Structure and physics of solar faculae

Si iv, C iv, and O vi resonance lines have been measured above quiet and active solar regions from both pointed OSO-8 instruments. From calibrated profiles, optical depths are computed with three different methods. All three methods provide evidence that the opacity above faculae is lower than above the quiet Sun. From lower and upper limits of the opacity, we derive limits of the electron density. Our first method assumes only that the source function is constant without any geometrical constraint. We find higher densities above faculae than above quiet regions (about a factor 10). A second method allows us to compute the density, temperature gradient and thickness of a plane-parallel model, for active and quiet Sun. Electron densities agree with those of the first method but they lie in the lower range of values previously determined from Skylab. This result can be explained by the moderate level activity of the observed faculae. Appendices give relevant elements of transfer theory and newly computed values of collisional rates.     

A macroelement formulation for shallow foundations on cohesive and frictional soils

The scope of this paper is to present a macroelement model for shallow foundations encompassing the majority of combinations of soil and foundation–soil interface conditions that are interesting for practical applications. The basic idea of the formulation is to raise the common assumption that the surface of ultimate loads of the foundation is identified as a yield surface in the space of force parameters which the footing is subjected to. Instead, each non‐linear mechanism participating in the global response of the system is modelled independently and the surface of ultimate loads is retrieved as the combined result of all active mechanisms. This allows formulating each mechanism by respecting its particular characteristics and offers the possibility of activating, modifying or deactivating each mechanism according to the context of application. The model comprises three non‐linear mechanisms: (a) the mechanism of sliding at the soil–footing interface, (b) the mechanism of soil yielding in the vicinity of the footing and (c) the mechanism of uplift as the footing may get detached from the soil. The first two are irreversible and dissipative and are combined within a multi‐mechanism plasticity formulation. The third mechanism is reversible and non‐dissipative. It is reproduced with a phenomenological non‐linear hyperelastic model. The model is validated with respect to the existing results for shallow foundations under quasi‐static loading tests. It is shown that although the ultimate surface of the foundation is not explicitly used in the formulation of the model, the obtained force states by the model are always contained within it. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some critiques of the big bang cosmology

Still more shocking than the metaphysical assumption of some initial singularity, is the constant insistence upon the so-called cosmological principle of “homogeneity” and “isotropy” of the Universe. Observations do contradict this principle. And to me, the inhomogeneous, fractal at least on a certain scale range, of the distribution of matter is in itself an important cosmological fact, hitherto almost neglected. Moreover difficultties as to the applicability of the second principle of thermodynamics, observations of abnormal redshifts, etc., are casting large doubts not only upon the standard cosmological models, but even on the interpretation of the observed redshift as due solely to a universal expansion.     

Low-frequency transfer of seismic energy by superficial soil deposits and soft rocks

Recordings of recent strong earthquakes obtained on alluvial sites show that the maximum horizontal accelerations tend towards a limit of about 0.45 to 0.50g, associated with large displacements. by contrast, vertical accelerations do not appear to be subject to such a limit (1.7g for the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake). Theoretical linear elasticity models, when applied to superficial layers of low strength, seem to be inadequate for the prediction of near-field ground motions in alluvial deposits. A good approximation for the horizontal component of certain Imperial Valley records was, however, obtained through a non-linear approach, using local soil properties together with a reasonable hypothesis for motion at the base of the superficial layers in question that included large values of acceleration for high-frequency shear waves.     

Some consequences of a spatially varying cosmological constant in a spherically symmetric distribution of matter

This paper investigates the effects of the spatial variation of the cosmological constant λ on the spacetime geometry within and outside a massive object. It is seen that the variation of λ with the radial coordinate introduces non-trivial changes leading to spacetime closing on itself around a massive object. It may also be possible to generate interior solutions that lead to flat rotation curves of galaxies     

The H2020 European Project LiqueFACT

Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering -     

Theoretical study of the Fraunhofer lines polarization: The case of Ca i 4227

The measurements by Brückner (1963) of the Ca i 4227 polarization at the Sun's limb provides us with a test for the theory of line polarization. Computations are developed taking into account: (a) the transfer polarization, due to the anisotropy of radiation field; (b) the depolarizing collisions acting in the wings. The magnetic field is not taken into account and the theory is not valid in the Doppler core. In the wings a very good fit is obtained, using appropriate source-functions fitting the observed profiles at the center of the disk, and from center to limb.     

Calculation of free field response spectrum of a non-homogeneous soil deposit from bed rock response spectrum

In this paper, a method to determine free field response spectrum of a soil deposit from a specified bed rock response spectrum is presented. This method treats the earthquake motion as if it was a stationary Gaussian random process but to account for the non-stationary character, an approximate method is used. The soil deposit is assumed to have mechanical properties (strength, shear modulus, etc.) increasing with some power exponent of depth. This layer overlies either a compliant elastic half space or a layer with shear modulus increasing linearly with depth.To demonstrate the validity and usefulness of this approach, two examples are presented. The first one consists in the transfer, from bed rock to free surface of a given soil profile, of the response spectrum derived from an accelerogram used to generate the Eurocode 8 response spectrum. The obtained free field response spectrum is compared to the one obtained by using a wave propagation program. The second example consists in the validation of this method with experimental records.