Seismic fragility functions for code compliant and non-compliant RC SMRF structures in Pakistan

Fragility functions are derived for low-rise code compliant & non-compliant special moment resisting frames (SMRFs). Non-compliant SMRFs those built in low strength concrete and lacking confining ties in joint panel zones, commonly found in developing countries. Shake table tests were performed on single-storey and two-storey 1:3 reduced scale representative frames to understand the damage mechanism and develop deformation-based damage scale. The non-compliant SMRF experienced column flexure cracking, longitudinal bar-slip in beam and observed with cover concrete spalling from the joint panels. The code compliant SMRF experienced flexure cracks in beam/column, and experienced joint cracking under extreme shaking. Numerical modeling technique is developed for inelastic modeling of reinforced concrete frame with beam bar-slip and joint damageability using SeismoStruct. Natural accelerograms were used to analyze the considered frames through incremental dynamic analyses in SeismoStruct. A probabilistic based approach was used to derive fragility functions for the considered frames. An example case study is presented for damageability evaluation of structures for earthquakes of various return periods (43, 72, 475, 2475 years).     

Greenhouse gases abatement by catalytic dry reforming of methane to syngas over samarium oxide-supported cobalt catalyst

Anthropogenic activities often result in the emissions of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) which are the principal components of greenhouse gases. The mitigation of these gases to avert further occurrence of global warming has attracted a lot of research interest. In this study, the potential of greenhouse gases abatement via catalytic CO₂ (dry) reforming of methane to syngas over samarium oxide-supported cobalt (20 wt% Co/80 wt% Sm₂O₃) catalyst was investigated. The 20 wt% Co/80 wt% Sm₂O₃ material was synthesized via wet impregnation method and characterized using different instrument techniques. The methane dry reforming reaction, as well as its kinetics over the catalyst, was studied in a stainless steel fixed-bed continuous flow reactor at feed (CH₄:CO₂) ratios range of 0.1–1.0, temperature range of 923–1023 K and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30,000 h^?1. The 20 wt% Co/80 wt% Sm₂O₃ catalyst showed promising catalytic activity evident from the highest CH₄ and CO₂ conversion of ~71 and ~74% as well as the highest hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) yield of ~62 and ~73%, respectively. Moreover, the methane dry reforming over the 20 wt% Co/80 wt% Sm₂O₃ catalyst produces H₂/CO ratio close to unity hence suitable for use as a chemical intermediate for synthesis of oxygenated fuels. The kinetic data obtained from the methane dry reforming were fitted to power law model. Apparent activation energies of 88.62, 80.12, 108.12 and 100.91 kJ mol^?1 were obtained for CH₄, CO₂, H₂ and CO, respectively. The characterization of the spent 20 wt% Co/80 wt% Sm₂O₃ catalyst after 4 h of time-on-stream has confirmed the presence of amorphous carbon which can easily be gasified.     

Potential of fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis> for toxicity reduction in municipal solid waste leachate

The purpose of this research was to test the ability of selected fungus Trichoderma harzianum for municipal solid waste leachate treatment. The research carried out by inoculating the enzyme produced by T. harzianum with different ratio (10% up to 80% v/v) of solid waste leachate. The findings clearly indicated that the enzymatic addition was effectively acted (86.09% of chemical oxygen demand removed), and the rate of chemical degradation amended treatment enhanced as compared to control. Also, the enzymatic addition excellently reduced the inhibition of germination (35.8 ± 0.7) of seed (Zea mays L.) and improved the environmental quality of treated leachate. Therefore, these results can be use to articulate the preliminary feedstock for pilot to field-scale application.     

Isotopic,mineralogical, and thermobarometric variations of Al-Wahbah crater (Maklaa Tameya), Kishb area,Saudi Arabia

The Cenozoic volcanism of western Saudi Arabia extends from southern Yemen to Jordan northward. They cover an area of nearly 180,000 km². The rocks are dominated by alkali olivine basalts and olivine basalts. Al-Wahbah crater, a part of Harrat Kishb, represents a model occurrence to study the gneisses of these rocks. New mineral chemistry and isotopic data are presented. It aims to follow the isotopic, mineralogical, and thermobarometry variations among these volcanics. Amphiboles of the studied volcanics belong to the monoclinic calcic group. The chemistry of the amphibole crystals shows two ranges of pressure. They are 3.6–5.6 and 0.38–0.78 kbar. The Al_iv values of the amphiboles are in the range of 1.202 and 1.407, indicating corresponding temperature condition of 820–920 and 620–720 °C, respectively. The feldspar of the studied samples has the composition of plagioclase, though some grains have sanidine composition. They are formed in temperature range of 975 and 400 °C. The coexisting amphiboles and plagioclases indicate two sets of pressure and temperature. They are 540–575 °C (3.5–4 kbar) and 510–525 °C (~2 kbar), respectively. Rb–Sr isochron of the whole rock yields an age of 0.867 ± 0.160 Ma with initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ of 0.702 ± 0.00086. The low initial ratio of Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ together with positive values of εNd today implies that the studied volcanics have mantle source. Meanwhile, the present isotopic data suggest extraction of juvenile magma from asthenosphere source. The present study shows that the Al-Wahbah crater rocks belong to Cenozoic basalts and indicate EM-I-like signature.     

