Seismic Site Classification and Correlation between Standard Penetration Test N Value and Shear Wave Velocity for Lucknow City in Indo-Gangetic Basin

Subsurface lithology and seismic site classification of Lucknow urban center located in the central part of the Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB) are presented based on detailed shallow subsurface investigations and borehole analysis. These are done by carrying out 47 seismic surface wave tests using multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and 23 boreholes drilled up to 30 m with standard penetration test (SPT) N values. Subsurface lithology profiles drawn from the drilled boreholes show low- to medium-compressibility clay and silty to poorly graded sand available till depth of 30 m. In addition, deeper boreholes (depth >150 m) were collected from the Lucknow Jal Nigam (Water Corporation), Government of Uttar Pradesh to understand deeper subsoil stratification. Deeper boreholes in this paper refer to those with depth over 150 m. These reports show the presence of clay mix with sand and Kankar at some locations till a depth of 150 m, followed by layers of sand, clay, and Kankar up to 400 m. Based on the available details, shallow and deeper cross-sections through Lucknow are presented. Shear wave velocity (SWV) and N-SPT values were measured for the study area using MASW and SPT testing. Measured SWV and N-SPT values for the same locations were found to be comparable. These values were used to estimate 30 m average values of N-SPT (N ₃₀) and SWV (V _s ³⁰ ) for seismic site classification of the study area as per the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil classification system. Based on the NEHRP classification, the entire study area is classified into site class C and D based on V _s ³⁰ and site class D and E based on N ₃₀. The issue of larger amplification during future seismic events is highlighted for a major part of the study area which comes under site class D and E. Also, the mismatch of site classes based on N ₃₀ and V _s ³⁰ raises the question of the suitability of the NEHRP classification system for the study region. Further, 17 sets of SPT and SWV data are used to develop a correlation between N-SPT and SWV. This represents a first attempt of seismic site classification and correlation between N-SPT and SWV in the Indo-Gangetic Basin.     

Estimation of lateral force contribution of boundary elements in steel plate shear wall systems

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are used as lateral force‐resisting systems in new and retrofitted structures in high‐seismic regions. Various international codes recommend the design of SPSWs assuming the entire lateral load to be resisted by the infill plates. Such a design procedure results in significant overstrength leading to uneconomical and inefficient use of materials. This study is focused on the estimation of contribution of boundary elements in resisting the lateral force considering their interaction with the web plates of SPSW systems. Initially, the relative contribution of web plates and boundary frames is computed for a single‐bay single‐story frame with varying rigidity and end connections of boundary elements. Nonlinear static analyses are carried out for the analytical models in OpenSees platform to quantify this contribution. Later, this study is extended to the code‐based designed three‐story, six‐story, and nine‐story SPSWs of varying aspect ratios. Based on the results obtained, a new design procedure is proposed taking the lateral strengths of the boundary frames into account. Nonlinear time‐history analyses are conducted for 40 recorded ground motions representing the design basis earthquake and maximum considered earthquake hazard levels to compare the interstory and residual drift response and yield mechanisms of SPSWs designed as per current practice and the proposed methodology. Finally, an expression has been proposed to predict the lateral force contribution of the infill plate and the boundary frame of SPSWs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of phase chemistry and petrochemical aspects of Samchampi-Samteran differentiated alkaline complex of Mikir Hills,northeastern India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline complex occurs as a plug-like pluton within the Precambrian granite gneisses of Mikir Hills, Assam, northeastern India and it is genetically related to Sylhet Traps. The intrusive complex is marked by dominant development of syenite within which ijolitemelteigite suite of rocks is emplaced with an arcuate outcrop pattern. Inliers of alkali pyroxenite and alkali gabbro occur within this ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks. The pluton is also traversed by younger intrusives of nepheline syenite and carbonatite. Development of sporadic, lumpy magnetite ore bodies is also recorded within the pluton. Petrographic details of the constituent lithomembers of the pluton have been presented following standard nomenclatorial rules. Overall pyroxene compositions range from diopside to aegirine augite while alkali feldspars are typically orthoclase and plagioclase in syenite corresponds to oligoclase species. Phase chemistry of nepheline is suggestive of Na-rich alkaline character of the complex. Biotite compositions are typically restricted to a uniform compositional range and they belong to ‘biotite’ field in the relevant classification scheme. Garnets (developed in syenite and melteigite) typically tend to be Ti-rich andradite, which on a closer scan can be further designated as melanites. Opaque minerals mostly correspond to magnetite. Use of Lindsley’s pyroxene thermometric method suggests an equilibration temperature from ∼450°–600°C for melteigite/alkali gabbro and ∼400°C for syenite. Critical assessment of other thermometric methods reveals a temperature of equilibration of ∼700°–1350°C for ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks in contrast to a relatively lower equilibration temperature of ∼600°C for syenite. Geobarometric data based on pyroxene chemistry yield an equilibration pressure of 5.32–7.72 kb for ijolite, melteigite, alkali pyroxenite, alkali gabbro and nepheline syenite. The dominant syenite member of the intrusive plug records a much higher (∼11 kb) equilibration pressure indicating a deeper level of intrusion. Major oxide variations of constituent lithomembers with respect to differentiation index (D.I.) corroborate a normal magmatic differentiation. A prominent role of liquid immiscibility is envisaged from field geological, petrographic and petrochemical evidences. Tectonic discrimination diagrams involving clinopyroxene chemistry strongly suggest within plate alkaline affinity for the parental magma which is in conformity with the regional plume tectonics.     

