Comparison of 1D linear,equivalent-linear,and nonlinear site response models at six KiK-net validation sites

Vertical seismometer arrays represent a unique interaction between observed and predicted ground motions, and they are especially helpful for validating and comparing site response models. In this study, we perform comprehensive linear, equivalent-linear, and nonlinear site response analyses of 191 ground motions recorded at six validation sites in the Kiban–Kyoshin network (KiK-net) of vertical seismometer arrays in Japan. These sites, which span a range of geologic conditions, are selected because they meet the basic assumptions of one-dimensional (1D) wave propagation, and are therefore ideal for validating and calibrating 1D nonlinear soil models. We employ the equivalent-linear site response program SHAKE, the nonlinear site response program DEEPSOIL, and a nonlinear site response overlay model within the general finite element program Abaqus/Explicit. Using the results from this broad range of ground motions, we quantify the uncertainties of the alternative site response models, measure the strain levels at which the models break down, and provide general recommendations for performing site response analyses. Specifically, we find that at peak shear strains from 0.01% to 0.1%, linear site response models fail to accurately predict short-period ground motions; equivalent-linear and nonlinear models offer a significant improvement at strains beyond this level, with nonlinear models exhibiting a slight improvement over equivalent-linear models at strains greater than approximately 0.05%.     

Newmark sliding block model for pile-reinforced slopes under earthquake loading

Recent studies have demonstrated that the use of a discretely-spaced row of piles can be effective in reducing the deformations of slopes in earthquakes. In this paper, an approximate strain-dependant Newmark sliding-block procedure for pile-reinforced slopes has been developed, for use in analysis and design of the piling scheme, and the model is validated against centrifuge test data. The interaction of the pile within the slipping soil was idealised using a non-linear elasto-plastic (P–y) model, while the interaction within the underlying stable soil was modelled using an elastic response model in which (degraded) soil stiffness is selected for an appropriate amount of shear strain. This combined soil–pile interaction model was incorporated into the improved Newmark methodology for unreinforced slopes presented by Al-defae et al. [1], so that the final method additionally incorporates strain-dependent geometric hardening (slope re-grading). When combined with the strain-dependent pile resistance, the method is therefore applicable to analysis of both the mainshock and subsequent aftershocks acting on the deformed slope. It was observed that the single pile resistance is mobilised rapidly at the start of a strong earthquake and that this and the permanent slope deformation are therefore strongly influenced by pile stiffness properties, pile spacing and the depth of the slip surface. The model shows good agreement with the centrifuge test data in terms of the prediction of permanent deformation at the crest of the slope (important in design for selecting an appropriate pile layout/spacing i.e. S/B) and in terms of the maximum permanent bending moments induced in the piles (important for appropriate structural detailing of the piles), so long as the slip surface depth can be accurately predicted. A method for doing this, based on limit analysis, is also presented and validated.     

CityEngine CGA支持下的苗族特色民居三维建模

少数民族民居是中华民族文化的重要组成部分,而在现今民族大融合的背景下,传统少数民族建筑的传承和发展正呈现衰退之势,采用三维建模技术对少数民族民居进行数字化保存意义重大。苗族民居造型复杂,具有独特的吊脚楼结构,给规则建模带来困难。为此,本文以CityEngine软件为建模平台,巧妙地组合与运用挤出、拆分、平移等基础函数,编写了苗族民居底层支柱、二层主屋和歇山型屋顶的规则,完整地实现了苗族典型民居的规则建模,并实现了民居样式的动态调整与民族村寨的快速生成。研究结果表明,基于CGA规则对复杂的民族民居三维建模方法可行,为数字化保存少数民族民居提供了便捷的方式。     

地面三维激光扫描技术在变电站精细测量中的应用

变电站是重要的电力设施,对其进行测绘采集是三维建模与可视化、运行维护、管理、异常监控等工作的基础,但其中构筑物具有复杂、结构异形等特点。本文利用三维激光扫描技术获取点云数据,对变电站进行精细测量。提出了基于空间区域复杂度的划分（如将测区划分为均匀分布区、紧密排列区、气体绝缘封闭组合电器（GIS）区、过渡区）方法,并以新疆亚中变电站为例展示了该方法的应用,最终实现了变电站的三维建模与可视化。     

Delineation of potential exploration targets based on 3D geological modeling: A case study from the Laoangou Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore deposit,China

