Probabilistic Analysis of Ground Surface Vibration Due to Train Movement, a Case Study on Tehran Metro Line 4

Ground surface vibration produced by moving train is one of the most important aspects in urban areas. The purpose of this study is the probabilistic analysis of ground surface vibration, which is generated by metro transportations. For this reason, Tehran metro line 4 is considered as a case study. In this paper, at first, a new procedure is used to simulate train dynamic load. In the second step, based on the variation of geomechanical properties and train characteristics in Tehran metro line 4, more than 60 numerical models are simulated. The results of numerical simulations are analyzed by multivariate statistical technique and an equation for prediction of peak particle velocity (PPV) in the ground surface is presented. In the next step, probabilistic analysis is done using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Finally, sensitivity of input data on ground surface vibration is discussed and the impact of geomechanical properties and train characteristics on the surface vibration is considered. Based on the probabilistic analysis, PPV in the surface region of Tehran metro line 4 is <2.76?mm/s with 95?% probability.     

Fracture analysis in Tabnak hydrocarbon field of Iran by using fractal geometry and multi-fractal analysis

High gas production from the Dashtak formation of Tabnak hydrocarbon field in Fars province, Iran, indicates the presence of natural fractured reservoir whose production potential is dominated by the structural fracture. The connectivity of fractured media depends upon the power?Claw exponent and the fracture density. Fracture pattern traces obtained from the outcrops of producing formations of six different stations in Tabnak hydrocarbon field. 2D fracture network maps of Tabnak hydrocarbon field have been analyzed from their scaling properties. The fractal analysis of fracture intensity showed heterogeneous multi-fractal structure characterized by generalized dimensions. Distribution of fracture lengths exhibits power?Claw behavior with specific exponent. Scaling laws serve to make extrapolations and to study the fracture connectivity related to scale. Fracture distribution model and reservoir productivity can be estimated, which are of great interest in decision making to optimize gas production.     

Seismic design factors for RC special moment resisting frames in Dubai, UAE

This study investigates the seismic design factors for three reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings with 4, 16 and 32-stories in Dubai, UAE utilizing nonlinear analysis. The buildings are designed according to the response spectrum procedure defined in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC’09). Two ensembles of ground motion records with 10% and 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years (10/50 and 2/50, respectively) are used. The nonlinear dynamic responses to the earthquake records are computed using IDARC-2D. Key seismic design parameters are evaluated; namely, response modification factor (R), deflection amplification factor (Cd), system overstrength factor (Ωo), and response modification factor for ductility (Rd) in addition to inelastic interstory drift. The evaluated seismic design factors are found to significantly depend on the considered ground motion (10/50 versus 2/50). Consequently, resolution to the controversy of Dubai seismicity is urged. The seismic design factors for the 2/50 records show an increase over their counterparts for the 10/50 records in the range of 200%-400%, except for the Ωo factor, which shows a mere 30% increase. Based on the observed trends, period-dependent R and Cd factors are recommended if consistent collapse probability (or collapse prevention performance) in moment frames with varying heights is to be expected.     

Hydrochemistry, mineralogy and chemical fractionation of mine and processing wastes associated with porphyry copper mines: A case study from the Sarcheshmeh mine, SE Iran

The Sarcheshmeh is one of the largest Oligo-Miocene porphyry Cu deposits in the world. Comparative hydrochemical, mineralogical and chemical fractionation associated with mining efflorescence salts and processing wastes of this mine are discussed. Hydrochemical results showed that rock waste dumps, reject wastes and old impoundments of tailings are the main sources of acid mine drainage waters (AMD) that contain potentially toxic metals such as Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn as well as Al. Episodic fluxes of highly contaminated acidic waters were produced in a tailings dam over a short period of time. Secondary soluble minerals provide important controls on the quality of AMD produced, especially in old, dry tailings impoundments. Secondary sulfate minerals such as gypsum, magnesiocopiapite, hydronium jarosite, kornelite and coquimbite were found in rock waste drainages and in old weathered reject wastes. Highly soluble secondary minerals such as gypsum, eriochalcite, and bonattite are also observed in an evaporative layer on old tailings impoundments. Chemical fractionation patterns of potentially toxic elements showed that the geochemical behavior of metals is primarily controlled by the mineralogical composition of waste samples. Elements such as Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn are readily released into the water soluble fraction from efflorescence salts associated with rock waste drainages, as well as from the evaporative layer of old tailings. Potentially toxic elements, such as As, Mo and Pb, are principally adsorbed or co-precipitated with amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides, but they may also be associated with oxidizing, primary sulfides and residual fractions. Following the development of the dammed tailings pond, the secondary minerals were dissolved, producing acidic waters contaminated by Al (154 mg L⁻¹), Cu (150 mg L⁻¹), Cd (0.31 m gL⁻¹), Co (2.13 mg L⁻¹), Mn (73.7 mg L⁻¹), Ni (1.74 mg L⁻¹), Zn (20.3 mg L⁻¹) and Cl (1690 mg L⁻¹). Therefore, the potential use of recycled water from the Sarcheshmenh dammed tailings pond is diminished by the presence of corrosive ions like Cl⁻ in highly acidic fluids that promote corrosion of pipes and pumps in the water recycling system.     

