Implications of next generation attenuation ground motion prediction equations for site coefficients used in earthquake resistant design

Proposals are developed to update Tables 11.4‐1 and 11.4‐2 of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures published as American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute standard 7‐10 (ASCE/SEI 7–10). The updates are mean next generation attenuation (NGA) site coefficients inferred directly from the four NGA ground motion prediction equations used to derive the maximum considered earthquake response maps adopted in ASCE/SEI 7–10. Proposals include the recommendation to use straight‐line interpolation to infer site coefficients at intermediate values of (average shear velocity to 30‐m depth). The NGA coefficients are shown to agree well with adopted site coefficients at low levels of input motion (0.1 g) and those observed from the Loma Prieta earthquake. For higher levels of input motion, the majority of the adopted values are within the 95% epistemic‐uncertainty limits implied by the NGA estimates with the exceptions being the mid‐period site coefficient, F_v, for site class D and the short‐period coefficient, F_a, for site class C, both of which are slightly less than the corresponding 95% limit. The NGA data base shows that the median value of 913 m/s for site class B is more typical than 760 m/s as a value to characterize firm to hard rock sites as the uniform ground condition for future maximum considered earthquake response ground motion estimates. Future updates of NGA ground motion prediction equations can be incorporated easily into future adjustments of adopted site coefficients using procedures presented herein. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

High-altitude wind velocity at Oukaimeden observatory

This paper aims at studying the wind at 200 mbar over the Moroccan observatory Oukaimeden, as high-altitude winds have been adopted as a useful parameter for site characterization in terms of the suitability of a site for the development of some adaptive optics techniques. The data used come from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data base, which is widely acknowledged as being reliable. Statistical analyses of 200-mbar wind speed since 1983 are performed. Comparison with some of the main observatory sites worldwide qualifies Oukaimeden as one of the best observatory sites in terms of 200-mbar wind statistics. Our analysis of a record of seeing measurements during the years 2003 and 2004 concludes that while 200-mbar wind speed can be used as a parameter for ranking astronomical sites in term of their suitability for adaptive optics, it cannot be used for the whole atmospheric seeing prediction. A comparison of monthly values of the seeing parameter at Oukaimeden, La Silla and Paranal demonstrates the high seeing quality of Oukaimeden, as the seeing values measured were lower than those of La Silla and Paranal for most of the time during the comparison period. Furthermore, a statistical analysis of atmospheric stratified seeing, wavefront coherence time and isoplanatic angle measured with a Multi-Aperture Scintillation Sensor instrument over Paranal from 2004 to 2007 have been performed. We found good correlations between 200-mbar wind velocity and levels 4, 5 and 6 seeing, wavefront coherence time and isoplanatic angle, with corresponding correlation coefficients of 0.74, 0.79, 0.70, 0.97 and 0.78.     

Weather at Sierra Negra: 7.3-yr statistics and a new method to estimate the temporal fraction of cloud cover

Sierra Negra, one of the highest peaks in central Mexico, is the site of the Large Millimeter Telescope. We describe the first results of a comprehensive analysis of the weather data measured in situ from 2000 October to 2008 February to be used as a reference for future activity in the site. We compare the data from two different stations at the summit considering the accuracy of both instruments. We analysed the diurnal, seasonal and annual cycles for all the parameters. The thermal stability is remarkably good, crucial for a good performance of the telescopes. From the solar radiation data, we developed a new method to estimate the fraction of time when the sky is clear of clouds. We show that our measurements are consistent with a warm standard atmosphere model. The conditions at the site are benign and stable given its altitude, showing that Sierra Negra is an extremely good site for millimeter and high-energy observations.     

酒泉钢铁公司地下水源地数值模拟及水位预报

依据实际勘察资料,在全面阐述供水水源地水文地质条件及开采状况,进行地下水均衡计算的基础上,建立了勘察区地下水二维流水量数学模拟模型,重点以酒钢近期和远期对地下水资源的需求量2个开采方案为依据,利用模型对未来水源地地下水位的变化趋势和特征进行了预测预报。结果表明,各水源地总计按近期27.648万m3/d开采至2030年,开采区最大水位降深小于设计允许降深12m,并均已形成稳定的降落漏斗,由此引起的泉水溢出量减少对酒泉西盆地生态环境基本无影响,对现有的其它水源地影响甚微。而各水源地总计按远期34.56万m3/d开采至2030年,北大河、嘉峪关水源地开采井降深小于设计允许降深,自2011年降落漏斗已基本稳定,但黑山湖水源地开采降落漏斗中心最大水位降深分别为17.22m和23.60m,远大于设计允许降深,并且地下水位持续下降,降落漏斗不断扩大并与北大河、嘉峪关水源地降落漏斗相连形成区域性大降落漏斗,由此引起的水位降幅将使现有的泉水大量衰减直至完全消失,对下游生态环境将产生巨大的负面影响。为实现水资源的永续利用和酒钢经济的可持续发展,酒泉公司未来必须实施开源与节流并具的用水战略。     

