This paper presents results recently obtained for generating site-specific ground motions needed for design of critical facilities. The general approach followed in developing these ground motions using either deterministic or probabilistic criteria is specification of motions for rock outcrop or very firm soil conditions followed by adjustments for site-specific conditions. Central issues in this process include development of appropriate attenuation relations and their uncertainties, differences in expected motions between Western and Eastern North America, and incorporation of site-specific adjustments that maintain the same hazard level as the control motions, while incorporating uncertainties in local dynamic material properties. For tectonically active regions, such as the Western United States (WUS), sufficient strong motion data exist to constrain empirical attenuation relations for M up to about 7 and for distances greater than about 10–15 km. Motions for larger magnitudes and closer distances are largely driven by extrapolations of empirical relations and uncertainties need to be substantially increased for these cases.
For the Eastern United States (CEUS), due to the paucity of strong motion data for cratonic regions worldwide, estimation of strong ground motions for engineering design is based entirely on calibrated models. The models are usually calibrated and validated in the WUS where sufficient strong motion data are available and then recalibrated for applications to the CEUS. Recalibration generally entails revising parameters based on available CEUS ground motion data as well as indirect inferences through intensity observations. Known differences in model parameters such as crustal structure between WUS and CEUS are generally accommodated as well. These procedures are examined and discussed. 相似文献
This paper develops mass fraction models for transport and fate of agricultural pollutants in structured two-region soils. Mass fraction index models, based on a semi-infinite domain solution, are derived that describe leaching at depth, vapor losses through soil surface, absorption, and degradation in the dynamic- and stagnant-water soil regions. The models predict that leaching is the result of the combined effect of the upward vapor-phase transport relative to downward advection, residence time relative to half-life, dispersion, and lateral diffusive mass transfer. Simulations show that leached fraction of volatile compounds does not always decrease monotonically with increased residence time relative to the pollutant half-life, as a result of complex interactions among the different physical and biochemical processes. The results show that leaching, volatilization, and degradation losses can be affected significantly by lateral diffusive mass transfer into immobile-water regions and advection relative to dispersion (i.e. Peclet number) in the mobile-water regions. It is shown that solute diffusion into the immobile phase and subsequent biochemical decay reduces leaching and vapor losses through soil surface. Potential use of the modified leaching index for the screening of selected pesticides is illustrated for different soil textures and infiltration rates. The analysis may be useful to the management of pesticides and the design of landfills. 相似文献
A general method is developed for optimal application of dampers and actuators by installing them at optimal location on seismic-resistant
structures. The study includes development of a statistical criterion, formulation of a general optimization problem and establishment
of a solution procedure. Numerical analysis of the seismic response in time-history of controlled structures is used to verify
the proposed method for optimal device application and to demonstrate the effectiveness of seismic response control with optimal
device location. This study shows that the proposed method for the optimal device application is simple and general, and that
the optimally applied dampers and actuators are very efficient for seismic response reduction. 相似文献
The Building Standard Law of Japan and related Enforcement Order and Notifications have been substantially revised since the
year 2000 to introduce a performance-based regulatory and deregulation system for building control systems. Up to then, time-history
analyses were mandatory for isolated buildings and had to be specially approved by the Minster of the Ministry of Construction
(MOC). Simplified design procedures based on the equivalent linear method for seismically isolated buildings have been issued
as “Notification 2009 — Structural calculation procedure for buildings with seismic isolation” from MOC, and are now integrated
into the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation (MLIT). Along with Notification 2009, “Notification 1446 of
year 2000 — Standard for specifications and test methods for seismic isolation devices” was also issued. Buildings with heights
equal to or less than 60m and that are designed according to these Notifications, including base isolated buildings, only
need approval from local building officials, and no longer require the special approval of the Minister of MLIT. This paper
summarizes: 1) some statistics related to buildings with seismic isolation completed up to the end of 2001; 2) simplified
design procedures required by Notification 2009 of year 2000; and 3) performance of seismic isolation devices required by
Notification 1446 of year 2000. 相似文献