Cyclic tests on large‐scale models of existing bridge piers with rectangular hollow cross‐section

Cyclic tests on two large‐scale models of existing bridge piers with rectangular hollow cross‐section were performed in the ELSA laboratory. The prototype structure is an existing reinforced concrete highway bridge constructed in Austria in 1975. The piers presented several seismic deficiencies and consequently they showed poor hysteretic behaviour and limited deformation capacity as well as undesirable failure modes that do not comply with the requirements of modern codes for seismic‐resistant structures. Experimental data are compared to numerical and empirical predictions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of predictors of non‐linear seismic demands using ‘fishbone’ models of SMRF buildings

Predictors (or estimates) of seismic structural demands that are less computationally time‐consuming than non‐linear dynamic analysis can be useful for structural performance assessment and for design. In this paper, we evaluate the bias and precision of predictors that make use of, at most, (i) elastic modal vibration properties of the given structure, (ii) the results of a non‐linear static pushover analysis of the structure, and (iii) elastic and inelastic single‐degree‐of‐freedom time‐history analyses for the specified ground motion record. The main predictor of interest is an extension of first‐mode elastic spectral acceleration that additionally takes into account both the second‐mode contribution to (elastic) structural response and the effects of inelasticity. This predictor is evaluated with respect to non‐linear dynamic analysis results for ‘fishbone’ models of steel moment‐resisting frame (SMRF) buildings. The relatively small number of degrees of freedom for each fishbone model allows us to consider several short‐to‐long period buildings and numerous near‐ and far‐field earthquake ground motions of interest in both Japan and the U.S. Before doing so, though, we verify that estimates of the bias and precision of the predictor obtained using fishbone models are effectively equivalent to those based on typical ‘full‐frame’ models of the same buildings. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大庆徐家围子地区深部致密砂砾岩气层识别

大庆徐家圈子地区深部致密砂砾岩储层的骨架成分除了含有石英、长石外，还含有许多酸性喷发岩，而且各种骨架成分的含量随深度变化比较大；复杂的岩性使得气的影响被岩性的影响所淹没，从而造成常规气层识别方法失效。针对这一问题，应用神经网络方法准确求取地层颗粒密度和泥质含量，然后对中子和密度测井值进行岩性影响校正和泥质影响校正，使得求出的中子和密度孔隙度仅受地层气的影响，最后将得到的中子和密度孔隙度进行对比，应用中子和密度孔隙度的差异识别气层。     

Neuzeitlicher Schadstofftrend: Polycylische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe (PAK) in aquatischen und terrestrischen Sedimenten

A Recent Contamination Trend: Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Aquatic and Terrestrial Sediments Concentrations of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured in aquatic sediments of small, medium‐sized or very large inland lakes, of estuaries as well as in terrestrial sediments from Germany, the UK, Finland, and the USA were plotted in 10 trend curves over the period from 1800 to 1990. The segments of the bore cores were dated for their deposition age. For comparability of the results, the trend is preferentially shown by the guide parameter fluoranthene. Until the 19th century, a constant background value of C_Fluo = 10…50 μg/kg was observed in all regions. Then a steep increase in concentration followed, reaching in the aquatic sediments a maximum in the period 1940 to 1965, while the individual fluoranthene values ranged widely from 90 to 2400 μg/kg. In several regions, a more or less distinct decrease superseded this maximum, although this development did not appear in terrestrial sediments, in one estuary, and in remote forest lakes in Finland. The trend curves reflect the atmospheric deposition of PAHs in airborne dust and in some cases the import through runoff via rivers. Thus, the sediment profiles depict the development of air pollution by pyrogenic contaminants over more than a century. Sediment profiles from rivers can be used only with a high degree of reservation, because of the irregularity and low representativity of the sedimentation.     

Microbial Degradation of Tar Oil Compounds under Different Redox Conditions

The microbial transformation of typical tar oil compounds such as acridine, benzo(b)thiophene, dibenzofuran, indane, and indene under different redox conditions was investigated in microcosm studies. Under aerobic conditions the inherent contamination in polluted soil as well as the added N‐, S‐, O‐ heterocyclic and homocyclic compounds were transformed predominantly apart from thiophene. 1‐Indanone was detected by RP‐HPLC‐DAD and GC‐MS as an intermediate metabolite from indane and indene. Under nitrate and sulfate reducing conditions indane, benzo(b)thiophene, and dibenzofuran were transformed in assays with the polluted soil samples from well B 65 and B 66 within 426 days, whereas they were persistent in assays with the highly polluted soil B 67. All heterocyclic and homocyclic compounds added to the non‐contaminated soil from well B 85 were not degraded under nitrate and sulfate reducing conditions, too. The results indicate that for the decision, wether natural attenuation can be implemented in the remediation of contaminated site, in addition to BTEX and PAHs especially the fate of further tar oil compounds in anoxic aquifers has to be considered.     

