Performance of seismically loaded shearwalls on nonlinear shallow foundations

If utilized, the energy dissipative capability of seismically loaded shallow foundations due to inelastic behavior can result in more economic design, provided the consequences, such as excessive deformations are accounted for. In this article, a Beam‐on‐Nonlinear‐Winkler‐Foundation (BNWF) model is used to assess the performance of shearwall‐foundation systems with different attributes, when subjected to ground motions of varied hazard levels. The numerical study indicates that the force and drift demands to the shearwall reduce significantly, when nonlinear foundation behavior is realized, while permanent settlement is well below the permissible limit. These results support the concept of shallow foundation capacity mobilization in future design. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fe3+ in shocked olivine crystals of the ALHA 77005 meteorite

ALHA 77005, a shocked achondrite of the shergottite group, is unique in containing cumulus olivine crystals which display a brownish color in thin section. Mössbauer, EPR, and optical spectroscopic studies show the presence of Fe³⁺ in the olivine. Approximately 4.5 wt.% of the total iron in the olivine (24 wt.% as FeO) is in the trivalent state. The Fe³⁺ ions preferentially occupy M2 lattice positions. Charge transfer between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ as well as between Fe³⁺ and oxygen ligands causes a broad absorption band in the optical spectrum at high energies which is the reason for the olivine color. It is concluded that the color of the ALHA 77005 olivine is preterrestrial and may be the result of shock-induced oxidation of the olivine crystals on the meteorite parent body.     

Thermal stability of red giants

The thermal stability of stars with a condensed core and an extended convective envelope (red giants) is discussed. It is shown that the thernal stability is determined by the way the opacity of the photosphere depends on density and temperature. In particular, the H^? opacity in red giants' photospheres ensures their stability.     

重庆市主体功能区识别的主导因素与空间稳定性约束机理

主体功能区规划已上升为国家制度和战略,对中国长期空间发展格局优化与再组织将发挥积极的引导和约束作用。从地域性角度出发,探寻主体功能区发生性(形成与演化)和反馈性(识别与规划)时空机理与规律是地理学具有时代意义的重要科学问题。以重庆市为例,通过国土空间开发条件综合评价,识别了主体功能区划分的适宜性空间格局。基于对西南山区发展约束条件的基本认识,提出了地域主体功能空间分异的主导性约束假设,设定地形和区位为原生性主导因素,验证了其与区划指标系统的定量关联性,以此为基础解析了主导因素约束机理并提出了地域主体功能区的空间稳定性机制。研究发现:①开发与保护适宜性识别结果的格局指向清晰。城市化适宜的区域主要集中于都市区和部分周边区县,区域副中心(万州和黔江)适宜性也相对较高。生态保护适宜的区域集中于渝东北秦巴山区及部分三峡库区区县,同时包括渝东南武陵山区所在区县。②地形和区位因子在本区域对主体功能区的识别与形成具有主导约束作用。回归分析显示,主体功能区划指标与地形因子相关性水平达到显著的超过70%,区位因子超过40%;两者综合后与区划标志变量(A、B指数)的相线性相关拟合度R2均超过0.8;地理探测器发现,地形和区位因子对区划指标的约束性分别有9个和7个达到0.05显著性水平,对A、B指数的解释度分别约为70%和60%,两者叠加后,约束水平全部达到显著,对A、B指数的解释度在90%左右。③空间稳定性机制表现为两个方面,其一是基于主导因素约束的稳定性传递机制,称为客观稳定性;其二是基于指标体系的局域相对性和算法的内部抵消机制,称为主观稳定性。两种机制的协同性验证了区划技术系统的地域适应性和科学性。     

Stochastic generation of hourly rainstorm events

Occurrence of rainstorm events can be characterized by the number of events, storm duration, rainfall depth, inter-event time and temporal variation of rainfall within a rainstorm event. This paper presents a Monte-Carlo based stochastic hourly rainfall generation model considering correlated non-normal random rainstorm characteristics, as well as dependence of various rainstorm patterns on rainfall depth, duration, and season. The proposed model was verified by comparing the derived rainfall depth–duration–frequency relations from the simulated rainfall sequences with those from observed annual maximum rainfalls based on the hourly rainfall data at the Hong Kong Observatory over the period of 1884–1990. Through numerical experiments, the proposed model was found to be capable of capturing the essential statistical features of rainstorm characteristics and those of annual extreme rainstorm events according to the available data.     

Temporal variability in the maternal environment and its effect on seed size and seed quality in Flourensia cernua DC. (Asteraceae).

The biological phenomenon commonly referred to as maternal effect occurs whenever the environment exerts an influence upon the mother that is later expressed in characteristics of her offsprings. For example, the environmental conditions experienced by a mother plant during flowering and fruiting can modify the quality of her descendants (seeds), and even interrupt their development. Between-year variation in minimum temperature and the classic, between-year variation in precipitation represent an unpredictable environment for winter blooming plants in arid zones. In this study, we investigated the effect of maternal environment (temperature and precipitation) on seed size and seed quality in F. cernua, over a 5-year period. Results indicated that the proportion of filled seeds, as well as their size, increased with higher absolute minimum temperatures during seed formation, and that, to a lesser extent, both the precipitation occurred during the same period and the annual precipitation also have a positive influence on seed size. In this way, environmental conditions prevailing during seed formation exerted a strong maternal effect on the size and quality of seeds produced and, probably also, in the developmental possibilities of F. cernua seedlings. This effect was subject to important, between-year variation.     

Developing a comprehensive evaluation method for Interconnected River System Network assessment: A case study in Tangxun Lake group

Journal of Geographical Sciences - The Interconnected River System Network (IRSN) plays a crucial role in water resource allocation, water ecological restoration and water quality improvement. It...