List of papers from other journals

List of papers from other journals     

Seismic characterization of shallow bedrock sites with multimodal Monte Carlo inversion of surface wave data

Sites with a limited overburden over a stiff basement are of particular relevance for seismic site response. The characterization of such stratigraphies by means of surface wave methods poses some difficulties in interpretation. Indeed the presence of sharp seismic contrasts between the sediments and the shallow bedrock is likely to cause a relevance of higher modes in the surface wave apparent dispersion curve, which must be properly taken into account in order to provide reliable results. In this study a Monte Carlo algorithm based on a multimodal misfit function has been used for the inversion of experimental dispersion curves. Case histories related to the characterization of stations of the Italian accelerometric network are reported. Spectral ratios and amplification functions associated to each site are moreover evaluated to provide an independent benchmark test. The results show the robustness of the inversion method in such non-trivial conditions and the possibility of getting an estimate of uncertainty related to solution non-uniqueness.     

Application of a GIS-aided method for the assessment of volcaniclastic soil sliding susceptibility to sample areas of Campania (Southern Italy)

A significant part of Campania is extensively covered by volcaniclastic soils, deriving from the alteration of airfall-sedimented formations of layered ashes and pumices that were ejected by Campi Flegrei and Mt. Somma–Vesuvius during explosive eruptions. Where such soils cover steep slopes cut in carbonate bedrock, landforms depend essentially on the morpho-evolution of such slopes prior to the deposition of the volcaniclastic soils, because these are generally present only as thin veneers, up to a few meters of total thickness. Historical records and local literature testify that, in this part of Campania, landslides that originate on carbonate slopes covered by such soils and terminate at their foot or at gully outlets are frequent, following critical rainfall events. Such landslides can be classified as complex, occurring initially as debris slides, but rapidly evolving into debris avalanches and/or debris flows. The localization of the initial sliding areas (i.e. “sources”) on the slopes depends on both the spatial distribution of characters of the soil cover and the spatial distribution of the triggering rainfall events. It therefore appears reasonable to separate the two aspects of the problem and focus on the former one, in order to attempt an assessment of soil sliding susceptibility in the event of landslide-triggering rainfall. In this paper, some results of the application of a method aimed at such an assessment are presented. The method, called SLIDE (from SLiding Initiation areas DEtection), is based on the concept that, for a spatially homogeneous soil cover and a spatially homogeneous landslide-triggering rainfall sequence, different values of threshold slope gradient for limit equilibrium conditions exist, depending on morphological characters of the soil cover, such as its continuity and planform curvature. The method is based on the assessment of (1) soil cover presence, (2) discontinuities within soil cover, (3) slope gradients and curvature, by means of good resolution DEMs. It has been applied to sample carbonate slopes of Campania, where landslides originated either repeatedly or recently. Results are encouraging, and a soil sliding susceptibility map of a large area, based on a simplified version of method, is also presented.     

New stratigraphic and sedimentological investigations on the Middle Eocene–Early Miocene continental successions in southwestern Sardinia (Italy): Paleogeographic and geodynamic implications

In SW Sardinia, the continental Tertiary successions referred up to now to the Cixerri Fm. (Middle Eocene–Lower Oligocene?) have been investigated. Sedimentological analysis suggests these deposits lied down in fluvial environments and comprised between distal braided streams passing eastward to meandering streams/coastal environments (?) under sub-arid climates. The scrutinization of the Cixerri Fm. westernmost successions allowed one to split locally the upper from the lower part based on sedimentological and mineralogical features and indirect dating. Unfortunately, this separation cannot be set everywhere. The few upper outcrops plainly evidenced and well-constrained have been newly named Flumentepido Fm. and assigned to Late Oligocene–Early Miocene: they figure out alluvial fans and proximal braided rivers. This way, the SW Sardinia Tertiary continental sedimentation extends its persistence, contemporaneously changing its tectostratigraphic meaning: from a molassoid context related to the Pyrenean wedge dismantling (Eocene–Oligocene) to a rift-margin succession connected with the opening of the Algero-Provençal back-arc basin due to the Apennine subduction in Oligocene–Miocene times.     

