Emergence of the semi-empirical technique of strong ground motion simulation: A review

High frequency ground motion simulation techniques are powerful tools for designing earthquake resistant structures in seismically active regimes. Simulation techniques also provide the synthetic strong ground motion in the regions where actual records are not available (Kumar et al. 2015).These techniques require several parameters of earthquake and other seismic information proceeding to the simulation. Practically estimation of parameters is a tough task, particularly in a region with limited information. This demands a simulation technique based on the easily estimated parameters for a new site. The purposes of this paper are to briefly review existing simulation techniques and to discuss in detail the new, simple and effective semi-empirical technique (Midorikawa 1993) of strong motion simulation.     

Adaptive time stepping in pseudo-dynamic testing of earthquake driven structures

The problem of assessing errors in implementing time-marching algorithms in the context of pseudo-dynamic seismic testing of structures is considered. These errors occur in implementing the numerical and experimental steps of the test procedure. The study investigates how a linearized variational equation can be augmented with the governing equation of motion to track the effect of the errors, and, accordingly, adjust the step size of integration adaptively to keep a global error norm within specified limits. The governing augmented equations are integrated using an explicit operator splitting scheme. Additional efforts, in terms of evaluation of the tangent stiffness matrix, are shown to become necessary while modelling the errors. Illustrative examples include numerical studies on a set of nonlinear systems and an experimental study on a geometrically nonlinear two-storied building frame. The experimental results from pseudo-dynamic test are shown to compare reasonably well with pertinent results from an effective force test.     

On the Use of Roche Equipotentials in Analysing the Problems of Binary and Rotating Stars

Kopal (Adv. Astron. Astrophys., 9, 1, 1972) introduced the concept of Roche equipotentials to analyse the effects of rotational and tidal distortions in case of stars in binary systems. In this approach a mathematical expression for the potential of a star in a binary system is obtained by approximating its inner structure with Roche model. This expression for the potential has been used in subsequent analysis by various authors to analyse the problems of structures and oscillations of synchronous and nonsynchronus binary stars as well as single rotating stars. Occasionally, doubts have been expressed regarding the validity of the use of this approach for analysing nonsynchronous binaries and rotationally and tidally distorted single stars. In this paper we have tried to clarify these doubts.     

Biofilm Formation by Microorganisms Isolated from Paper Mill Effluent and its Public Health Implications

The microbiological assessment of biofilm formation from paper mill effluent discharged through a pipeline revealed a maximum microbial count for Pseudomonas (5·10⁶ cfu/mL) followed by Staphylococcus (4·10⁶ cfu/mL), Bacillus (8.2·10⁵ cfu/mL), Burkholderia (7.2·10⁵ cfu/mL), Enterobacter (5.3·10⁴ cfu/mL), Acinetobacter (4.1·10³ cfu/mL), Alcaligenes (1.2·10² cfu/mL) and Klebsiella (0.8·10² cfu/mL) species. Among these species, the maximum biofilm formation was observed after 24 h of incubation by Pseudomonas sp. using a crystal violet (CV) assay. This isolate was later identified by 16S rRNA amplification to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa PME1. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of P. aeruginosa PME1 in the biofilm showed a reduction in total carbohydrate content (42%) with increased protein (9.0%), hexosamine (3.0%) and uronic acid (1.7%) content as compared to its planktonic form. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that P. aeruginosa PME1 biofilms were 17, 24, 27, 30, and 32 times more resistant to cefotaxime, imipenem, ceftazidime, tazobactam and piperacillin, respectively, than their free flowing counterparts.     

Variations in the atmospheric electric field at tropical station during 1930–1987

The variations noticed in the atmospheric electric field recorded at Pune (18o32’N, 73o51’E, 559 m ASL), a tropi-cal inland station located in Deccan Plateau, India, during the period 1930-1987, have been examined in relation to the variations observed in the Angstrom turbidity coefficient (β) and selected meteorological parameters. The month-ly and annual mean values of the atmospheric electric field, Angstrom turbidity coefficient (β), rainfall, temperature and relative humidity for the years 1930-1938, 1957-1958, 1964-1965, 1973-1974 and 1987 were considered in the study.The results of the above study indicated gradual increases in the atmospheric electric field over the period of study (1930-1987) which is statistically significant at less than 5% level. The increases noticed during different periods varied from 30 to 109 %. The increase noticed during the period (1930-1938) and (1973-1974) was maximum (109%). The Angstrom turbidity coefficient also showed systematic increases during the period of study, which is consistent. The diurnal curve of the atmospheric electric field at the station by and large, showed a double oscillation, which is generally observed in the continental environments.     

