Development of analytical seismic fragility functions for the common buildings in Iran

Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering - One of the main components for developing regional seismic risk models is the fragility functions of common building types. Due to the differences between the...     

A hydrochemical and dye- tracing investigation in the Posht-e-Naz Karstic Aquifer, Alburz Mountain, Northern Iran

A hydrochemical and tracer study (uranine injection) was conducted in Jurassic limestone of the Posht-e-Naz area in the Alborz belt to evaluate hydraulic relations between a large diameter (about 100 m) sinkhole and springs and aquifer parameters. A main goal of the project was to find out the source of turbidity of the Emarate drinking water supply spring (SP4) in rainy season. Springs discharge were measured and hydrochemical investigation were carried out. The uranine tracer was injected and eight springs, three wells and the Neka River were selected and totally 989 samples in 107 days were collected. Hydrochemical data demonstrated a relative connection between sinkhole (Sh1) and spring (SP4). The results of the tracing by sampling water indicated only a hydraulic connection between Sange- Nou spring (SP8) and injection point, while the charcoal packets analysis revealed tracer exits from spring numbers SP1, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP8, in wells W1 and W2, and in the Neka River. The concentration — time curves of charcoal packets for qualitative analysis and exit tracer for quantitative analysis is also assessed.     

Alluvial aquifer recharge enhanced by a natural dam: feasibility assessment based on multidisciplinary characterization (Khuzestan,Southwest Iran)

In the Kushkak Valley (Khuzestan, Southwest Iran) an anticlinal structure has partially impounded an ephemeral stream. This natural impounded area has been chosen for an artificial recharge site due to its current rate of recharge, capability to store water and favorable situation for the construction of man-made barriers to stream flow. The aquifer to be recharged is the Kushkak unconfined aquifer which consists of medium to coarse-grained alluvial deposits that overlie consolidated conglomerate rock. In this semi-arid area with infrequent relatively heavy falls of rain, alluvial aquifer recharge can be an important process that sustains shallow, over-exploited groundwater bodies. In this investigation a multidisciplinary approach including: hydrometerological studies, and a detailed hydrogeochemical survey, have been carried out. Other essential prerequisite parameters for the scheme were also taken into account to determine the suitability of this location for groundwater artificial recharge. The assessment has brought out that (1) the proposed reservoir will conserve a major part of the water being lost, (2) annual runoff of about 0.27 MCM can be injected into the aquifer through recharge from impounded water, (3) hydrochemical data from surface water and from the Kushkak aquifer water demonstrates that dilution and change in compositional trend in the groundwater proximal to the impounded alluvial bed areas would be expected based on the infiltration capacity of this site, and (4) cost–benefit ratio of the project is 1:2 and it is assumed to recover the investment within six years.     

A critical evaluation of 3D spatial information models for managing legal arrangements of multi-owned developments in Victoria,Australia

Three-dimensional (3D) spatial information models are increasingly being adopted to help communicate the spatial dimensions of complex built environments. Land administration practices in multi-owned developments include the subdivision, registration and management of legal interests associated with private, communal and public properties, which are often located along the vertical dimension. The spatial structure of each legal interest is normally composed of invisible spaces, defined as the inside and outside of multi-owned developments, as well as physically built structures. Additionally, a wide variety of legal boundary types mark out the spatial limits of the individual parts of each legal interest. These legal boundaries are typically delineated by either relying on fixed surveying measurements or referencing physically existent objects. This article provides a critical assessment of 3D spatial information models in terms of their capabilities for modelling legal interests and legal boundaries defined in the Victorian jurisdiction. We classify these models into three categories: purely legal, purely physical and integrated. This assessment provides the basis for developing a new 3D spatial information model, which would subsequently support a pathway towards realising the Victorian land administration system in a 3D digital environment.     

Bibitalkhone and Gariveh Springs paradox symbol of the Pabdeh karstic anticline in southwest Iran

The main discharging sources of the Pabdeh karstic anticline in the southwest of Iran are two closely spaced springs called Bibitalkhone and Gariveh. Both springs have emerged about 200 m apart at the trend of a crushed zone resulted from the hidden Pabdeh thrust fault and a contact with salty-gypsum layers. Although superficially similar geological conditions of these springs, their discharge and water quality are different. The discharge, electrical conductivity (EC), and water type of the Bibitalkhone Spring are more than 2 m³/s, over 1000 μS/cm, and Cl–Na, respectively, while those of Gariveh Spring presented in order are 0.05 m³/s, less than 500 μS/cm, and HCO₃–Ca (Mg). Hydrogeological, hydrochemical, tectonic, geomorphologic, and geophysical data were used to verify these diversities. The results marked that geological and tectonic settings of the area is governing different discharge rates and chemistry of the springs.     

