Pushover analysis of reinforced concrete frames considering shear failure at beam-column joints

Since most current seismic capacity evaluations of reinforced concrete(RC) frame structures are implemented by either static pushover analysis(PA) or dynamic time history analysis,with diverse settings of the plastic hinges(PHs) on such main structural components as columns,beams and walls,the complex behavior of shear failure at beam-column joints(BCJs) during major earthquakes is commonly neglected.This study proposes new nonlinear PA procedures that consider shear failure at BCJs and seek to assess the actual damage to RC structures.Based on the specifications of FEMA-356,a simplified joint model composed of two nonlinear cross struts placed diagonally over the location of the plastic hinge is established,allowing a sophisticated PA to be performed.To verify the validity of this method,the analytical results for the capacity curves and the failure mechanism derived from three different full-size RC frames are compared with the experimental measurements.By considering shear failure at BCJs,the proposed nonlinear analytical procedures can be used to estimate the structural behavior of RC frames,including seismic capacity and the progressive failure sequence of joints,in a precise and effective manner.     

晚古生代冈瓦纳的演化长逾13500 km的基墨利超级地体的裂离及其向亚洲的漂移

The Cimmerian terrane forms an almost unbroken chain stretching >13,500 km, from central southern Europe to western Indonesia, via SE Europe, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Tibet, SW China and Myanmar. Ar-guably, it is Earth’s most spectacular example of a “sliver” terrane, dwarfing in size more recently devel-oped examples, for instance the Palawan Block in the western Philippines, and the Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea. The presentation will first outline the in-triguing geological features associated with this unique tectonic entity. Following that, recently obtained results following paleomagnetic investigations of two lower Permian rift-related basalt suites will be summarized (Abor Volcanics in northeastern India and Woniusi Ba-salts in Yunnan, China). The two studies are part of a larger programme of ongoing research aimed at deducing (I) the geodynamic configuration that generated the un-usual rifting system, and (II) exactly how Cimmeria fit-ted against Gondwana prior to its dispersal in the Early Permian. The critical unit is Baoshan, which we fit against Gondwana within a narrow longitudinal belt close to where northern India and northwestern Australia were once in close proximity (Fig. 1). Furthermore, we suggest that Sibumasu lay to directly the east, offshore of Australia; Qiangtang and Lhasa almost certainly sat to the west (off northern Greater India-SE Arabia), but we are uncertain as to their exact configuration. Our findings will be compared with several rather different models that have been published in recent years. The new pa-leomagnetic constraint highlights the flexibility authors currently have in reconstructing the region, principally because of the overall lack of similar high-quality data from the various blocks. We explain how new data could resolve these ambiguities, thereby offering more robust explanations for eastern Gondwana’s late Paleozoic de-velopment.     

菲律宾Zambales蛇绿岩套的再研究：对其特提斯来源的启示

A number of geological studies have already been conducted on the Zambales Ophiolite Complex (ZOC), a north-south trending complete ophiolite sequence exposed in the western portion of Central Luzon, Philippines. Previous works recognized the ZOC as being made up of two blocks, the Acoje and the Coto, acting as an arc-back arc pair sometime during the Eocene.     

根据瑞雷波确定近地表品质因子Q

反演高频率(≥2Hz)的瑞雷波的相速度可得到分层地球模型从地表到地下30m以内的剪切(S)波速度。如果已知S波速度VS、压缩(P)波速度VP和瑞雷波速度,通过反演瑞雷波衰减系数就可以获得分层地球模型的P波品质因子QP和S波品质因子QS。模拟结果证明,根据瑞雷波衰减系数反演品质因子QS是可行的。当VS/VP达到0.45时,不能忽略QP对瑞雷波衰减系数的贡献,这种情况在近地表构造中并非罕见。从某些地质构造中的瑞雷波衰减系数反演得到QP是可能的,这是一种不同于一般认为的观点,即相对于P波的品质因子QP,瑞雷波的衰减系数对S波的品质因子QS更为敏感。在亚利桑那沙漠,采集了60道的面波数据。对一个层厚度超过20m的10层模型,首先利用多道面波分析(MASW)方法反演数据得到S波速度,然后通过反演衰减系数确定品质因子。     

