A modal pushover analysis procedure to estimate seismic demands for unsymmetric‐plan buildings

An Erratum has been published for this article in Earthquake Engng. Struct. Dyn. 2004; 33:1429. Based on structural dynamics theory, the modal pushover analysis (MPA) procedure retains the conceptual simplicity of current procedures with invariant force distribution, now common in structural engineering practice. The MPA procedure for estimating seismic demands is extended to unsymmetric‐plan buildings. In the MPA procedure, the seismic demand due to individual terms in the modal expansion of the effective earthquake forces is determined by non‐linear static analysis using the inertia force distribution for each mode, which for unsymmetric buildings includes two lateral forces and torque at each floor level. These ‘modal’ demands due to the first few terms of the modal expansion are then combined by the CQC rule to obtain an estimate of the total seismic demand for inelastic systems. When applied to elastic systems, the MPA procedure is equivalent to standard response spectrum analysis (RSA). The MPA estimates of seismic demand for torsionally‐stiff and torsionally‐flexible unsymmetric systems are shown to be similarly accurate as they are for the symmetric building; however, the results deteriorate for a torsionally‐similarly‐stiff unsymmetric‐plan system and the ground motion considered because (a) elastic modes are strongly coupled, and (b) roof displacement is underestimated by the CQC modal combination rule (which would also limit accuracy of RSA for linearly elastic systems). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Approximate modal decomposition of inelastic dynamic responses of wall buildings

Two approximate methods for decomposing complicated inelastic dynamic responses of wall buildings into simple modal responses are presented. Both methods are based on the equivalent linear concept, where a non‐linear structure is represented by a set of equivalent linear models. One linear model is used for representing only one vibration mode of the non‐linear structure, and its equivalent linear parameters are identified from the inelastic response time histories by using a numerical optimizer. Several theoretical relations essential for the modal decomposition are derived under the framework of complex modal analysis. Various numerical examinations have been carried out to check the validity of the proposed modal decomposition methods, and the results are quite satisfactory in all cases. Fluctuating bending moment and shear at any location along the wall height contributed by each individual vibration mode can be obtained. Modal contributions to shear and flexural strength demands, as well as the corresponding modal properties, under various seismic loading conditions can also be identified and examined in detail. Furthermore, the effects of higher vibration modes on seismic demands of wall buildings are investigated by using the modal decomposition methods. Several new insights into the complicated inelastic dynamics of multi‐story wall buildings are presented. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance evaluation of steel arch bridges against major earthquakes. Part 1: dynamic analysis approach

In this study the inelastic behavior of steel arch bridges subjected to strong ground motions from major earthquakes is investigated by dynamic analyses of a typical steel arch bridge using a three‐dimensional (3D) analytical model, since checking seismic performance against severe earthquakes is not usually performed when designing such kinds of bridge. The bridge considered is an upper‐deck steel arch bridge having a reinforced concrete (RC) deck, steel I‐section girders and steel arch ribs. The input ground motions are accelerograms which are modified ground motions based on the records from the 1995 Hyogoken‐Nanbu earthquake. Both the longitudinal and transverse dynamic characteristics of the bridge are studied by investigation of time‐history responses of the main parameters. It is found that seismic responses are small when subjected to the longitudinal excitation, but significantly large under the transverse ground motion due to plasticization formed in some segments such as arch rib ends and side pier bases where axial force levels are very high. Finally, a seismic performance evaluation method based on the response strain index is proposed for such steel bridge structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seepage driving effect on deformations of San Fernando dams

In the process of flow deformation of an earth dam, the seepage force inside the dam plays a role as a driving force. The seepage force acts just like the gravitational force in terms of pushing soils away from their original locations after liquefaction is triggered. This paper draws attention to this seepage driving effect by presenting a set of fully coupled finite element analyses on the well-known San Fernando dams, with the objective of evaluating the impact of this seepage effect. The results indicate that while this effect is always there, its practical significance depends on a number of factors. In the case of the upper San Fernando dam, which experienced a significant, but restricted, downstream movement during the 1971 earthquake, the seepage driving effect was indeed significant. On the contrary, for the lower dam, which failed and slid into the upstream reservoir during the same earthquake, this seepage effect was relatively less pronounced. The detailed results of the analyses reveal the likely mechanisms of failure and deformation of the two dams and the likely cause behind the difference between their responses during the earthquake.     

