A new indicator of elastic spectral shape for the reliable selection of ground motion records

How to select a limited number of ground motion records (GMRs) is an important challenge for the non‐linear analysis of structures. Since epsilon (ε_Sa) is an indicator of spectral shape, which has a significant correlation with the non‐linear response of a structure, the selection of GMRs based on the hazard‐related target ε_Sa is a reasonable approach. In this paper, an alternative indicator of spectral shape is proposed, which results in a more reliable prediction of the non‐linear response for the structures with the natural period of 0.25 to 3.0 s. This new parameter, named eta (η), is a linear combination of ε_Sa and the peak ground velocity epsilon (ε_PGV). It is shown that η, as a non‐linear response predictor, is remarkably more efficient than the well‐known and convenient parameter ε_Sa. The influence of η‐filtration in the collapse analysis of an eight‐story reinforced concrete structure with special moment‐resisting frames was studied. Statistical analysis of the results confirmed that the difference between ε‐filtration and η‐filtration can be very significant at some hazard levels. In the case of this structure, the resulting annual frequency of collapse was found to be lower in the case of η‐based record selection, in comparison with the ε‐based record‐selection approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of moisture content in alpine rockwalls during freeze–thaw events

Rock moisture during freeze–thaw events is a key factor for frost weathering. Data on moisture levels of natural rockwalls are scarce and difficult to obtain. To close this gap, we can benefit from the extensive knowledge of moisture‐related phenomena in building materials, which is incorporated into simulation software, for example the WUFI® package of the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics. In this paper we applied and adapted this type of simulation to natural rockwalls to gain new insights on which moisture‐related weathering mechanisms may be important under which conditions. We collected the required input data on physical rock properties and local climate for two study areas in the eastern European Alps with different elevation [Sonnblick, 3106 m above sea level (a.s.l.) and Johnsbach, 700 m a.s.l.] and different lithologies (gneiss and dolomite, respectively). From this data, moisture profiles with depth and fluctuations in the course of a typical year were calculated. The results were cross‐checked with different thermal conditions for frost weathering reported in the literature (volumetric expansion and ice segregation theories). The analyses show that in both study areas the thresholds for frost cracking by volumetric expansion of ice (90% pore saturation, temperature < ?1 °C) are hardly ever reached (in one year only 0.07% of the time in Johnsbach and 0.4% at Sonnblick, mostly in north‐exposed walls). The preconditions for weathering by ice segregation (?3 to ?8 °C, > 60% saturation) prevail over much longer periods; the time spent within this ‘frost cracking window‘ is also higher for north‐facing sites. The influence of current climate warming will reduce effective frost events towards 2100; however the increase of liquid precipitation and rock moisture will promote weathering processes like ice segregation at least at the Sonnblick site. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness of superelastic bars for seismic rehabilitation of clay‐unit masonry walls

This paper presents the results on shaking table tests of half‐scale brick walls performed to investigate the effectiveness of newly developed Cu–Al–Mn superelastic alloy (SEA) bars in retrofitting of historical masonry constructions. Problems associated with conventional steel reinforcing bars lie in degradation of stiffness and strength, or pinching phenomena, under cyclic loading, and presence of large residual cracks in structures during and after intense earthquakes. This paper attempts to resolve the problems by applying newly developed Cu–Al–Mn SEA bars, characterized by large recovery strain, low material cost, and high machinability, as partial replacements for steel bars. Sets of unreinforced, steel reinforced, and SEA‐reinforced specimens are subjected to scaled earthquake excitations in out‐of‐plane direction. Whereas steel‐reinforced specimens showed large residual inclinations, SEA‐reinforced specimens resulted in stable rocking response with slight residual inclinations. Corresponding nonlinear finite element (FE) models are developed to simulate the experimental observations. The FE models are further used to examine the sensitivity of the response with respect to the variations in experimental conditions. Both the experimental and numerical results demonstrate the superiority of Cu–Al–Mn SEA bars to conventional steel reinforcing bars in avoiding pinching phenomena. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of ballistic trajectory and granular flow models in predicting rockfall propagation