The Laoangou Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore deposit (LAG) is a hydrothermal vein-type deposit in the East Qinling polymetallic metallogenic belt, which is controlled by NW-, NE- and nearly SN-trending faults and mainly hosted in the dolomite marble of Meiyaogou and Baishugou formations within the Luanchuan ore district (LOD). Although district-scale metallogenic prediction related to the Pb-Zn-Ag deposits in the LOD has been attempted, there have been no studies to formulate a detailed deposit-scale metallogenic prediction of the Pb-Zn-Ag deposit in 3D space. Here we selected the LAG to formulate a metallogenic prediction model for Pb-Zn-Ag deposit based on data from 1:10,000 scale geological map, and 66 boreholes and 39 sections of exploration lines on 1:1000 scale, to extract the salient spatial features of the deposit. We apply ordinary weights and weighted weights of evidence, followed by boosted weights of evidence, logistic regression and information entropy for integrating the features of the ore deposit for exploration targeting. The C–V fractal method is applied to classify the probabilities. Accordingly, three levels of exploration targets are delineated: the first level targets are mainly distributed in the periphery of known orebodies (M2, M3, II-3 and VI), which are also located in the ore-controlling strata and fault zones; the second level targets are located in the region of known orebodies, indirectly confirming that the prediction result is reliable; and the third level targets, which are mainly located at the contact between ore-controlling strata and metagabbro bodies, offer new targets for exploration in this ore district. Combining our results obtained in this study with those in previous studies, we provide some guidelines for exploration targets in the Pb-Zn-Ag deposits in the LOD, which might help in more effectively delineating the target zones.     

Pile driving formulas based on pile wave equation analyses

Pile driving formulas, which directly relate the pile set resulting from a hammer blow to the static load capacity of the pile, are often used to decide whether a pile will have the required design capacity. However, existing formulas do not consider soil or pile type, and do not, in general, reliably predict pile capacity. In this paper, an advanced model for dynamic pile driving analysis was used to develop accurate pile driving formulas. The proposed driving formulas are validated through well-documented case histories. Comparisons of predictions from the proposed formulas with results from static and dynamic load tests show that they produce reasonably accurate predictions of pile capacity based on pile set observations.     

“Transverse Action” – A model benchmark exercise for numerical analysis of the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone hydromechanical response to excavation operations

The Callovo-Oxfordian claystone (COx) is considered as a potential geological formation to host an industrial radioactive waste repository in France. A detailed understanding of the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of the COx is a key issue for design of different repository structures and the safety calculations of the project. More particularly, numerical modeling of induced fracture networks around drifts excavated at the main level of the Andra’s Meuse/Haut-Marne Underground Research Laboratory (M/HM URL) and short and long term behavior of the COx around these drifts are of great interest. Several constitutive models have been developed/used in the framework of the R&D and simulation programs of Andra. A model benchmark exercise has been launched since 2012 to provide an overall view of the developed models regarding the in situ observations. In this view, two series of test cases, respectively at material point scale and at drift excavation scale are defined. Different kinds of constitutive models based on the elasto-visco-plasticity concept, continuum damage mechanics, the rigid block spring method and two-scale computational homogenized model (CHM) are used within this exercise. The obtained results show that accounting for material anisotropy and strain localization treatment techniques can improve the obtained results when elasto-visco-plastic models are used. Damage mechanics based approaches and methods accounting for discontinuities through discrete elements provide also interesting insights especially when fracturing processes must be modeled. However, more efforts are necessary to improve the robustness of these kinds of approaches in the complex context of COx response to excavation works.     

Numerical 3D modeling of the effects of strain rate and confining pressure on the compressive behavior of Kuru granite

This paper deals with numerical modeling of the compressive behavior of granite rock under high strain rate dynamic loading and wide range of confining pressure. For this end, a constitutive model based on damage mechanics and viscoplasticity for rock is formulated and implemented in explicit dynamics FEM. The viscoplastic part is based on a simple power law type yield criterion that incorporates the rate-dependency with a linear viscosity term. Moreover, a Rankine type of tensile cut-off is employed. The damage part of the model is formulated with separate scalar damage variables in tension and compression. The model is calibrated for Kuru granite and validated with the experimental data from dynamic compression tests at the strain rate of 600 1/s up to 225 MPa of confining pressure. The numerical simulations demonstrate that, despite the underlying continuum modeling approach, the model captures the correct experimental failure modes, including the transition from single-to-multiple fragmentation, as well as the dynamic compressive strengths at different confining pressures.     

Cone penetration test in sand: A numerical-analytical approach

Separation of the effects of initial horizontal stress and relative density on cone tip resistance in sandy soils has been a complicated issue for many years. In order to overcome this problem, a numerical modeling of CPT which has been verified by calibration chamber tests, has been used in this paper to achieve a reliable analytical solution. The analytical solution has resulted in two relationships for sleeve friction and cone tip resistance in terms of the initial conditions of sandy soil. Based on the presented solution, the initial horizontal stress and relative density can be determined according to CPT measurements.