Nonlinear dynamic tests of a reinforced concrete frame building at different damage levels

This paper discusses the dynamic tests of a two-story infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frame building using an eccentric-mass shaker. The building, located in El Centro, CA, was substantially damaged prior to the tests due to the seismic activity in the area. During the testing sequence, five infill walls were removed to introduce additional damage states and to investigate the changes in the dynamic properties and the nonlinear response of the building to the induced excitations. The accelerations and displacements of the structure under the forced and ambient vibrations were recorded through an array of sensors, while lidar scans were obtained to document the damage. The test data provide insight into the nonlinear response of an actual building and the change of its resonant frequencies and operational shapes due to varying damage levels and changes of the excitation amplitude, frequency, and orientation.     

Geomagnetic variations and their time derivatives during geomagnetic storms at different levels of intensity

The latitudinal distributions of horizontal geomagnetic variations, ΔH, and their time derivatives, ∂H/∂t, were analysed statistically over the three-year period 2003–2005. It appears that the amplitude distributions of horizontal geomagnetic variations and their time derivatives differ systematically between different geomagnetic latitudes and storm intensity levels. We show that the magnetic field variations observed at auroral and polar cap latitudes are under all geomagnetic storm levels comparable in amplitude (in a statistical sense) while they are smaller at subauroral latitudes. In contrast, their time derivatives are clearly the largest at auroral latitudes at all storm levels. These distributions determine in a general sense where and with which probability technological systems and operational procedures may be affected by geomagnetic storms. However, one observes in individual cases that the peak ∂H/∂t (the largest in all horizontal directions) is not necessarily the one which triggers a power system blackout.     

Using an objective model to estimate overall ozone levels at different urban locations

Ground-level tropospheric ozone is one of the air pollutants of most concern. Ozone levels become particularly high in regions close to high ozone precursor emissions and during summer, when high insolation and high temperatures are common. Ozone levels continue to exceed both target values and the long-term objectives established in EU legislation to protect human health and prevent damage to ecosystems, agricultural crops and materials. Researchers or decision-makers frequently need information about atmospheric pollution patterns in urbanized areas. The preparation of this type of information is a complex task, due to the influence of several factors and their variability over time. In this work, some results of urban ozone distribution patterns in the city of Badajoz, which is the largest (140,000 inhabitants) and most industrialized city in Extremadura region (southwest Spain) are shown. Twelve sampling campaigns, one per month, were carried out to measure ambient air ozone concentrations, during periods that were selected according to favourable conditions to ozone production, using an automatic portable analyzer. Later, to evaluate the overall ozone level at each sampling location during the time interval considered, the measured ozone data were analysed using a new methodology based on the formulation of the Rasch model. As a result, a classification of all locations according to the ozone level, which was the value of the Rasch measure, was obtained. Moreover, information about unexpected behaviours of ozone patterns was generated. Finally, overall ozone level at locations where no measurements were available was estimated which can be used to generate hazard assessment maps.     

The compatibility of erosion data at different temporal scales

Soil erosion processes have been studied intensively throughout the last decades and rates have been measured at the plot scale as well as at larger scales. However, the relevance of this knowledge for the modelling of long-term landscape evolution remains a topic of considerable debate. Some authors state that measurements of current rates are irrelevant to landscape evolution over a longer time span, as they are inconsistent with some fundamental characteristics of landscapes, such as the fact that the long-term sediment delivery ratio needs to be equal to 1 and that extrapolation of current rates would imply that all soils in Europe should have disappeared by now (e.g. Parsons, A.J., Wainwright, J., Brazier, R.E., Powell, D.M., 2006. Is sediment delivery a fallacy? Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 31, 1325–1328). In this study, we investigate if and to what extent estimates of long-term erosion rates are consistent with information obtained over much shorter time spans for the Loam Belt of Belgium.In a first step, observed short-term and long-term patterns in the Belgian loess area are compared statistically by classifying the study area into landscape element classes and comparing average erosion values per class. This analysis shows that the erosion intensities on the two temporal scales are of the same order of magnitude for each landscape element class. Next, the spatially distributed model WaTEM LT (Water and Tillage Erosion Model Long Term) is calibrated based on the available short-term data by optimising average erosion values for the same landscape element classes. Finally, the calibrated model is used to simulate long-term landform evolution, and is validated using long-term data based on soil profile truncation. We found that the model allows simulating landscape evolution on a millennial time scale using information derived from short-term erosion and deposition data. However, it is important that land use is taken into account for the calibration in order to obtain realistic patterns on a longer time scale. Our analysis shows that, at least for the study area considered, data obtained on erosion and deposition rates over various temporal scales have the same orders of magnitude, thereby demonstrating that measurements of current rates of processes can be highly relevant for interpreting long-term landscape evolution.     

Damage evolution on different scale levels

The patterns of multiple fractures in a localized zone at the notch tip of metallic specimens are studied at different stages of static and cyclic loading. Cumulative number-length distributions of microcracks in the localized zone of fracture and amplitude distribution of acoustic emission signals accompanying the development of fracture are calculated. The influence of metal structure and loading conditions on multiple fracture kinetics is considered.     

