Evaluation of the Iranian guideline for deismic rehabilitation of existing buildings

The Iranian Guideline for Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings （GSREB）, which is currently used for vulnerability assessment of existing buildings in Iran, is evaluated in this paper. The vulnerability of sample buildings of a variety stories with special steel moment resisting frames, designed according to the Standard No.2800 requirements, is assessed by GSREB. In the vulnerability assessment, different analysis methods were used and the results, in terms of usage ratio, defined as the ratio of the strength/deformation demand to the corresponding capacity, are compared. Numerical results show that some columns of these buildings do not satisfy the life safety performance criteria in the design hazard level. Moreover, the target displacement estimated by the Displacement Coefficient Method （DCM） is larger than the maximum displacement calculated by nonlinear dynamic analysis.     

Comparison of new individual and hybrid machine learning algorithms for modeling and mapping fire hazard: a supplementary analysis of fire hazard in different counties of Golestan Province in Iran

Natural Hazards - The forest fire hazard mapping using the accurate models in the fire-prone areas has particular importance to predict the future fire occurrence and allocate the resources for...     

海洋工程试验池中风场模拟

在考虑海洋工程装备在极端海况和运行海况下的载荷与受力,风载荷也是一个不可忽视的因素.目前物理模型试验仍是研究海洋工程结构物载荷与运动性能的重要手段,而深海结构物在水平漂移运动较大,如何在较大范围内得到满足试验要求的风场,是提高试验能力的重要问题.应用数值计算方法对大范围的风场模拟进行了分析,并进行了相应的物理实验,在此基础上对海洋工程试验的风场模拟提出了若干建议.     

Convergence-control approach for rock tunnels reinforced by grouted bolts,using the homogenization concept

The scope of this paper is to introduce a method for the analysis of rock tunnels reinforced by grouted bolts, based on the convergence-control approach. The analytical formulations presented in this paper refers to an elasto-plastic behavior of the rock mass and the latest Hoek and Brown yield criterion (Version 2002). In order to model the reinforced plastic zone, the equivalent material approach was taken into account such that the apparent strength of the rock mass is improved as a consequence of the bolting effect. The general design guides and examples presented are intended to facilitate the comprehension and application of the proposed analytical solution in practice.     

Harmonic wave diffraction by two circular cavities in a poroelastic formation

This study investigates the dynamic interaction of time harmonic plane waves with a pair of parallel circular cylindrical cavities of infinite length buried in a boundless porous elastic fluid-saturated medium. The novel features of Biot dynamic theory of poroelasticity along with the appropriate wave field expansions, the pertinent boundary conditions, and the translational addition theorems for cylindrical wave functions are employed to develop a closed-form solution in the form of infinite series. The analytical results are illustrated with numerical examples in which two empty cavities are insonified by a fast compressional or a shear wave at end-on incidence. The basic dynamic field quantities such as the hoop stress amplitude and the radial displacement of the elastic frame are evaluated and discussed for representative values of the parameters characterizing the system. The effects of the proximity of the two cavities, the incident wave frequency and type are examined. Particular attention has been focused on multiple scattering interactions in addition to the slow wave coupling effects which is known to be the primary distinction of the scattering phenomenon in poroelasticity from the classical elastic case. Limiting case involving two empty cylindrical cavities in an elastic solid is considered and excellent agreement with a well-known solution is established.     

Drainage evolution in response to fold growth in the hanging-wall of the Khazar fault, north-eastern Alborz, Iran

The Khazar fault is an active thrust fault in the northern part of the Alborz Range, which is associated with folding (the Khazar anticline) in its hanging‐wall. Regional geological studies indicate activity of the fault in Cenozoic time, and active propagation of the fault‐related folding towards the west. The Neka river drainage basin, which is a longitudinal river flowing mostly in the backlimb of the Khazar anticline, shows evidence for active folding and faulting influencing drainage evolution. Observations are made in different parts of the Neka river course, according to which a new morphotectonic feature is introduced within the river basin, termed as ‘tilted reach’. This feature is considered as a result of river course tilting in the backlimb of the growing fold, diversion, and capture of the river by other rivers. Consecutive episodes of similar events would have resulted in the development of a long drainage basin parallel to the growing fold structure.     

Stage–discharge estimation in straight compound channels using isovel contours

For various hydrological applications such as flood control projects, a knowledge of stage–discharge relationship is of particular interest to river engineers. Stage–discharge curves in compound channels cannot be easily predicted in comparison with single channels due to their 3D characteristics of flow. In this paper, the concept of cross‐sectional isovel contours is used for estimation of stage–discharge curves in compound channels. The multivariate Newton's method is applied to the difference between the observed and estimated data to optimize the exponent values of the governing parameters. The accuracy of the proposed model is tested successfully against available experimental results, which are taken from the Flood Channel Facility (FCF) laboratory. Then the results are compared with the Single and Divided Channel Methods (SCM and DCM, respectively), the Weighted Divided Channel Method (WDCM), the exchange discharge method (EDM), and the Coherence Method (COHM). The average values of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) in discharge estimation based on each referenced section at any level for 6 sections of the experimental cases are within 3.1% and 0.023, respectively. The biggest advantage of the proposed method is its inherent simplicity, which does not need any calibration.     

Numerical simulation of liquefaction in porous media using nonlinear fluid flow law

It is well known that for a sufficiently high seepage velocity, the governing flow law of porous media is nonlinear (J. Computers & Fluids 2010; 39 : 2069–2077). However, this fact has not been considered in the studies of soil‐pore fluid interaction and in conventional soil mechanics. In the present paper, a fully explicit dynamic finite element method is developed for nonlinear Darcy law. The governing equations are expressed for saturated porous media based on the extension of the Biot (J. Appl. Phys. 1941; 12 : 155–164) formulation. The elastoplastic behavior of soil under earthquake loading is simulated using a generalized plasticity theory that is composed of a yield surface along with non‐associated flow rule. Numerical simulations of porous media subjected to horizontal and vertical components of ground motion excitations with different permeability coefficients are carried out; while computed maximum pore water pressure is specially taken into consideration to make the difference between Darcy and non‐Darcy flow regimes tangible. Finally, the effect of non‐Darcy flow on the evaluated liquefaction potential of sand in comparison to conventional Darcy law is examined. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.