Estimating seismic demands on structures, to predict their performance level with confidence, requires explicit consideration
of the structural inelastic behaviour: to this end, the use of nonlinear static procedures is inevitably going to be favoured
over complex nonlinear time-history methods.
The currently available assessment procedures have been tested predominantly against building frames. A newly derived assessment
procedure is proposed within the scope of bridge applications, based on an innovative displacement-based adaptive pushover
technique. The procedure, which can be incorporated into a performance-based engineering philosophy, is applicable to MDOF
continuous span bridges with flexible or rigid superstructures, and for varying degrees of abutment restraint.
As a first application to determine the viability of the proposed procedure, a parametric study is conducted on a ensemble
of bridges subjected to earthquake motion. It is shown that, compared to the seismic demand estimated by means of the more
accurate nonlinear dynamic analysis tool, the novel static assessment method can lead to the attainment of satisfactory predictions,
both in terms of displacement as well as moment demand on members. 相似文献
Fine atmospheric dust includes mineral particles and aggregates, fibrous minerals and fibrous organic material. Generation, dislodgement and transport (deflation) of natural dust with the finer (〈4 microns) components suspended as silt-size aggregates, is widespread in and adjacent to the world's drylands, as well as deriving from volcanic vents. Silica is a highly fibrogenic agent in lung tissue. Long-term inhaling of siliceous dusts can lead to a number of fibrotic lung diseases, including natural (non-occupational) pneumoconioses (notably silicosis, but including asbestosis and others). Different polymorphs of silica show different levels of toxicity in interaction with lung tissue. Particles with highly active surfaces may release radicals, causing cell damage. Some types of inhaled particulates are degraded by macrophages, but many are highly resistant and persist in the lungs, some stimulating fibroblastic cells to deposit collagen. Silicosis is an inflammation of the lung commonly caused by silicate mineral particles, leading to fibrosis. Three types are recognized: nodular pulmonary fibrosis (simple or chronic silicosis), acute silicosis, and accelerated silicosis. Generally, finer particulates have greater oxidative capacity than the coarser fractions. They contain more reactive oxygen species, their greater bioreactivity making them more toxic to pulmonary tissue. Nevertheless, inhalation of large dust particles (〉 10μm) may constitute a health risk if the mineralogy is toxic, regardless of where the grains lodge in the respiratory system. Dust may absorb harmful gases, disease-generating bacteria and carcinogenic hydrocarbon compounds. Silica-related respiratory disease may also an exacerbate cardiac problem, and epidemiology suggests a link with tuberculosis. Quantification of dust loading and exposure requires study of spatial and temporal patterns, supported by meteorological analysis, airflow modeling and satellite-borne imagery. Some acute, short-term health impacts have been assessed using atmospheric and health records both before and after a dust storm or by comparison of populations within and outside such events. Analysis of the size, shape, mineralogy and geochemistry of ambient dust particulates provides information on natural dust sources, dust concentrations, and potential particulate toxicity, as well as providing a datum for assessment of human exposure levels. 相似文献