Reliability Based Assessment of Shallow Foundations Using Mathcad

A reliability based method was used to design and analyse shallow foundations using first-order Taylor series approximation. The computer program Mathcad was used to facilitate all mathematical and computional efforts. This method is an effective tool to assist the foundation designers and analyists to investigate how reliable their designs or analyses are in relation to the ultimate bearing capacity of the foundations. The approach presented in this paper provides a reliable alternative for design and analysis of shallow foundations, rather than the conventional design methods, which employs the assumptions of a specified saftey factor. Several examples were presented for design and analysis of strip footings embedded in sandy soil, and rectangular and square footings analysis embedded in clayey soils. The program input and output of each example are also presented and discussed.     

REE geochemistry of core sediments of Cauvery delta,India for provenance studies

Acta Geochimica - The rare earth element (REE) geochemical composition of sediments from two cores were used to investigate the provenances of the Late Pleistocene to Holocene sediments of Cauvery...     

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).     

Field test to compare 3D imaging capabilities of three arrays in a site with high resistivity contrast regions

The applicability of three kinds of electrode configurations used to delineate a buried horizontal pipe was studied. A 3D resistivity imaging survey was carried out along eight parallel lines using pole-pole, pole-dipole, and dipole-dipole arrays with 1m minimum electrode spacings. Roll-along measurements were carried out to cover a rectangular grid. The 2D and 3D least squares algorithms based on the robust inversion method were used in the inversion of the apparent resistivity data sets. The 2D inversion of data sets could not delineate the orientation and dimension of the subsurface anomalies clearly. To obtain more accurate results, a 3D joint inversion of the pole-pole and pole-dipole data sets was performed, as well as of pole-pole and dipole-dipole data sets. In this case, both horizontal and vertical dimensions of subsurface structures were resolved. The resulting model obtained from each array was compared to those of joint inversion method. The result showed that the horizontal resolution does not improve so much as that in the vertical direction when joint inversion is applied.     

Statistical landslide susceptibility assessment of the Mansehra and Torghar districts,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province,Pakistan

This paper presents laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of effects of submerged obstacles on tsunami-like solitary wave and its run-up. This study was carried out for the breaking and non-breaking solitary waves on 1:19.85 uniform slope which contains a submerged obstacle. New laboratory experiments are performed to describe the mitigation of tsunami amplitude and run-up under the effect of submerged obstacles. We are based on experimental results obtained to validate the numerical model. The numerical modeling using COULWAVE aims essentially to show the effect of the obstacle on the shape of solitary wave and the limit of this effect. Using a multiple nonlinear regression, we have determined a model to estimate height of run-up according to the amplitude of the wave and the obstacle peak depth.     

D-Dimensional non-singular universe dominated by dark energy

We investigate the late-time dynamics of a four-dimensional universe based on the effective action of a Brans-Dicke scalar field in the presence of the matter source term, conformal coupling of the scalar curvature to the scalar field, a dynamical cosmological constant and Gauss-Bonnet higher-order terms in the scalar curvature. Many new interesting features are revealed and discussed in some details.     

Markov CA,Multi Regression,and Multiple Decision Making for Modeling Historical Changes in Kirkuk City,Iraq

The cellular automata (CA) model is an important tool in land use change studies. Swift increases in population and long-term expectations of rapid urbanization have led to extensive land use change, and normal living conditions have affected the natural resources of the land. This paper highlights and analyzes the historical urban changes in Kirkuk City, Iraq, considering repeated changes undergone by the state such change as government infrastructures, wars, and economic blockade. In this paper, an integrated model, built-in multi regression model, and multi-criteria evaluation were considered to improve the representation of CA transition rules. Environmental and socioeconomic factors were used to produce Suitable Maps (SMs). These SMs were practicalities to create factor layers and weight usage, rating method process for variance expert decision-making groups, and geographic information systems for the periods 1984, 1990, 2000, and 2010. The roots of the equation (R²) values are compared and these values are chosen to produce a good model of suitable maps. The approach used in this study provides a mechanism for monitoring suitability maps in Kirkuk. Furthermore, the model Markov CA is implemented and evaluated. The results indicate that the model, its related concepts performs sufficiency     

A spatio-temporal three-dimensional conceptualization and simulation of Dera Ismail Khan alluvial aquifer in visual MODFLOW: a case study from Pakistan

Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) is situated in the Lower Indus Basin of Pakistan. The land use has been changed in the canal command area due to irrigation activities near the Indus River. To check the current status and predict the groundwater levels in the area, the unconfined aquifer has been simulated in Visual MODFLOW for a period of 35 years, i.e., from 1985 to 2020. The 2900-km² area has been modeled with a grid of 500 by 500 m and the depth set to 100 m. The aquifer in the study area has been divided vertically and laterally into three and ten zones, respectively, for the characterization. Water wells and streams were used as the sinks and hydrologic boundaries, respectively. The model was successfully calibrated in steady and the non-steady state. The simulation revealed that the whole simulation can be divided into two phases, i.e., before and after the construction of the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC), whereas the results were summarized in the form of water table depth maps and groundwater budget calculations. To determine the groundwater sustainability, a conjunctive use scenario has been employed to simulate the aquifer dynamics till 2020. The simulation revealed incremental drawdowns till the end.     

Coronal holes: Mass loss driven by magnetic reconnection

We propose that bubbles of matter ejected from magnetic reconnection sites in polar plumes drive the solar wind in coronal holes.