High‐pressure phase transitions of α‐quartz under nonhydrostatic dynamic conditions: A reconnaissance study at PETRA III

Hypervelocity collisions of solid bodies occur frequently in the solar system and affect rocks by shock waves and dynamic loading. A range of shock metamorphic effects and high‐pressure polymorphs in rock‐forming minerals are known from meteorites and terrestrial impact craters. Here, we investigate the formation of high‐pressure polymorphs of α‐quartz under dynamic and nonhydrostatic conditions and compare these disequilibrium states with those predicted by phase diagrams derived from static experiments under equilibrium conditions. We create highly dynamic conditions utilizing a mDAC and study the phase transformations in α‐quartz in situ by synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction. Phase transitions of α‐quartz are studied at pressures up to 66.1 and different loading rates. At compression rates between 0.14 and 1.96 GPa s^?1, experiments reveal that α‐quartz is amorphized and partially converted to stishovite between 20.7 GPa and 28.0 GPa. Therefore, coesite is not formed as would be expected from equilibrium conditions. With the increasing compression rate, a slight increase in the transition pressure occurs. The experiments show that dynamic compression causes an instantaneous formation of structures consisting only of SiO₆ octahedra rather than the rearrangement of the SiO₄ tetrahedra to form a coesite. Although shock compression rates are orders of magnitude faster, a similar mechanism could operate in impact events.     

Mineralogical characterization of potential targets for the ASTEX mission scenario

In-situ investigation of asteroids is the next logical step in understanding their exact surface mineralogy, petrology, elemental abundances, particle size distribution, internal structure, and collisional evolution. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) provide us with ample opportunities for in-situ scientific exploration with lower Δv requirements and subsequently lower costs than their main belt counterparts. The ASTEX mission concept aims at surface characterization of two compositionally diverse NEAs, one with primitive and the other with a strong thermally evolved surface mineralogy. Here we present the first results of our ground-based characterization of potential ASTEX mission targets using the SpeX instrument on the NASA IRTF. Of the four potential targets we characterized, two (1991 JW and 1998 PA) have compositions similar to ordinary chondrite mineralogy. The other two targets (1994 CC and 1999 TA10) are thermally evolved objects with igneous formation histories. While 1994 CC is a triplet system and thus very challenging to orbit the V-type NEA, 1999 TA10 is the most interesting scientific ASTEX target identified so far.     

Cu- and Mn-bearing tourmalines from Brazil and Mozambique: crystal structures, chemistry and correlations

Cu- and Mn-bearing tourmalines from Brazil and Mozambique were characterised chemically (EMPA and LA-ICP-MS) and by X-ray single-crystal structure refinement. All these samples are rich in Al, Li and F (fluor-elbaite) and contain significant amounts of CuO (up to ~1.8 wt%) and MnO (up to ~3.5 wt%). Structurally investigated samples show a pronounced positive correlation between the <Y-O> distances and the (Li + Mn²⁺ + Cu + Fe²⁺) content (apfu) at this site with R ² = 0.90. An excellent negative correlation exists between the <Y-O> distances and the Al₂O₃ content (R ² = 0.94). The samples at each locality generally show a strong negative correlation between the X-site vacancies and the (MnO + FeO) content. The Mn content in these tourmalines depends on the availability of Mn, on the formation temperature, as well as on stereochemical constraints. Because of a very weak correlation between MnO and CuO we believe that the Cu content in tourmaline is essentially dependent on the availability of Cu and on stereochemical constraints.     

A deformation-based seismic design method for 3D R/C irregular buildings using inelastic dynamic analysis

A new deformation-based design method concerning 3D reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings is presented, which involves the use of advanced analysis tools, i.e. response-history analysis for appropriately scaled input motions, for multiple levels of earthquake action. The critical issues concerning the inelastic response-history analysis used for the design, namely the definition of the appropriate input, the set up of the analytical model that should account for post-yield behaviour of plastic hinge zones, and the direction of loading, are discussed. The proposed method is based on a partially inelastic model, while the design of structural members is carried out for different performance levels related to their inelastic behaviour. The aforementioned method builds on previous proposals by the first author and his co-workers, nevertheless a new procedure for the design of members that are expected to develop inelastic behaviour for the serviceability earthquake is proposed; its aim is the reduction of member design forces and the a-priori definition of their inelastic performance, by exploiting the deformation limits for the specific performance level, which are related to the damage level of the structural members. The proposed method was applied to irregular multistorey R/C 3D frame buildings with setbacks, and their performance for several levels of earthquake action was assessed using a fully inelastic model and additional ground motions not used at the design phase. The same buildings were designed according to the provisions of Eurocode 8. Comparison of the two methods of seismic design, revealed the advantages of the proposed design method, in particular the more economic detailing of transverse reinforcement in the members that develop very little inelastic behaviour even for very strong earthquakes.     

