Comparative study of broadband damage localization methods applied to test data

This application-oriented paper presents comparison of various broadband frequency based structural damage localization indices using experimental data from a full-scale structure known as the I-40 Bridge. First, three ‘damage-sensitive’ response parameters determined in the time and/or spectral domain, modal domain and wavelet domain are presented for damage localization in the context of a ‘non-model-based’ damage identification approach. Secondly, experimental modal data (namely natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal damping) obtained from this full-scale bridge subjected to various damage conditions is employed for assessment of the robustness of these methods on ‘real-world’ applications. Consequently, the results obtained are compared with those obtained from existing resonance frequency based damage identification methods. The results obtained demonstrate the improved capability of the broadband methods to localize damage in a full-scale structure despite sparse modal information and limited measurement grid points.     

Paleostress reconstructions of Jabal Hafit structures,Southeast of Al Ain City,United Arab Emirates (UAE)

This paper presents the first paleostress results obtained from displacement and fracture systems within the Lower Eocene sediments at Jabal Hafit, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE. Detailed investigation of Paleogene structures at Jabal Hafit reveal the existence of both extensional structures (normal faults) and compressional structures (strike-slip and reverse faults). Structural analysis and paleostress reconstructions show that the Paleogene kinematic history is characterized by the succession of four paleostress stages. Orientation of principal stresses was found from fault-slip data using an improved right-dihedra method, followed by rotational optimisation (TENSOR program).The paleostress results confirm four transtensional tectonic stages (T1–T4) which affected the study area. The first tectonic stage (T1) is characterized by S_Hmax NW–SE σ₂-orientation. This stage produced NW–SE striking joints (tension veins) and E–W to ENE–WSW striking dextral strike-slip faults. The proposed age of this stage is Early Eocene. The second stage (T2) had S_Hmax N–S σ₂-orientation. N–S striking joints and NNE–SSW striking sinistral strike-slip faults, E–W striking reverse faults and N–S striking normal faults were created during this stage. The T2 stage is interpreted to be post-Early Eocene in age. The third stage (T3) is characterized by S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation. This stage reactivated the E–W reverse faults as sinistral strike-slip faults and created E–W striking joints and NE–SW reverse faults. The proposed age for T3 is post-Middle Eocene. During the T3 (S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation) stage the NNW-plunging Hafit anticline was formed. The last tectonic stage that affected the study area (T4) is characterized by S_Hmax NE–SW σ₂-orientation. During this stage, the ENE–WSW faults were reactivated as sinistral strike-slip and reverse faults. NE–SW oriented joints were also created during the T4 (S_Hmax NE–SW σ₂-orientation) stage. The interpreted age of this stage is post-Middle Miocene time but younger than T3 (S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation) stage.     

A comprehensive study on the surface chemistry of particulate matter collected from Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

In this work, the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) technique is utilized to analyze the surface chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) which was collected from various locations at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The main elements found on the surface of PM are carbon (C), oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) with combined percentage of 89.4–94.9 while traces of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mg), and sulfur (S) were also present. The analyzed XPS chemical state of C, O and Si was further used to determine their bonding with other elements occurring over the surface of PM. Carbon was found in the form of carbides (18.86%), fluorides (2.39%) and carbonates (78.75%); oxygen was observed as oxides (21.05%) and hydroxides (73.42%) of other metals; and silicon was detected as silicones (12.16%), nitrides (82.53%) and silicates (5.25%). The particle size of a PM is also of great concern for health issues, and thus has been investigated by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was employed for cross verification of detected elements by XPS.     

Radiocarbon dating and the <Superscript>36</Superscript>Cl/Cl evolution of three Great Artesian Basin wells at Dalhousie,South Australia

The use of ¹⁴C (half-life?=?5,730 years) in modeling the evolution of the ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios in groundwater is reported for the first time. The complexity of the Cl–³⁶Cl system due to the occurrence of different Cl and ³⁶Cl sources and the difficulty of the determination of the initial groundwater ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios have raised concerns about the reliability of using ³⁶Cl (half-life?=?301 thousand years, a) as a groundwater-dating tool. This work uses groundwater ¹⁴C age as a calibrating parameter of the Cl–³⁶Cl/Cl decay-mixing models of three wells from the southwestern Great Artesian Basin (GAB), Australia. It aims to allow for the different sources of Cl and ³⁶Cl in the southwestern GAB aquifer. The results show that the initial Cl concentrations range from 245 to 320 mg/l and stable Cl is added to groundwater along flowpaths at rates ranging from 1.4 to 3.5 mg/l/ka. The ³⁶Cl content of the groundwater is assumed to be completely of atmospheric origin. The samples have different Cl–³⁶Cl/Cl mixing-decay models reflecting recharge under different conditions as well as the heterogeneity of the aquifer.     

