Parametric investigation of lateral spreading of gently sloping liquefied ground

This paper investigates the main parameters affecting the anticipated maximum surface displacements due to earthquake-induced lateral spreading of mildly sloping ground. The main tool used for this purpose is a numerical methodology employing a bounding surface plasticity model implemented in a finite difference code, which has been thoroughly validated against 16 published centrifuge lateral spreading experiments. This study shows that important problem parameters are the mean ground (surface) acceleration, the duration of strong shaking following the onset of liquefaction, the corrected SPT blowcount, the depth to the sliding plane, the inclination of the ground surface and the fines content of the liquefied soil layers. A new approximate multi-variable relation is proposed for the estimation of ground surface displacements due to lateral spreading in gently sloping ground, which includes the foregoing parameters. The form of the relation builds upon sliding block theory, but its final formulation is based on statistical analysis of the input data and the results from 120 parametric analyses performed with the validated numerical methodology. Comparison of the predictions of the proposed relation for ground surface displacement against pertinent field data (from 256 case histories) and centrifuge test measurements shows satisfactory accuracy. Furthermore, the variation of lateral displacements with depth is explored and distinct displacement patterns are proposed for uniform, 2-layer and 4-layer ground profiles.     

Earthquake performance assessment and retrofit investigations of two suspension bridges in Istanbul

This paper presents the results from earthquake performance assessment and retrofit investigations for Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Bosporus suspension bridges, with main span lengths of 1090 and 1074 m in Istanbul. In the first part of the study, sophisticated three-dimensional finite element model of two suspension bridges were developed and the results of the free vibration analysis were presented. The models contain detailed structural components of the bridges and geometric non-linearity with cable sagging and stress stiffening, cumber of the deck and set-back of the towers. These components affect the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes of the bridges. In the second part of the study, the seismic performance evaluation of two suspension bridges was undertaken. For performance assessments, non-linear 3-D finite-element time history analysis of with multi-support scenario earthquake excitation was used. Displacements and stresses at critical points of the bridges were investigated. Their earthquake performance under the action of scenario earthquake (site-specific ground motion that would result from the Mw=7.5 scenario earthquake on the Main Marmara Fault) were estimated and comparison with actual design data were also presented. Although both suspension bridges were originally designed for much lower earthquake loads they exhibited satisfactory performance. Finally, suggestions for retrofit need were made and retrofit design with hysteretic dampers for the Bosporus suspension bridge was calculated.     

多层隔震结构的竖向地震作用研究

国外对隔震结构竖向地震反应的观测结果和对隔震结构竖向地震作用计算的规定,都与我国抗震规范有较大差别。本文通过反应谱和时程分析,讨论了多层隔震结构的竖向地震作用取值及竖向地震作用效应,对我国抗震规范的有关规定作了探讨,认为除位于近断层附近的隔震建筑外,其它隔震结构的竖向地震作用可取与不隔震结构相同;对于多层隔震建筑,多遇地震下可不考虑竖向地震作用,在罕遇地震下,应对所有隔震结构验算支座是否受拉或失稳,并且组合时应计入竖向地震作用效应。     

汶川地震中某RC框架结构的震害分析与模拟

2008年5月12日,四川省汶川县发生里氏8.0级地震,造成了巨大的人员伤亡以及工程结构震害。本文基于江油市某RC框架结构的震害调查,分析了该框架结果出现底层"薄弱层"和"强梁弱柱"的破坏机制的主要原因。采用该框架结构附近三个台站的主震加速度记录作为输入开展了非线性地震反应分析。研究表明,填充墙的竖向不均匀布置改变了框架的抗侧刚度分布,造成底层薄弱层的破坏现象。底层柱子的轴压比相对较大,塑性变形能力及耗能能力相对较差,使得底层柱的变形量更容易达到其塑性变形极限而发生破坏。由于现浇楼板对梁刚度和抗弯承载力的增强,框架结构很难出现规范中"强柱弱梁"的破坏机制。结构基本周期对应的加速度反应谱值是决定结构地震反应的主要参数,基本周期加速度反应谱值的增加会导致结构塑性铰的迅速发展,造成结构出现柱铰机构而整体失稳倒塌。建议设计框架结构时,尽量避免填充墙的不均匀布置。适当增加底层柱的截面面积和配筋率,降低轴压比以保证良好的延性。梁端负向抗弯承载力计算时采用T型截面,并考虑一定范围内楼板配筋的影响。     

Modeling viscous damping in nonlinear response history analysis of buildings for earthquake excitation

The Rayleigh damping model, which is pervasive in nonlinear response history analysis (RHA) of buildings, is shown to develop ‘spurious’ damping forces and lead to inaccurate response results. We prove that a viscous damping matrix constructed by superposition of modal damping matrices—irrespective of the number of modes included or values assigned to modal damping ratios—completely eliminates the ‘spurious’ damping forces. This is the damping model recommended for nonlinear RHA. Replacing the stiffness‐proportional part of Rayleigh damping by the tangent stiffness matrix is shown to improve response results. However, this model is not recommended because it lacks a physical basis and has conceptual implications that are troubling: hysteresis in damping force–velocity relationship and negative damping at large displacements. Furthermore, the model conflicts with the constant‐damping model that has been the basis for fundamental concepts and accumulated experience about the inelastic response of structures. With a distributed plasticity model, the structural response is not sensitive to the damping model; even the Rayleigh damping model leads to acceptable results. This perspective on damping provides yet another reason to employ the superior distributed plasticity models in nonlinear RHA. OpenSees software has been extended to include a damping matrix defined as the superposition of modal damping matrices. Although this model leads to a full populated damping matrix, the additional computational demands are demonstrated to be minimal. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PEER-NGL project: Open source global database and model development for the next-generation of liquefaction assessment procedures

The Next-Generation Liquefaction (NGL) project was launched to (1) substantially improve the quality, transparency, and accessibility of case history data related to ground failure; (2) provide a coordinated framework for supporting studies to augment case history data for conditions important for applications but poorly represented in empirical databases; and (3) provide an open, collaborative process for model development in which developer teams have access to common resources and share ideas and results during model development. Work to date has focused on compiling high-value case histories, developing a database template, and planning for needed supporting studies. We describe the project motivation, explain and illustrate how data resources will be compiled and organized, summarize preliminary results from ongoing data collection, describe needed supporting studies, and review project status and next steps.     

