Numerical modelling of aeolian erosion over a surface with non‐uniformly distributed roughness elements

The present study is focused on the analysis of the mean wall friction velocity on a surface including roughness elements exposed to a turbulent boundary layer. These roughness elements represent non‐erodible particles over an erodible surface of an agglomeration of granular material on industrial sites. A first study has proposed a formulation that describes the evolution of the friction velocity as a function of geometrical parameters and cover rate with different uniform roughness distributions. The present simulations deal with non‐uniform distributions of particles with a random sampling of diameters, heights, positions and arrangements. The evolution (relative to geometrical parameters of the roughness elements) of the friction velocity for several non‐uniform distributions of roughness elements was analysed by the equation proposed in the literature and compared to the results obtained with the numerical simulations. This comparison showed very good agreement. Thus, the formulation developed for uniform particles was found also to be valid for a larger spectrum of particles noted on industrial sites. The present work aims also to investigate in detail the fluid mechanics over several roughness particles. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Statistical models for shear strength of RC beam‐column joints using machine‐learning techniques

This paper proposes a new set of probabilistic joint shear strength models using the conventional multiple linear regression method, and advanced machine‐learning methods of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and symbolic regression (SR). In order to achieve high‐fidelity regression models with reduced model errors and bias, this study constructs extensive experimental databases for reinforced and unreinforced concrete joints by collecting existing beam‐column joint subassemblage tests from multiple sources. Various influential parameters that affect joint shear strength such as material properties, design parameters, and joint configuration are investigated through tests of statistical significance. After performing a set of regression analyses, the comparison of simulation results indicates that MARS approach is the best estimation method. Moreover, the accuracy of analytical predictions of the derived MARS model is compared with that of existing joint shear strength relationships. The comparison results show that the proposed model is more accurate compared to existing relationships. This joint shear strength prediction model can be readily implemented into joint response models for evaluation of earthquake performance and inelastic responses of building frames. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic design and testing of the bottom vertical boundary elements in steel plate shear walls. Part 1: design methodology

This research investigates the seismic design method and the cyclic inelastic behavior of the bottom column, also called the vertical boundary element (VBE), in steel plate shear walls (SPSWs). This study consists of two parts. This Part 1 paper discusses the anticipated pushover responses for properly designed SPSWs and the possible inelastic responses of the bottom VBE at various levels of inter‐story drift. Considering both the tension field action of the infill panel and the sway action of the boundary frame, this study develops a simplified method to compute the flexural and shear demands in the bottom VBE. Based on the superposition method, this approach considers various plastic hinge forming locations at different levels of inter‐story drift. One of the key performance‐based design objectives is to ensure that the top ends of the bottom VBEs remain elastic when the SPSWs are subjected to the maximum considered earthquake. This paper presents the comprehensive design procedures for the bottom VBE. Furthermore, this study conducted cyclic performance evaluation tests of three full‐scale two‐story SPSWs at the Taiwan National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in 2011 to validate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods. The experimental program, cyclic inelastic responses of the SPSWs and bottom VBEs, and numerical simulations are presented in Part 2. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

先存组构对各向异性岩石流变强度的影响

地壳深部岩石普遍存在变形组构,花岗质岩石中的变形组构不仅影响岩石强度,而且对后期变形具有显著控制作用。近年来,先存组构对各向异性岩石的流变强度影响成为高温高压实验研究的热点之一。文中对前人给出的各向异性岩石(包括云母片岩-片麻岩、石英-钙长石均匀混合体与层状组构样品)半脆性-塑性流变实验数据进行了重新整理与分析,结合作者开展的不同组构条件下花岗片麻岩与糜棱岩流变实验结果,讨论了先存组构对各向异性岩石流变强度的影响。实验数据表明:1)各向异性岩石的面理与最大主应力方向的角度是影响强度的主要因素。在半脆性破裂域,样品压缩方向垂直于面理(PER)和平行于面理(PAR)的强度基本相同,在压缩方向与面理呈30°夹角时,岩石破裂强度最小;在塑性流变域,垂直于面理方向的强度显著高于平行于面理方向的强度,当面理与最大主应力方向的角度为45°时,岩石强度最小。2)后期变形对原有组构的继承与改造程度,决定了各向异性岩石强度高低。3)样品中矿物的含量、分布与粒度对各向异性岩石强度有显著影响。理论模型预测结果与云母片岩实验结果比较吻合,但其他类型各向异性岩石的流变比理论模型结果要复杂得多。因此,进一步开展具有先存组构的各向异性岩石的流变实验,并将实验变形与实际地质条件下更为复杂的岩石变形进行对比分析,是认识各向异性岩石流变和变形机制最有效的方法。     

Effect of non-plastic silt content on the liquefaction behavior of sand–silt mixture

