A possible case of Sporadic Aurora in 1843 from Mexico

In recent years, some authors have shown that some auroras can be observed at relatively low latitude when the geomagnetic activity is quiet or moderate. This very special type of aurora is called “sporadic aurora”. We present and analyze in this work a possible case of “sporadic aurora” observed in Mexico on the 19 April 1843. Moreover, we study the solar and auroral activity around this event.     

Inelastic response of RC frame buildings with seismic isolation

A comprehensive parametric study on the inelastic seismic response of seismically isolated RC frame buildings, designed for gravity loads only, is presented. Four building prototypes, with 23 m × 10 m floor plan dimensions and number of storeys ranging from 2 to 8, are considered. All the buildings present internal resistant frames in one direction only, identified as the strong direction of the building. In the orthogonal weak direction, the buildings present outer resistant frames only, with infilled masonry panels. This structural configuration is typical of many existing RC buildings, realized in Italy and other European countries in the 60s and 70s. The parametric study is based on the results of extensive nonlinear response‐time history analyses of 2‐DOF systems, using a set of seven artificial and natural seismic ground motions. In the parametric study, buildings with strength ratio (F_y/W) ranging from 0.03 to 0.15 and post‐yield stiffness ratio ranging from 0% to 6% are examined. Three different types of isolation systems are considered, that is, high damping rubber bearings, lead rubber bearings and friction pendulum bearings. The isolation systems have been designed accepting the occurrence of plastic hinges in the superstructure during the design earthquake. The nonlinear response‐time history analyses results show that structures with seismic isolation experience fewer inelastic cycles compared with fixed‐base structures. As a consequence, although limited plastic deformations can be accepted, the collapse limit state of seismically isolated structures should be based on the lateral capacity of the superstructure without significant reliance on its inherent hysteretic damping or ductility capacity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of nonlinear time history analysis models for single‐storey concentrically braced frames using full‐scale shake table tests

The concentrically braced frame (CBF) structure is one of the most efficient steel structural systems to resist earthquakes. This system can dissipate energy during earthquakes through braces, which are expected to yield in tension and buckle in compression, while all other elements such as columns, beams and connections are expected to behave elastically. In this paper, the performance of single‐storey CBFs is assessed with nonlinear time‐history analysis, where a robust numerical model that simulates the behaviour of shake table tests is developed. The numerical model of the brace element used in the analysis was calibrated using data measured in physical tests on brace members subjected to cyclic loading. The model is then validated by comparing predictions from nonlinear time‐history analysis to measured performance of brace members in full scale shake table tests. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the performance of the CBF to different earthquake ground motions is investigated by subjecting the CBF to eight ground motions that have been scaled to have similar displacement response spectra. The comparative assessments presented in this work indicate that these developed numerical models can accurately capture the salient features related to the seismic behaviour of CBFs. A good agreement is found between the performance of the numerical and physical models in terms of maximum displacement, base shear force, energy dissipated and the equivalent viscous damping. The energy dissipated and, more particular, the equivalent viscous damping, are important parameters required when developing an accurate displacement‐based design methodology for CBFs subjected to earthquake loading. In this study, a relatively good prediction of the equivalent viscous damping is obtained from the numerical model when compared with data measured during the shake table tests. However, it was found that already established equations to determine the equivalent viscous damping of CBFs may give closer values to those obtained from the physical tests. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ground motion scaling methods for linear‐elastic structures: an integrated experimental and analytical investigation

The task of selecting and scaling an appropriate set of ground motion records is one of the most important challenges facing practitioners in conducting dynamic response history analyses for seismic design and risk assessment. This paper describes an integrated experimental and analytical evaluation of selected ground motion scaling methods for linear‐elastic building frame structures. The experimental study is based on the shake table testing of small‐scale frame models with four different fundamental periods under ground motion sets that have been scaled using different methods. The test results are then analytically extended to a wider range of structural properties to assess the effectiveness of the scaling methods in reducing the dispersion and increasing the accuracy in the seismic displacement demands of linear‐elastic structures, also considering biased selection of ground motion subsets. For scaling methods that are based on a design estimate of the fundamental period of the structure, effects of possible errors in the estimated period are investigated. The results show that a significant reduction in the effectiveness of these scaling methods can occur if the fundamental period is not estimated with reasonable certainty. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