Glauconites from the Late Palaeocene — Early Eocene Naredi Formation,western Kutch and their genetic implications

Glauconitic minerals are considered as one of the valuable input parameters in sequence stratigraphic analysis of a basin. In the present study glauconitic minerals are reported from subtidal green shale facies in the lower part of the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene Naredi Formation of western Kutch. On the basis of the foraminiferal assemblage the glauconite bearing beds are interpreted to have formed in a mid shelf depositional settings of an unstable marine conditions. XRD studies confirm the glauconite mineralogy of the green pellets and provide an estimation of glauconite maturity. Textural attributes of the glauconites confirm their derivation by different degrees of alteration of precursor feldspar grains. Because of the authigenic origin and autochthonous nature, these glauconites hold promise for understanding sequence stratigraphy of the Palaeogene succession of the western Kutch.     

Spatio-temporal shift of western bank of the Ganga river,Allahabad city and its implications

Ganga is one of the largest rivers of the world which supports millions of population on its banks. It is a tectonically controlled Himalayan river which also creates havoc due to perennial floods every year. Like most large river systems, it also shifts its course in the Gangetic plains in space and time. The present study measures the variable shift in a selected flood-prone stretch of the Allahabad city lying on the western bank of the Ganga river, taking into account the historical, annual to monthly data (including pre- and post-monsoon shifts) to show the ongoing changes in the river course with possible causes and futher implications. It also discusses for the first time the down stream effect of the Tehri dam on the Ganga river course after it became functional.     

Mapping of apple orchards using remote sensing techniques in cold desert of Himachal Pradesh,India

The present study was conducted to map Apple orchards in dry alpine Spiti region of Indian Himalaya using LISS III satellite image. The barren terrain with sparse woody vegetation helped in classification of apple orchards with 91.3 % accuracy. The orchards were found in 154.6 ha of the study area and are anticipated to expand owing to its economic importance.     

Internally consistent calibrations for geothermobarometry of high-grade Mg-Al rich rocks in the system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 and their application to sapphirine-spinel granulites of Eastern Ghats, India and Enderby Land, Antarctica

Sixty-three internally consistent geothermobarometers for mineral equilibria involving sapphirine (2:2:1 and 7:9:3), pyrope, cordierite, enstatite, Mg-tschermak orthopyroxene, quartz, spinel and sillimanite have been calibrated in the MAS system. The updated thermodynamic data of these minerals are consistent, within limits of error, with highP-T experiments on several mineral equilibria and calorimetric data. TheP-T conditions of the granulite facies metamorphism, spanning a range of 700 to more than 1000°C and 4 to more than 10 kbar, can be estimated simultaneously from these geothermobarometers andP-T-t trajectories can be deduced from the reaction coronas well preserved in these rocks because of the refractory nature of aluminous phases. The geothermobarometers have been applied to sapphirine-spinel granulites of Eastern Ghats and Enderby Land. TheP-T conditions of metamorphism (a-prograde/thermal peak and b-retrograde isothermal/isobaric decompression/cooling) estimated for these granulites are: (1) Eastern Ghats (Visakhapatnam): Paderu- (a) 900°C/8.3kbar, (b-1) 900°C/6.8kbar and (b-2) 740°C/5.4 kbar; Anantgiri- (a) prograde anticlockwise 930°C/6.2 kbar and (b) 870°C/6.8 kbar, 820°C/6.1 kbar; Anakapalle- (b) 845°C/8.5-6.2 kbar; and Araku- (b) 840°C/6.2 kbar to 795°C/5.9 kbar. Enderby Land (Napier complex): Spot height 945, Tula Mts.- (a) 970°C/9.1 ± 0.6 kbar, isobaric cooling (b) 885°C/ 7.75 kbar, isothermal decompression (b) 880°C/6.85 kbar; Mt. Hardy, Tula Mts.- (b) 885°C/6.75 kbar; Mt. Riiser-Larsen, Amundsen bay- (a) 1000°C/7.0 kbar prograde anticlockwise; Mt. Sones- (b) 920°C/ 6.8 kbar; Forefinger Point, SW Enderby Land- (b) 840°C/6.7 kbar, 810°C/6.5 kbar and 775°C/5.0 kbar. The estimatedP-T andP-T-t are mostly consistent with those inferred from the granulites of these areas.