Seismic evaluation of existing nuclear facility using ambient vibration test to characterize dynamic behavior of the structure and microtremor measurements to characterize the soil: a case study

The methods used for a building seismic hazard evaluation are presented with the associated results. The goals of the study are (1) to check the soil nature and the existence or not of a possible site effect around the installation and (2) to characterize the dynamic behavior of the building using ambient vibration records.

The results of the soil study with the Nakamura method are very difficult to interpret because they are not stable in space and time. The spectral ratios method has been used with regional earthquake records. The results of the application of this method allowed us to conclude that the installation was free of site effect.

The ambient vibration measurements on the building brought the conclusion to determine the first and second modes of the structure. These results have been used to calibrate numerical model. The modal shapes in plan (high roof) and in elevation (main column) have been evaluated. The damping of the building has been computed using ambient vibration records.     

Broadband frequency-dependent amplification of seismic waves across Bucharest, Romania

The determination of seismic amplitude amplification is a fundamental contribution to seismic hazard assessment. While often only high-frequency amplitude variations (>1 Hz) are taken into account, we analyse broadband waveforms from 0.14 to 8.6 Hz using a temporary network of 32 stations in and around the earthquake-prone city of Bucharest. Spectral amplitudes are calculated with an adaptive multiple-taper approach. Across our network (aperture 25 km × 25 km), we find a systematic northwest/southeast-oriented structural influence on teleseismic P-wave amplitudes from 0.14 to 0.86 Hz that can be explained by constructive interference in the dipping Cenozoic sedimentary layers. For higher frequencies (1.4–8.75 Hz), more local site effects prevail and can be correlated partly among neighbouring stations. The transition between systematic and localised amplitude variations occurs at about 1 Hz.     

Low-decomposition rates of riparian litter in a North Patagonian ultraoligotrophic lake

Littoral zones of lakes are important for carbon and nutrient recycling because of the accumulation and decomposition of organic matter (OM) coming from terrestrial and aquatic plants. Here, we aimed to study OM decomposition from the most abundant riparian trees (Nothofagus dombeyi and Myrceugenia exsucca), and an emergent macrophyte (Schoenoplectus californicus), in the littoral zone of an ultraoligotrophic North-Patagonian Andean lake. We analysed the initial 2-days leaching, and litter mass loss and litter nutrient changes after one year of decomposition in a litter-bag experiment. The three studied species had very slow decay rates (k < 0.005 day⁻¹), and initial nutrient release by leaching was not related to differences in decomposition rates. However, differences in leaf traits (lignin content) were related to interspecific variation in decomposition rates. The highest decomposition rates were observed for the macrophyte S. californicus, the species with the lower lignin content, while the opposite was observed in the Myrtaceae M. exsucca. In the three studied species, nitrogen content increased during decomposition. Our results indicated that in the shore of ultra-oligotrophic lakes, litter remains for long periods with net nutrient immobilization, thus OM of the riparian vegetation represents a carbon and nutrient sink.     

Isolation of plane shear wave using water saturated trench barrier

The article presents a theoretical investigation of the propagation of normally and obliquely incident plane shear waves past a rectangular trench filled up with water saturated soil sandwiched between anisotropic elastic media. The motivation for this work is due to the effectiveness of the isolation of waves by the in-filled rectangular trench. Unlike the most of the previous researchers, this model considers the soil–structure interaction effects and directly determines the influence of barrier in the form of in-filled trench on the mode of wave propagation. It is of interest to determine the reflection and transmission coefficients, and the energy partition distribution of shear waves in the in-filled rectangular trench showing the influence of barrier on the propagation of waves. An extensive parametric study through numerical computation is carried out to investigate the influence of the material properties of the in-filled trench and the amplitude ratios on shear waves. The in-filled trench barrier directly declines the intensity of waves significantly in such a way that the waves do not create any hazards to the nearby structures, if exists at all.     

