Frequency response functions for arch dams: Hydrodynamic and foundation flexibility effects

The linear response of a selected arch dam to harmonic upstream, cross-stream or vertical ground motion is presented for a wide range of the important system parameters characterizing the properties of the dam, impounded water, reservoir boundary materials and foundation rock. Based on these frequency response functions, the hydrodynamic and foundation flexibility effects in the dynamic response of arch dams are investigated.     

Effect of photoelectric emission on blunt probe conductivity measurements in the stratosphere

Two identical planar blunt probes of stainless steel material, biased with a bipolar ramp voltage, are used to measure the stratospheric polar conductivities to altitudes of 34 km. One probe (DP) is mounted closer to the gondola, looking downwards and shielded from sunlight, while the other (SP) is mounted looking sideways, away from the gondola. The daytime observations of positive ions in the 29–34 km altitude range with SP, and of negative ions at 34 km with DP, show photoelectric contaminations induced by solar UV radiations in the 190–230 nm band. These contaminations are found to be due to photoemissions from the SP probe steel surface and from the carbon paint that coats the surface of the gondola, respectively. It is found that, a segment of the photocurrent contaminated I–V curve, recorded with SP at higher negative probe potentials, is linear, and it can give the ambient positive polar conductivity.     

Evaluation of three‐dimensional modal pushover analysis for unsymmetric‐plan buildings subjected to two components of ground motion

The accuracy of the three‐dimensional modal pushover analysis (MPA) procedure in estimating seismic demands for unsymmetric‐plan buildings due to two horizontal components of ground motion, simultaneously, is evaluated. Eight low‐and medium‐rise structures were considered. Four intended to represent older buildings were designed according to the 1985 Uniform Building Code, whereas four other designs intended to represent newer buildings were based on the 2006 International Building Code. The median seismic demands for these buildings to 39 two‐component ground motions, scaled to two intensity levels, were computed by MPA and nonlinear response history analysis (RHA), and then compared. Even for these ground motions that deform the buildings significantly into the inelastic range, MPA offers sufficient degree of accuracy. It is demonstrated that PMPA, a variant of the MPA procedure, for nonlinear systems is almost as accurate as the well‐known standard response spectrum analysis procedure is for linear systems. Thus, for practical applications, the PMPA procedure offers an attractive alternative to nonlinear RHA, whereby seismic demands can be estimated directly from the (elastic) design spectrum. In contrast, the nonlinear static procedure specified in the ASCE/SEI 41‐06 Standard is demonstrated to grossly underestimate seismic demands for some of the unsymmetric‐plan buildings considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Holocene (~ 2 ka) East Asian Monsoon variations inferred from river discharge and climate interrelationships in the Pearl River Estuary

A sediment core from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) was analyzed for grain size and organic geochemistry parameters (TOC and δ¹³C_org). The results showed that high mean grain-size value and increased sand content were correlated with the high TOC and negative δ¹³C_org. These results indicated high river runoff in the PRE area. Peak river discharge occurred during the periods 1900–1750, 1500–1600, 1400–1200, 1000–900 and 750–600 cal yr BP. The main changes recorded in grain-size distributions, TOC contents, and δ¹³C_org variations appear to be directly related to monsoon precipitation in the sediment source area. An increased East Asian summer monsoon rainfall (EASM) and/or an enhanced East Asian winter monsoon rainfall could result in the increasing of monsoon rainfall. Typhoon related rainfalls could act as positive influence on precipitation levels. The study of the correlations between the rainfall records and ENSO activities revealed a close relationship between the monsoon rainfall in the PRE and the tropical Pacific variations. The frequent occurrence of ENSO might result in the southern migration of the EASM rain belt and lead to more typhoon-derived rainfall in the PRD during the late Holocene.     

Robe’s restricted problem of 2+2 bodies when the bigger primary is a Roche ellipsoid and the smaller primary is an oblate body

In this problem, one of the primaries of mass m ₁ is a Roche ellipsoid filled with a homogeneous incompressible fluid of density ρ ₁. The smaller primary of mass m ₂ is an oblate body outside the Ellipsoid. The third and the fourth bodies (of mass m ₃ and m ₄ respectively) are small solid spheres of density ρ ₃ and ρ ₄ respectively inside the Ellipsoid, with the assumption that the mass and the radius of the third and the fourth body are infinitesimal. We assume that m ₂ is describing a circle around m ₁. The masses m ₃ and m ₄ mutually attract each other, do not influence the motions of m ₁ and m ₂ but are influenced by them. We have extended the Robe’s restricted three-body problem to 2+2 body problem under the assumption that the fluid body assumes the shape of the Roche ellipsoid (Chandrashekhar in Ellipsoidal figures of equilibrium, Chap. 8, Dover, New York, 1987). We have taken into consideration all the three components of the pressure field in deriving the expression for the buoyancy force viz (i) due to the own gravitational field of the fluid (ii) that originating in the attraction of m ₂ (iii) that arising from the centrifugal force. In this paper, equilibrium solutions of m ₃ and m ₄ and their linear stability are analyzed. We have proved that there exist only six equilibrium solutions of the system, provided they lie within the Roche ellipsoid. In a system where the primaries are considered as Earth-Moon and m ₃,m ₄ as submarines, the equilibrium solutions of m ₃ and m ₄ respectively when the displacement is given in the direction of x ₁-axis or x ₂-axis are unstable.     

