Development of fragility curves by incorporating new spectral shape indicators and a weighted damage index: case study of steel braced frames in the city of Mashhad,Iran

In this study, strong ground motion record(SGMR) selection based on Eta(η) as a spectral shape indicator has been investigated as applied to steel braced frame structures. A probabilistic seismic hazard disaggregation analysis for the definition of the target Epsilon(ε) and the target Eta(η) values at different hazard levels is presented, taking into account appropriately selected SGMR's. Fragility curves are developed for different limit states corresponding to three representative models of typical steel braced frames having significant irregularities in plan, by means of a weighted damage index. The results show that spectral shape indicators have an important effect on the predicted median structural capacities, and also that the parameter η is a more robust predictor of damage than searching for records with appropriate ε values.     

Effect of seismic waves on the hydro-mechanical properties of fractured rock masses

The transmission of seismic waves in a particular region may influence the hydraulic properties of a rock mass, including permeability, which is one of the most important. To determine the effect of a seismic wave on the hydraulic behavior of a fractured rock mass, systematic numerical modeling was conducted. A number of discrete fracture network(DFN) models with a size of 20 m × 20 m were used as geometrical bases, and a discrete element method(DEM) was employed as a numerical simulation tool. Three different boundary conditions without(Type Ⅰ) and with static(Type Ⅱ) and dynamic(Type Ⅲ) loading were performed on the models, and then their permeability was calculated. The results showed that permeability in Type Ⅲ models was respectively 62.7% and 44.2% higher than in Type I and Type Ⅱ models. This study indicates that seismic waves can affect deep earth, and, according to the results, seismic waves increase the permeability and change the flow rate patterns in a fractured rock mass.     

Strange quark star in dilaton gravity

In this work, we first obtain the hydrostatic equilibrium equation in dilaton gravity. Then, we examine some of the structural characteristics of a strange quark star in dilaton gravity in the context of Einstein gravity. We show that the variations of dilaton parameter do not affect the maximum mass, but variations in the cosmological constant lead to changes in the structural characteristics of the quark star. We investigate the stability of strange quark stars by applying the MIT bag model with dilaton gravity. We also provide limiting values for the dilaton field parameter and cosmological constant. We also study the effects of dilaton gravity on the other properties of a quark star such as the mean density and gravitational redshift.We conclude that the last reported value for the cosmological constant does not affect the maximum mass of a strange quark star.     

Automatic analysis of positional plausibility for points of interest in OpenStreetMap using coexistence patterns

In the past decade, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has emerged as a new source of geographic information, making it a cheap and universal competitor to existing authoritative data sources. The growing popularity of VGI platforms, such as OpenStreetMap (OSM), would trigger malicious activities such as vandalism or spam. Similarly, wrong entries by unexperienced contributors adds to the complexities and directly impact the reliability of such databases. While there are some existing methods and tools for monitoring OSM data quality, there is still a lack of advanced mechanisms for automatic validation. This paper presents a new recommender tool which evaluates the positional plausibility of incoming POI registrations in OSM by generating near real-time validation scores. Similar to machine learning techniques, the tool discovers, stores and reapplies binary distance-based coexistence patterns between one specific POI and its surrounding objects. To clarify the idea, basic concepts about analysing coexistence patterns including design methodology and algorithms are covered in this context. Furthermore, the results of two case studies are presented to demonstrate the analytical power and reliability of the proposed technique. The encouraging results of this new recommendation tool elevates the need for developing reliable quality assurance systems in OSM and other VGI projects.     

Use of Intelligent Methods to Design Effective Pattern Parameters of Mine Blasting to Minimize Flyrock Distance

Flyrock is one of the most important environmental issues in mine blasting, which can affect equipment, people and could cause fatal accidents. Therefore, minimization of this environmental issue of blasting must be considered as the ultimate objective of many rock removal projects. This paper describes a new minimization procedure of flyrock using intelligent approaches, i.e., artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The most effective factors of flyrock were used as model inputs while the output of the system was set as flyrock distance. In the initial stage, an ANN model was constructed and proposed with high degree of accuracy. Then, two different strategies according to ideal and engineering condition designs were considered and implemented using PSO algorithm. The two main parameters of PSO algorithm for optimal design were obtained as 50 for number of particle and 1000 for number of iteration. Flyrock values were reduced in ideal condition to 34 m; while in engineering condition, this value was reduced to 109 m. In addition, an appropriate blasting pattern was proposed. It can be concluded that using the proposed techniques and patterns, flyrock risks in the studied mine can be significantly minimized and controlled.

     

Seismic depth imaging of iron-oxide deposits and their host rocks in the Ludvika mining area of central Sweden

The development of cost-effective and environmentally acceptable geophysical methods for the exploration of mineral resources is a challenging task. Seismic methods have the potential to delineate the mineral deposits at greater depths with sufficiently high resolution. In hardrock environments, which typically host the majority of metallic mineral deposits, seismic depth-imaging workflows are challenged by steeply dipping structures, strong heterogeneity and the related wavefield scattering in the overburden as well as the often limited signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired data. In this study, we have developed a workflow for imaging a major iron-oxide deposit at its accurate position in depth domain while simultaneously characterizing the near-surface glacial overburden including surrounding structures like crossing faults at high resolution. Our workflow has successfully been showcased on a 2D surface seismic legacy data set from the Ludvika mining area in central Sweden acquired in 2016. We applied focusing prestack depth-imaging techniques to obtain a clear and well-resolved image of the mineralization down to over 1000 m depth. In order to account for the shallow low-velocity layer within the depth-imaging algorithm, we carefully derived a migration velocity model through an integrative approach. This comprised the incorporation of the tomographic near-surface model, the extension of the velocities down to the main reflectors based on borehole information and conventional semblance analysis. In the final step, the evaluation and update of the velocities by investigation of common image gathers for the main target reflectors were used. Although for our data set the reflections from the mineralization show a strong coherency and continuity in the seismic section, reflective structures in a hardrock environment are typically less continuous. In order to image the internal structure of the mineralization and decipher the surrounding structures, we applied the concept of reflection image spectroscopy to the data, which allows the imaging of wavelength-specific characteristics within the reflective body. As a result, conjugate crossing faults around the mineralization can directly be imaged in a low-frequency band while the internal structure was obtained within the high-frequency bands.     

