Effects of pulse period of near‐field ground motions on the seismic demands of soil–MDOF structure systems using mathematical pulse models

In this paper, the effects of pulse period associated with near‐field ground motions on the seismic demands of soil–MDOF structure systems are investigated by using mathematical pulse models. Three non‐dimensional parameters are employed as the crucial parameters, which govern the responses of soil–structure systems: (1) non‐dimensional frequency as the structure‐to‐soil stiffness ratio; (2) aspect ratio of the superstructure; and (3) structural target ductility ratio. The soil beneath the superstructure is simulated on the basis of the Cone model concept. The superstructure is modeled as a nonlinear shear building. Interstory drift ratio is selected as the main engineering demand parameter for soil–structure systems. It is demonstrated that the contribution of higher modes to the response of soil–structure system depends on the pulse‐to‐interacting system period ratio instead of pulse‐to‐fixed‐base structure period ratio. Furthermore, results of the MDOF superstructures demonstrate that increasing structural target ductility ratio results in the first‐mode domination for both fixed‐base structure and soil–structure system. Additionally, increasing non‐dimensional frequency and aspect ratio of the superstructure respectively decrease and increase the structural responses. Moreover, comparison of the equivalent soil–SDOF structure system and the soil–MDOF structure system elucidates that higher‐mode effects are more significant, when soil–structure interaction is taken into account. In general, the effects of fling step and forward directivity pulses on activating higher modes of the superstructure are more sever in soil–structure systems, and in addition, the influences of forward directivity pulses are more considerable than fling step ones. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of basement step/topography on the geometry of the Zagros fold and thrust belt (SW Iran): an analog modeling approach

Systematic analog models are run to study the variation in deformation across basement steps in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. Our model results demonstrate that basement configuration/topography influences the sedimentation thickness and, hence, the kinematics and geometric evolution of the fold and thrust belt. The greater the difference in thickness between the adjacent cover units across a basement step, the sharper and clearer will be the offset of the deformation front. Based on model results, we conclude that in a fold-thrust belt, where basement step/topography is covered by a layer of ductile salt acting as a decollement, the effect of the salt decollement on the evolution of the belt is far greater than the effect of thickness variation of the cover units.     

Displacement fields and finite strains in a sandbox model simulating a fold-thrust-belt

A sandbox model consisting of two adjacent mechanically different decollements (frictional and viscous) loosely simulated the southeastern part of the Zagros fold-thrust-belt. Digital images of the model surface are used to coordinate passive markers on the surface and quantify displacement fields and estimate 2-D finite strains. These analyses show that, mapped in a fixed coordinate system, the deformation front propagates at different rates above the two decollements. Strain analysis of the model surface at different stages of deformation also shows that cumulative strain is more heterogeneous above the viscous decollement where strain domains are separated by fault zones. Maps of displacement fields, finite strain ellipses and dilatation also differ in character above the two decollements. Displacements above a viscous decollement decrease gradually towards the foreland, whereas they decrease sharply in front of the frontal thrust above the frictional decollement. Our analyses also show that the estimated finite strain depends not only on the density of the marker points chosen for the analysis, but also their initial distribution relative to the structures. This comparison shows that marker density limits measuring the actual strains in a heterogeneously deforming fold-thrust-belt and marker density and distribution have a strong impact on the strain analysed in nature. The similarity of our model with nature is examined with recent GPS study in the Zagros fold-thrust-belt (SW Iran) and shows, similar to the model results, that a weak salt decollement causes divergent movement in the sedimentary cover in SE Zagros.     

Specification and prediction of nickel mobilization using artificial intelligence methods

Groundwater and soil pollution from pyrite oxidation, acid mine drainage generation, and release and transport of toxic metals are common environmental problems associated with the mining industry. Nickel is one toxic metal considered to be a key pollutant in some mining setting; to date, its formation mechanism has not yet been fully evaluated. The goals of this study are 1) to describe the process of nickel mobilization in waste dumps by introducing a novel conceptual model, and 2) to predict nickel concentration using two algorithms, namely the support vector machine (SVM) and the general regression neural network (GRNN). The results obtained from this study have shown that considerable amount of nickel concentration can be arrived into the water flow system during the oxidation of pyrite and subsequent Acid Drainage (AMD) generation. It was concluded that pyrite, water, and oxygen are the most important factors for nickel pollution generation while pH condition, SO₄, HCO₃, TDS, EC, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu are measured quantities playing significant role in nickel mobilization. SVM and GRNN have predicted nickel concentration with a high degree of accuracy. Hence, SVM and GRNN can be considered as appropriate tools for environmental risk assessment.     