Water resource management in the intermountain Izeh Plain, Southwest of Iran

Ever growing demand for water for agricultural activities in the Izeh Plain has enhanced the use of groundwater. Due to enormous groundwater abstraction since 1985, the overall static water level has receded by more than 5 meters reflecting that the aquifer is under stress condition. As a result, interest is focused on application of artificial recharge as an option for groundwater management to augment water supply in this area. Therefore, in the present investigations, suitable sites for artificial recharge were selected by an integrated surface and sub-surface assessment of the area. On the basis of the data collected from four target points, it was realized that the selected sites for artificial recharge could not meet water demand of the area. In this study attention was also paid to utilization of the existing Miangran Lake water as an alternative to combat water shortage for irrigation. The study further indicated that the available Miangran Lake water could be used for irrigation of the reclaimed agricultural land and enabling to convert 20o0 hectares of rain-fed land into irrigation. The total cost to utilize lake water is US$ 2,756,729 and it was estimated that the project could recoup the investment within 5 years which is quite reasonable in this water scarcity prone area.     

Strategies for improving land delivery for residential development: a case of the north-west metropolitan Melbourne

One of the factors affecting the housing supply is closely linked to the time taken to complete the land development assessment approval. Delays in completing the development process on time often results in difficulties of increasing housing supply. In parallel, housing demand continues to increase with increasing net population in Australian urban areas. This research aims to identify the current issues and challenges of releasing land for housing development in the established suburbs of Melbourne north-west area (involving six local government areas: Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Moreland, Moonee Valley, Hume and Melton). An application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) using the strategic residential potential assessment (SRPA) method is considered. This is designed to improve the method of land administration strategies for housing development. The analysis is set within the context of investigating land preparation processes and their impacts on land availability for housing supply. The research adopts interview techniques to gain insight into the processes of land release through the activities of town planners in the selected local council areas. The proposed SRPA methods are based on a land-use assessment approach that is underpinned by the current residential land-use schemes legislated by the Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure.¹ The results of applying the proposed model reveal the associated spatial pattern of areas with potential for residential development relative to the public transport and public service locations.     

Building Information Modelling for High‐rise Land Administration

Current land administration systems mainly use 2D plans to define and secure ownership rights associated with properties in high‐rise buildings. These 2D plans may not effectively communicate and manage the spatial complexity associated with multi‐layered and stacked properties in such buildings; additionally, multiple pages of plans (representing sections of the building) are required to represent all ownership boundaries. In response, land administration organizations have been investigating a 3D digital approach to managing information about ownership rights in high‐rise building structures. In this article, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is proposed as a feasible approach for managing land and property information in high‐rise buildings. BIM provides a collaborative, digital and intelligent 3D data environment for managing building information throughout the lifecycle of buildings. However, there is currently no capacity in BIM for recording and representing information about ownership and boundaries of properties, which is core land administration information. Therefore, this article proposes an extension to the BIM standard, which is implemented in a prototype BIM model of a complex building to showcase the potential capability of using BIM for high‐rise land administration and for modeling 3D ownership rights.     

Advances in techniques to formulate the watertight concept for cadastre

The world’s rising urban density expansion has resulted in a proliferation of attempts to efficiently use space and a higher level of spatial complexity in metropolitan areas. 3D geospatial data models are increasingly being embraced to facilitate communicating the spatial dimensions of complex built environments in different applications. For example, the use of 3D models in land administration systems has been recognized as a good approach for communicating the spatial complexity of legal spaces within multi‐storey buildings. The spatial extent of legal space—to which rights, restrictions and responsibilities relate in a 3D digital cadastre—needs to be accurately defined and geometrically closed; watertight. Therefore, this study aims to address the challenges regarding checking the closure of diverse 3D legal spaces and engage several techniques to formulate the watertight concept for cadastre. The research’s methodology is built on a 3D polyhedral surface using a half‐edge data structure. A primitive check is employed to assess the spatial consistency of lower‐dimensional primitives of 3D objects. Subsequently, advanced closure checks ensure the closure of volumetric legal spaces represented by 2‐manifold and non‐2‐manifold data models. The article concludes that, by adopting the proposed approaches, the internal spatial consistency of legal spaces in urban land administration will be certified.