华蓥山地区4口井水位潮汐动态特征研究

本文选择沿华蓥山断裂带分布的荣昌等4口观测井,利用Baytap-G潮汐分析方法,计算各井水位和气压及理论固体潮的潮汐振幅谱,比较其潮汐频谱差异,通过对主要潮汐分波振幅的回归计算定量分析各井水位受气压潮和固体潮影响的大小。基于对井水位正常动态的认识,选择各井水位潮汐的主要分波,对井水位长时序数据进行分析计算,提取水位潮汐响应特征参数(振幅比和相位差),进而探讨特征参数动态变化特征。最后对井水位受气压潮和固体潮影响的差异原因进行了初步探讨。结果表明,荣昌井水位主要受气压作用的影响,北碚、大足、南溪三口井水位受固体潮-气压潮综合作用的影响,而荣昌井水位只受气压潮影响可能与该井所处含水层裂隙发育且该井未下设止水套管有关;荣昌井P_1S_1K_1波和南溪井M_2波振幅比和相位差在几次大震后没有明显变化,说明地震波没有使井孔与含水层之间的水流交换发生显著变化,而北碚井和大足井M_2波振幅比和相位差分别在汶川和芦山地震时发生变化,反映了地震波的疏通影响。     

Assessment of Metal Pollution in Water and Surface Sediments of the Seyhan River,Turkey, Using Different Indexes

The aim of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contamination and enrichment in the surface sediments of the Seyhan River, which is the receiving water body of both treated and untreated municipal and industrial effluents as well as agricultural drainage waters generated within Adana, Turkey. Sediment and water samples were taken from six previously determined stations covering the downstream of the Seyhan dam during both wet and dry seasons and the samples were then analyzed for the heavy metals of concern. When both dry and wet seasons were considered, metal concentrations varied significantly within a broad range with Al, 7210–33 967 mg kg^?1 dw; Cr, 46–122 mg kg^?1 dw; Cu, 6–57 mg kg^?1 dw; Fe, 10 294–26 556 mg kg^?1 dw; Mn, 144–638 mg kg^?1 dw; Ni, 82–215 mg kg^?1 dw; Pb, 11–75 mg kg^?1 dw; Zn, 34–146 mg kg^?1 dw in the sediments while Cd was at non‐detectable levels for all stations. For both seasons combined, the enrichment factor (EF) and the geo‐accumulation index (I_geo) for the sediments in terms of the specified metals ranged from 0.56 to 10.36 and ?2.92 to 1.56, respectively, throughout the lower Seyhan River. The sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of US‐EPA suggested the sediments of the Seyhan River demonstrated “unpolluted to moderate pollution” of Cu, Pb, and Zn, “moderate to very strong pollution” of Cr and Ni. The water quality data, on the other hand, indicated very low levels of these metals suggesting that the metal content in the surface sediments were most probably originating from fine sediments transported along the river route instead of water/wastewater discharges with high metal content.     

Inelastic displacement demands in steel structures and their relationship with earthquake frequency content parameters

This paper deals with the estimation of peak inelastic displacements of SDOF systems, representative of typical steel structures, under constant relative strength scenarios. Mean inelastic deformation demands on bilinear systems (simulating moment resisting frames) are considered as the basis for comparative purposes. Additional SDOF models representing partially‐restrained and concentrically‐braced (CB) frames are introduced and employed to assess the influence of different force‐displacement relationships on peak inelastic displacement ratios. The studies presented in this paper illustrate that the ratio between the overall yield strength and the strength during pinching intervals is the main factor governing the inelastic deformations of partially‐restrained models and leading to significant differences when compared with predictions based on bilinear structures, especially in the short‐period range. It is also shown that the response of CB systems can differ significantly from other pinching models when subjected to low or moderate levels of seismic demand, highlighting the necessity of employing dedicated models for studying the response of CB structures. Particular attention is also given to the influence of a number of scalar parameters that characterise the frequency content of the ground motion on the estimated peak displacement ratios. The relative merits of using the average spectral period T_aver, mean period T_m, predominant period T_g, characteristic period T_c and smoothed spectral predominant period T_o of the earthquake ground motion, are assessed. This paper demonstrates that the predominant period, defined as the period at which the input energy is maximum throughout the period range, is the most suitable frequency content scalar parameter for reducing the variability in displacement estimations. Finally, noniterative equivalent linearisation expressions based on the secant period and equivalent damping ratios are presented and verified for the prediction of peak deformation demands in steel structures. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace elements and stable isotopic geochemistry of an Early Cambrian chert-phosphorite unit from the lower Yurtus Formation of the Sugetbrak section in the Tarim Basin