Biodegradation of phenol from a synthetic aqueous system using acclimatized activated sludge

Phenol is one of the aromatic hydrocarbons. Phenol and its derivatives are highly toxic. These pollutants can be observed in the effluents of many industries. This research investigates the removal of phenol by the use of activated sludge in a batch system. The effects of influencing factors on biodegradation efficiency have been evaluated. The main factors considered in this study were the volume of acclimatized activated sludge inoculation, pH, temperature, and initial concentration of phenol. The inoculation volumes of 1, 3, and 5 mL of acclimatized activated sludge were taken into account. Different pH values of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were examined. The experiments were conducted for temperatures of 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C and initial phenol concentrations of 400, 800, 1,000, and 1,500 ppm. The results show that the acclimatized activated sludge has a high capacity for the removal of phenol. From a 100-mL aqueous solution was removed 1,500 ppm of phenol after 80 h. Furthermore, maximum phenol removal was observed for an inoculation volume of 5 mL for three different phenol concentrations of 100, 400, and 800 ppm. The best pH was 7 for the biodegradation process, and the optimum temperature was 30 °C. It was further found that an increase in the phenol concentration increased its removal time. Moreover, the activated sludge could effectively remove about 99.9 % of phenol from a synthetic aqueous solution in a batch system.     

Response of nonlinear soil‐MDOF structure systems subjected to distinct frequency‐content components of near‐fault ground motions

This paper is devoted to investigate the effects of near‐fault ground motions on the seismic responses of nonlinear MDOF structures considering soil‐structure interaction (SSI). Attempts are made to take into account the effects of different frequency‐content components of near‐fault records including pulse‐type (PT) and high‐frequency (HF) components via adopting an ensemble of 54 near‐fault ground motions. A deep sensitivity analysis is implemented based on the main parameters of the soil‐structure system. The soil is simulated based on the Cone model concept, and the superstructure is idealized as a nonlinear shear building. The results elucidate that SSI has approximately increasing and mitigating effects on structural responses to the PT and HF components, respectively. Also, a threshold period exists above which the HF component governs the structural responses. As the fundamental period of the structure becomes shorter and structural target ductility reduces, the contribution of the HF component to the structural responses increases, elaborately. Soil flexibility makes the threshold period increase, and the effect of the PT component becomes more significant than the HF one. In the case of soil‐structure system, slenderizing the structure also increases this threshold period and causes the PT component to be dominant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two-dimensional numerical finite volume modeling of processes controlling distribution and natural attenuation of BTX in the saturated zone of a simulated semi-confined aquifer

This paper presents a two-dimensional finite volume model to predict multi-species reactive transport processes in the saturated zone of a simulated semi-confined aquifer. A multipurpose commercial software called PHOENICS was used to solve model equations numerically. Capability of the present model was first confirmed using experimental data and the results obtained by a published one-dimensional finite element reactive transport model by other researchers taking different scenarios into consideration. The model was then expanded to a two-dimensional case to simulate reactive transport of BTX compounds with discontinuous source in the saturated zone of the groundwater flow system. In addition to the physical transport processes, the two-dimensional model also incorporates linear and nonlinear adsorption isotherms, first order and Monod kinetics. The two-dimensional model considers both static and dynamics modes into account. The results show that considering chemical reactions during reactive transport of contaminants could successfully predict the contaminated zone. The results of such studies can be used for monitoring of contaminated areas, designing methods to control pollution transport, and minimize its harmful effects on aquifer systems.     

R-mod factor analysis, a popular multivariate statistical technique to evaluate water quality in Khaf-Sangan basin, Mashhad, Northeast of Iran

Water quality data are required in order to compare chemical water analyses and identify water masses. R-mode factor analysis, a popular multivariate statistical tool, has been effectively used for groundwater quality studies. In this paper, the R-mode factor analysis was applied to 50 groundwater samples collected from pumping wells in the Sangan-Khaf basin which is located in the southeast of Mashhad, northeast Iran. The groundwater samples were analysed for chemical parameters. The factor analysis was then performed on the chemical data set. It can be suggested that four factors in R-mode analysis explain more than 94.31% of the total variance. The contribution of each factor at sample points, factor score, was calculated. The spatial distribution of the factor scores for each factor was mapped separately. Since the Sangan iron mine south of the study area probably affects groundwater aquifer, therefore, such studies can be used to manage the groundwater quality in the study area.