Changes in Zn speciation during soil formation from Zn-rich limestones

In order to better understand the long-term speciation and fractionation of Zn in soils, we investigated three soils naturally enriched in Zn (237–864 mg/kg Zn) from the weathering of Zn-rich limestones (40–207 mg/kg Zn) using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and sequential extractions. The analysis of bulk EXAFS spectra by linear combination fitting (LCF) indicated that Zn in the oolitic limestones was mainly present as Zn-containing calcite (at site Dornach), Zn-containing goethite (Gurnigel) and Zn-containing goethite and sphalerite (Liestal). Correspondingly, extraction of the powdered rocks with 1 M NH₄-acetate at pH 6.0 mobilized only minor fractions of Zn from the Gurnigel and Liestal limestones (<30%), but most Zn from the Dornach rock (81%). In the Dornach soil, part of the Zn released from the dissolving limestone was subsequently incorporated into pedogenic hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (Zn-HIV, 30%) and Zn-containing kaolinite (30%) and adsorbed or complexed by soil organic and inorganic components (40%). The Gurnigel and Liestal soils contained substantial amounts of Zn-containing goethite (50%) stemming from the parent rock, smaller amounts (20%) of Zn-containing kaolinite (and possibly Zn-HIV), as well as adsorbed or complexed Zn-species (30%). In the soil from Liestal, sphalerite was only found in trace amounts, indicating its dissolution during soil formation. In sequential extractions, large percentages of Zn (55–85%) were extracted in recalcitrant extraction steps, confirming that Zn-HIV, Zn-containing kaolinite and Zn-containing goethite are highly resistant to weathering. These Zn-bearing phases thus represent long-term hosts for Zn in soils over thousands of years. The capability of these phases to immobilize Zn in heavily contaminated soils may however be limited by their uptake capacity (especially HIV and kaolinite) or their abundance in soil.     

The influence of hydrodynamic boundary conditions on characteristics,migration, and associated sand transport of sand dunes in a tidal environment

Large parts of the tidal estuary of river Elbe (Germany) are characterized by regular patterns of sand dunes. They evolve due to complex sand transport mechanisms and show multi-faceted migration patterns, which are influenced by hydrodynamic boundary conditions such as runoff and tidal forces. This study aims at increasing the understanding of the way hydrodynamic boundary conditions influence dune behavior. This is the basis of an effective sediment management as well as an important requirement for planning offshore structures. From a unique data set of up to six annual bathymetrical multibeam soundings between 1995 and 2010, bedform characteristics and migration rates were processed and analyzed with a set of automated methods. The influence of river runoff, water levels, current velocities, tidal range, and river depth on characteristics and migration were tested statistically. The results show that migration is mainly dominated by the incoming flood tide while rates and directions depend on the amount of runoff originating from the inland catchment.     

German research in transport geography: Life in the space between objective analysis and political advice1

Transportation has been a bone of public contention for decades, the discussion ranging from traffic-calming measures in individual streets to the continual growth of global transport movements. In the last 20 years transport topics have also received increased attention within the discipline of geography, be it academic, professional or in schools, but the topics addressed by today's transport geography have almost nothing in common with the roots of the field. This means that transport geography is a handed-down, hyphenated sub-branch of geography in name only. In fact, the name refers to a field of geography that is experiencing not only all the birthing pains and uncertainties of a discipline in the process of defining a new direction for itself, but also the sense of excitement and thrill of the new. This paper sets out to show both the role transport geography plays as part of human geography with its concepts and paradigms, and also the role it plays within the political debate on transport. An appeal is made to geographers to become more involved in this branch of our science.     