Occurrences of damaging earthquakes between the Himachal and Darjeeling Himalayas: Tectonic implications

Detailed analysis of intensity for ten damaging historical earthquakes in the central arcuate belt between the Himachal and Darjeeling Himalayas was carried out in the backdrop of isoseismal eccentricity, source depth and Indian plate obliquity. Results indicate that the elongated axes of the isoseismals and strike of ruptures for shallow earthquakes are almost parallel with strike of the Himalayan arc, and clearly conformable with the obliquity. An empirical power law relationship between eccentricity and focal depth established under the present study illustrates that the deeper events are more influenced by the bending of the penetrating Indian lithosphere, whereas the shallower events are principally controlled by the obliquity. A positive correlation between eccentricities and obliquity obviously supports this inference. The present study further reveals that the constant decrease in Indian plate obliquity from Himachal to Nepal-Bihar Himalaya is well compatible with the graben structures and horizontal shearing along this arcuate segment.     

Integrated petrographic,mineralogical, and geochemical study of the upper Kaimur Group of rocks,Son Valley,India: Implications for provenance,source area weathering and tectonic setting

The upper Kaimur Group (UKG) of the Vindhyan Supergroup in central India, primarily consists of three rock types-Dhandraul sandstone, Scarp sandstone and Bijaigarh shale. The present study aims to reconstruct the parent rock assemblages, their tectonic provenance, mineralogy, weathering intensity, hydraulic sorting and depositional tectonic setting. Samples from the UKG rocks representing the Dhandraul sandstone, Scarp sandstone and Bijaigarh shale were studied using a combination of petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical techniques. Texturally, medium to coarse grained UKG sandstones are mature and moderate to well sorted. Deficiency of feldspars in these sandstones indicates that the rocks are extensively recycled from distant sources. Their average modal composition for Scarp (avg. Qt₉₉ F₀.₂L_0.8) and Dhandraul (avg. Qt₉₉ F_0.1L_0.8) sandstones, classifies them as quartz arenite to sub-litharenite types, which is consistent with geochemical study. Major element concentrations revealed that sandstones have high SiO₂, K₂O < Na₂O, and low Fe₂O₃, which are supported by the modal data. On the other hand, sandstone samples are enriched in most trace elements such as Ce, Sr, V, Sc and Zr and depleted in U and Th. The CIA values (43.17–76.48) of the UKG rocks indicate low to moderate weathering, either of the original source or during transport before deposition, which may have related to low-relief and humid climatic conditions in the source area. Further, petrographic and geochemical interpretations indicate that they are derived from craton interior to quartzose recycled sedimentary rocks and deposited in a passive continental margin. Therefore, granitic and low grade metamorphic rocks of Mahakoshal Group and Chotanagpur granite-gneiss, situated on the southern and south-eastern side of the Vindhyan basin are suggested as possible provenance for the UKG rocks.     

First discovery of fossil winged seeds of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Pinus</Emphasis> L. (family Pinaceae) from the Indian Cenozoic and its palaeobiogeographic significance

The occurrences of Pinus L. (family Pinaceae) megafossils (cones and leaf remains) have been abundantly documented from the Cenozoic sediments of eastern Asia (Japan and China), but none has been confirmed from the Indian Cenozoic till date. Here, we describe Pinus arunachalensis Khan and Bera, sp. nov. on the basis of seed remains from the middle to late Miocene Siwalik sediments of the Dafla Formation exposed around West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalaya. Seeds are winged, broadly oblong to oval in outline, 1.3–1.5 cm long and 0.4–0.6 cm broad (in the middle part), located basipetally and symmetrically to wing, cellular pattern of wing is seemingly undulatory and parallel with the long axis of the wing. So far, this report provides the first ever fossil record of Pinus winged seeds from India. This record suggests that Pinus was an important component of tropical-subtropical evergreen forest in the area during the Miocene and this group subsequently declined from the local vegetation probably because of the gradual intensification of MSI (monsoon index) from the Miocene to the present. We also review the historical phytogeography and highlight the phytogeographic implication of this genus.