Era-interim Forced Simulation of the Indian Summer Monsoon

Abstract

In the present study, mean rainfall for the months of June-July-August-September (JJAS) during summer monsoon is simulated over India and its adjoining regions for a period between 1982 and 2006. The study was carried out using Regional Climate Model (RegCM) version 4.6 at a resolution of 25?km. The simulated mean JJAS monsoon rainfall was validated against the observational IMD data. Comparison of JJAS seasonal mean summer rainfall for the first decade 1982–1991, with the later decade 1997–2006 indicate that the intensity of rainfall increases over Indian land-mass during the later decade under the forced conditions of Era-Interim. The observed JJAS mean rainfall indicates two maximum rainfall areas i.e. the Western Ghats and the Himalayan region. A significant bias is observed in the central and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region. The JJAS mean seasonal surface air temperature distribution at 0.25?×?0.25-degree grids resolution shows a decreasing trend of temperature over the Indian landmass.     

Satellite-based assessment of hailstorm-affected potato crop for insurance purpose

Natural Hazards - This paper aims to identify indicators of community preparedness for disasters and apply these indicators to a critical case study context, namely the local communities in two...     

Model Averaging Techniques for Quantifying Conceptual Model Uncertainty

In recent years a growing understanding has emerged regarding the need to expand the modeling paradigm to include conceptual model uncertainty for groundwater models. Conceptual model uncertainty is typically addressed by formulating alternative model conceptualizations and assessing their relative likelihoods using statistical model averaging approaches. Several model averaging techniques and likelihood measures have been proposed in the recent literature for this purpose with two broad categories—Monte Carlo-based techniques such as Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation or GLUE (Beven and Binley 1992) and criterion-based techniques that use metrics such as the Bayesian and Kashyap Information Criteria (e.g., the Maximum Likelihood Bayesian Model Averaging or MLBMA approach proposed by Neuman 2003) and Akaike Information Criterion-based model averaging (AICMA) (Poeter and Anderson 2005). These different techniques can often lead to significantly different relative model weights and ranks because of differences in the underlying statistical assumptions about the nature of model uncertainty. This paper provides a comparative assessment of the four model averaging techniques (GLUE, MLBMA with KIC, MLBMA with BIC, and AIC-based model averaging) mentioned above for the purpose of quantifying the impacts of model uncertainty on groundwater model predictions. Pros and cons of each model averaging technique are examined from a practitioner's perspective using two groundwater modeling case studies. Recommendations are provided regarding the use of these techniques in groundwater modeling practice.     

Stability analysis of rock slopes along Gangadarshan,Pauri, Garhwal,Uttarakhand

The rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR) has been carried out to classify the slope in terms of slope instability. To understand the RMR and SMR various geostructural, geomorphologic and hydrological parameters of the slopes were measured and analyzed. 32 rock slopes/rock cum debris slopes were identified in the study area. The present RMR and SMR study is an outcome of extensive field study along a stretch of about 10 km on road leading from Srinagar to Pauriarea along Alaknanda valley. The technique followed incorporates the relation between discontinuities and slope along with rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR). The analysis of the 32 studied slopes shows that in the Gangadarshan area out of six rock slope facets, two falls in class II (stable) and four in class IV (unstable). It is significant to note that the slope facets coming under class IV are comprised of active landslide portions. While the slopes under class II show minor failure or old landslide debris.     

Easy to Use Empirical Correlations for Liquefaction and No Liquefaction Conditions

Considerable damages during an earthquake (EQ) are the consequence of in situ soil losing its shear strength which is popularly known as liquefaction. A number of methodologies are available to quantify the safety of a site against liquefaction occurrence. Widely accepted recent methodologies follow iterative process making it cumbersome for the field engineer. In the present work, empirical correlations are proposed in accordance with widely accepted methodology, analysing the effect of various parameters such as overburden pressure, fines content (FC), factor of safety (FOS) etc. These proposed correlations are easy to use for the designers and the field engineers to determine the liquefaction potential of a site. Considering data from 207 global sites, proposed correlations are validated by comparing with standard methodology. Three different graphical validations are presented supporting that the results based on the proposed correlations are closely matching with the standard methodology. In case a site is found susceptible to liquefaction, so far no correlations are available to determine the shear strength required to be achieved after ground improvement which will ensure no liquefaction during future EQ. Proposed correlations in this work can also be used easily to determine improved shear strength required for a known FOS, FC and EQ magnitude (M) from ground improvement. Two flowcharts explaining the use of proposed correlations to determine FOS of a site and improvement shear strength required for a liquefied site from ground improvement respectively are developed in this work. Based on the second flowchart, determination of shear strength required from ground improvement are done for 45 random sites out of 207 liquefied sites during worldwide EQ in this work.