Simple formulations of ground impedance functions for rigid surface foundations

A differential equation is formulated for the dynamic response of ground medium by using a simplified ground model. Applying Galerkin's procedure for weighted residual, this equation leads to a governing equation only at the ground surface. The equation indicates that the ground surface behavior can be computed even further by a simplified model. By solving the governing equation for the boundary conditions along the surface, expressions in simple closed forms are developed for the dynamic response analysis of a massless rigid foundation that rests on the ground surface. Despite their significant simplicity, the developed expressions compute the values very close to those computed by far more complex rigorous solutions. They are found to be capable of capturing the important characteristics of the dynamic ground behavior well.     

Scattering of seismic waves by cracks in multi-layered geological regions: II. Numerical results

The mechanical model for plane strain, time-harmonic seismic wave propagation problems in cracked, multi-layered geological regions with surface topography and non-parallel interfaces was described in the first part of this work. Here, this model is used to investigate the response of such a region to the presence of traveling elastic waves generated by a seismic source. The computational methodology that was developed in the first part is based on a combination of both the regular (displacement-based) and the hypersingular (traction-based) Boundary Integral Equation Method (BIEM). First, the accuracy and convergence characteristics of this hybrid BIEM are studied. Then, a series of problems involving four different configurations of a reference geological deposit with both interface and internal cracks are solved, for a loading that is due to a seismically-induced pressure wave propagating upwards from the underlying rigid half-plane. The purpose of the numerical study is to investigate the influence of various key parameters of the problem, such as frequency and incidence angle of the incoming wave, size of the surface relief, location and size of the buried cracks, interaction effects between cracks and finally the presence of layers, on both the scattered displacement field and the stress concentration field.     

An experimental investigation of water level effects on the dynamic behaviour of a large arch dam

The need for full‐scale dynamic tests, which are recognized as the most reliable method to evaluate a structure's vibration properties, is increasing as new analysis techniques are developed that take into account the complex interaction phenomenons that occur in dam–reservoir–foundation systems. They are extremely useful to obtain reliable data for the calibration of newly developed numerical methods. The Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics Research Center (CRGP) at the University of Sherbrooke has been developing and applying dynamic testing methods for large structures in the past 10 years. This paper presents the experimental evaluation of the effects of the varying water level on the dynamic response of the 180 m Emosson arch dam in Switzerland. Repeated forced‐vibration tests were carried out on the dam during four different periods of the reservoir's filling cycle during a one‐year span. Acceleration and hydrodynamic pressure frequency responses were obtained at several locations while the dam was subjected to horizontal harmonic loading. The variation of the resonant frequencies as a function of the reservoir level is investigated. A summary of the ongoing numerical correlation phase with a three‐dimensional finite element model for the dam–reservoir–foundation system is also presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐stationary seismic response of tanks with soil interaction by wavelets

A wavelet‐based random vibration theory has been developed for the non‐stationary seismic response of liquid storage tanks including soil interaction. The ground motion process has been characterized via estimates of statistical functionals of wavelet coefficients obtained from a single time history of ground accelerations. The tank–liquid–soil system has been modelled as a two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2‐DOF) system. The wavelet domain equations have been formulated and the wavelet coefficients of the required response state are obtained by solving two linear simultaneous algebraic equations. The explicit expression for the instantaneous power spectral density function (PSDF) in terms of the functionals of the input wavelet coefficients has been obtained. The moments of this PSDF are used to estimate the expected pseudo‐spectral acceleration (PSA) response of the tank. Parametric variations are carried out to study the effects of tank height, foundation natural frequency, shear wave velocity of soil and ratio of the mass of tank (including liquid) to the mass of foundation on the PSA responses of tanks. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic interaction in linearly connected electrical substation equipment

An electrical substation consists of a complex set of equipment items that are interconnected through conductor buses or cables. If the connections are not sufficiently flexible, significant dynamic interaction may occur between the connected equipment items during a seismic excitation. This interaction is believed to be responsible for some of the observed substation equipment damage in recent earthquakes. This paper investigates the interaction between two equipment items connected by a linear spring‐dashpot or spring‐dashpot‐mass element representing a conductor bus. It is found that the interaction between the two equipment items may significantly amplify the response of the higher‐frequency equipment item. The influences of various key parameters on the interaction effect are quantified. Means for reducing the adverse interaction effect are described. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Storm deposits and storm-generated coarse carbonate breccias on a pelagic outer shelf (South-East Basin, France)

