Mitigation measures for pile groups behind quay walls subjected to lateral flow of liquefied soil: Shake table model tests

This paper presents experimental results of a series of 1g shake table tests on mitigation measures for a model consisting of a 3×3 pile group and a sheet-pile quay wall in which the pile group was subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. First, general observations associated with the mechanism of lateral spreading and pile response are presented based on tests without remedial measures, followed by in depth discussions. Second, three remedial techniques were deployed to provide an adequate seismic performance of the pile group and the quay wall: (i) mitigating sheet pile of floating type, (ii) mitigating sheet pile of fixed end type, and (iii) anchoring the quay wall to a new pile row. The main objective of these mitigation methods was to restrict ground distortion behind the quay wall, enhancing seismic response of pile group and quay wall. This mitigation philosophy was decided based on the outcome of the first part, which consisted of a series of tests without mitigation measures. In addition, it should be noted that the proposed countermeasures were selected to be applicable for existing vulnerable pile groups, which are at risk of liquefaction and lateral spreading. Results of different mitigation tests are comparatively examined using a parameter called reduction factor, and the effectiveness of each countermeasure is discussed in detail. The results demonstrate that by applying the proposed mitigation measures the seismic performance of both pile group and quay wall can be improved, as a result of reduction in soil displacement and velocity of soil flow.     

Petrogenesis of the Palaeoproterozoic Xishankou pluton,northern Tarim block,northwest China: implications for assembly of the supercontinent Columbia

The Tarim block, one of the largest cratons in China, records an important part of the Proterozoic crustal evolution of the Earth. Many previous studies have focused on the Neoproterozoic magmatism and tectonic evolution of this block in relation to the break-up of Rodinia, although relatively little is known about its earlier tectono-magmatic history. In this article, we present detailed petrographic, geochronologic, whole-rock geochemical, and in situ zircon Hf isotope data for the pre-Neoproterozoic Xishankou granitoid pluton (XBP), one of several blue quartz-bearing granitoid intrusions well exposed in the Quruqtagh area, and discuss these intrusions in terms of their tectonic environment. Zircon LA-ICP-MS dating indicates that gneissic quartz diorite and granodiorite of the XBP crystallized at 1934 ± 13 and 1944 ± 19 Ma, respectively. Both underwent metamorphism essentially coeval with emplacement, a time that is compatible with the globally distributed 2.1–1.8 Ga crustal amalgamation during formation of the supercontinent Columbia. Petrographic and geochemical evidence suggest that the XBP is a continental-arc-type granite and may have been generated by the partial melting of Archaean thickened lower crust; this would suggest that the northern Tarim block was a continental-type arc at ca. 1940 Ma. Our new data, together with previous regional geological studies, indicate that a series of Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 2.0–1.8 Ga) tectono-magmatic events occurred in the northern Tarim attending the assembly of Columbia.     

Age,nature, and origin of early cretaceous plutons in the Dabie Mo Mineralization belt: the Xinxian example