Seasonal Changes in Mayfly Communities and Abundance in Relation to Water Physicochemistry in Two Rivers at Different Elevations in Northern Peninsular Malaysia

A field study was performed at rivers in Gunung Jerai forest reserve(Kedah,Malaysia) to assess seasonal changes in mayfly community structure and abundance in relation to altitude and water physicochemistry.Rivers at lower(Batu Hampar River) and higher(Teroi River) elevations were visited through dry and wet seasons in September 2007 to August 2008.Monthly visits were made to 20 sites on each river,and water and aquatic insects were sampled using D-pond aquatic nets.Water was warmer,more acid,and more turbid in Teroi River during wet season.Ammonia was the only nutrient exhibiting significant seasonal variations(greater during wet season).Chemical oxygen demand content was higher in Teroi River where biochemical oxygen demand content was low during wet season.Species richness was higher in Batu Hampar River,but displayed seasonal variations only in Teroi River.Among the eight families encountered,Baetidae was the commonest.Baetid abundance was usually high during wet season,and those belonging to the dominant genus(Baetis) were more abundant in Teroi River.Heptageniidae was the second commonest family;its predominant genus,Thalerospyrus was more abundant in Teroi River during dry season.Caenidae,Leptophlebiidae and Oligoneuriidae were only found in Batu Hampar River where their abundances peaked during dry season,i.e.,Habrophlebiodes sp.and Isonychia sp.Ephemerellidae and Teloganodidae occurred only in Teroi River,with the first found only during dry season.Mayflies were recorded under very distinct physicochemical conditions,illustrating their potential usefulness for assessing water quality.Caenids,leptophlebids,oligoneurids ephemerellids and teloganodids seem to be particularly sensitive to temperature,acidity,turbidity,chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand,parameters that varied with river altitude.     

The origin of mafic rocks in the Naqadeh intrusive complex, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, NW Iran

The Naqadeh mafic plutonic rocks are located on a plutonic assemblage and include different granitoid rocks related to ～40 Ma. U-Pb SHRIMP data shows different ages of 96?±?2.3 Ma for mafic rocks. Naqadeh mafic plutonic rocks consist of diorite to diorite-gabbros with relatively high contents of incompatible elements, low Na2O, and $ {\hbox{Mg\# }} = \left[ {{\hbox{molar}}\;{100} \times {\hbox{MgO/}}\left( {{\hbox{MgO}} + {\hbox{FeO}}} \right)} \right] > 44.0 $ . These features suggest that the Naqadeh mafic rocks originate from enriched lithospheric mantle above subducted slab during Neotethys subduction under Iranian plate.     

Application of spectrum–area fractal model to identify of geochemical anomalies based on soil data in Kahang porphyry-type Cu deposit,Iran

The aim of this study is to identify geochemical anomalies using power spectrum–area (S–A) method based on the grade values of Cu, Mo and Au in 2709 soil samples collected from Kahang porphyry-type Cu deposit, Central Iran. S–A log–log plots indicated that there are three stages of Cu, Mo and Au enrichment. The third enrichment was considered as the main stage for the presence of Cu, Mo and Au at the concentrations above 416 ppm, 23 ppm and 71 ppb, respectively. Elemental anomalies are positively associated with monzo–granite–diorite and breccias units which are in the central and western parts of the deposit. The anomalies are located within the potassic, phyllic and argillic alteration types and also there is the positive correlation between the anomalies and nearing faults in the studied area. The results obtained via fractal model were interpreted accordingly to incorporate the information for the mineralized areas including detailed geological map, structural analysis and alterations. The results show that S–A multifractal modeling is applicable for anomalies delineation based on soil data.     

Geodynamic setting and emplacement of mylonitic granitoids within the North Golpayegan shear zone,Iran

The metamorphic complex of the North Golpayegan is part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. There are at least three distinct stages of deformation in this complex. Throughout the first stage, Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks have experienced regional metamorphism during Late Jurassic tectonic events related to the subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere under the Iranian microcontinent. During the second deformation stage in the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, the rocks have been mylonitized. The third stage of deformation in the region has led to folding and faulting superimposed on previous structures, and to exhumation of the metamorphic complex. This stage has determined the current morphology and N70E strike of the complex. The mylonitic zones of the second stage of deformation have been formed along the dextral transpressional faults. During the third stage of deformation and exhumation of the metamorphic complex, the mylonitic zones have been uplifted to the surface. The granitoids in the metamorphic complex have been injected along the extensional shear fractures related to the dextral transpressional displacements. The granitoids have been transformed into mylonites within the synthetic or antithetic shear zones. These granitoids are recognized as syncollision type (CCG) and have been formed at the end of orogenic events synchronous to the collision between the Arabian and the Iranian plates at the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene.     

Investigation of NDVI in relation to the growth phases of beech leaves in forest

The main objective of the science of phenology is to identify the time of the occurrence of conspicuous periodic phenomena in plants under the impact of climatic factors. The study of phonologic phenomena through visual observations and terrestrial studies and temperature registration using a thermo hydrometer in different altitudinal levels and using the satellite data of IRS1C/1D LISSIII in twelve 1-ha plots in pure beech stands in the altitudinal range of 500 to 1,200 m above the sea level from April to December was carried out in such a way that for each month, one image of sensor was allocated. The produced vegetation indices were matched with terrestrial observations of the phenology periods in each month in the beech plots. The results show that the increase of the altitude above the sea level functions like latitude and its most remarkable impact is the decreasing of the temperature and the shortening of growing season. The terrestrial observations carried out in the plots show that a sudden increase in the temperature leads to the faster growth and emergence of the leaves. The produced correlation coefficient between the temperature and the emergence of the leaves was (p?=?0.01) r?=?0.87. Moreover, the end of fall in the studied region has a direct and significant relation with temperature. The amount of correlation coefficient between the temperature and end of fall in the studied region is equal to (p?=?0.01) r?=?0.91. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is more related to the growth and nurturing of the leaves. The amount of NDVI during the growth of the leaves, completion of the leaves, and fall of the leaves is equal to 0.35, 0.6, and 0.25, respectively.