Anomalous Gadolinium,Cerium, and Yttrium Contents in the Adige and Isarco River Waters and in the Water of Their Tributaries (Provinces Trento and Bolzano/Bozen,NE Italy)

Rare earth patterns of surface and groundwaters near big cities often show anthropogenic Gd (Gd_ant) anomalies in addition to geogenic Ce and Y anomalies. The Gd_ant anomaly is caused by very stable organic complexes, one of which is gadopentetic acid, Gd‐DTPA. Derivatives of this and similar compounds are used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human blood system. The organic Gd complexes are stable enough to pass nearly unaffected through sewage treatment plants and are, thereafter, discharged into surface water systems. Water of the rapidly flowing Isarco/Eisack and Adige/Etsch rivers (Provinces of Trento and Bolzano/Bozen, NE Italy) and their tributaries show remarkable variations in anthropogenic Gd contents (Gd_ant). Low Gd_ant values are found on Monday and Tuesday, whereas high values are observed during the remaining weekdays. Reliable Gd_ant balances are calculated for the river system at the confluence of the Adige and its tributaries. At two places local decrease of Gd_ant indicates exfiltration of groundwater. It is demonstrated that Gd_ant can be used as a reliably conservative tracer to study the water budget in rapidly flowing alpine river systems. The studied different river waters show considerable negative Ce and positive Y anomalies. Negative Ce anomalies are caused by scavenging of Ce(III) by FeO(OH) precipitates and subsequent oxidation to CeO₂. Y anomalies are attributed to less sorption of Y than REE onto particulate matter. Thus, Y moves faster than REE. Both, Ce and Y anomalies, are of geogenic origin.     

Optimization of the Sampling Technique for the Determination of Dissolved Hydrogen in Groundwater

In this study a field‐sampling technique for dissolved hydrogen (H₂) in groundwater will be presented which allows the transport of gaseous samples into the laboratory for further analysis. The method consists of transferring the headspace trapped in a gas‐sampling bulb which is continuously purged by groundwater into previously evacuated vials using a gas‐tight syringe. Three transfer steps with preceding evacuation of the vial led to a H₂‐recovery of 100 % in laboratory experiments. The method has been applied to determine H₂ concentrations in an aquifer contaminated with chlorinated solvents. Tests concerning the effect of different pumping techniques on H₂ concentrations revealed that most reliable values were obtained with a bladder pump, while an electrically driven submersible pump generated considerable amounts of hydrogen due to electrochemical interactions with the sampled water. Concentrations of dissolved hydrogen in field and laboratory samples were about two orders of magnitude higher when sampling was performed with the electrically driven submersible pump compared to sampling with the bladder pump and a peristaltic pump. Lab experiments with a Plexiglas reservoir to produce H₂‐enriched water were used to study the effect of two tubing materials (PVC, polyamide) on H₂ losses. PVC tubing turned out to allow transfer of H₂‐enriched water over 25 m without significant losses, while PA‐tubing was not suitable for sampling of H₂.     

A Simplified Analytical Procedure for the Determination of Organically Bound Halogens in Salt‐containing Water Samples

A method was developed for the determination of organic halogens in water samples with the aim of minimizing matrix effects and simplifying the sample preparation technique commonly used. The method is based on the adsorption of organic halogens in modified hydrophilic divinylbenzene polymer columns and their elution with methanol. The adsorbent used enables rapid adsorption and desorption due to comparatively high operating flow rates and minimized solvent amounts. Furthermore, no additional reconcentration steps are needed. The methanol extract obtained is combusted with a standard EOX (extractable organic halogen) analyzer and the concentration of organically bound halogens is determined by microcoulometric analysis. The matrix effects are considerably reduced compared to the standard procedure (EN 1485) commonly used. A detection limit of 13 μg/L was established.     

Weathering control over geomorphology of supermature Proterozoic Delhi quartzites of India

Quartz and quartzite are thought to be resistant as a mineral and a rock respectively; however, we have shown that the presence of small amounts of pyrite in the quartzites makes them vulnerable to weathering. We observe that weathering of Proterozoic quartzite in the semi‐arid conditions around Delhi proceeded from fractures towards the inside and produced weathering rinds. The chemical index of alteration (CIA), which is actually a measure of weathering of aluminosilicate minerals, increases from the core outwards, through the rinds. Although aluminosilicate minerals occur only as minor phases (<2 per cent), their weathering indicates a movement of the weathering front from the periphery towards the core. We have suggested a coupled mechanism in which the dissolution of pyrites by moving water produced a sulphate‐bearing acidic solution and ferrous iron, which reacted with aluminosilicate minerals and quartz, respectively. This initially makes the Delhi quartzite porous and subsequently friable. The total disintegration of grain to grain contacts imparted friability to this quartzite to produce silica sand. Subsequent physical erosion of loose sand, produced during rind development in the outermost zones, has given rise to features like tors, spheroids, gullies, cavities and small‐scale caves on these quartzites. Thus, the terrain has acquired ruggedness in semi‐arid conditions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.