Estimation of site amplification functions in Gujarat region, India

Site response in the Gujarat region is studied using local earthquake data recorded at 32 sites spread all over Gujarat region, India. Out of these 32 sites, 15 sites are located in Kachchh region, 8 in Saurashtra and 9 in mainland Gujarat region. These sites are underlain by different types of rocks/sediments of different ages. Out of 32 stations, 7 stations are on Quaternary deposits, 6 on Tertiary, 11 on Deccan, 3 on Jurassic, 3 on Cretaceous and 2 on Proterozoic rocks. The predominant frequencies at these sites depend strongly on the local geology. The average predominant frequencies of the sites on Quaternary sediments are 2.4?Hz, 5.3?Hz on Tertiary, 7.5?Hz on Jurassic, 7.2?Hz on Deccan, 4.6?Hz on Cretaceous and 7.5?Hz on Proterozoic formations. The average site amplification values at predominant frequencies are 3.7 for the sites of Quaternary deposits, 3.3 for Tertiary, 3.3 for Cretaceous rock, 4.2 for Deccan trap, 4.1 for Jurassic sites and 4.6 for Proterozoic. The damage to the houses during 2001 Bhuj earthquake is compared with the amplification at predominant frequencies at those sites. The spatial variation of predominant frequencies and the site amplifications at different frequencies corresponding to the natural frequencies of different storey buildings are studied, which will be useful in the evaluation of seismic hazard in the region.     

Characterisation and quality assessment of groundwater with a special emphasis on irrigation utility: Thirumanimuttar sub-basin, Tamil Nadu, India

Thirumanimuttar sub-basin is of particular importance in the study of groundwater quality due to the release of effluents from industries, agricultural, sewage and urban runoff, brining considerable change in water quality. An investigation was carried out by collecting a total of 194 groundwater samples for two seasons to decipher hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality for determining its suitability for agricultural purposes. The water is neutral to alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 6.78 to 9.22 with an average of 7.37. Higher electrical conductivity (EC) was noted in NW and mid-downstream parts of the study area. Higher NO ₃ ^? was observed during post-monsoon (POM) due to the action of leaching and anthropogenic process. The piper plot reveals the dominance of Na⁺?CCl^? and Na⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? , mixed Ca²⁺?CNa⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? , mixed Ca²⁺?CMg²⁺?CHCO ₃ ^? and Ca²⁺?CSO ₄ ^? types of hydrogeochemical facies. Higher total hardness in the groundwater is due to the effect of dyeing and bleaching industries discharging effluents affects the quality of water. Residual Sodium Carbonate value indicates 56% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation purposes in both seasons. Higher sodium percentage is noted during PRM indicating the dominance of ion exchange and weathering. Higher sodium adsorption ratio was observed during POM indicating the effect of leaching and dissolution of salts into the aquifer matrix. USSL plot indicates 15% of samples record high salinity to medium sodicity. The Permeability Index indicates water is moderate to good for irrigation purposes. In general, groundwater in the study area is influenced by both natural and anthropogenic activities.     

Estimation of Strong Ground Motion from a Great Earthquake Mw 8.5 in Central Seismic Gap Region, Himalaya (India) Using Empirical Green’s Function Technique

In the present study ground motions for a Mw 8.5 scenario earthquake are estimated at 13 sites in Kumaun-Garhwal region using the empirical Green’s function technique. The recordings of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake of Mw 6.8 at these sites are used as an element earthquake. A heterogeneous source model consisting of two asperities is considered for simulating the ground motions. The entire central seismic gap (CSG) can expect acceleration in excess of 100 cm/s² with NW portion in excess of 400 cm/s² and SE between 100 and 200 cm/s². The central portion can expect peak ground acceleration (PGA) between 200 and 400 cm/s². It has been observed from simulation of strong ground motion that sites located near the rupture initiation point can expect accelerations in excess of 1g. In the present analysis, Bhatwari and Uttarkashi can expect ground accelerations in excess of 1g. The estimates of the PGA are compared with earlier studies in the same region using different methodologies and it was found that the results are comparable. This has put constrains on the expected PGAs in this region. The obtained PGA values can be used in identifying the vulnerable areas in the central Himalaya, thereby facilitating the planning, design and construction of new structures and strengthening of the existing structures in the region.