An attenuation relationship based on Turkish strong motion data and iso-acceleration map of Turkey

This paper presents an attenuation relationship of peak ground acceleration (PGA) derived from Turkish strong motion data for rock, soil and soft soil sites and an iso-acceleration map of Turkey based on this relationship. For the purpose, among all the three-component accessible records, 221 records from 122 earthquakes that occurred in Turkey between 1976 and November 2003 were selected. The database was compiled for earthquakes with moment magnitudes (M_w) and PGA values ranging between 4.1 and 7.5, and 20 and 806 gal, and distances to epicenter considered in the database were between 5 and 100 km. From the regression analysis of the data, an attenuation equation of PGA considering rock, soil and soft soil conditions was developed. The PGA values predicted from the equation suggested in this study and those both from a few domestic equations and some imported equations were compared. In addition, an iso-acceleration map of Turkey was constructed using the suggested attenuation equation and considering both known active faults and epicenter locations of the earthquakes that have occurred in Turkey.     

软基沉降观测及其数据处理方法

简述了高速公路软基沉降观测及其数据处理的目的和意义；介绍了沉降观测的布点原则；提出了高速公路软基沉降观测的技术要求；介绍了基于VB的高速公路软基沉降观测数据处理软件；在实际工程中，由于种种原因，会造成沉降观测数据不连续。本文就沉降观测数据不连续时的沉降量估算提出了三种处理方法，在实际工程应用中起到了较大的作用。     

Estimating severity of liquefaction-induced damage near foundation

An empirical procedure for estimating the severity of liquefaction-induced ground damage at or near foundations of existing buildings is established. The procedure is based on an examination of 30 case histories from recent earthquakes. The data for these case histories consist of observations of the damage that resulted from liquefaction, and the subsurface soil conditions as revealed by cone penetration tests. These field observations are used to classify these cases into one of three damaging effect categories, ‘no damage’, ‘minor to moderate damage’, and ‘major damage’. The potential for liquefaction-induced ground failure at each site is calculated and expressed as the probability of ground failure. The relationship between the probability of ground failure and the damage class is established, which allows for the evaluation of the severity of liquefaction-induced ground damage at or near foundations. The procedure presented herein represents a significant attempt to address the issue of liquefaction effect. Caution must be exercised, however, when using the proposed model and procedure for estimating liquefaction damage severity, because they are developed based on limited number of case histories.     

The dependence of response spectrum on the tectonic ambient shear stress field

Introduction The acceleration response spectrum and peak ground acceleration are the necessary and im-portant parameters in earthquake-resistant design at present. They are still active research field. With the increase of digital high accurate strong motion observation data, especially the earth-quakes of Loma Prieta (M=7.0) in 1989; Landers (M=7.3) in 1992; Big Bear (M=6.4) in 1994 and Northridge (M=6.7) in 1994 in USA; Kozani (M=6.6) earthquake and afteshocks in 1995 in Greece; Dinar…     

Ground deformation of Nisyros Volcano (Greece) for the period 1995–2002: Results from DInSAR and DGPS observations

Differential GPS (DGPS) and Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) analyses were applied to the Kos-Yali-Nisyros Volcanic Field (SE Hellenic Volcanic Arc) to quantify the ground deformation of Nisyros Volcano. After intense seismic activity in 1996, a GPS network was installed in June 1997 and re-occupied annually up to 2002. A general uplift ranging from 14 to 140 mm was determined at all stations of the network. The corresponding horizontal displacements ranged from 13 to 53 mm. The displacement vectors indicate that the island is undergoing extension towards the East, West and South. A two-source “Mogi” model combined with assumed motion along the Mandraki Fault was constructed to fit the observed deformation. The best-fit model assumes sources at a depth of 5500 m NW of the centre of the island and at 6500 m offshore ESE of Yali Island. DInSAR analysis using four pairs of images taken between May 1995 and September 2000 suggests that deformation was occurring during 1995 before the start of the seismic crisis. An amplitude of at least 56 mm along the slant range appeared for the period 1996 through 1999. This deformation is consistent with the two-source model invoked in DGPS modelling. Surface evidence of ground deformation is expressed in the contemporaneous reactivation of the Mandraki Fault. In addition, a 600 m long N-S trending irregular rupture in the caldera floor was formed between 2001 and 2002. This rupture is interpreted as the release of surface stress in the consolidated epiclastic and hydrothermal sediments of the caldera floor.     

Influence of transducer-ground coupling on vibration measurements

Various methods of transducer mounting provide varying degrees of coupling between the transducer and the measurement surface. The influence of four of these methods on vibration measurements was studied. For this purpose, the first transducer was placed freely on a horizontal surface, the second one was 'sandbagged', the third one was 'spiked' and the fourth one was completely buried in soil. These transducers were mounted side by side and ground vibrations were monitored for 14 blasts at an opencast coal mine.

Ground vibrations in terms of peak particle velocity, peak vector sum and frequency with different mounting methods were analysed. Assuming the data of the buried transducer as the most acceptable one, relative values of other transducers were determined and plotted. For the given tolerance for instrumental and human errors, anomalous readings were found in some cases. The waveforms of the buried transducer were then compared with those of others. Clear distortion in the waveforms or a very low correlation coefficient between two waveforms was suspected poor coupling.

The results indicate that decoupling is most likely with the surface transducer. However, the sandbagged and spiked transducers are also prone to decoupling. Decoupling can result in higher or lower ground vibration. Therefore, burial should be the preferred method for mounting of transducers in soil.     

Investigation into the effect of fault properties on wave transmission

The estimation of wave transmission across the fractured rock masses is of great importance for rock engineers to assess the stability of rock slopes in open pit mines. Presence of fault, as a major discontinuity, in the jointed rock mass can significantly impact on the peak particle velocity and transmission of blast waves, particularly where a fault contains a thick infilling with weak mechanical properties. This paper aims to study the effect of fault properties on transmission of blasting waves using the distinct element method. First, a validation study was carried out on the wave transmission across a single joint and different rock mediums through undertaking a comparative study against analytical models. Then, the transmission of blast wave across a fault with thick infilling in the Golgohar iron mine, Iran, was numerically studied, and the results were compared with the field measurements. The blast wave was numerically simulated using a hybrid finite element and finite difference code which then the outcome was used as the input for the distinct element method analysis. The measured uplift of hanging wall, as a result of wave transmission across the fault, in the numerical model agrees well with the recorded field measurement. Finally, the validated numerical model was used to study the effect of fault properties on wave transmission. It was found that the fault inclination angle is the most effective parameter on the peak particle velocity and uplift. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用GNSS干涉信号振荡幅度反演土壤湿度

根据干涉效应和GNSS接收机信噪比估计方法,推导了利用GNSS干涉信号幅度进行土壤湿度反演的模型,建模过程考虑了天线增益、土壤介电常数和噪声的影响。提出了使用AMPD算法从含有噪声的归一化干涉功率曲线中提取干涉峰值与谷值,进而反演了土壤介电常数与土壤湿度的方法,并对其进行了仿真。结果表明,利用提取出来的干涉谷值进行反演性能比峰值好,相对稳定准确的卫星仰角范围为5°~25°,湿度大于0.06cm~3/cm~3时反演结果更为准确,标准差在0.01cm~3/cm~3左右波动。