Uppermost Jurassic limestones of the South‐East Basin (France) are organized into four facies associations that were deposited in four distinct zones: (1) peritidal lagoonal limestones; (2) bioclastic and reefal limestones; (3) pelagic lime mudstones; (4) lime mudstones/calcarenites/coarse breccias. Calcarenite deposits of zone 4 exhibit sedimentary structures that are diagnostic of deposition under wave‐induced combined flow. In subzone 4a, both vertical and lateral transitions from lime mudstone/calcarenite to breccia indicate in situ brecciation under wave‐cyclic loading. Breccias were produced by heterogeneous liquefaction of material previously deposited on the sea floor. Deposits in subzone 4a record relatively long periods (>400 kyr) of sedimentation below wave base, alternating with periods of deposition under wave‐induced currents and periods of in situ deformation. In this zone, storm waves were attenuated by wave–sediment interaction, and wave energy was absorbed by the deformation of soft sediment. With reference to present‐day wave attenuation, water depths in this zone ranged between 50 and 80 m. Landwards of the attenuation zone, in zone 3, storm waves were reduced to fair‐weather wave heights. Storm wave base was not horizontal and became shallower landwards. As a consequence, water depth and wave energy were not linearly related. On a small area of the seaward edge of subzone 4a, cobbles were removed by traction currents and redeposited in subzone 4b. There, they formed a 100‐m‐thick wedge, which prograded over 3 km and was built up by the stacking of 5‐ to 20‐m‐thick cross‐stratified sets of coarse breccia. This wedge records the transport and redeposition of cobbles by a high‐velocity unidirectional component of a combined flow. The increase in flow velocity in a restricted area is proposed to result from flow concentration in a channel‐like structure of the downwelling in the gulf formed by the basin. In more distal subzone 4c, the hydrodynamic effect of wave‐induced currents was quasi‐permanent, and brecciation by wave–sediment interaction occurred only episodically. This indicates that, seawards of the attenuation zone, hydrodynamic storm wave base was deeper than mechanical storm wave base. Uppermost Jurassic carbonates were deposited and soft‐sediment deformed on a hurricane‐dominated ramp of very gentle slope and characterized by a zone of storm wave degeneration, located seawards of a zone of sedimentation below wave base.     

EXPERIMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY STUDY ON GOLD IN WATER-ROCK REACTION UNDER THERMAL FLUID SYSTEM AT MESO-LOW TEMPERATURE

Based on the knowing geochemical characteristics of wall rock in the Mobin gold deposit and composition of fluid inclusion in ore,water-rock experiments were carried out,important achievements are acquired as following: Gold is mainly derived from the ore-bearing wall rock,i,e.,a series of epimetamorphic clastic gritstone,sandy slate,and tuffaceous slate in the Wuqiang Banxi Formation,Wuqiangxi Group.In thermal system with middle-low temperature chlorine gold may be derived form stable complex ions,so it is quite important in gold metallogenic process.Sulphur and chlorine perform as the major negative ions throughout the gold activation and migration movement.The concentration of sulphur and chlorine ions,pH value and temperature are of deciding significance for gold activation,migration and precipitation.     

Rocking response of flexible circular foundations on layered media

The analysis of the response of a flexible circular foundation on layered media due to an arbitrarily distributed vertical loading is presented. The analysis is based on the ‘ring method’ approach, i.e. discretization of the foundation in a set of concentric rings. The arbitrarily distributed loading is expanded in the circumferential direction in a Fourier series. The influence coefficient matrix of soil for each element of the series is evaluated utilizing the stiffness matrix approach. The stiffness matrix of the foundation is obtained from the finite difference energy method approach. Numerical examples illustrate the influence of several soil-foundation parameters on the rocking response of a foundation. Results are presented in terms of displacement and soil reaction distributions and impedance functions point to significantly different responses of flexible and rigid foundations.     

Space-time interaction amongst clusters of mining induced seismicity

Elementary cluster analysis of induced seismicity in a South African gold mine has shown that there is a clear interaction amongst the clusters; and that the level of the interaction is a function of the distance. The clusering algorithm used is an adaptation of the single-link cluster analysis which considers both three-dimensional space and time. A high level of interaction between the clusters is demonstrated from the cross-correlation analysis of seismic activity rates and radiated energy. A distinct decrease in the value of correlation coefficients was detectable as distance increased. This was somewhat surprising, considering the simplicity of the technique used. Since no attempt is made to study the physical mechanisms of interaction, these results are very preliminary, but interesting from an observational point of view.