加载历程对配径碎煤渗透特性影响的试验研究

为了证实加载历程对破碎煤样渗透特性的影响,利用一套由齿轮泵、换向阀、溢流阀和渗透仪等组成的渗透回路,在CMT5305型电子万能试验机试验系统上测试了配径碎煤在两种不同试验方案下的渗透特性,得到了两种方案配径碎煤的渗流速度、渗透率、非Darcy流? 因子与孔隙度的关系。研究表明：①第1种试验方案的渗流速度和渗透率与孔隙度的关系用幂函数拟合,第2种试验方案的渗流速度和渗透率与孔隙度的关系可用指数函数拟合。②孔隙度较大时,渗透率和非Darcy流? 因子与加载历程有关;孔隙度较小时,渗透率和非Darcy流? 因子趋于稳定,与加载历程无关。③随着孔隙度的减小,方案1非Darcy流? 因子由负变正,配径碎煤的渗透性加强;方案2非Darcy流? 因子始终为负值,配径碎煤的渗透性减弱。④两种方案的非Darcy流? 因子与孔隙度均可采用三次多项式拟合,多项式的系数与加载历程有关。     

试论武汉地区构造演化与岩溶发育史

为了更全面地揭示岩溶发育特点,运用历史比较法,研究了武汉地区构造演化和岩溶发育史。古生代—中生代早期,武汉及周边地区地壳运动以整体升降为特点,各时代地层之间为平行不整合接触。晚古生代和中生代早期发生的两次大的海进—海退作用分别形成了石炭—二叠系和下三叠统两套碳酸盐岩系,为武汉地区岩溶发育提供了物质条件。中三叠世期末的印支运动产生的强大的NNE—SSW向挤压应力,形成NWW—SEE走向的线状褶皱,控制了碳酸盐岩的平面分布格局。晚三叠世—侏罗纪,武汉以西及北部等地隆起,东部及东南部的梁子湖地区在襄樊—广济等断裂的控制下逐步开始凹陷。这一时期内,地表、地下水总体向东部梁子湖凹陷汇集,控制了武汉地区第一期地下岩溶的发育。白垩—古近纪,武汉及周边地区地壳活动表现为差异性沉降,接受沉积,岩溶作用停止。新近纪—早更新世,武汉以西的潜江凹陷继续发展,而武汉地区则总体隆升。该时期内古地势东高西低,地表、地下水由东向西流动,第二期地下岩溶也自东向西发育。中、晚更新世时期,武汉及周边地区总体下沉,广泛形成厚10～30 m不等的老粘性土层覆盖于前二期岩溶之上。由于相对不透水层的阻隔,这一时期内岩溶作用基本停止发生。全新世时期,地表水的侵蚀作用部分地破坏了老粘土盖层的连续性。由于碳酸盐岩分布于现长江水体以下10～20 m,侵蚀基准面远高于碳酸盐岩的分布高程,地下水活动很弱,岩溶作用很弱或未发生。      

Life cycle phenology, secondary production, and trophic guilds of caddisfly species in a lake-outlet stream of Patagonia

Lake-outlets are transitional areas recognized as highly productive ecosystems in terms of density and biomass of aquatic insects. Life cycle, secondary production, trophic guilds and environmental constraints of caddisfly assemblages were investigated on a natural lake-outlet stream (Nant y Fall) in Patagonia, Argentina. We investigated the site monthly from May 2007 to April 2008 by recording environmental data and sampling caddis larvae using a Surber sampler at riffle areas (n = 36). Mastigoptila longicornuta, Smicridea annulicornis, Smicridea frequens, Brachysetodes quadrifidus and Parasericostoma ovale displayed well synchronized univoltine life cycles, while Neoatopsyche brevispina, Neopsilochorema tricarinatum, showed an asynchronous development pattern, although most of them had an extended recruitment, similar to those reported for non lake-outlet streams in the area. Annual secondary production per species varied from 8.22 (B. quadrifidus) to 3568.83 mg m⁻² y⁻¹ (P. ovale), with overall caddisfly production amounting to 4.8 g m⁻² y⁻¹. Shredder/collector-filterer ratio was 3.3/1 suggesting that the system was detrital based. Redundancy analysis indicated that seasonally dynamic variables such as discharge, benthic particulate organic matter and temperature were the main predictors of seasonal caddisfly assemblage variation. We propose that the variety of food resources and the significant spatial heterogeneity at lake-outlet streams contribute to sustain a rich caddisfly community.     

历史有感地震目录编制原则方法的研究——以《中国历史有感地震目录》编制为例

在吸收历史地震研究、历史政区地理研究等多方面成果基础上,基于历史有感地震记载特点,探索了历史有感地震目录的编制原则,给出了地震日期、震中位置、震级的确定方法。以《中国地震历史资料汇编》等为依据,编制了公元前618年-公元1949年期间中国境内3≤M<443/4级历史有感地震目录9 121条。目录数量为中国同期文字记载的43/4级以上破坏性地震的7倍多,比全球其他国家或地区最早的同类目录早1 695年,约占全球同期M≤4.5级有感地震目录的2/3。