北部湾软土吹填场地不同地下水位动力响应研究

为了探究不同地下水位的场地条件下对吹砂填海场地动力响应的影响,以广西北部湾吹砂填海场地为研究对象,基于FLAC3D软件结合前期室内试验结果建立了场地模型,进行了数值模拟分析。在此研究中着重分析地下水位的变化对场地加速度放大系数、加速度反应谱和地震液化效应的影响,为减轻吹砂填海建设场地的震害程度提供参考依据。结果表明:随着地下水位埋深的增加,地表加速度放大系数呈现出逐渐减小的趋势,地震放大作用主要集中在短周期,卓越周期也在短周期处取得;随着地下水位埋深的减小,地震波高频成分被过滤,低频成分被放大,场地特征周期与卓越周期均有增大趋势;地下水位变化对吹填沙土层液化的产生和发展具有显著的影响,随着地下水位的上升,砂土表现出更强的液化效应,并且液化现象随着地震峰值加速度的增大逐渐沿土层深部发展。     

Simulations of accidental coal immersion

Coal is currently becoming an increasingly interesting fossil energy resource and that is the reason why its maritime transport, and hence the risk of collier accidents, increase. In this work, the environmental impact of an accidental coal immersion at sea is studied: the physicochemical effects are estimated using innovative experimental setups – a laboratory seawater canal called “polludrome” is used to evaluate the behaviour of coal particles submitted to a seawater flow, and a specifically designed tub is used to study the physicochemical consequences induced when coal is introduced into continuously renewed seawater. When coal is introduced into seawater, the most easily visible consequences are physical: fine coal particles reduce the daylight penetration up to 100% and move along with the flow, and coal chunks accumulate on the floor. Chemical effects are also measured: humic matters are dissolved from coal into seawater (up to 2 mg L⁻¹), but no release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is evidenced. Some inorganic compounds are dissolved, among which manganese, whose concentrations can reach 1 μg L⁻¹. Fortunately, the results show that the environmental impact of this type of accident would remain limited.     

Scaling features of ambient noise at different levels of local seismic activity: A case study for the Oni seismic station

Investigation of dynamical features of ambient seismic noise is one of the important scientific and practical research challenges. We investigated scaling features of the ambient noises at the Oni seismic station, Georgia, using detrended fluctuation analysis method. Data from this seismic station, located in the epicentral zone of Oni M6.0, 2009, earthquake, were selected to include time periods with different levels of local seismic activity.     

Use of multimetric indices to classify estuaries with different hydromorphological characteristics and different levels of human pressure

The assessment of estuaries based on benthic communities is widely used to determine impacts caused by human pressure and is one of the required tools for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Our study compared multimetric approaches (B-IBI and TICOR) to assess the benthic condition of three Portuguese estuaries (Mondego, Tejo, and Mira rivers) with different levels of natural and human induced stress. Benthic community condition was classified into quality status categories of the WFD and compared for consistency with a priori status categories based upon physical-chemical criteria. Both multimetric indices discriminated equally well between locations classified above or below the good status category but were unable to provide good separation between other quality classes (high/good, moderate, poor/bad). Metrics included in these indices are greatly affected by natural stress and we recommend the development of habitat-specific thresholds to increase the discriminatory ability of any benthic condition index.     

On the divergent character of amplitude curves for different magnitude levels

Pure and Applied Geophysics - The basic principles of the magnitude scales, especially for short epicentral distances, are considered. Theoretical and experimental evidence about the divergent...     

建筑结构不同性能水平失效概率的合理比例关系研究

在基于性能的抗震设计中,为了使结构在整个生命周期内费用达到最小,不仅需要确定各个性能水平的目标失效概率,同时还需要确定不同性能水平目标失效概率之间的合理关系。本文针对这个问题。研究了在结构造价一定的情况下,不同性能水平失效概率的合理比例关系,使得在设计基准期内结构损失达到最小。在本文中,根据我国建筑抗震设计规范的条件,仅考虑“小震不坏”和“大震不倒”两个性能水平。     

The use of multivariate statistics to elucidate patterns of floodplain sedimentation at different spatial scales

Floodplains are depositional features of riverine landscapes that display complex sedimentation patterns that are amenable to multi‐scale approaches. We examined sedimentation in the Lower Balonne floodplain, Queensland, Australia, at three different spatial scales: the channel (10³ km), floodplain process zone (10 km) and geomorphic unit (10² m) scales, and compared scale‐related patterns evident from stratigraphy with those evident from quantitative multivariate analysis. Three stratigraphic sequences were found in the Lower Balonne floodplain: generally fining upward, episodic fining upward, and mud‐dominated. Stratigraphical analysis revealed the detailed character of sedimentary sequences embedded within the scale patterns derived from multivariate analysis. Multivariate statistical analyses of a range of textural and geochemical data revealed different patterns of floodplain sedimentation at each scale. At the channel scale, sediment texture and geochemistry were more heterogeneous in the Culgoa River than in Briarie Creek. At the floodplain process zone scale clear patterns of sediment texture and geochemistry were observed along the upper, mid and lower floodplain process zones of Briarie Creek, but not along the Culgoa River. At the geomorphic unit scale, clear patterns of sediment texture and geochemistry were observed among the bank, buried channel and flat floodplain units of the Culgoa River, but were not as clear in Briarie Creek. Recognition of rivers as hierarchically organized systems is an emerging paradigm in river science. Our study supports this paradigm by demonstrating that different sedimentation patterns occur at different scales to reveal a hierarchically organized floodplain environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