兰州CAWS600-R自动站与人工观测资料对比分析

利用2002年11月到2003年2月兰州CAWS600-R型自动站与人工观测的温度、本站气压、水汽压、相对湿度、5～320cm地温等资料，分析了对比观测资料的差值。结果表明：对气温、本站气压、水汽压、相对湿度及320cm地温等要素观测误差较小，5～160cm地温的观测误差较大。自动观测仪器的系统性偏差、测量元件的精度及对气象要素变化响应的灵敏度、观测时间的差异和人为因素的影响是造成对比观测误差的原因。     

雾探测器现场对比试验方法研究

简单介绍了WT-1型雾探测器的结构和现场试验情况，对试验期间(2001年12月1日至2002年5月31日)所获取的数据进行了统计分析，计算了试验期间雾探测器数据的缺测率、与人工观测数据及芬兰同类产品的测量结果之间的相关系数，三者之间的相符率，以及数据随时间的变化趋势。以数据处理结果为依据，客观地阐述了雾探测器的优缺点，以及与目前世界上普遍认可的芬兰能见度仪之间的差距，同时也提出了雾探测器改进的一些建议。     

傅立叶相位分析导风技术的适用范围和相位重叠分析

本文利用傅立叶相位分析法对示踪云进行频域波谱分析，通过谐波的相位变化计算波速，从而导出云迹风(Cloud Motion Wind—CMW)。本文研究表明，对于给定的导风云图序列，如果示踪云在给定时间间隔内的位移小于两个像距，适用傅立叶相位分析法计算云迹风；否则，在用傅立叶相位分析法计算波速时由于高次谐波出现相位重叠，从而使计算的波速小于实际风速，此时适用最大相关系数法。     

湖南汛期降水异常的时空分布特征研究

利用湖南19个测站23年(1959～2001年)4～9月的降水量资料，用EOF、REOF、小波分析对湖南汛期降水的特征场分布、分区特征、周期性和突变性等时空分布特征进行了诊断研究。研究结果表明：EOF分析得到的前三个典型场可以很好的反映湖南汛期降水空间分布的异常结构，即具有整体一致的空间结构，南北相反的空间结构，中部和周围地区相反变化的空间结构。旋转后的前6个空间模态可以较好地代表湖南汛期降水的6个异常敏感区：湘北、湘中、湘南、湘东南、湘西、湘东北。利用小波分析方法研究湖南汛期降水的周期性及其突变性发现，湖南汛期降水存在着明显的3年、7年和23年的特征时间尺度和周期性振荡；并且在今后相当长的一段时间内，湖南汛期的降水将逐年减少，并将转入干旱时期。     

国家气象中心客观要素预报--MOS系统

面向全国2000多个台站，应用数值预报产品释用MOS技术制作温度、降水、相对湿度、风、云量及能见度等要素预报，并实现了预报业务运行。通过建立MOS预报系统，表明预报因子和预报对象的处理、建方程前的参数选择以及预报因子的选取都会影响要素预报的质量，需要做大量的细致工作。预报检验结果显示，降水预报尚未达到可用程度．温度和相对湿度的短期预报在大多数情况下是可用的或是可参考的，但还有待进一步改进。降水预报尚需在预报因子和充分运用多种探测信息方面加以改进。     

北京连续降雪过程分析

该文对2002年12月份北京出现的1841年以来历史上最长的连续6天的降雪天气进行了合成分析和诊断分析。北半球合成环流形势显示，连续降雪发生在东亚稳定的纬向环流形势下，其上游地区强大经向环流和阻塞高压使中纬度东亚和西太平洋纬向环流得以维持。东亚合成环流的垂直结构表明，连续降雪期间华北地区始终处于锋区中，并存在低空辐合、高空辐散的散度场垂直分布结构。卫星水汽云图显示出有水汽通道向河套倒槽云系输送水汽。华北地区的诊断分析表明，地面和边界层中山东地区分裂高压南侧向北回流的偏南气流是造成降雪的主要水汽通道。变形场的流场结构使水汽在北京附近辐合。垂直剖面展现了华北回流降雪天气近地面层的浅薄的冷空气垫，和暖湿空气回流在冷空气垫上的爬升，并在其上形成一个浅薄的饱和层。