Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media with spatial statistics and tracer data using sequential simulated annealing

Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media using flow and transport data typically requires solution of an inverse problem. Such inverse problems are intensive computationally and may involve iterative procedures requiring many forward simulations of the flow and transport problem. Previous attempts have been limited mostly to flow data such as pressure transient (interference) tests using multiple observation wells. This paper discusses an approach to generating stochastic permeability fields conditioned to geologic data in the form of a vertical variogram derived from cores and logs as well as fluid flow and transport data, such as tracer concentration history, by sequential application of simulated annealing (SA). Thus, the method incorporates elements of geostatistics within the framework of inverse modeling. For tracer-transport calculations, we have used a semianalytic transit-time algorithm which is fast, accurate, and free of numerical dispersion. For steady velocity fields, we introduce a transit-time function which demonstrates the relative importance of data from different sources. The approach is illustrated by application to a set of spatial permeability measurements and tracer data from an experiment in the Antolini Sandstone, an eolian outcrop from northern Arizona. The results clearly reveal the importance of tracer data in reproducing the correlated features (channels) of the permeability field and the scale effects of heterogeneity.     

Centrifuge modelling-based verification of response spectra design methods for some vulnerable structures

Residential RC framed structures suffered heavily during the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, India. These types of structures also saw severe damage in other earthquakes such as the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake in Turkey and 921 Ji-Ji earthquake in Taiwan. In this paper the seismic response of residential structures was investigated using physical modelling. Idealised soft storey and top heavy, two degrees of freedom (2DOF) portal frame structures were developed and tested on saturated and dry sand models at 25 g using the Schofield Centre 10-m Beam Centrifuge. It was possible to recreate observed field behaviour using these models. As observed in many of the recent earthquakes, soft storey structures were found to be particularly vulnerable to seismic loads. Elastic response spectra methods are often used in the design of simple portal frame structures. The seismic risk of these structures can be significantly increased due to modifications such as removal of a column or addition of heavy water tanks on the roof. The experimental data from the dynamic centrifuge tests on such soft storey or top-heavy models was used to evaluate the predictions obtained from the response spectra. Response spectra were able to predict seismic response during small to moderate intensity earthquakes, but became inaccurate during strong earthquakes and when soil structure interaction effects became important. Re-evaluation of seismic risk of such modified structures is required and time domain analyses suggested by building codes such as IBC, UBC or NEHRP may be more appropriate.     

Horizontal and vertical components of earthquake ground motions at liquefiable sites

Field observations on ground motions from recent earthquakes imply that current knowledge is limited with regard to relating vertical and horizontal motions at liquefiable sites. This paper describes a study with the purpose of clarifying this emerging issue to some extent. A series of numerical analyses is carried out on a liquefiable soil deposit with a verified, fully coupled, nonlinear procedure. It is shown that the transformation of vertical motions in the deposit differs considerably from the transformation of horizontal motions. Both the amplitude and frequency content of the horizontal motions are strongly dependent on the shaking level or the associated nonlinear soil behavior. The transfer function for vertical motions is however likely to be independent of the intensity of input motions; no reduction in the amplitude occurs even in the case of strong shaking. The results are shown to be in consistence with the laboratory observations on shaking table tests and recent field observations that less nonlinearity exists for vertical motions. It is also shown that the possibility exists for using information on spectral ratios between the horizontal and vertical surface motions to quickly identify in situ soil behavior and liquefaction that are not readily covered by conventional field or laboratory experimentation procedures.     

Development of site-specific design ground motions in Western and Eastern North America

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.     

大型双槽渡槽地震反应分析

为了得到比较精确的大型双槽渡槽结构的地震反应，根据渡槽结构复杂、影响动力因素较多等特点，采用8结点空间块体单元对渡槽槽身和槽墩进行有限元离散，分别用耦合自由度和多个弹簧单元分别模拟渡槽槽身横向拉杆、加劲肋和盆式橡胶支座，建立了大型双槽渡槽结构地层反应分析的有限元模型，计算了南水北调水利工程中的双洎河大型双槽渡槽的振动特性，并分别用反应谱法和时程分析法对该渡槽进行了地震反应分析，计算结果可为该渡槽的抗震设计提供参考。     

结构随机响应的一种改进的概率谱叠加方法

目前有一些关于多自由度结构体系的地震响应中响应峰值按降序(即由大到小的顺序)排列时的峰值统计性质的研究。本文对这些研究中的概率方法提出一些改进。由于这些改进，概率谱叠加方法在实际应用中就变得更准确和实用。本文以五层的结构模型为例，计算其在埃尔森特罗(1940)地震激励下的响应，并与时程分析结果进行比较。结果表明，改进的概率谱叠加方法能够谁确的计算较高几阶重要响应峰值的幅值。     

A rooftop tuned mass damper frame

This article documents the analytical study and feasibility of placing a tuned mass damper in the form of a limber rooftop moment frame atop relatively stiff structures to reduce seismic acceleration response. Six existing structures were analytically studied using a suite of time history and response spectra records. The analyses indicate that adding mass in conjunction with a limber frame results in an increase in the fundamental period of each structure. The fundamental period increase generally results in a decrease in seismic acceleration response for the same time history and response spectra records. Owing to the limber nature of the rooftop frames, non‐linear analysis methods were required to evaluate the stability of the rooftop tuned mass damper frame. The results indicate the addition of a rooftop tuned mass damper frame reduces the seismic acceleration response for most cases although acceleration response can increase if the rooftop frame is not tuned to accommodate the specific structure's dynamic behaviour and localized soil conditions. Appropriate design of the rooftop tuned mass damper frame can result in decreased seismic acceleration response. This translates to safer structures if used as a retrofit measure or a more economical design if used for new construction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

两结构高效阻尼控制体系试验研究

本文通过模拟地震动振动台试验，研究了两个相邻结构模型的地震响应，结构模型采用一种高效阻尼装置(High Efficient Damper for Multi—Structure System即HEDMS)连接。非线性时程分析与振动台试验结果都证明了该阻尼装置能高效发挥软钢阻尼器的耗能能力，从而显著减轻两结构模型的地震响应。同时，研究还指出了进行阻尼装置设计时应该注意的一些问题。     

钢支撑性能对高层钢结构动力反应的影响

钢框架－支撑结构体系是高层钢结构常用的结构体系。支撑的性能对高导钢框架－支撑体系的动力性能影响较大，其中支撑的工细比是关键的影响因素。文中通过大量的计算分析研究支撑长细比对高层钢框架－支撑体系弹塑性地震反应的影响，所得结论可供工程设计时参考。     

基于自平衡力的弹塑性动力反应分析方法

本文给出了一个基于自平衡力的弹塑性结构动力反应分析的新方法，详细叙述了方法的原理和过程，并对用改进的Ｔａｋｅｄａ滞变模型描述的梁单元框架结构给出了具体的分析方法。这个方法与传统的方法不同，在分析中不必修正结构的刚度矩阵，而代之以计算代表塑性铰变形引起的应力重分布的动力自平衡力，因而大大地节省了计算机时，最后通过算例对本文方法进行了验证。