Effect of non‐moment braced frame seismic deformations on buckling‐restrained brace end connection behavior: Theoretical analysis and subassemblage tests

In‐plane buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) end rotation induced by frame action is a commonly observed phenomenon in buckling‐restrained braced frames (BRBFs). However, its effect on BRB end connection behavior has not yet been clear. In this study, four BRB end deformation modes for quick determination of end rotational demand are proposed for non‐moment BRBF considering different BRB arrangements, installing story of BRBs, and boundary condition of corner gussets connected with column base. Key factors affecting BRB end rotation and flexural moments are examined theoretically by parametric analysis. Subassemblage tests of seven BRB specimens under horizontal cyclic loading were conducted by adopting two loading frames to impose the expected BRB end deformations. It shows that BRB end rotation subjected BRB ends to significant flexural moments, leading to premature yielding of BRB ends or even tendency of end zone buckling. The deformation modes, the flexural rigidity of BRB ends, and the initial geometric imperfections of BRBs were found to have significant influence on BRB end connection behavior. The triggering moment induced by BRB end rotation was the main contributor to end flexural moment. However, the moment amplification effect induced by flexure of BRB end zones became prominent especially for small flexural rigidity of BRB ends. Implications and future research needs for design of BRB end connections are provided finally based on the theoretical and experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ordovician integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

In this chapter, starting with a brief review of the research history and current status in the studies of the Ordovician chronostratigraphy in China, the subdivision of the Ordovician System, definition and recognition of its series and stage boundaries, and possible stratigraphic gaps are discussed in details in order to establish a multidisciplinary stratigraphic correlation through an integrated approach including lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, chemostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy. Being internationally accepted, the Ordovician System is now subdivided into three series and seven stages, in ascending order, Lower(Tremadocian, Floian), Middle(Dapingian, Darriwilian) and Upper series(Sandbian, Katian,Hirnantian). Three of the seven "Golden Spikes" defining the bases of the Ordovician stages, which were established in 1997–2007, are located in China. As a regionally applied chronostratigraphy, the Ordovician System was subdivided in China into Lower(Xinchangian, Yiyangian), Middle(Dapingian, Darriwilian) and Upper series(Neichiashanian, Chientangkiangian,Hirnantian). This scheme agrees largely with the standard international classification, which can actually be directly applied to China, except for some special circumstances where the Neichiashanian and Chientangkiangian stages of the Upper Ordovician are used. Based on the new studies in recent years and distinctions and differences recognized in the development of the Ordovician System in the constituent terranes of China, a new framework for correlation among the major Chinese palaeoplates or terranes, e.g. South China, North China(including Tarim and Qaidam) and Xizang(Tibet)-western Yunnan, has been established. However, it has been recognized herein that uncertainties still remain on defining the base of the Tremadocian,Dapingian and Katian, and on the correlation between different mega-facies. More specifically, for the Tremadocian, the precise correlation of its base will depend on the better-defined conodont taxonomy, while for the Dapingian and Katian, on the correlation between different mega-facies. It is worthwhile to note that the chemostratigraphic studies of the Ordovician System in China produced the carbonate δ13 C curves for the Darriwilian(Middle Ordovician) and Katian(Upper Ordovician), which show significant differences from the composite global curve. Record of the Ordovician isotopic dating is relatively rare in China, with only three reliable ages from zircons that are all from the upper Katian to Hirnantian of the Upper Ordovician.Abundant bentonite beds in the Upper Ordovician of South China will also provide unique opportunities to advance the isotopic dating and related researches. Studies on the Ordovician magnetostratigraphy need to be significantly enhanced in China, as currently all the available results are restricted to the Lower Ordovician of North China, although they can be correlated with those known from other parts of the world. The analysis of the durational unevenness of the seven stages in the Ordovician supports the possibility to further subdivide the long-durational Tremadocian, Darriwilian and Katian stages, each into two substages.     

高强度模拟酸雨量对珠三角地区潮土中重金属元素释放的影响

采用平均离子强度下30年雨量的模拟酸雨淋滤珠江三角洲潮土,电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定重金属元素,研究潮土0~90 cm处各节土壤柱中重金属镉、钴、铜、锌、铅、砷、钛、钒、铬、锰等元素的释放情况。研究表明,在高强度模拟酸雨淋滤下,潮土中重金属元素的释放情况存在较大差异。长期的酸雨淋滤,土壤中的镉、钴、铜、锌和铅在不同深度均有不同程度的淋失;砷、钛、钒、铬、锰等元素不会造成大量的淋失。利用这种差异可以评估重金属元素对环境的潜在影响,为农田生态系统的预警预测提供依据。     

北京地区震磁观测研究

旨地探索研究地震预报而开展的北京地区地磁观测，在震磁前兆研究与地震预测试验方面都获得了可喜的进展，本文分析了１９９０－１９９５年北京及其西部地区的地磁观测资料，研究了地磁异常信息，预测了地震活动趋势，提出了今后应加强监测与研究的区域。     

Super resolution for astronomical observations

In order to obtain detailed information from multiple telescope observations a general blind super-resolution (SR) reconstruction approach for astronomical images is proposed in this paper. A pixel-reliability-based SR reconstruction algorithm is described and implemented, where the developed process incorporates flat field correction, automatic star searching and centering, iterative star matching, and sub-pixel image registration. Images captured by the 1-m telescope at Yunnan Observatory are used to test the proposed technique. The results of these experiments indicate that, following SR reconstruction, faint stars are more distinct, bright stars have sharper profiles, and the backgrounds have higher details; thus these results benefit from the high-precision star centering and image registration provided by the developed method. Application of the proposed approach not only provides more opportunities for new discoveries from astronomical image sequences, but will also contribute to enhancing the capabilities of most spatial or ground-based telescopes.     