柴达木盆地石炭系油气调查最新进展

柴达木盆地石炭系是海相油气勘探的新领域,通过对柴达木盆地石炭系油气地质条件进行调查,评价其资源潜力,为该区寻找油气战略接替区提供科学依据。以柴达木盆地石炭系为主要目标,通过调查和研究,首次获得柴达木盆地石炭系油气流,在柴达木盆地古生界海相新层系油气方面取得重要发现; 综合区域调查、平衡剖面反演及镜质体反射率等分析,获取柴达木盆地主要构造运动期次; 结合盆地模拟技术,重建了石炭系埋藏史,分析了柴达木盆地德令哈坳陷石炭系烃源岩油气地化指标,研究了烃源岩生烃演化史。研究表明: 柴达木盆地德令哈坳陷石炭系烃源岩广泛发育,有机质丰度较高,埋深较大,但未发生变质,处于成熟—高成熟阶段; 德令哈坳陷石炭系埋藏史主要表现为快速埋藏期、稳定期与强烈抬升剥蚀期,新生代以来沉降史与抬升剥蚀史存在着差异; 石炭系烃源岩热演化史主要表现为“存在二次生烃,晚期生烃为主”的特点,主要受该区构造运动控制; 柴达木盆地热演化总体表现为缓慢降低的趋势,主要受控于柴达木盆地岩浆热事件与构造活动。调查分析表明,新层系石炭系油气条件良好,资源前景广阔,是柴达木盆地下一步勘探的接替层系。     

Geotechnical influence on existing subway tunnels induced by multiline tunneling in Shanghai soft soil

Multiline tunneling construction in soft soil significantly impedes risk control and environmental protection. Current research has investigated on the effect of single-line shield excavation on surrounding environments and tunneling for parallel-crossing or perpendicular down-crossing underground structures. However, minimal attention has been given to soil disturbances induced by multiline tunneling and complex overlapped interaction mechanics for adjacent structures, such as existing above-crossing and down-crossing subway tunnels. Few studies focus on oblique crossing construction and setting rules for the operation parameters of shield machines. Based on the Shanghai Railway transportation project and in situ monitoring data, the deformation analyses of existing subway tunnels induced by an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield during the process of above-overlapped and down-overlapped crossing tunnels with oblique angles are presented. The deformation analyses employ the three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) numerical simulation method, and the simplified analytical method. The analysis results from the theoretical methods are consistent with the monitoring data. The setting rules of multiline propulsion main parameters, including the earth pressure for cutting open, and the synchronized grouting, are also established. This study may provide a theoretical basis for the development of properly overlapped crossing schemes and geotechnical protective measures during multiline tunneling construction in soft soil.     

沁水盆地地层剥蚀量研究

[摘 要]沁水盆地自晚三叠世以来不断抬升,遭受了多次剥蚀,但其累积剥蚀量一直悬而未决,对盆地模拟和资源评价产生了不良影响。本文在沁水盆地沉积-构造演化史、热演化史研究的基础上,根据野外露头和钻井资料,以镜质体反射率反演方法为主,辅以声波时差法和构造剖面法,较为准确地确定了沁水盆地中新生代以来的累积地层剥蚀量。研究表明,沁水盆地石炭-二叠系煤层在燕山运动时期遭受最高地温,其后回返抬升并伴有地温梯度下降。参照济阳坳陷连续沉积剖面建立了镜质体反射率与深度关系,经地温梯度校正后,计算出了沁水盆地石炭-二叠系最大埋深,从而得到其此后抬升过程中的累积剥蚀量,经与声波时差法、构造剖面法计算结果对比,三者计算结果较为符合。研究结果表明,晚三叠世以来沁水盆地累积地层剥蚀量在1400～3300m之间,其中盆地中部剥蚀量较少,一般小于2500m,盆地边缘剥蚀量较大,可达3000m以上。主要剥蚀时期为晚白垩世至新近纪,地层剥蚀量可达2000m以上;其次为晚三叠世至早侏罗世,地层剥蚀量一般小于1000m。     