The Mesozoic granitoids in the Dabie Orogen are of particular geological interest as indicators for Mesozoic lithospheric evolution and because of their close association with porphyry Mo mineralization. Here, we present a study using zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb dating, petrogeochemistry, and Hf isotopic data to constrain the timing of the magmatism and petrogenesis of the Xinxian granites in the Dabie Mo mineralization belt (DMB), Henan Province, China. Field investigations combined with previously published data show that the Xinxian pluton mainly consists of four phases. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating yielded ages from 153.4 ± 1.1 Ma for Phase 1 to 146.4 ± 1.6 Ma for Phase 2, 131.6 ± 1.8 Ma for Phase 3, and 125.5 ± 1.5 Ma for Phase 4. The Xinxian granites have high SiO₂ contents of 74.94–78.70 wt.% (average: 76.63 wt.%), Al₂O₃ contents of 11.59–13.68 wt.% (average: 13.01 wt.%), and K₂O contents of 3.85–4.86 wt.% (average: 4.36 wt.%) with Na₂O/K₂O ratios of 0.78–1.03 (average: 0.92) and low MgO (0.04–0.15 wt.%), TiO₂ (0.03–0.13 wt.%), and P₂O₅ (0.006–0.07 wt.%) contents. They are enriched in Rb, U, K, and Hf, but depleted in Ba, Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti. The zircon ε_Hf(t) values for Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 vary as follows: from – 22.8 to – 20.3 with T_DM2 values from 2682 to 2869 Ma, from – 24.2 to – 21.2 with T_DM2 values from 2738 to 2925 Ma, from ?24.5 to ?21.5 with T_DM2 values from 2722 to 2915 Ma, and from ?22.9 to ?19.4 with T_DM2 values from 2421 to 2643 Ma, respectively. By integrating previous geological, geochronological, and geochemical data for the DMB, we propose that the Xinxian pluton was dominantly sourced from the crust. The granites were most likely derived from the partial melting of the Northern Dabie Complex (NDC) with some Yangtze lower crust and Southern Dabie Complex (SDC). The Xinxian pluton may have formed in a post-collision extensional setting.     

CCLID不完全复位噪声及复位噪声的消除

本文采用两次复位的方法解决了\     

Free oscillations of a laterally heterogenous and anelastic earth

We calculate normal modes of the laterally heterogeneous and anelastic earth model by using the variational method to include the coupling of the modes due to the asphericity of the earth. If the aspherical anelasticity correlates with the heterogeneity of elastic velocity structure, the quality factorQ of the split singlets has a correlation with the eigenfrequency. This can cause a center frequency shift of the spectral peak with time. We perform a synthetic experiment to examine whether the magnitude of the shift can become an observable for the realistic lateral heterogeneity model of anelasticity. The result of the experiment reveals that the shift of the center frequency is consistent with the initial estimate for the fundamental spheroidal modes used in the experiment. We then examine the actual seismograms of the June 9, 1994, Bolivian earthquake to determine if this shift of center frequency can be observed. Although the amount of the center frequency shift of each multiplet is large, there is no consistent shift of the center frequency that is predicted in the synthetic experiment.     

Analysis of aftershock sequences in South and Southeastern Spain

A probabilistic modeling is used to analyze the spatio-temporal behavior of eleven aftershock sequences occurred in South and Southeastern Spain. This study focuses on the analysis of two seismicity parameters: the b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution, and the p-value, explaining the temporal decay rate of aftershocks. The estimated b values range between 0.77 ± 0.05 and 1.18 ± 0.10 close to the typical b-values of the aftershock frequency-magnitude relationship b ≈ 1.0. The estimated p-values range between 0.75 ± 0.03 and 1.43 ± 0.10 showing broad regimes of the temporal decay of aftershocks. The modified Bath’s law used to analyze the energy partitioning, suggests that a large fraction of the accumulated energy is released in the mainshock and relatively small fraction of energy is released during aftershock sequence, for example 80% of the total energy is released during the Mula 1999 mainshock, 88% during Bullas 2002 mainshock and 87% during La Paca 2005 mainshock. The fractal dimension D₂ is estimated using the correlation integral, and then used to derive the slip ratio, as the ratio of the slip occurred on primary fault segment to the total slip. For example, we obtained a slip ratio equal to 71% for the Mula 1999 aftershock sequence, 61% for the Bullas 2002 event, 58% for the La Paca 2005 aftershock, 50% for the Lorca 2011 sequence and 63% for the sequence triggered by the Gador 2002 mainshock.Finally, the correlations between the fractal dimension, the b-value and the p-value is analyzed, and the Aki’s relation D = 3b/c is discussed as well.     