Mechanical properties of calcareous silts in a hydraulic fill island-reef

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics of calcareous silt interlayers play an important role in the stability of island-reef foundations. Direct shear and consolidation tests were performed to study the relationship between the mechanical properties and the physical parameters of calcareous silt. Based on the consolidation test results and analysis of the settling examples, different calculation methods for soil settling were compared. The results show the following. (1) The relationship between the cohesion and water content of calcareous silt can be represented by an M-shaped curve. The water contents corresponding to the two peaks of the M-type curve increase with increasing dry density. (2) When the dry density is less than 1.33?g/cm³, increasing the density significantly improves the internal friction angle of calcareous silts. When the dry density of the calcareous silt is greater than 1.33?g/cm³, the internal friction angle is affected by both the dry density and the water content. (3) The shear strength decreases when the water content exceeds the optimum level. (4) The compressive modulus of calcareous silt is larger than that of terrigenous silt. Specifically, it decreases with decreasing dry density and increasing water content. (5) The stepwise loading method should be used to estimate the soil settling before fill engineering construction.     

Effects of the seasonal variation in chlorophyll concentration on sea surface temperature in the global ocean

The effects of biological heating on the upper-ocean temperature of the global ocean are investigated using two ocean-only experiments forced by prescribed atmospheric fields during 1990–2007, on with fixed constant chlorophyll concentration, and the other with seasonally varying chlorophyll concentration. Although the existence of high chlorophyll concentrations can trap solar radiation in the upper layer and warm the surface, cooling sea surface temperature (SST) can be seen in some regions and seasons. Seventeen regions are selected and classified according to their dynamic processes, and the cooling mechanisms are investigated through heat budget analysis. The chlorophyll-induced SST variation is dependent on the variation in chlorophyll concentration and net surface heat flux and on such dynamic ocean processes as mixing, upwelling and advection. The mixed layer depth is also an important factor determining the effect. The chlorophyll-induced SST warming appears in most regions during the local spring to autumn when the mixed layer is shallow, e.g., low latitudes without upwelling and the mid-latitudes. Chlorophyll-induced SST cooling appears in regions experiencing strong upwelling, e.g., the western Arabian Sea, west coast of North Africa, South Africa and South America, the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and strong mixing (with deep mixed layer depth), e.g., the mid-latitudes in winter.     

林甸M S 5.1地震前地震活动图像分析和综合预报方法

通过对黑龙江亚板块及其临近区域的不同时段地震活动图像研究分析,发现了中强震前地震活动图像的一些特点,再回归到地震动力学环境中去,建立了理论解释模型和两条判据假说。以此为基础并结合近年来地震活动图像综合分析后,我们在2005年下半年黑龙江省地震趋势会商意见中提出:松嫩盆地是5级以上中强震的主要孕震区。2005年7月25日林甸Ms 5．1地震对此给予了验证。本文对此过程阐述并作进一步分析,希望这种综合预报方法对地震预报工作有所帮助。     

Reconstruction of paleocoastlines for the northwestern South China Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum

The range of relative sea level rise in the northwestern South China Sea since the Last Glacial Maximum was over 100 m. As a result, lowland regions including the Northeast Vietnam coast, Beibu Gulf, and South China coast experienced an evolution from land to sea. Based on the principle of reconstructing paleogeography and using recent digital elevation model, relative sea level curves, and sediment accumulation data, this paper presents a series of paleogeographic scenarios back to 20 cal. ka BP for the northwestern South China Sea. The scenarios demonstrate the entire process of coastline changes for the area of interest. During the late glacial period from 20 to 15 cal. ka BP, coastline slowly retreated, causing a land loss of only 1×10⁴ km², and thus the land-sea distribution remained nearly unchanged. Later in 15–10 cal. ka BP coastline rapidly retreated and area of land loss was up to 24×10⁴km², causing lowlands around Northeast Vietnam and South China soon to be underwater. Coastline retreat continued quite rapidly during the early Holocene. From 10 to 6 cal. ka BP land area had decreased by 9×10⁴km², and during that process the Qiongzhou Strait completely opened up. Since the mid Holocene, main controls on coastline change are from vertical crustal movements and sedimentation. Transgression was surpassed by regression, resulting in a land accretion of about 10×10⁴km². Supported by Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. MSGL0711), the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 04001309) and Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. MGE2007KG04)     

青海玛多7.4级地震极震区震灾调查及分析

2021年5月22日2时4分,青海省玛多县发生7.4级地震,距震中26 km的野马滩大桥及周边区域为此次地震极震区（地震烈度Ⅹ度,面积约69 km2）,受损尤为严重。桥梁表现为落梁式破坏,房屋不同程度受损。对极震区内野马滩大桥及周边房屋进行实地调查与震灾分析,并提出灾后重建及震灾防御相关建议,包括组织专业人员进行灾区房屋安全鉴定,建议牧民居住建筑采用轻钢式结构,建议原地重建野马滩大桥并增加限位装置及连梁装置。