, which are in non-classical form, render the mode shapes of the soil–structure system complex-valued. The response of a soil-foundation system can be compactly represented through impedance functions that have real and imaginary parts representing the stiffness and damping of the system, respectively. These impedance functions are frequency-dependent, and their determination for different configurations been the subject of a considerable number of analytical, numerical, and experimental studies. In this paper, we first develop a new identification technique that is capable of extracting complex mode shapes from the recorded free or ambient vibrations of a system. This technique is an extension of the second-order blind identification (SOBI) method, which is fairly well established in a number of other areas including sound separation, image processing, and mechanical system identification. The relative ease of implementation of this output-only identification technique has been the primary source of its appeal. We assess the accuracy and the utility of this extended SOBI technique by applying it to both synthetic and experimental data. We also present a secondary procedure, through which the frequency-dependent soil-foundation impedance functions can be easily extracted. The said procedure has a practical appeal as it uses only free or ambient responses of the structure to extract the foundation impedance functions, whereas current techniques require expensive and time-consuming forced-vibration tests.     

Dynamic responses of structure–soil–structure systems with an extension of the equivalent linear soil modeling

A three-dimensional problem of cross interaction of adjacent structures through the underlying soil under seismic ground motion is investigated. The story shears and lateral relative displacements (drifts) are the targets of the computations. These are calculated using a detailed modeling of soil, the foundations and the two adjacent structures. An equivalent linear behavior is assumed for the soil by introducing reduced mechanical properties consistent with the level of ground shaking for the free-field soil. Then a distinctive soil zone (the near-field soil) is recognized in the vicinity of the foundations where the peak shear strain under the combined effect of a severe earthquake and the presence of structures is much larger than the strain threshold up to which the soil can be modeled as an equivalent linear medium. It is shown that it is still possible to use an equivalent linear behavior for the near-field soil if its shear modulus is further reduced with a factor depending on the dynamic properties of the adjacent structures, the near-field soil, and the design earthquake. Variations of the dynamic responses of different adjacent structures with their clear distances are also discussed.     

Influence of thawed soil depth on rainfall erosion of frozen bare meadow soil in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has a vast area of approximately 70×10⁴ km² of alpine meadow under the impacts of soil freezing and thawing, thereby inducing intensive water erosion. Quantifying the rainfall erosion process of partially thawed soil provides the basis for model simulation of soil erosion on cold-region hillslopes. In this study, we conducted a laboratory experiment on rainfall-induced erosion of partially thawed soil slope under four slope gradients (5, 10, 15, and 20°), three rainfall intensities (30, 60, and 90 mm h⁻¹), and three thawed soil depths (1, 2, and 10 cm). The results indicated that shallow thawed soil depth aggravated soil erosion of partially thawed soil slopes under low hydrodynamic conditions (rainfall intensity of 30 mm h⁻¹ and slope gradient ≤ 15°), whereas it inhibited erosion under high hydrodynamic conditions (rainfall intensity ≥ 60 mm h⁻¹ or slope gradient > 15°). Soil erosion was controlled by the thawed soil depth and runoff hydrodynamic conditions. When the sediment supply was sufficient, the shallow thawed soil depth had a higher erosion potential and a larger sediment concentration. On the contrary, when the sediment supply was insufficient, the shallow thawed soil depth resulted in lower sediment erosion and a smaller sediment concentration. The hydrodynamic runoff conditions determined whether the sediment supply was sufficient. We propose a model to predict sediment delivery under different slope gradients, rainfall intensities, and thawed soil depths. The model, with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.95, accurately predicted the sediment delivery under different conditions, which was helpful for quantification of the complex feedback of sediment delivery to the factors influencing rainfall erosion of partially thawed soil. This study provides valuable insights into the rainfall erosion mechanism of partially thawed soil slopes in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and provides a basis for further studies on soil erosion under different hydrodynamic conditions.     

Cone model for two surface foundations on layered soil

In this paper, the cone model is applied to the vibration analysis of two foundations on a layered soil half space. In the analysis, the total stress field in the subsoil is divided into the free-field and the scattering field. Seed＇s simplified method is adopted for the free-field analysis, while the cone model is proposed for analyzing the dynamic scattering stress wave field. The shear stress field and the compressive stress field in the layered stratum with two scattering sources are calculated by shear cone and compressive cone, respectively. Furthermore, the stress fields in the subsoil with two foundations are divided into six zones, and the P wave and S wave are analyzed in each zone. Numerical results are provided to illustrate features of the added stress field for two surface foundations under vertical and horizontal sinusoidal force excitation. The proposed cone model may be useful in handling some of the complex problems associated with multi-scattering sources.     