To identify the effect of non-plastic silt on the cyclic behavior of sand–silt mixtures, total sixty undrained cyclic triaxial stress-control tests were carried out on sand–silt mixtures. These tests were conducted on specimens of size 71 mm diameter and 142 mm height with a frequency of 1 Hz. Specimens were prepared at a constant relative density and constant density approach. The effect of relative density, confining pressure as well as magnitude of cyclic loading was also studied. For a constant relative density (D_r=60%) the effect of limiting silt content, pore pressure response and cyclic strength was observed. The rate of generation of excess pore water pressure with respect to cycles of loading was found to initially increase with increase in silt content till the limiting silt content and thereafter it reverses its trend when the specimens were tested at a constant relative density. The cyclic resistance behavior was observed to be just opposite to the pore pressure response. Permeability, CRR and secant shear modulus decreased till limiting silt content; after that they became constant with increasing silt content.     

How hydrological factors initiate instability in a model sandy slope

Knowledge of the mechanisms of rain‐induced shallow landslides can improve the prediction of their occurrence and mitigate subsequent sediment disasters. Here, we examine an artificial slope's subsurface hydrology and propose a new slope stability analysis that includes seepage force and the down‐slope transfer of excess shear forces. We measured pore water pressure and volumetric water content immediately prior to a shallow landslide on an artificial sandy slope of 32°: The direction of the subsurface flow shifted from downward to parallel to the slope in the deepest part of the landslide mass, and this shift coincided with the start of soil displacement. A slope stability analysis that was restricted to individual segments of the landslide mass could not explain the initiation of the landslide; however, inclusion of the transfer of excess shear forces from up‐slope to down‐slope segments improved drastically the predictability. The improved stability analysis revealed that an unstable zone expanded down‐slope with an increase in soil water content, showing that the down‐slope soil initially supported the unstable up‐slope soil; destabilization of this down‐slope soil was the eventual trigger of total slope collapse. Initially, the effect of apparent soil cohesion was the most important factor promoting slope stability, but seepage force became the most important factor promoting slope instability closer to the landslide occurrence. These findings indicate that seepage forces, controlled by changes in direction and magnitude of saturated and unsaturated subsurface flows, may be the main cause of shallow landslides in sandy slopes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incorporating velocity shear into the magneto-Boussinesq approximation

Motivated by consideration of the solar tachocline, we derive, via an asymptotic procedure, a new set of equations incorporating velocity shear and magnetic buoyancy into the Boussinesq approximation. We demonstrate, by increasing the magnetic field scale height, how these equations are linked to the magneto-Boussinesq equations of Spiegel and Weiss (Magnetic buoyancy and the Boussinesq approximation. Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn. 1982, 22, 219–234).     

山东及附近海域构造环境剪应力场分析

利用山东数字地震台网的地震波形记录,选取2007年以来台网记录清晰的ML≥2．0数字地震波形资料,计算每次地震的环境剪应力值τ0和矩震级MW,并分析其相关关系;结合山东地区地质构造和地震活动性特点,对胶东半岛及北部海域、南黄海北部地区、沂沭带地区、冀鲁豫交界地区应力场分布和时空变化进行细致分析,并探讨其区域特征及与地震活动性的关系。     

低速冲击下高强钢绞线网-高性能砂浆加固钢筋混凝土梁试验研究

研究了高强钢绞线网-高性能砂浆加固钢筋混凝土梁的抗低速冲击性能,利用落锤冲击试验法对4根简支钢筋混凝土梁进行对比试验研究,其中1根为普通梁,3根为加固梁,通过分析加固前后梁的破坏形态,结合挠度变化、钢筋的应变以及加速度的时程曲线,对比得到了钢筋混凝土梁加固后的抗冲击性能。研究结果表明：加固后钢筋混凝土梁的抗冲击能力显著提高,钢绞线和砂浆作为外加层,不仅增加了梁的抗弯剪能力和刚度,提高了结构的耗能能力,而且限制了裂缝的发展,使梁的整体性和延性更好;在相同冲击作用下,钢绞线直径的增加能适当提高结构的抗冲击性能。     

CFRP布约束增强高强混凝土柱抗震性能数值分析

采用地震工程开源模拟软件OpenSees（Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation）对CFRP（Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer,碳纤维增强复合材料）布加固高强钢筋混凝土方柱的抗震性能进行了数值分析。采用Steel02Material和Concrete02Material材料本构模型模拟了CFRP布加固高强混凝土方柱的抗震性能;在此基础上,进一步研究了轴压比和剪跨比这2个因素对试件抗震性能的影响。将所得数值分析结果与相同条件下的试验结果对比后发现：基于Steel02 Material和Concrete02 Material材料本构,利用OpenSees,可以较好地模拟CFRP布加固高强混凝土方柱的抗震性能,并且与试验结果（滞回曲线、骨架曲线、水平承载力和位移延性系数）能够较好地吻合,从而说明该数值分析方法还可以准确地反映出轴压比和剪跨比对高强混凝土柱抗震性能的影响规律。