Limitations on linear elastic procedures in performance assessment of regular frames

Linear elastic analysis procedures are employed exclusively in the traditional seismic design of new structures and widely employed in the seismic assessment of existing structures. It is also a convenient tool for the initial checking of deformations in displacement‐based design. The limitations that should be imposed on linear elastic procedures have been evaluated in this study by comparing the deformation‐based response quantities obtained from response spectrum analysis with those from the nonlinear time history analysis. Both procedures were applied to different design variants of 5, 8, and 12 story moment frames, subjected to 20 strong motion components exhibiting a variety of intensities. Member plastic rotations and interstory drift ratios were employed as the basic response parameter in performance assessment. It has been found that average column demand to capacity ratio (DCR) (the ratio of flexural demand from linear elastic analysis to flexural capacity) and average beam DCR at the critical story are the most effective parameters in determining the validity range of linear elastic procedures in regular moment frames. Limiting values for these response parameters are proposed. Furthermore, amplification factors for member rotation demands predicted by the linear procedures are suggested for moment frames when these limiting values are exceeded. These factors ensure that the amplified linear elastic rotations are not smaller than 84 percentile (mean – 1sigma) of the rotations obtained from nonlinear time history analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquefaction of silts: the Adapazari criteria

Ground failures in the form of liquefaction, loss of bearing capacity and soil softening have been observed during the 1999 Marmara (Turkey) earthquake. Research to understand the failure phenomena has been carried out since the earthquakes. This paper attempts to provide explanations to the liquefaction failure of silts in seismic conditions. Findings from a large amount of data collected in the city of Adapazari on the physical and mechanical properties of soils is presented. A geomorphological map of the city has shown that there are surprising horizontal and vertical variations of the facies due to the activity of rivers in the past. Cases of liquefaction appear to have concentrated in former backswamp areas where silts and sandy silts were deposited by crevasse splays. Properties of the soils in zones of liquefaction and non-liquefaction have been determined down to a reasonable depth by measuring the average size, clay content and liquidity index as well as cone penetration resistances with porewater pressures to discover that there is significant discrepancy among those profiles susceptible to liquefaction and non-liquefying deposits. A set of “Adapazari Criteria” is proposed which is intended to improve over the “Chinese Criteria” and is simple enough to be universally applicable. This classification is similar to the existing criteria but emphasizes more on the clay content in addition to measuring the liquid limit and the liquidity index as well as the average size.     

Biosorption Kinetics and Isotherm Studies of Cd(II) by Dried Enteromorpha compressa Macroalgae Cells from Aqueous Solutions

For the first time ever, Enteromorpha compressa macroalgae (ECM), which is commonly found in Turkey, has been used as biosorbent by us. This study aims to investigate the biosorption of Cd²⁺ from aqueous solutions in a batch system by using an alga of ECM in different concentrations, pH levels, agitation rates (90–150 rpm), and contact periods. The maximum biosorption capacity of the ECM was found to be 9.50 mg/g at pH 6, Cd²⁺ initial concentration of 10 mg/L and agitation rate 150 rpm. Cadmium removal efficiency was about 95%. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Isotherm parameters for both equations were determined and discussed. The stated biosorption mechanism is explained by the Freundlich isotherm (r² = 0.998) theory. Two simplified kinetic models including a pseudo‐first‐ and second‐order equation were selected to follow the biosorption process. Kinetic parameters; rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and related correlation coefficients, for each kinetic model were calculated and discussed. It was shown that the biosorption of cadmium onto ECM could be described by the pseudo‐second‐order equation (r² > 0.99).     

Adsorption Performance and Mechanism in Binding of Azo Dye by Raw Bentonite

The adsorption behavior of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution onto raw bentonite (RB) sample was investigated as a function of parameters such as pH, inorganic anion, contact time, and temperature. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms. Langmuir adsorption capacity was found to be 34.34 mg/g at pH 4.0. The pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order kinetic, and the intra‐particle diffusion models were used to describe the kinetic data. The values of the energy (E_a), enthalpy (ΔH^≠), and entropy of activation (ΔS^≠) were calculated as 38.62 kJ/mol, 36.04 kJ/mol, and ?150.05 J/mol K, respectively, at pH 4.0.     