U–Pb and Ar–Ar geochronology of the Fujiawu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit,Dexing district,Southeast China: Implications for magmatism,hydrothermal alteration,and mineralization

The Fujiawu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is one of several porphyry Cu–Mo deposits in the Dexing district, Jiangxi Province, Southeast China. New zircon SHRIMP U–Pb data yield a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 172.0 ± 2.1 and 168.5 ± 1.4 Ma from weakly altered granodiorite porphyry and quartz diorite porphyry, respectively. Two hydrothermal biotites from granodiorite porphyry give an Ar–Ar step-heating plateau age of 169.9 ± 1.8 and 168.7 ± 1.8 Ma. Hydrothermal apatite exsolved from altered biotite yields an isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry isochron age of 164.4 ± 0.9 Ma. The apatite age is similar to the ages obtained from hydrothermal rutile (165.0 ± 1.1 and 164.8 ± 1.6 Ma) and indicates that the magmatism and hydrothermal activity in the Fujiawu deposit occurred in the Middle Jurassic. Hydrothermal fluid circulation related to multiple stages of magma emplacement resulted in Cu–Mo mineralization in the Fujiawu porphyry deposit. The zircon SHRIMP U–Pb ages and the published molybdenite Re–Os age (170.9 ± 1.5 Ma) represent the timing of magma crystallization and Mo mineralization, whereas the rutile and apatite U–Pb ages reflect the timing of Cu mineralization following quartz diorite emplacement. The data suggest slow cooling after emplacement of the quartz diorite porphyry.     

History of Paleoseismic Activity Along the Hohhot Segment of Daqingshan Piedmont Fault in the Late Quaternary

INTRODUCTIONTheDaqingshanpledmont扭nit Is an irllt,oltant active normal tsult In the active fault－depressionzone——Hetao ault－depression zone In the northern part of Ordos Block,North China．It lies in ENEdirection long the southern pledmont of Daqingshan Mountain,dips to south,and extends for 200 kmor。。The fault was formed In the Eocene and strongly activated In the Cenozolc．Its verticaldlspl。ement exceeds 2400 m since the Quaternary(Rese。h Group on Ordos Block,State…     

利用磷灰石裂变径迹资料反演合肥盆地古地温和估计沉降率与剥蚀率

利用合肥盆地内６个磷灰石裂变径迹样品资料，反演模拟了该盆地自侏罗纪晚期以来各时代地层古地温变化，估算了沉降率与剥蚀率．模拟结果与其他地质资料推论一致，它揭示出该盆地南北两地存在不同的构造变化和受热史，反映了大别山构造发展对盆地南北两地区影响的差异．盆地南部靠近大别山地区的晚侏罗世地层在白垩纪早期埋藏温度曾大于１２０℃；早白垩世后期的构造抬升（剥蚀率约１３０ｍ／Ｍａ）使温度降至３０-４０℃；自白垩纪后期始，该地区一直处于动荡的但总体为持续抬升的构造环境中．盆地北部地区晚侏罗世与早白垩世早期地层在白垩纪期间埋藏温度曾达到和超过１００℃，但随后的大幅度构造抬升（剥蚀率约１９０ｍ／Ｍａ）使其温度降至３０-６０℃；第三纪早期，局部区域的裂陷（沉降率约６０ｍ／Ｍａ）使温度又升至８０℃左右．指出合肥盆地构造演化大体可分形成、隆升、局部裂陷和再隆升４个阶段．