A static predictor of seismic demand on frames based on a post‐elastic deflected shape

Predictors of seismic structural demands (such as inter‐storey drift angles) that are less time‐consuming than nonlinear dynamic analysis have proven useful for structural performance assessment and for design. Luco and Cornell previously proposed a simple predictor that extends the idea of modal superposition (of the first two modes) with the square‐root‐of‐sum‐of‐squares (SRSS) rule by taking a first‐mode inelastic spectral displacement into account. This predictor achieved a significant improvement over simply using the response of an elastic oscillator; however, it cannot capture well large displacements caused by local yielding. A possible improvement of Luco's predictor is discussed in this paper, where it is proposed to consider three enhancements: (i) a post‐elastic first‐mode shape approximated by the deflected shape from a nonlinear static pushover analysis (NSPA) at the step corresponding to the maximum drift of an equivalent inelastic single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) system, (ii) a trilinear backbone curve for the SDOF system, and (iii) the elastic third‐mode response for long‐period buildings. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed predictor is less biased and results in less dispersion than Luco's original predictor. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sequential high-pressure transformations of FeGeO3 high-P clinopyroxene (C 2 /c) at temperatures up to 365 ¯C

 In order to elucidate high-pressure transformations of high-P clinopyroxene (C2/c) at kinetically low temperature where atoms are not thermally activated, the transformation processes of FeGeO₃ clinopyroxene (C2/c) have been investigated at pressures up to 20 GPa and 365 °C by powder X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron radiation source and TEM observation. With increasing pressure up to 20 GPa at room temperature, FeGeO₃ high-P clinopyroxene (C2/c) reversibly transforms into a new high-pressure phase, FeGeO₃(II). On increasing the temperature up to 365 °C, this phase rapidly transforms into FeGeO₃ ilmenite within about 2 h. Intensity analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that the high-pressure phase of FeGeO₃(II) has an intermediate structure between clinopyroxene and ilmenite: the cation arrangement is similar to that of clinopyroxene and the oxygen arrangement is similar to that of ilmenite. The comparison of the crystal structures of these polymorphs suggests that clinopyroxene to FeGeO₃(II) and FeGeO₃(II) to ilmenite transformations are performed by the slight deformation of the oxygen packing and the short-range movement of cations, respectively. It is shown that this high-P clinopyroxene transforms into ilmenite through a low-activation energy path under the low-temperature condition. Received: 30 August 2000 / Accepted: 10 February 2001     

ESR analysis of the Nojima fault gouge, Japan, from the DPRI 500 m borehole

Abstract Electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses of quartz grains in fault gouge were performed for a core sample taken from the Nojima Fault that moved during the 1995 Kobe earthquake (Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake). Distribution of radiation-induced defects in the gouge at a depth of 389.4 m was measured by extracting quartz grains from seven discrete positions within 30 mm of the fault plane on the granite side. The decrease in E'₁ and Al centers was observed within 2 mm of the fault plane, suggesting partial annealing due to faulting. Partial annealing even at that depth suggested that conventional ESR dating, which is based on the hypothesis of complete annealing during faulting, was not applicable. Theoretical calculations of the temperature rise and of the thermal annealing of defects have been made by assuming a simple annealing model of heat generation on the fault plane. Thermal energy was calculated to have been approximately 8 MJ/m² to explain the profile of the heat-affected region. Thermal energy was much larger than the one estimated from hydrothermal solution, and corresponded to the frictional heat calculated for a normal stress of 20 MPa, a displacement of 2 m, and a frictional coefficient of 0.2.     

Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 Gpa

 The charge density and bond character of the rutile-type structure of SiO₂ (stishovite) under compression to 30 GPa were investigated by X-ray diffraction study using synchrotron radiation and AgKα rotating anode X-ray generator through a newly devised diamond-anvil cell. The valence electron density was determined by least-squares refinement including the κ parameter and the electron population in the X-ray atomic scattering parameters. The oxygen κ-parameter of SiO₂ is 0.94 under ambient conditions and 1.11 at 29.1 GPa and the silicon valence changes from +2.12(8) at ambient pressure to +2.26(15) at 29.1 GPa. These values indicate that the electron distributions are more localized with increasing pressure. The difference Fourier map shows the deformation of the valence electron distribution and the bonding electron population in residual electron densities. The bonding electron observed from the X-ray diffraction study is interpreted by molecular orbital calculations. The deformation of SiO₆octahedra and the bonding electron density of stishovite structures are elucidated from the overlapping electron orbits. The O–O distances of shared and unshared edge of SiO₆ octahedra change with the cation ionicity. The repulsive force between the two cations in the adjacent octahedron makes its shared edge shorter. The pressure changes of the apical and equatorial Si–O interatomic distances are explained by the electron density of state (DOS) of Si and electron configuration. Received: 7 January 2002 / Accepted: 6 May 2002     

State of stress within a bending spherical shell and its implications for subducting lithosphere

The state of stress within a bending spherical shell has some special features that are caused by sphericity. While most lithospheres are more like spherical shells than flat plates, our ideas of the state of stress have been dominated by flat-plate models. As a consequence, we might be missing some important aspects of the state of stress within subducting lithospheres. In order to examine this problem, we analyse spherical-shell bending problems from basic equations. We present two approaches to solve spherical-shell bending problems: one by the variational approach, which is suitable for global-scale problems, and the other by the asymptotic equation, which is valid to first order in h/R , where h is the thickness of the lithosphere and R is its curvature radius (i.e. under the assumption of small curvature). The form of the equation for displacement shows that wavelengths of deformation are determined by the spherical (elastic) effect and the gravitational buoyancy effect, for which only the latter effect is included in the usual flat-plate formulations. In the case of the Earth, the buoyancy force is dominant and, consequently, spherical effects are suppressed to a large extent; this explains why flat-plate models have been successful for Earth's lithospheric problems. On the other hand, the state of stress shows interesting spherical effects: while bending (fibre) stress along the subduction zone is always important, bending stress along the trench-strike direction can also be important, in particular when the subduction zone arc is small. Numerical results also indicate that compressive normal stress along the trench-strike direction is important when a subduction zone arc is large. These two stresses, the bending stress and the compressive normal stress, both along the trench-strike direction, may have important implications for intraplate earthquakes at subduction zones.     

Transport mechanism of suspended matter above the shelf slope at the mouth of Tokyo Bay

Transport mechanism of suspended matter above the shelf slope is investigated with the use of the moorings of time-series sediment trap, current meter and nephelometer at three stations at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, Japan during 21 to 25 August 1993. Tidal pump mechanism is effective for the transport of suspended matter at the shelf edge, but the boring-like flood tidal current resuspends the settled suspended matter, on the bottom of shelf slope and the resuspended matter is resulted to be moved upslope in one tidal cycle at 10 m above the bottom of shelf slope.     

Three-year investigations into sperm whale-fall ecosystems in Japan

We report the first study of sperm whale‐fall ecosystems, based on mass sinking of whale carcasses at shelf depths in the northwest Pacific. We conducted three observations over a 2‐year period on replicate sperm‐whale carcasses implanted at depths of 219–254 m off the southern part of Japan from July 2003 to August 2005. The study was made possible by a mass stranding of sperm whales in January 2002, and the subsequent sinking of 12 carcasses in the waters off Cape Nomamisaki. Dense aggregations of unique chemosynthesis‐based fauna had formed around the whale carcasses after 18 months (July 2003). The mytilid mussel Adipicola pacifica was the most abundant macrofaunal species and covered most of the exposed bone surfaces. The general composition of the fauna was similar to that of deep‐water reducing habitats, but none of the species appearing in this study has been found at hydrothermal vents, cold seeps or deep‐water whale falls. A new species of lancelet, which was the first record of the subphylum Cephalochordata from reducing environments, a new species of Osedax; a rarely encountered benthic ctenophore, and a rare gastropod species were discovered at this sperm whale‐fall site. Benthic communities were similar across all the carcasses studied, although the body sizes of the whales were very different. The succession of epifaunal communities was relatively rapid and the sulphophilic stage was considerably shorter than that of other known whale falls.