Investigation of the nature of slip surface using geochemical analyses and 2-D electrical resistivity tomography: a case study from Lapseki area, NW Turkey

The nature and subsurface structure of the slip surface of a landslide was studied on the basis of geochemical analyses and 2-D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey. Head scarp and lateral slip surfaces of the landslide marked by clear slickensided shear planes were composed of the average amounts of clayey silt (32.5%) and sand (67.5%). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) data revealed the enrichment of Si (23.24%), Fe (12.2%), Al (9.51%) and C (8.34%) in the elemental composition of the disturbed slip surface. From X-ray diffractometry (XRD) data, six main clay types were determined, such as Volkonskoite, Halloysite, Ferrosilite, Saponite, Illite and Nontronite. The ERT survey displayed that the landslide developed as a reactivation on the upper part of an old landslide body.     

Syn-tectonic sedimentary evolution of the Miocene Çatallar Basin,southwestern Turkey

The Çatallar Basin is one of the Miocene basins located in the southern part of the Bey Da?lar? Massif (SW Turkey). This basin has been reinvestigated and new stratigraphic and sedimentological data are now presented. The Çatallar Basin lies in paraconformity on the Bey Da?lar? carbonate platform of Late Cretaceous to Palaeogene age. It consists of an impersistent, shallow-marine carbonate base (Karabay?r formation, Late Oligocene to Early Burdigalian) followed by an onlapping detrital sequence including the Akçay and Ba?beleni formations (Langhian to Serravallian). The Akçay formation mainly contains turbidites in which several debris-flows and olistostromes are intercalated. The lowest debris flows derive from the local carbonate platforms of Cretaceous and Palaeogene age. Higher, the debris flows and olistostromes contain large carbonate blocks deriving from nearby sources (Bey Da?lar? platform carbonates), whereas the accompanying pebbles originate from the allochthonous ophiolitic units located farther to the north (Lycian Nappes) or to the east (Antalya Nappes). The origin of these ophiolitic detritus is a matter of debate. The new data obtained in this study favour a northern origin.     

Water balance and water quality in the Çürüksu basin, western Turkey

The purpose of this study is to determine the hydrological properties, groundwater potential, and water quality of the Çürüksu basin, western Turkey, and to contribute to the efforts of providing an adequate water supply for the city of Denizli. To achieve these objectives, the study consisted of mapping the geology and hydrogeology, determining the water balance, and defining the water quality. The basement rock units in the study area include several impervious metamorphic rock types and Mesozoic karstic limestone, which are overlain by Oligocene fluvial and lacustrine strata, Pliocene travertine and limestone, and Quaternary alluvium. The karstic limestone and the travertine and limestone strata constitute potential aquifers in the Çürüksu basin. The discharge regimes of the 22 springs in the two basins show little change through the year. The flow systems of the springs also have a large storage capacity and drainage occurs very slowly. The discharge of the springs does not appear to be affected immediately by monthly variations in precipitation. According to the water balance, the precipitation in the Çürüksu basin cannot provide all of the measured surface runoff. Excess runoff is 2?m3?s–1 in the Çürüksu basin, and in the adjacent Gökp?nar basin the deficit in surface runoff is also 2?m3?s–1. Thus, the underground catchment area of the springs extends beyond the surface drainage area of the Çürüksu basin. Although the P?narba??, Kazanp?nar, and Böceli springs emerge from the karstic limestone aquifer in the Çürüksu basin, these springs are fed from the adjacent Gökp?nar basin. The spring waters emerging from karstic limestone are fresh, of the calcium bicarbonate type, soft, and potable. The spring waters emerging from the travertine and limestone aquifer are low-temperature, brackish, of the calcium sulfate type, very hard, and not potable but useful for the irrigation. The occurrences of coal strata and hydrothermal activity have caused some deterioration of groundwater quality.     

Extremely red and dusty galaxies

Preliminary results of a project aiming at unveiling the nature ofthe extremely red galaxies (ERGs) found in deep optical-NIR surveys are presented.Very little is known about these objects, the critical issue beingwhether they are old ellipticals at z > 1 or distant star-forminggalaxies strongly reddened by dust extinction.We expect to shed light onto the unknown nature of these galaxiesby completing our three-step project:(1) the construction of two very deep optical/NIR surveys to select ERGs,(2) subsequent VLT/NIR spectroscopy; (3)observations in the smm region with SCUBA at the JCMT and withMPIfRbolo at the IRAM 30m antenna.     

