Comparative response analysis of conventional and innovative seismic protection strategies

The paper presents a numerical investigation aimed at evaluating the improvements achievable through devices for passive seismic protection of buildings based on the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) in place of conventional steel or rubber devices. To get some generality in the results, different resisting reinforced concrete plane frames were analysed, either protected or not. ‘New’ and ‘existing’ buildings were considered depending on whether seismic provisions are adopted in the building design or not. Base isolation and energy dissipation were equally addressed for both conventional and innovative SMA‐based devices. Fragility analyses were performed using specific damage measures to account for comparisons among different damage types; the results were then used to estimate quantitatively the effectiveness of the various protection systems. More specifically, the assessment involved a direct comparison of the damage reduction provided by each protection system with respect to the severe degradation experienced by the corresponding non‐protected frame. Structural damage, non‐structural damage and damage to contents were used on purpose and included in a subsequent phase of cost analysis to evaluate the expected gains also in terms of economic benefits and life loss prevention. The results indicate that base isolation, when applicable, provides higher degrees of safety than energy dissipation does; moreover, the use of SMA‐based devices generally brings about better performances, also in consideration of the reduced functional and maintenance requirements. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Water availability for the greening of Kuwait

Water resources for agricultural development and landscape enhancement in Kuwait are very scarce; the quality is saline (brackish), and the soil texture is sandy, incapable of holding nutrients and moisture. Most of the rainfall in Kuwait either evaporates due to the high temperatures or percolates through the soil. The rainfall is not sufficient to recharge the underground water supply. A variety of alternative water sources have been studied, including seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Wastewater treatment proved to be convenient due to the relatively low salinity detected in the treated water. Furthermore, the amount of wastewater is expected to increase as more residential areas are connected to the sewage system as the population increases.

The development of a greenery plan for Kuwait requires intensive water management. This goal can be achieved through manpower training in landscape development, selection of plants tolerant to arid environments, usage of appropriate irrigation and drainage systems, promotion of greenery programs within public and the governmental agencies for their direct participation in urban area beautification, and extension of wastewater treatment techniques.     

东北地区生态环境保育与绿色社区建设

20世纪以来，东北地区资源环境发生了巨大的变化，为全球范围内具有有短时限人地关系高强度作用特征的典型地区之一。区域资源过量消耗、生态环境趋于恶化，可持续发展面临威胁，保育生态环境成为一项十分迫切的任务。建设“绿色社区”，是生态保育的有效措施和重要内容，也是生态建设的一项基础工程，建立绿色社区的目标的营造绿色文化、保育绿色生态和发展绿色经济，建立绿色社区的基本任务是发展生态经济，保育生态环境，解决农村生态环境退化，促进城市可持续发展。提出了绿色社区建设的实施方案。     

湿地旅游可持续发展研究

湿地以其独具特色的自然和文化景观为湿地旅游提供了有利条件。本文在可持续发展思想的基础上提出了湿地旅游这一概念，分析了湿地旅游发展与湿地环境保护之间的关系；针对湿地生物多样性、景观多样性、文化多样性等特点对湿地的旅游价值作了进一步的探讨，提出了湿地旅游可持续发展的几点对策。     

高山增水效应及其水资源意义

根据高山上云、雾、雨、雪、径流等水资源丰富现象，分析了高山冰川、植被、地形等与汽-水作用关系，提出高山增水效应概念和高山区水资源开发与保护的新思路。高大山体及其造成的垂向对流、高山冰川和高山植被共同作用形成了高山增水效应，并形成良性增水系统。山体愈高大，增水效应愈明显。对内陆干旱地区开发利用更多的高山水资源具有意义。     

西藏地质环境问题及保护对策

作为青藏高原主体的西藏自治区,地质环境极为复杂,地质灾害相当严重,在一些地段地质灾害严重影响了人们正常的生产生活。因此,加强地质环境保护,为人们创造尽可能好的生产和生活空间,是各级政府义不容辞的责任。本文首先对西藏自治区的地质环境特征作了系统地分析,并对西藏地质环境保护及管理现状作了客观评述,在此基础上指出了西藏地质环境保护中存在的主要问题。最后提出了西藏地质环境保护的对策及建议。     

西藏扎达生态旅游开发方式探讨

提出了扎达生态旅游开发的观点，指出了扎达的旅游价值及开展生态旅游的意义，同时对开发原则和模式提出了具体的建议。预见了扎达旅游开发会遇到的环境问题，并根据其特点提出了具体的有针对性的措施。     

信息化施工技术在保护某厂濒危烟囱中的应用

通过地处上海某厂锅炉房濒危烟囱北侧仅5米处的实验楼基础施工，详尽介绍了施工过程中保护濒危烟囱的防护工程对策，以及采用信息化施工技术而取得的良好经济效益。     

深圳市地质灾害及防治技术

深圳市是一座新兴的海滨城市，市区东部与西部以花岗岩为主，中部以古老的变质岩为主，部分地区分布有砂岩、泥岩及变质的板岩、粉砂岩，深圳大断裂是区内主要的构造形迹。滑坡地质灾害主要分布在中部。在花岗岩地区主要变形为岩质高边坡崩塌、落石、坍塌等坡面变形；在变质岩、砂岩、泥岩地区发生多处滑坡。地质构造与地质灾害关系密切，深圳大断裂两侧为地质灾害多发区。防治边坡变形的工程措施即桩排、连续墙、基础为桩，锚杆框架；预应力锚索、预应力锚索框架护坡、预应力锚索抗滑桩，设置多级平台减载及琉干排水措施。深圳采用的治理地质灾害的工程措施经过多年的使用达到预期效果，但在上世纪90年代初完成的工程很少考虑工程措施与城市的景观协调。90年代后期已经考虑了工程完成后对城市环境的影响。因此采用防护措施以锚杆框架、预应力锚索框架工程为主，框架间植草，既有利于边坡稳定又有利于美化环境。     

声波扫描成像在灾害防治及环境保护中的应用

利用超声波扫描成像测井技术，在地质灾害的预防与环境保护中可以检测由于采矿而形成的冒落带、裂隙带、离层带、洞穴及软弱层的存在状况及部位，测定基岩风化蚀变程度及深度，在地质灾害与环境保护的治理时可以监测治理的质量，提供了直观精确可靠的基础资料。