Structure–soil–structure interaction: Literature review

The concept of structure–soil–structure dynamic interaction was introduced, and the research methods were discussed. Based on several documents, a systematic summary of the history and status of the structure–soil–structure dynamic interaction research that considers adjacent structures was proposed as a reference for researchers. This study is in the initial stage, given its complexity and excessive simplification of the model for soil and structures, and should be carried forward for its significance. An attempt was made to summarize the common major computer programs in this area of study. Furthermore, the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of such programs were discussed. The existing problems and the future research trend in this field were also examined.     

Strontium stable isotopes fractionate in the soil environments?

This study shows that the stable isotopic composition of strontium (the ⁸⁸Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio expressed as δ^88/86Sr value relative to the NBS987 standard) varies significantly in sedimentary terrestrial environments. The abundances of ⁸⁶Sr, ⁸⁸Sr isotopes were analyzed by MC-ICP-MS “Nu Plasma”. All studied rocks and waters show δ^88/86Sr values that are distinctly different from the measured NBS987 standard (yielding 0.01 ± 0.05‰, all errors are reported as 2σ). Modern corals from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea yielded significantly different value than seawater (δ^88/86Sr = 0.22 ± 0.07‰, compared to 0.35 ± 0.06‰, respectively), in an excellent correlation with the δ^88/86Sr analyses reported by Fietzke and Eisenhauer [Fietzke, J., Eisenhauer, A., 2006. Determination of temperature-dependent stable strontium isotopes (⁸⁸Sr/⁸⁶Sr) fractionation via bracketing standard MC-ICP-MS. Geochm. Geophys. Geosyst. 7 (no. 8)] on other coral samples. All carbonate samples that originated in the marine environment: corals (porites and acropora from the northern Gulf of Aqaba); Cretaceous limestone and runoff from the Judea Mountains as well as lacustrine evaporitic aragonite (Dead Sea); and Red Sea and Atlantic seawater yield an average δ^88/86Sr value of 0.26 ± 0.1‰. On the other hand, secondary materials (products of chemical weathering) from the terrestrial environment of the Judea Mountain such as terra rossa soil and speleothem calcite (that derives its Sr from the above-lying soil) yielded significantly lower δ^88/86Sr value of − 0.17 ± 0.06‰. This indicates that strontium isotopes fractionate in the soil environment calling for a possible development of strontium isotopes as a tracer for processes of chemical weathering and pedogenesis.     

Seismic response of base-isolated buildings including soil–structure interaction

This study investigates the effect of soil–structure interaction (SSI) on the response of base-isolated buildings. The equations of motion are formulated in the frequency domain, assuming frequency-independent soil stiffness and damping constants. An equivalent fixed-base system is developed that accounts for soil compliance and damping characteristics of the base-isolated building. Closed-form expressions are derived, followed by a thorough parametric study involving the pertinent system parameters. For preliminary design, the methodology can serve as a means to assess effective use of base isolation on building structures accounting for SSI. This study concludes that the effects of SSI are more pronounced on the modal properties of the system, especially for the case of squat and stiff base-isolated structures.     

NIR-red spectral space based new method for soil moisture monitoring

Drought is a complex natural disaster that occurs frequently. Soil moisture has been the main issue in remote monitoring of drought events as the most direct and important variable describing the drought. Spatio-temporal distribution and variation of soil moisture evidently affect surface evapotranspiration, agricultural water demand, etc. In this paper, a new simple method for soil moisture monitoring is de- veloped using near-infrared versus red (NIR-red) spectral reflectance space. First, NIR-red spectral reflectance space is established using atmospheric and geometric corrected ETM data, which is manifested by a triangle shape, in which different surface covers have similar spatial distribution rules. Next, the model of soil moisture monitoring by remote sensing (SMMRS) is developed on the basis of the distribution characteristics of soil moisture in the NIR-red spectral reflectance space. Then, the SMMRS model is validated by comparison with field measured soil moisture data at different depths. The results showed that satellite estimated soil moisture by SMMRS is highly accordant with field measured data at 5 cm soil depth and average soil moisture at 0―20 cm soil depths, correlation coef- ficients are 0.80 and 0.87, respectively. This paper concludes that, being simple and effective, the SMMRS model has great potential to estimate surface moisture conditions.     

Real-time dynamic hybrid testing for soil–structure interaction analysis

Simulating dynamic soil–structure interaction (SSI) problems is a challenge when using a shaking table because of the semi-infinity of soil foundations. This paper develops real-time dynamic hybrid testing (RTDHT) for SSI problems in order to consider the radiation damping effect of the semi-infinite soil foundation using a shaking table. Based on the substructure concept, the superstructure is physically tested and the semi-infinite foundation is numerically simulated. Thus, the response of the entire system considering the dynamic SSI is obtained by coupling the numerical calculation of the soil and the physical test of the superstructure. A two-story shear frame on a rigid foundation was first tested to verify the developed RTDHT system, in which the top story was modeled as the physical substructure and the bottom story was the numerical substructure. The RTDHT for a two-story structure mounted on soil foundation was then carried out on a shaking table while the foundation was numerically simulated using a lumped parameter model. The dynamic responses, including acceleration and shear force, were obtained under soft and hard soil conditions. The results show that the soil–structure interaction should be reasonably taken into account in the shaking table testing for structures.     