A chert-phosphorite unit from the Sugetbrak section in the Tarim Basin was analyzed for rare earth elements (Ce, Eu), redox sensitive proxies, and carbon isotopic compositions (δ¹³C_carb and δ ¹³C_org) in the lower Yurtus Formation of the Early Cambrian period. Redox sensitive element ratios (Th/U, V/Cr, Ni/Co, and V/Sc) were employed to determine the palaeoenvironmental conditions during this period. The ratios indicated that the depositional environment of the chert-phosphorite-black shale unit ranged from suboxic to anoxic. Negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies in the chert-phosphorite assemblages of the studied Yurtus Formation indicated the existence of a redox-stratified ocean, similar to that of South China. Overturn or upward expansion of the deep water-mass probably reached the shallow marine zone after the formation of the Yurtus phosphorites. The characteristics of the negative Ce anomaly may be due to phosphoritic inheritance from the Ce-depleted signature of the overlying water column. Subsequent hydrothermal inputs and reduced detrital supplies of the deep water caused by the upwelling affected certain redox sensitive elements in the sedimentary basin. δ ¹³C_carb and δ¹³C_org negative excursions in the Yurtus chert-phosphorite unit may be related to a transgression phase when episodic basinal upwelling moved ¹²C- and P-rich waters from the pelagic basin floor to the continental shelf. Although carbon isotopic compositions in the Yurtus chert-phosphorite assemblages may have suffered from diagenetic alteration, they can be used to probe diagenetic conditions. Multi-proxy geochemical studies indicated that the δ ¹³C_carb values of the Yurtus chert-phosphorite assemblages might be considered reflections of a predominantly suboxic environment that was subsequently affected by hydrothermal inputs due to the upwelling.     

渤海湾盆地北西盆山边界地区泊松比分布

泊松比做为了解地球内部介质一个非常重要的参数,在地震学上可以通过P波和S波速度的比值来确定.利用远震P波波形记录中包含的壳-幔速度间断面的Ps转换波及其多次反射/转换波信息,采用在地壳厚度－波速比平面上对接收函数转换波能量的叠加搜索方法,可以测定台站下方区域内地壳的平均厚度和泊松比.我们对渤海湾盆地北西盆山边界地区68个宽频带台站近两年的远震记录资料进行了处理研究,得到了该区域的地壳厚度以及泊松比分布.结果表明,渤海湾盆地北西盆山边界的泊松比值分布横向变化复杂, 山区侧与盆地侧存在明显差异;山区侧泊松比值分布相对均匀,盆地侧变化剧烈,但存在小区域范围内(100～200km)的一致性,与地表出露岩石的对比表明:形成渤海湾盆地的新生代伸展作用在下地壳深度有明显的响应,从地震学上获得的泊松比分布对于了解该地区地壳物质组成可起到很好的约束作用.     

Chloride source delineation in an urban-agricultural watershed: Deicing agents versus agricultural contributions

Analyses (n = 525) of chloride (Cl⁻), bromide (Br⁻), nitrate as nitrogen (NO₃-N), sodium (Na⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺) and potassium (K⁺) in stream water, tile-drain water and groundwater were conducted in an urban-agricultural watershed (10% urban/impervious, 87% agriculture) to explore potential differences in the signature of Cl⁻ originating from an urban source as compared with an agricultural source. Only during winter recharge events did measured Cl⁻ concentrations exceed the 230 mg/L chronic threshold. At base flow, nearly all surface water and tile water samples had Cl⁻ concentrations above the calculated background threshold of 18 mg/L. Mann–Whitney U tests revealed ratios of Cl⁻ to Br⁻ (p = .045), to NO₃-N (p < .0001), to Ca²⁺ (p < .0001), and to Na⁺ (p < .0001) to be significantly different between urban and agricultural waters. While Cl⁻ ratios indicate that road salt was the dominant source of Cl⁻ in the watershed, potassium chloride fertilizer contributed as an important secondary source. Deicing in watersheds where urban land use is minimal had a profound impact on Cl⁻ dynamics; however, agricultural practices contributed Cl⁻ year-round, elevating stream base flow Cl⁻ concentrations above the background level.