Towards multiple hazard resilient bridges: a methodology for modeling frequent and infrequent time-varying loads Part II, Examples for live and earthquake load effects

The current AASHTO load and resistance factor design (LRFD) guidelines are formulated based on bridge reliability,which interprets traditional design safety factors into more rigorously deduced factors based on the theory of probability.This is a major advancement in bridge design specifications.However,LRFD is only calibrated for dead and live loads.In cases when extreme loads are significant,they need to be individually assessed.Combining regular loads with extreme loads has been a major challenge,mainly because the extreme loads are time variable and cannot be directly combined with time invariant loads to formulate the probability of structural failure.To overcome these difficulties,this paper suggests a methodology of comprehensive reliability,by introducing the concept of partial failure probability to separate the loads so that each individual load combination under a certain condition can be approximated as time invariant.Based on these conditions,the extreme loads (also referred to as multiple hazard or MH loads) can be broken down into single effects.In this paper,a further breakdown of these conditional occurrence probabilities into pure conditions is discussed by using a live truck and earthquake loads on a bridge as an example.     

Movement of water infiltrated from a recharge basin to wells

Local surface water and stormflow were infiltrated intermittently from a 40-ha basin between September 2003 and September 2007 to determine the feasibility of recharging alluvial aquifers pumped for public supply, near Stockton, California. Infiltration of water produced a pressure response that propagated through unconsolidated alluvial-fan deposits to 125 m below land surface (bls) in 5 d and through deeper, more consolidated alluvial deposits to 194 m bls in 25 d, resulting in increased water levels in nearby monitoring wells. The top of the saturated zone near the basin fluctuates seasonally from depths of about 15 to 20 m. Since the start of recharge, water infiltrated from the basin has reached depths as great as 165 m bls. On the basis of sulfur hexafluoride tracer test data, basin water moved downward through the saturated alluvial deposits until reaching more permeable zones about 110 m bls. Once reaching these permeable zones, water moved rapidly to nearby pumping wells at rates as high as 13 m/d. Flow to wells through highly permeable material was confirmed on the basis of flowmeter logging, and simulated numerically using a two-dimensional radial groundwater flow model. Arsenic concentrations increased slightly as a result of recharge from 2 to 6 μg/L immediately below the basin. Although few water-quality issues were identified during sample collection, high groundwater velocities and short travel times to nearby wells may have implications for groundwater management at this and at other sites in heterogeneous alluvial aquifers.     

Sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on marine sediments

Sorption of anionic perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on marine sediment was investigated in detail. It was found that solution ionic composition and sediment-specific parameters played important roles in affecting the sorption of PFOS. The results indicated that sorption of PFOS in seawater to marine sediments was strong (≈ 10 times higher than that in freshwater) and nonlinear (Freundlich n(F) values of 0.77-0.96). The sorption affinity was well correlated with sediment organic carbon content, indicating the importance of hydrophobic interactions. At a PFOS aqueous concentration of 10 μg/L, PFOS distribution coefficients increased with the increasing salinity in solution, with an average rate of 0.48 ± 0.03 log units per a log unit of salinity. Further studies demonstrated that among common ions contributing to the salinity in seawater, dissolved calcium and magnesium are dominantly responsible for the sorption-enhancing effect of salinity for PFOS. This work will aid in better understanding of PFOS sorption mechanisms, and be useful for fate modeling of this class of contaminants in the marine environment.     

A strategy for detecting derelict fishing gear at sea

Derelict fishing gear (DFG) is a highly persistent form of marine pollution known to cause environmental and economic damage. At-sea detection of DFG would support pelagic removal of this gear to prevent and minimize impacts on marine environments and species. In 2008, experts in marine debris, oceanography, remote sensing, and marine policy outlined a strategy to develop the capability to detect and ultimately remove DFG from the open ocean. The strategy includes three interrelated components: understanding the characteristics of the targeted DFG, indirectly detecting DFG by modeling likely locations, and directly detecting pelagic DFG using remote sensing. Together, these components aim to refine the search area, increase the likelihood of detection, and decrease mitigation response time, thereby providing guidance for removal operations. Here, we present this at-sea detection strategy, relate it to relevant extant research and technology, and identify gaps that currently prevent successful at-sea detection and removal of DFG.