Diverse tectonic settings of formation of the metaigneous rocks in the Jurassic metamorphic accretionary complexes (Refahiye,NE Turkey) and their geodynamic implications

Two isolated metamorphic accretionary complexes of Jurassic age, the Refahiye and Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks, crop out as tectonic slices within the coeval suprasubduction-zone ophiolite at the southern margin of the Eastern Pontides (NE Turkey), close to the ?zmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture. The Refahiye metamorphic rocks are made up of greenschist, marble, serpentinite, phyllite and minor garnet amphibolite, garnet micaschist and metachert. The whole unit was metamorphosed under garnet-amphibolite-facies conditions and strongly retrogressed during exhumation. The Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks consist of subgreenschist-facies metavolcanics, metavolcaniclastics, marble, calc-phyllite, and minor serpentinite and metachert. Metabasites in the Refahiye metamorphic rocks are represented by four distinct geochemical affinities: (i) cumulate “flavor,” (ii) alkaline oceanic island basalt (OIB), (iii) enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) and (iv) tholeiitic island arc basalt (IAB). On the other hand, the Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks display only tholeiitic to calc-alkaline island arc geochemical affinities. The metabasic rocks with OIB affinities were interpreted as parts of the accreted oceanic islands, and those with E-MORB affinities as parts of accreted ridge segments close to oceanic islands and/or plume-distal mid-ocean ridges with a mantle previously metasomatized by plume components. The metabasic rocks with IAB affinities might have been derived from the overlying suprasubduction ophiolite and/or arc domain by a number of tectonic or sedimentary processes including tectonic slicing of accretionary complex and overlying fore-arc ophiolite, juxtaposition of the magmatic arc with subduction zone by strike slip faults, submarine gravity sliding and debris flows or subduction erosion. However, totally recrystallized nature of the metabasic rocks together with field relations does not allow any inference on the processes involved. The Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks might represent collided and accreted oceanic island arc with the subduction zone. Attempted subduction of an intraoceanic island arc may also explain the magmatic lull during Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous in the Eastern Pontides.     

Mobility and Transport of Nd Isotopes in the Vadose Zone During Weathering of Granitic Till in a Boreal Forest

There is a broad correlation between the ε_Nd values for rivers (including both the water and the particulate material it carries) and the age of the source terrain. This paper presents Nd isotope distribution data for soil, soil water, groundwater, and stream water samples gathered in a small catchment in northern Sweden. The results show that the release of Nd and Sm from boreal forests into streams and, eventually, into the oceans is more complicated than previously realized. The weathering of till causes changes in both the Nd isotopic composition and Sm/Nd ratios. Both the Sm/Nd ratio and ε_Nd were higher in strongly weathered soils horizons than in less weathered till, since minerals with high Sm/Nd ratios were, on average, more resistant to weathering than those with low Sm/Nd ratios. In contrast to the situation for the main minerals and the major elements, the weathering of rare earth elements (REE) was not restricted to the E-horizon: the measured REE concentrations continued to increase with depth in the C-horizon. In addition, REE released by weathering in the upper parts of the soil profile were partly secondarily retained at deeper levels. Therefore, the dissolved Nd released by weathering in the upper soil horizons was trapped and did not enter the groundwater directly. Rather, the Nd in the groundwater largely originated from weathering within the groundwater zone. However, this was not the only source of Nd in the stream water. The Nd isotope composition and Sm/Nd ratio were determined by the mixing between of Nd and Sm in the groundwater and REE-carrying organic material washed out of the soil profile. The groundwater close to the stream reaches the upper soil horizons during high discharge events such as snowmelts, and organic matter carrying Nd and Sm is washed out of the soils and thus released into the stream. Therefore, the Nd exported from catchment is derived from both the weathering within the groundwater zone, and the organic matter washed out from the soil. If longer timescales with more advanced weathering stages in the groundwater zone are considered, it cannot be ruled out that there will be a shift towards more radiogenic values in the exported Nd. Recorded shifts in the Nd isotopic composition in the ocean may thus not only reflect changed source regions, but also the weathering history of the same source region.