Core Sediments from Lake Brollus (Bahra el Burullus), Egypt

Nine short cores were taken from different regions of Lake Brollus, an Egyptian large shallow brackish-water Delta lake connected with the Mediterranean Sea. The core samples were subjected to some investigations in order to know the vertical variations in the values of different constituents of the deposits. The variations of water content of the sediments are mainly due to the nature and type of these sediments. An inverse relation was found between the density of wet mud and the water content of some core samples. The sediments of the lower parts of the cores taken from the central region of Lake Brollus were enriched with organic matter and black in color. These black sediments may be remains of dense land vegetation entered into Lake Brollus by drainage and fresh water. They may be also remains of massive plankton organisms which survived for a long period in this lake under favourable conditions. The amounts of diatom-silica estimated from the sediments can be used as a rough indicator for the amounts of diatoms which were found in the lake at the time of deposition. The allochthonous materials, the organic matter, the calcareous substances and the diatomsilica generally were deposited in variable amounts at various depths of the cores. The quantitative distribution of these components in the core sediments was found to depend mainly upon certain factors which were discussed.     

Intraurban variability of PM10 and PM2.5 in an Eastern Mediterranean city

The results of the first large scale chemical characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 at three different sites in the urban city of Beirut, Lebanon, are presented. Between May 2009 and April 2010 a total of 304 PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected by sampling every sixth day at three different sites in Beirut. Observed mass concentrations varied between 19.7 and 521.2 μg m^? 3 for PM10 and between 8.4 and 72.2 μg m^? 3 for PM2.5, respectively. Inorganic concentrations accounted for 29.7–35.6 μg m^? 3 and 46.0–53.5 μg m^? 3 of the total mass of PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Intra-city temporal and spatial variations were assessed based on the study of three factors: correlation coefficients (R) for PM and chemical components, coefficient of divergence (CODs), and source apportionment using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Based on R and COD of PM concentrations, the three sites appear homogeneous. However, when individual elements were compared, heterogeneity among sites was found. This latter was attributed to the variability in the percent contribution of biogenic and local anthropogenic source factors such as traffic related sources and dust resuspension. Other factors included the proximity to the Mediterranean sea, the population density and the topographical structure of the city. Hence, despite its small size (20.8 km²), one PM monitoring site does not reflect an accurate PM level in Beirut.     

Geological structure of the coastal aquifer in the southern part of the Gaza Strip,Palestine

The current study introduces the geological subsurface cross-sections in the southern part of the Gaza Strip to show the structure of the aquifer in the area. The cross-sections give evidence of four subaquifers of the coastal aquifer in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. These cross-sections give the natural reasons for the deterioration of the groundwater in the study area. The results show presence of clay lenses that prevent the replenishment processes of the aquifer of fresh water from the rainfall and returns flow from agricultural activities. Lithological formation was evident as one of the natural causes which accelerate destroying process of the coastal aquifer. The results also show that the structure of the aquifer causes the increase of the groundwater salinity in the Gaza Strip. The cross-sections had shown the shortage of storage capacity of high quantities of fresh water in the coastal aquifer in these areas. The role of lithological formation was evident as one of the natural causes to accelerate the process of destroying the coastal aquifer.     

Delineation of Shallow Subsurface Structure by Azimuthal Resistivity Sounding and Joint Inversion of VES-TEM Data: Case Study near Lake Qaroun, El Fayoum, Egypt

An azimuthal resistivity survey was conducted at the transition zone between the desert area and the cultivated land near Lake Qaroun, Egypt. This area has been affected by an east-west trending fault system as indicated from the surface geology. Apparent resistivity values were plotted along azimuth on a polar diagram. Resistivity anomalies, for most of the AB/2 values with long axes strike in a direction parallel to the contact between the desert and cultivated lands, indicate the presence of electrical macro-anisotropy, mainly due to the faulting effect, at this area. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) measurements were conducted at eight stations along a line that crosses the boundary between the desert and cultivated land. Joint inversion of VES-TEM data was successfully used for identification of the subsurface lithostratigraphic succession and demonstrated the effect of the fault zone on the investigated subsurface medium. Apparent anisotropy coefficients at all current electrode spacings were calculated, plotted against AB/2 values and compared with the geoelectrical cross section. The effect of the fault zone was detected at AB/2 spacings equal to 100 m and extended downward and is largely related to the depth of the fault, as indicated in the constructed cross section.