南海ODP1148站中中新世(12～18.3 Ma) 天文调谐的年代标尺

ODP1148站深海沉积岩心的磁化率记录显示出较强的周期性变化规律．研究发现,中新世和渐新世的深海地层物性参数具有很强的斜率周期．Shackletoneta1．利用这一规律,以北半球高纬太阳辐射曲线作为天文调谐的目标,以ODP154航次的深海沉积岩心的磁化率记录作为调谐对象,将磁化率的极大值与北半球天文辐射的极小值相对应,建立了14～34Ma的天文调谐的年代标尺．采用相同的方法,利用南海北部ODP1148站深海沉积岩心的磁化率记录和北半球高纬太阳辐射曲线建立了南海中中新世天文调谐的年代标尺．调谐后的磁化率记录显示了很强的斜率周期和较强的岁差周期,并与太阳辐射在这2个记录上高度相关,此外偏心率周期在磁化率记录中也较显著．调谐后1148站的浮游有孔虫事件年龄与ODP154航次采用相同的天文调谐方法获取的事件年龄异常接近,而与传统方法获取的生物地层事件年龄有较大差距,这在一定程度上证明了利用天文调谐的方法建立中新世深海地层年代标尺的可行性．     

Ground improvement and foundation practice for Persian Gulf Bridge (causeway); Bandar Abbas Harbor–Qeshm Island

National Persian Gulf Bridge is a communication route between Bandar Abbas port and Qeshm Island located on the southern border of Iran. This causeway has important role for facilitating the transportation system between Qeshm Island and mainland, i.e., Bandar Abbas. Based on geotechnical and geological site investigation records, the bridge is located on the deposits with high seismic possibility and subsequently significant dynamic loading. Therefore, adequate substructure design of this bridge as an offshore project is realized as a major requirement. The geophysical and geotechnical investigations have been done to obtain the subsoil characteristics of the project site. For this purpose, 18 boreholes have been performed to do in situ tests and extract samples for laboratory testings. Data synthesis indicates that in the zones close to Qeshm Island and in the deeper parts of the sea, the strata is made of clay with loose sands and some depths, with silty sands. Hence, instability issues, including the low bearing capacity and the high differential settlement, are significant aspects in analysis and design of substructure for this project. Also, in this paper, the subsoil conditions have been studied from in situ tests such as standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) results in order to achieve an appropriate foundation system. Moreover, the necessity of the ground improvement of the site has been investigated to propose an efficient technique for safe and secure construction. Based on the analysis and methods screened, the vibro-replacement method is considered as a suitable and efficient ground improvement method for this project.     

灰色关联分析在跨断层形变异常干扰因素评价中的应用

采用跨断层场地垂直形变观测数据和气象站气象数据等资料,利用灰色关联分析法构建了适于本类数据的灰色关联模型,对影响因素与形变值之间的关联度进行了研究,同时提出了一个关联度评价模型用于计算关联度阈值,将计算所得的关联度与阈值进行比较来筛选干扰因素。通过对窝子滩场地和大泉口场地计算的结果进行分析,结果表明该模型能在一定程度上定量确定干扰因素对形变的影响程度,可应用于跨断层监测场地的形变分析。     

Ambient noise H/V spectral ratio in site effects estimation in Fateh jang area,Pakistan

Local geology or local site effect is a crucial component while conducting seismic risk assessment studies. Investigations made by utilization of ambient noise are an effective tool for local site estimation. The present study is conducted to perform site response analysis at 13 different sites within urban settlements of Fateh jang area(Pakistan). The aim of this study was achieved by utilizing Nakamura method or H/V spectral ratio method. Some important local site parameters, e.g., the fundamental frequencies f0 of soft sediments, amplitudes A0 of corresponding H/V spectral ratios, and alluvium thicknesses over 13 sites within the study area, were measured and analyzed. The results show that the study area reflects low fundamental frequency f0. The fundamental frequencies of the sediments are highly variable and lie in a range of 0.6–13.0 Hz. Similarly, amplification factors at these sites are in the range of 2.0–4.0.