Altersbeziehungen zwischen Metamorphosen,mechanischen Deformationen und Intrusionen am Südrand des Rhodope-Massivs (Makedonien,Griechenland)

Zusammenfassung Ausgedehnte Granodiorit- und Granitmagmen intrudierten am Südrand des Rhodope-Massivs (Symvolongebirge und Kavala-Gebiet, Nordgriechenland) syntektonisch in bezug auf eine Formung, die durch überwiegend flach nach NE bis ENE tauchende Faltungs- und Scherungsachsen gekennzeichnet ist (B₂-Tektonik). Die metamorphen Hüllgesteine wurden von der B₂-Tektonik ebenfalls kräftig erfaßt. Ihr älteres Gefüge, das durch mittelsteil nach NNW tauchende B₁-Achsen bestimmt war, kommt daher nur noch reliktisch vor. Der Mineralbestand sowohl der Magmatite als auch ihres metamorphen Rahmens wurde im Zuge der B₂-Tektonik retrograd metamorph umgewandelt.Radiometrische Altersbestimmungen lassen erkennen, daß die magmatischen Gesteine spätestens im Oberkarbon kristallisierten, anschließend jedoch wiederholt aufgewärmt wurden. Das Alter der prämagmatischen Metamorphose der Hüllgesteine und der mit dieser in Zusammenhang stehenden B₁-Tektonik kann demnach nicht jünger als kaledonisch sein.

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Extensive granodioritic and granitic magmas were intruded in the southern margin of the Rhodope-Massif (Symvolon mountains and Kavala region, northern Greece). The intrusions took place syntectonically to a deformation which is characterized by predominantly gently NE to ENE plunging fold- and shear-axes (B₂-folding). The mantling rocks, which have been metamorphosed long before this B₂-folding have an older structure which is characterized by mediumly NNW plunging B₁-axes, visible only in relicts. During the B₂-folding the mineral contents of the igneous rocks and their metamorphic mantling rocks have been metamorphosed retrogressively.Radiometric dating indicates that the crystallization of the magmatic rocks have a minimum age of Upper-Carboniferous, but subsequently these rocks were reheated repeatedly. The age of the premagmatic metamorphism of the mantling rocks and that of the related B₁-foldnig, therefore, cannot be younger than Caledonic.

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Résumé Dans la partie sud du massif du Rhodope (montagnes du Symvolon et région de Kavala, Grèce du Nord) existent de grandes intrusions de magmas granodioritiques et granitiques. Les intrusions eurent lieu syntectoniquement au cours d'une phase de déformation caractérisée par des axes de plis et de cisaillement, généralement à plongement faible vers le NE à ENE (tectonique B₂). Les roches encaissantes, qui furent métamorphisées longtemps avant cette phase de tectonique B₂, ont une structure plus ancienne, caractérisée par des axes B₁ plongeant moyennement vers le NNW. Cette structure est reconnaissable seulement dans des parties réiduelles. Durant la tectonique B₂ les roches éruptives et les roches encaissantes métamorphisées subirent un métamorphisme rétrograde.Des datations radiométriques indiquent, pour la cristallisation des roches magmatiques, au minimum un âge Carbonifère supérieur. Dans la suite ces roches furent réchauffées â plusieures reprises. Le métamorphisme plus ancien des roches encaissantes et la tectonique B₁ associée à ce métamorphisme ne peuvent donc pas Être plus récents que l'époque calédonienne.

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Rhodope ( Symrolon Kavala, ) - . , , , , NE ENE (B₂- ). ₂. , B₁ NNW, . , , . , , , , . , - B₁ .

     

Inelastic dynamic analysis of RC bridges accounting for spatial variability of ground motion,site effects and soil–structure interaction phenomena. Part 2: Parametric study

The methodology for dealing with spatial variability of ground motion, site effects and soil–structure interaction phenomena in the context of inelastic dynamic analysis of bridge structures, and the associated analytical tools established and validated in a companion paper are used herein for a detailed parametric analysis, aiming to evaluate the importance of the above effects in seismic design. For a total of 20 bridge structures differing in terms of structural type (fundamental period, symmetry, regularity, abutment conditions, pier‐to‐deck connections), dimensions (span and overall length), and ground motion characteristics (earthquake frequency content and direction of excitation), the dynamic response corresponding to nine levels of increasing analysis complexity was calculated and compared with the ‘standard’ case of a fixed base, uniformly excited, elastic structure for which site effects were totally ignored. It is concluded that the dynamic response of RC bridges is indeed strongly affected by the coupling of the above phenomena that may adversely affect displacements and/or action effects under certain circumstances. Evidence is also presented that some bridge types are relatively more sensitive to the above phenomena, hence a more refined analysis approach should be considered in their case. Copyright @ 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.