Improved structural interpretation of legacy 3D seismic data from Karee platinum mine (South Africa) through the application of novel seismic attributes

Seismic detection of faults, dykes, potholes and iron-rich ultramafic pegmatitic bodies is of great importance to the platinum mining industry, as these structures affect safety and efficiency. The application of conventional seismic attributes (such as instantaneous amplitude, phase and frequency) in the hard-rock environment is more challenging than in soft-rock settings because the geology is often complex, reflections disrupted and the seismic energy strongly scattered. We have developed new seismic attributes that sharpen seismic reflections, enabling additional structural information to be extracted from hard-rock seismic data. The symmetry attribute is based on the invariance of an object with respect to transformations such as rotation and reflection; it is independent of the trace reflection amplitude, and hence a better indicator of the lateral continuity of thin and weak reflections. The reflection-continuity detector attribute is based on the Hilbert transform; it enhances the visibility of the peaks and troughs of the seismic traces, and hence the continuity of weak reflections. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these new seismic attributes by applying them to a legacy 3D seismic data set from the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. These seismic attributes show good detection of deep-seated thin (∼1.5 m thick) platinum ore bodies and their associated complex geological structures (faults, dykes, potholes and iron-rich ultramafic pegmatites). They provide a fast, cost-effective and efficient interpretation tool that, when coupled with horizon-based seismic attributes, can reveal structures not seen in conventional interpretations.     

Efficiency removal of phenol, lead and cadmium by means of UV/TiO2/H2O2 processes

A variety of processes can be used in treatment of industrial wastewaters. The relatively newest of which is photo catalysis with titanium dioxide which may also be used plus hydrogen peroxide to improve the treatment rate. In this study, photo catalysis/ hydrogen peroxide processes had been employed for the removal of phenol, lead and cadmium by three different pHs of 3.5, 7 and 11. The treatment tests were also accomplished without UV irradiation. In both experiments, the variables were pH and concentrations of reagent chemicals, but the detention time was kept constant (180 min). Results indicated that the optimum efficiencies of phenol and Cd removal were 76 % and 97.7 % at pH=11, respectively, and for lead, it was 98.8% in all pHs. In other words, no pH dependency was regarded for lead treatment. These results were all obtained by simultaneous use of UV irradiation with 3 mL/L H₂O₂ and 0.8 g/L TiO₂. Finally, the best pH for treatment, when all the three contaminants are presented is considered to be at 11. These results should be regarded by all industrial treatment plants which have experienced the problem of these three special contaminants in their effluents.     

Coastline change detection using remote sensing

Coast is a unique environment in which atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere contact each other. Coastline is one of the most important linear features on the earth’s surface, which display a dynamic nature. Coastal zone, and its environmental management requires the information about coastlines and their changes. This paper examines the current methods of coastline change detection using satellite images. Based on the advantages and drawbacks of the methods, a new procedure has been developed. The proposed procedure is based on a combination of histogram thresholding and band ratio techniques. The study area of the project is Urmia Lake; the 20^th. largest, and the second hyper saline lake in the world. In order to assess the accuracy of the results, they have been compared with ground truth observations. The accuracy of the extracted coastline has been estimated as 1.3 pixels (pixel size=30 m). Based on this investigation, the area of the lake has been decreased approximately 1040 square kilometers from August 1998 to August 2001. This result has been verified through TOPEX/Posidon satellite information that indicates a height variation of three meters.     

Application of environmental management system — ISO 14001: 1996, in urban environment and municipalities

Application of environmental management system (EMS) in urban environment provides a city with orderliness, regularity, quietness and freshness environment. Besides, it contributes sustainable development and optimization in life level index of the city. If the whole urban districts design and establish an environmental management system ISO 14001, the development will be faster and more sustainable. Municipality of Tehran, District 22 has been found and started an activity under the command of Sterling Council of Iran Urbanization and Architecture in order to regenerate the urbanization concealed concepts and also to control and organize the excessive constructions in west and northwest of Tehran since 2000. As a result of human undergoing development activities, the process of urbanization during many years has caused various environmental impacts. Thus, decision makers and managers considered urban sustainable development as a main strategy. District-22, has taken the required steps in providing sustainable development, safety and health of the organization and citizens in the related district. Environmental policy and commitment of top management (Mayor of the District-22) are to keep environmental conservation, in a well organized manner. In this study, dominant environmental aspects, impacts and legal requirements of the related activities and services are identified. Subsequently, environmental objectives and targets and also environmental management programs have been determined. Besides, training, internal and external communication, operational control, emergency preparedness and responsibility, obligations to follow environmental rules and achieving certification of ISO 14001; 1996 standard are the most important highlights at this study. The planning process, establishing and the method of operation has also been studied.