Upward infiltration–evaporation method to estimate soil hydraulic properties

Determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity, K_s, and the van Genuchten water retention curve θ(h) parameters is crucial in evaluating unsaturated soil water flow. The aim of this work is to present a method to estimate K_s, α and n from numerical analysis of an upward infiltration process at saturation (Cap0), with (Cap0 + h) and without (Cap0) an overpressure step (h) at the end of the wetting phase, followed by an evaporation process (Evap). The HYDRUS model as well as a brute-force search method were used for theoretical loam soil parameter estimation. The uniqueness and the accuracy of solutions from the response surfaces, K_s–n, α–n and K_s–α, were evaluated for different scenarios. Numerical experiments showed that only the Cap0 + Evap and Cap0 + h + Evap scenarios were univocally able to estimate the hydraulic properties. The method gave reliable results in sand, loam and clay-loam soils.     

Effects of soil–structure interaction on seismic base isolation

The effects of soil–structure interaction on the performance of a nonlinear seismic base isolation system for a simple elastic structure are examined. The steady-state response of the system to harmonic excitation is obtained by use of the equivalent linearization method. Simple analytical expressions for the deformation of the base isolation system and of the superstructure at resonance are obtained in terms of an effective replacement oscillator characterized by amplitude-dependent frequency, damping ratio, and excitation. Numerical results suggest that the seismic response of a structure resting on an inelastic base isolation system may be larger when the flexibility of the soil is considered than the corresponding response obtained by ignoring the effects of soil–structure interaction. It is shown that, in the undamped case and in the absence of soil–structure interaction effects, a critical harmonic excitation exists beyond which the steady-state resonant response of the isolators and structure become unbounded.     

Organochlorine pesticides in soil and air at and around a compound contaminated site: vertical distribution,soil–air exchange and risk evaluation

The control of soil pollution in China has become an issue, and in this study, a compound contaminated site was selected and focus on the site and its nearby environment, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in both soil (top and deep soil) and air samples. The main pollutants in top soils at site are dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs, 0.05–104 mg/kg d.w., avg: 14.5 mg/kg d.w.) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB, 0.02–4.85 mg/kg d.w., avg: 0.72 mg/kg d.w.) which is in accordance with its production history. As for the deep soils, ΣOCPs at site were found concentrated at workshops especially the technical pesticide workshop (5.29–22.1 mg/kg d.w., avg: 9.15 mg/kg d.w.) and the history DDTs’ workshop (4.00–64.8 mg/kg d.w., avg: 20.4 mg/kg d.w). Around site, OCPs were mainly concentrated at layers of −20 cm and the −40 cm and decreased with distance being far away, at 5000 m, the ΣOCPs was comparable with normal agriculture soil (22.1−91.4 ng/g d.w., avg: 55.4 ng/g d.w.). ΣOCPs in the air samples ranged 64.6–823 ng/m³ (avg: 459 ng/m³) at site and 9.93–176 ng/m³ (avg: 50.8 ng/m³) around site which are all dominated with DDTs and HCHs. Soil–air exchange fugacity was calculated to judge the transportation of the OCPs and the results showed soils at the site and its nearby areas (within 5000 m) are releasing most of the OCPs into air, and accordingly through evaluation, inhalation was found to be the major source for human health risk, which is a great threat to the workers at site and the nearby residents.

     

Conversion factors for design spectral accelerations including soil–structure interaction

In this paper maximum response of a single degree of freedom system resting on a flexible base is determined under consistent earthquakes and the results are presented as acceleration spectra including soil–structure interaction (SSI). Flexibility of base is modeled using frequency-dependent springs and dampers. The spring–damper coefficients are calculated for the desired natural mode of vibration of a multi-degree-of-freedom system. Consistency of earthquakes is maintained considering their magnitude, distance, local soil type, and return period. The latter parameter is accounted for by the use of earthquake categories identified by their similar spectral values. Ratio of spectral acceleration modification factors with SSI from this study to those calculated using the ASCE 7-10 procedure are determined for each case. Examination of the resulting curves shows that the mentioned code is conservative/non-conservative in estimation of spectral responses with SSI in certain cases for the lower/higher modes of vibration. The code’s procedure is modified using the developed curves for a conversion factor.