完整岩石在不同尺度上的屈服

对完整岩石力学机制的研究有助于更好地理解与屈服有关的应力-应变关系。屈服准则研究方法包括基于实验数据分析和基于微观力学的研究。屈服数学理论的研究目标是对应力和应变关系的理论描述和对弹塑性界限的识别。本文主要研究完整岩石在不同尺度上的屈服。从Weibull理论可知,岩石强度随尺度增大而减少,这已经通过单轴压缩强度（UCS）的Hoek-Brown方程得到证实。然而,围压能改变岩石强度及屈服。因此,本文利用直径为50mm和96mm的圆柱形砂岩样品在不同围压作用下的压缩实验来研究不同尺度下的岩石屈服,从实验中提取不同尺度下的屈服初始点并描述屈服面,最终给出简单数学形式的屈服准则。     

Sewage impacts coral reefs at multiple levels of ecological organization

Against a backdrop of rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification which pose global threats to coral reefs, excess nutrients and turbidity continue to be significant stressors at regional and local scales. Because interventions usually require local data on pollution impacts, we measured ecological responses to sewage discharges in Surin Marine Park, Thailand. Wastewater disposal significantly increased inorganic nutrients and turbidity levels, and this degradation in water quality resulted in substantial ecological shifts in the form of (i) increased macroalgal density and species richness, (ii) lower cover of hard corals, and (iii) significant declines in fish abundance. Thus, the effects of nutrient pollution and turbidity can cascade across several levels of ecological organization to change key properties of the benthos and fish on coral reefs. Maintenance or restoration of ecological reef health requires improved wastewater management and run-off control for reefs to deliver their valuable ecosystems services.     

The effects of land use at different spatial scales on instream features in agricultural streams

The conversion of forests into agriculture has been identified as a key process for stream homogenization. However, the effects of this conversion can be scale-dependent. In this context, our aim was to identify the influence of different land uses at different spatial scales (catchment, drainage network and local) on instream features in agricultural streams. We defined six classes of land use: native forest, reforestation, herbaceous and shrubs, pasture, sugarcane and other categories. We obtained 22 variables related to instream, riparian area, stream morphology and water physicochemical characteristics in 86 stream reaches. To identify and isolate the effect of different land uses at different spatial scales on instream features, we performed a partial redundancy analysis (p-RDA). Different land uses and scales influenced instream features and defined two stream groups: (i) homogeneous streams with a higher proportion of sand substrate and instream grasses that were associated with the proportion of herbaceous vegetation at the local scale and with pasture at all scales and (ii) heterogeneous streams with a higher physical habitat integrity associated with the proportion of forest and sugarcane at the local and catchment scales. Land use at the catchment scale affected the physicochemical water properties and stream morphology, whereas stream physical habitat (i.e., substrate, instream cover, marginal vegetation and stream physical habitat condition) was mainly influenced by land use at the local scale (i.e., 150 m radius). Pure catchment, drainage network and local land uses explained 9%, 7% and 4%, respectively, of the total variation of instream features. Thus, to be most effective, stream conservation and restoration efforts should not be limited to only one scale.     

不同磁通门经纬仪产出基线值对比分析

选取中国地磁台网中6个地磁台站基线值对比分析.结果表明,两套绝对观测仪器对同一分量所定出的两条基线,在经过墩差和仪器差改正之后,仍不能完全重合,D、H、Z三分量的基线值差值存在明显的起伏变化.初步判断,造成两套仪器基线值差值变化的原因很可能为两仪器所在墩差的变化,也就是说,在同一个观测区的不同点位,地磁场的差值也在不断变化.     

海口ZK26井多层位水温对比观测

在系统清理海口ZK26井3个不同层位(-153 m、-336 m、-510 m)近10年观测资料对比的基础上,对比单井多层位水温动态多年趋势、年、月、日动态类型,并对其不同动态类型的成因及影响因素进行分析.对比观测结果表明,海口ZK26井不同层位的水温表现出不同的正常动态特征,与观测层位的水文条件、水力性质有着密切的联...     

Average density of stratigraphic sequences at Vesuvius and Phlaegraean fields at different heights

In order to measure the density of rocks in the Phlacgraean and Vesuvius edifices, appropriately chosen indirect methods, based on a strict relationship between gravity and density, enabled useful data to be obtained. The data can be related to the particular lithological formations of the above volcanic complexes.