Application of an optimum design technique for determining the coefficient of consolidation by using piezocone test data

For normally consolidated clay, several researchers have developed a number of theoretical time factors to determine the coefficient of consolidation from piezocone test results. However, depending on assumptions and analytical techniques, it could vary considerably, even for a specific degree of consolidation. In this paper a method is proposed to determine a consistent coefficient of consolidation by applying the concept of an optimum design technique over all ranges of the degree of consolidation. Initial excess pore pressure distribution is assumed to be capable of being obtained by the successive spherical cavity expansion theory. The dissipation of pore pressure is simulated by means of a two-dimensional linear-uncoupled axi-symmetric consolidation analysis. The minimization of differences between measured and predicted excess pore pressure was carried out by the BFGS unconstrained optimum design algorithm with a one-dimensional golden section search technique. By analyzing numerical examples and in-situ test results, it was found that the adopted optimum design technique gives consistent and convergent results.     

A variance-ratio test for supporting a variable mean in kriging

This article discusses the issue of whether to use a variable mean and describes a test that can be used to evaluate whether it is justified to add terms to the drift (deterministic part) of a geostatistical model. The basic model could be the intrinsic one, where the deterministic part is a constant, and the alternate model could be any model that includes a constant term in the expression for the drift. Also, differences between constant- and variable-mean models are discussed.     

Testing an earthquake prediction algorithm

A test to evaluate earthquake prediction algorithms is being applied to a Russian algorithm known asM8 TheM8 algorithm makes intermediate term predictions for earthquakes to occur in a large circle, based on integral counts of transient seismicity in the circle. In a retroactive prediction for the period January 1, 1985 to July 1, 1991 the algorithm as configured for the forward test would have predicted eight of ten strong earthquakes in the test area. A null hypothesis, based on random assignment of predictions, predicts eight earthquakes in 2.87% of the trials. The forward test began July 1, 1991 and will run through December 31, 1997. As of July 1, 1995, the algorithm had forward predicted five out of nine earthquakes in the test area, which success ratio would have been achieved in 53% of random trials with the null hypothesis.     

Stability and accuracy analysis of the central difference method for real‐time substructure testing

The central difference method (CDM) that is explicit for pseudo‐dynamic testing is also believed to be explicit for real‐time substructure testing (RST). However, to obtain the correct velocity dependent restoring force of the physical substructure being tested, the target velocity is required to be calculated as well as the displacement. The standard CDM provides only explicit target displacement but not explicit target velocity. This paper investigates the required modification of the standard central difference method when applied to RST and analyzes the stability and accuracy of the modified CDM for RST. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanism of loading on plates due to explosive detonation

This paper investigates the various mechanisms and parameters that are responsible for delivering impulse to a vehicle that is unfortunate enough to detonate a buried mine. Small scale tests are used to examine the effects of air blast or ejected sand in imparting impulse to a plate that is located above the surface of the saturated soil that contains the explosive. Parameters such as confinement, stand off distance, depth of burial of the explosive, density of the soil, and saturation level of the soil are also examined.     

月动力延伸预报500hPa高度场检验及其在重庆月气候预测中降尺度应用

根据2015年国家气候中心实时下发的第二代月动力延伸模式(DERF2.0)逐日资料和历史回算资料,统计构建不同时间起报的月500hPa高度场格点数据序列,针对重庆2月气温和8月降水量方差和预测难度较大的事实,分别分析2010-2014年逐年1月和7月16日、21日、26日、31日起报的2月和8月500hPa高度场预报场与同期NCEP资料实况场的分布型,结果表明：预测效果低纬好于中高纬,8月总体好于2月;基于上述滚动的500hPa预报场,试验了4个关键区和5种统计降尺度方法,对重庆2010-2015年2月气温和2010-2014年8月降水量进行回报预测和检验结果表明,16日起报的模式场对2月气温有较好的参考价值,配合最好的关键区为本区上空,而降尺度方案中Lamb方法效果最佳,二者结合的预测效果最好;8月降水回报检验表明,虽然8月降水预测效果不如2月气温,但在预测关键区取自定义关键区时,车氏方法的降尺度方案预测效果相对较好。     

COPEX和HM2000与APEX型剖面浮标比测试验及资料质量评价

利用船载CTD仪、国外剖面浮标(APEX)和实验室盐度计等标准仪器设备,在西北太平洋海域对2种型号国产剖面浮标(COPEX和HM2000)进行了现场比测试验,并对观测资料质量进行了定性和定量分析与评价.结果表明:(1) COPEX和HM2000型剖面浮标观测的盐度资料均能达到国际Argo计划提出的±0.01的精度要求;(2)HM2000的最小观测深度离海面1 m以内,最大观测深度基本稳定在2 000 m左右,并能保持在1000 m深度附近漂移,而COPEX的最小观测深度在8～9 m之间,最大观测深度则在1 800～1 900 m之间波动,且漂移深度都在600～800 m之间;(3)COPEX和HM2000都获得了70条以上有效观测剖面.总体而言,两种国产剖面浮标观测的温、盐度资料都是可信、可靠的.但试验中暴露的一些问题和不足仍有待不断改进和完善.     

贵州遵义二叠纪锰矿气液喷口群的发现及地质意义

在通过对遵义市锰矿整装勘查区及周边所有探矿工程资料整理、分析研究的基础上,结合野外大比例尺专项地质填图、剖面实测和测试的成果。将贵州遵义二叠系锰矿与华南古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床成矿理论进行详细对比,认为遵义锰矿总体是"内生外成",成锰物质主体来自地幔,遵义锰矿属"古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床",借鉴古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床的成矿理论和研究方法,运用遵义锰矿裂陷槽盆地结构的划分、同沉积断裂的识别和中心相、过渡相和边缘相判别标志,在断陷盆地中喷溢口及附近,发现矿石及其顶底板具有古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床独有的结构构造、同位素、生物组合等特征。研究认为遵义成锰盆地至少存在5个气液渗漏喷溢口,分布于Ⅲ级断陷盆地内,每一个喷溢口构成一个相对独立的气液渗漏喷溢沉积成矿系统,遵义锰矿床是形成由若干个气液渗漏喷溢沉积成矿子系统构成的沉积成矿系统。贵州遵义二叠纪锰矿成矿的气液渗漏喷溢口的发现,对遵义锰矿"内生外成"成因研究提供了宏观地质证据,为建立深部锰矿找矿预测模型提供了重要依据,为研究遵义锰矿的古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床成矿系统具有重要意义。     

Helical probe tests in residual soils of the Appalachian Piedmont

Helical probe tests (HPT) are a quick and economical means for manual field testing of soils to depths of 1.5 m with readings taken at 0.15-m intervals in only 10 min. The equipment is lightweight (only 2 kg) and thus amenable to deploy on initial site reconnaissance explorations, shallow pavement projects, earth retention walls, and/or compaction of fills. Although suitable for use in a variety of geomaterials: sands, silts, clays, and mixed soils, the specific application to residual fine sandy silts and silty fine sands of the Appalachian Piedmont and Blue Ridge geologic provinces is shown here. Existing relationships for converting the measured HPT torque reading to equivalent cone penetration testing (CPT) tip resistances are reviewed, as well as other trends.