The term rockfall is often used ambiguously to describe various mass movement processes. Here we propose more precise terminology based on the physical nature of the moving mass, differentiating between two distinct types of rockfall: fragmental rockfall and rock mass fall. For both rockfall types, the current knowledge of the mechanisms controlling propagation of the mass movement are described, showing how these mechanisms can be simulated with different modelling approaches. However, we point out that almost no development has been realized concerning dynamic behaviour of the transitional processes between these two end‐member rockfall types. Some simplified means of dealing with these complications are suggested, but we emphasize that a considerable amount of fundamental methodological development remains necessary. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the modified groundwater flow equation: analytical solution via iteration method

To take into account the variability of the medium through which the groundwater flow takes place, we presented the groundwater flow equation within a confined aquifer with prolate coordinates. The new equation is a perturbed singular equation. The perturbed parameters is introduced and can be used as accurately replicate the variability of the aquifer from one point to another. When the perturbed parameter tends to zero, we recover the Theis equation. We solved analytically and iteratively the new equation. We compared the obtained solution with experimental observed data together with existing solutions. The comparison shows that the modified equation predicts more accurately the physical problem than the existing model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

From geotechnical analysis to quantification and modelling using LiDAR data: a study on rockfall in the Reintal catchment,Bavarian Alps,Germany

In the year 2007, enhanced rockfall activity was observed within the scarp of a 500 BP rockslide in the Reintal catchment (Northern Calcareous Alps, Germany); the largest of a series of events took place in August, when almost 50000 m³ of rock were detached from the subvertical rock face and deposited on a talus cone. In this case study, we focus on three aspects of rockfall research: first, we compile detailed geomorphological and geotechnical findings to explain the causes of the recent events. The results of laboratory tests and stability estimations suggest that rockfall activity will persist in the future as the old rockslide scarp still contains unstable rock masses. Second, we use digital elevation data from a pre‐event airborne LiDAR survey (ALS) and post‐event terrestrial laserscanning (TLS) to quantify landform changes and the mass balance of the rockfall event(s). The widespread availability of ALS elevation data provides a good opportunity to quantify fresh events using a comparatively inexpensive TLS survey; this approach is complicated by uncertainties resulting from the difficult coregistration of ALS and TLS data and the specific geometric problems in steep (ALS) and flat (TLS) terrain; it is therefore limited to at least medium‐sized events. Third, the event(s) is simulated using the results of the LiDAR surveys and a modified GIS‐based rockfall model in order to test its capability of predicting the extent and the spatial distribution of deposition on the talus cone. Results show that the model generally reproduces the process domain and the spatial distribution of topographic changes but frequently under‐ and over‐estimates deposition heights. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

山西代县地震台前兆数字化形变观测资料异常特征研究

结合2010年至2011年国外发生的M〉6．0、山西地区4．0级以上地震,对山西代县地震台数字化形变观测资料进行系统研究,分析其映震情况和映震特征。研究发现,在多次中强以上地震前几小时至几天左右,各测项均记录到固体潮畸变、高频脉冲、抖动、转折等异常形态。     

山西河津4．8级地震临汾地震台数字形变资料异常特征及同震响应分析

文章对山西河津4．8级地震前后临汾地震台各形变资料异常变化特征及同震响应的差异性进行分析,结果表明,震前各仪器观测资料均存在明显的异常,由于仪器频率响应范围的差异性,各仪器对同一地震的响应也存在显著不同。     

A new isolation device using shape memory alloy and its application for long-span structures

The key points to consider in determining the effectiveness of using structural isolation with shape memory alloys (SMA) are the constitutive model, the SMA isolation device and the analysis method. In this paper, a simplifi ed constitutive model based on the classic theory of plasticity is proposed to simulate the behavior of the superelasticity of the SMA, in which the martensite volume fraction is considered as one of the state variables. Comparisons between simulation results and experimental results ar...     

形状记忆合金超弹性阻尼性能的试验研究

本文分析了形状记忆合金（SMA）超弹性阻尼减振的机理，通过试验研究了温度、加载频率、循环次数及预变形等因素对SMA超弹性阻尼的影响。研究结果表明，利用SMA的超弹性阻尼特性可以研制出性能良好的耗能减振装置，在工程结构振动控制方面具有比较好的应用前景。