3D GIS Supporting Underground Urbanisation in the City of Turin (Italy)

This paper introduces a 3D geological and geotechnical model of the subsoil of the city of Turin managed by means of a Geographical Information System (GIS). The 3D GIS of the subsoil of Turin represents a useful decision-support tool in the underground management for engineering purposes and it’s here proposed as base geological elaborate to support future underground work in the city. In the final part of the paper, an application of the information coming from the 3D model is shown to define the characteristics of the optimal excavation machines (the type and disposition of tools on the head and the necessary engine power) for the future developments of the Underground Metro System.     

Experimental investigation on sea ripple evolution over sloping beaches

This paper reports on a wave flume experimental campaign carried out to investigate the appearance, the growth and the migration of small scale bedforms on a sloping sandy bed due to both regular and random waves. A Vectrino Profiler along with a structured light approach were used for velocity and morphodynamic measurements at two positions, one located above the horizontal bed, and the other one above the sloping beach. The velocity was computed by phase averaging the velocity measurements. Several velocity profiles were analyzed, identifying an offshore-directed steady current that extends from few centimeters above the bottom for all the analyzed water column. Ripple geometry was measured by a structured light approach and compared with that predicted by several models to shed light on the effects induced by the sloping beach on the shape and asymmetry. Along the sloping beach, the ripples appeared strongly asymmetric with the onshore half wavelengths smaller than the offshore ones. Finally, ripple geometry and migration triggered by regular waves were compared with those generated by random waves with comparable flow orbital amplitude showing a good agreement.     

Turbulence-induced steady streaming in an oscillating boundary layer: On the reliability of turbulence closure models

The accuracy of several closure models of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Equations in predicting the characteristics of an oscillating turbulent wall boundary layer is analyzed. The analysis involves four low Reynolds number k − ε models and a k − ω model and it is carried out by comparing the model results both with experimental data and with data obtained by a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of the Navier–Stokes equations. The boundary layer is generated by a spatially constant time-oscillating pressure gradient given by the sum of two harmonic components characterized by angular frequencies Ω^∗ and 2Ω^∗ respectively, which generates a steady streaming because of the asymmetry of turbulence intensity during the cycle. Thus the results are relevant to the boundary layer at the bottom of nonlinear sea waves. The attention is therefore focused on the accuracy of the models in reproducing the period averaged profiles of the hydrodynamic characteristics of the steady streaming. The instantaneous quantities, such as time development of the wall shear stress, profiles of the streamwise velocity, Reynolds stresses and turbulent kinetic energy are also considered and analyzed. The results shows that a model can be judged better or worse than other models depending on the specific flow characteristic under investigation. However, an approach has been adopted which allowed to rank the models according to their accuracy in predicting the values of the hydrodynamic quantities involved in the present study.     

Geostatistical Modeling of a Heterogeneous Site Bordering the Venice Lagoon,Italy

Geostatistical methods are well suited for analyzing the local and spatial uncertainties that accompany the modeling of highly heterogeneous three-dimensional (3D) geological architectures. The spatial modeling of 3D hydrogeological architectures is crucial for polluted site characterization, in regards to both groundwater modeling and planning remediation procedures. From this perspective, the polluted site of Porto Marghera, located on the periphery of the Venice lagoon, represents an interesting example. For this site, the available dense spatial sampling network, with 769 boreholes over an area of 6 km², allows us to evaluate the high geological heterogeneity by means of indicator kriging and sequential indicator simulation. We show that geostatistical methodologies and ad hoc post processing of geostatistical analysis results allow us to effectively analyze the high hydrogeological heterogeneity of the studied site.     

Non-uniqueness in surface-wave inversion and consequences on seismic site response analyses

Surface-wave tests are based on the solution of an inverse problem for shear-wave velocity profile identification from the experimentally measured dispersion curve. The main criticisms for these testing methodologies are related to the inverse problem solution and arise from the possible equivalence of different shear-wave velocity profiles. In this paper, some implications of solution non-uniqueness for seismic response studies are investigated using both numerical simulations and experimental data. A Monte Carlo approach for the inversion problem has been used to obtain a set of equivalent shear-wave velocity models. This selection is based on a statistical test which takes into account both data uncertainty and model parameterization. This set of solutions (i.e., soil profiles) is then used to evaluate the seismic response with a conventional one-dimensional analysis. It is shown that equivalent profiles with respect to surface-wave testing are equivalent also with respect to site amplification, thus countering the criticism related to inversion uncertainty for the engineering use of surface-wave tests.