Lateral stability of central Australian longitudinal dunes

Some authors consider that linear dunes migrate laterally on a grand scale, much as rivers move across floodplains. Others have concluded that lateral movement is limited in time and space. During the phase of dune initiation, small ribbons of sand formed in the lee of obstacles merge and coalesce to form recognisable linear dunes. Repeat observations demonstrate that mature sand ridges change position laterally a few metres either way within close limits defined by sand spillages on the slip or avalanche slopes that change orientation in response to changing sand-moving wind directions. This essay considers evidence by which to differentiate these two points of view. Supporting evidence for limited migration take the form of dunes resting on plinths of older alluvial substrates, some capped by gibber and that stand higher than adjacent interdune corridors. Such exposures show that the sand ridges have not migrated laterally during the last several tens of thousands of years. Migration is inhibited by clay cores, calcareous (calcrete) horizons, and the development of vegetated flanks. For these reasons, it is proposed that lateral migration be defined as a change of dune plan position that is greater than the maximum extent of sand deposition that develops in response to changes in the direction of sand-moving winds.     

Penetration of molten iron alloy into the lower mantle phase

The core–mantle boundary is the only interface where the metallic core and the silicate mantle interact physically and chemically. Many geophysical anomalies such as low shear velocity and high electrical conductivity have been observed at the bottom of the mantle. Perturbations in the Earth's rotation rate at decadal time periods require the existence of a thin conductive layer with a conductance of 10⁸ S. Substantial additions of molten iron from the outer core into the mantle may produce these geophysical anomalies. Although iron enrichment by penetration has only been observed in (Mg,Fe)O, the second dominant mineral in the lower mantle, the penetration process leading to iron enrichment in the silicate mantle has not been experimentally confirmed. In this study, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments were conducted to investigate the penetration of molten iron alloy into lower mantle phases; postspinel, polycrystalline bridgmanite and polycrystalline (Mg,Fe)O. At the interface between (Mg,Fe)O aggregate and molten iron alloy, liquid metal penetrated the (Mg,Fe)O aggregate along grain boundaries and formed a thin layer containing metal-rich blobs. In contrast, no penetration of molten iron alloy was observed at the interface between molten iron alloy and silicate phases. Penetration of liquid iron alloy into the (Mg,Fe)O aggregate is caused by the capillarity phenomenon or Mullins–Sekerka instability. Neither mechanism occurs at the boundary of pure polycrystalline MgO, indicating that the FeO in (Mg,Fe)O plays an essential role in this phenomenon. Infiltration of molten iron alloy along grain boundaries (capillarity phenomenon) is the dominant process and precedes penetration due to the Mullins–Sekerka instability. The capillarity phenomenon is governed by the balance of forces between surface tension and gravity. In the case where the ultralow velocity zone (ULVZ) with a low shear velocity is composed of Fe-rich (Mg,Fe)O, the maximum penetration distance of molten iron alloy by capillary rise is limited to 20 m. The addition of iron-rich melt to the base of the mantle is therefore unlikely to be the main cause of the high conductance of the CMB region predicted from decadal variation of the length of day. Furthermore, the absence of molten iron alloy penetration into silicate phases does not allow an extensive modification of the chemical composition of the mantle by core–mantle interaction.     

Application of p-y approach in analyzing pile foundations in frozen ground overlying liquefiable soils

Two major earthquakes in Alaska, namely the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and the 2002 Denali Earthquake, occurred in winter seasons when the ground crust was frozen. None of the then-existing foundation types was able to withstand the force from the lateral spreading of frozen crust. This paper presents results from the analysis of pile foundations in frozen ground overlying liquefiable soil utilizing the Beam-on-Nonlinear-Winkler-Foundation (BNWF) (or p-y approach). P-multipliers were applied on traditional sandy soil p-y curves to simulate soil strength degradation during liquefaction. Frozen soil p-y curves were constructed based on a model proposed in a recent study and the frozen soil mechanical properties obtained from testing of naturally frozen soils. Pile response results from the p-y approach were presented along with those from fluid-solid coupled Finite Element (FE) modeling for comparison purpose. Finally, the sensitivity of pile response to frozen soil parameters was investigated and a brief discussion is presented.