Evaluating accuracy for two empirical methods in predicting settlement of drilled shafts

Several theoretical, empirical and semi-empirical methods are available in the literature to predict settlement of drilled shafts in sandy soils. In the Arabian Gulf countries, specifically in the United Arab Emirates, equations and procedure from the rest of the world are being used in analysis and design of drilled shafts without proper validation. It is the aim of this study to assess the applicability and evaluate the accuracy of two well known, and commonly used methods for pile prediction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely Vesic (1977) and Poulos (1979), via comparison with data from field pile load tests conducted on shafts drilled in the region. Some of these tests were conducted for the purpose of this study, while others were made available through the courtesy of International Piling Contractors who are active in the region (e.g. Bauer International and Swiss Borings). Pile load test data were analyzed to back-calculate the model parameters related to settlement under different loading stages. Geological data and soil properties were obtained from studies conducted at the relevant sites. An effort is made to correlate soil properties with the prediction models. Statistical analysis is conducted to assess the accuracy of the results obtained from the two methods at different stages of loading via those obtained from pile load tests. Moreover, a detailed parametric study is conducted to assess the effect of the related parameters on the predicted pile settlement and the estimated settlement at different stages of loading. The study concluded with a recommendation of the most appropriate models and procedures to be followed for predicting the settlement of drilled shafts in the UAE, together with useful charts and correlation relations. Results showed that settlement values predicted by Vesic (1977) and Poulos (1979) overestimates the true values. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Estimating coefficients of volume compressibility from compression of strata and piezometric changes in a multiaquifer system in west Taiwan

This paper estimates the coefficients of volume compressibility from variation in compressible layer thickness and changes in piezometric heads by using detail ground surface surveys and a multilayer monitoring well at a selected site (Shigang) within the Choshui River alluvial fan in west Taiwan. The paper integrates various types of in situ monitoring tools, including leveling surveys, continuous global position system (GPS) stations, multilevel layer compression and groundwater pressure head-monitoring wells, to investigate the situation and progress of the subsidence problem in the region. The results from the cross-analyses of the measured data show that surface settlement caused by the compression of strata is between the depths of 60 and 210 m where the clayey stratum within 120-180 m was most pronounced and contributes up to 53% of the total compression. The results indicate that the clayey stratum is under normal consolidation. The results also reflect the fact that 20% of settlement contribution comes from the sandy stratum within 90-120 m; the elasto-plastic behavior of this sandy stratum is clear. The coefficients of volume compressibility of the clayey and sandy stratum analysed from the stratum's compression records; they were 6.38×10⁻⁸ and 5.71×10⁻⁹ m²/N, respectively. Ultimately, this parameter estimation would permit to control and predict land subsidence based on change in pressure head which are related to groundwater extraction.     

Classification and interpretation of piezometer well hydrographs in parts of southeastern peninsular India

Well hydrographs from 275 piezometers between 1998 and 2001 in the southeastern parts of peninsular India were used in this study. The area has a monsoon-type climate. Hard rocks cover 85% of the area. The form (shape) of the hydrograph depends upon (1) climatic and hydrogeologic parameters and (2) the scale of the graph. Therefore, hydrographs are drawn to a defined and standardised scale, which allows comparison of hydrographs and helps in bringing out reasons for different forms of the hydrographs. Hydrographs can be divided into seasonal segments and the slope of each segment then used as the basic element of a classification scheme. Slopes are classed as flat (inclination <20°), obtuse (between 20 and 45°), acute (45 and 80°), right angled (80 and 90°) and homoclinal (segments of hydrographs are either rising or falling during one complete water year). Hydrographs are assigned names that are a combination of these classes and begin with the rising segment, such as acute-obtuse. Seventy-six percent of segments were homoclinal-falling in 1999, which had a poor monsoon. Flat segments constitute 27% of all segments in confined Mesozoic aquifer systems. Water table fluctuations suggest an approximate recharge of 120 to 180 mm per annum constituting 18% of the annual precipitation. Cumulative rainfall required to affect a rise in water table is between 45 to 200 mm and lag time varies from 30 minutes to 200 rainy days, which suggests that moisture in the vadose zone holds a part of the annual replenishment for these aquifers.     

Sense of place and migration histories Idiotopy and idiotope

The aim of this article is to explore a methodological approach relevant to the study of population mobility. The approach considers not only the whole migratory process and the sequence of connected movements, but also what happens between each of them. The study of mobility is considered inseparable from the study of passage, permanence and settlement. This paper establishes the interest in elaborating concepts that express the interaction between people and places, and how these interactions contribute to an understanding of migratory processes and of 'place histories'. In this sense, geographical identification (idiotopy) and place identification (idiotope) are put forward as useful concepts.     

GIS技术支持下的江苏省环境自动监控系统建设

GIS是江苏省环境自动监控系统建设中重要的支撑性信息技术，在GIS数据以及软件系统的支持下．全省各种环境自动监控信息的获取、存贮、管理和显示实现了信息处理业务化集成，网络化环境自动监控信息共享与服务GIS系统为增强我省适应环境管理现代化的环境信息快速获取和应急决策响应能力发挥了良好作用。     

中国农情遥感速报系统

介绍了中国农情遥感速报系统的建设情况 ,系统内容包括农作物长势监测、农作物种植面积监测、农作物单产预测与粮食产量估算、作物时空结构监测和粮食供需平衡预警等。简要介绍了 1998年以来中国农情遥感速报系统在监测内容与监测范围、监测频率、技术发展以及质量控制与过程检验体系建立等方面的进展 ,并就中国农情遥感速报系统的发展方向提出了展望。     

基于宽带网的河南省太阳紫外线强度监测系统研究

使用自主研发的Gstar-Ⅱ型太阳紫外线监测仪,建立基于宽带网的河南省城市紫外线强度监测系统。太阳紫外线强度自动监测站将从紫外线传感器获得的气象要素信息传给本地专用计算机,进行数据处理和编码,然后通过互联网把数据信息送到数据业务中心站,数据业务中心站具有对接收数据进行初步处理和进库的功能;各级气象台站可以很方便地通过宽带Internet网WinSock协议进入数据处理中心,按照自己的要求调用全省紫外线强度历史和实时资料,为本地紫外线预报提供有力的科学依据和手段。     

应用多传感器目标跟踪融合技术实现滑坡多点监测数据综合信息的提取

目前的滑坡预报模型只能利用一个关键监测点的监测数据，而不能同时利用多个监测点的监测信息，即只能处理一维时间序列问题.为了解决这个技术难题，本文将滑坡视为一个机动目标，将对滑坡的监测视为对机动目标的跟踪，提出了利用多传感器目标跟踪融合技术来处理滑坡多个点的监测数据的方法，分析了其可行性，并用实例说明了本文提出的方法在实际应用中是有效的.     

定点连续形变长周期频段信息研究

研究了定点连续形变长周期频段信息和块体构造活动的关系。研究结果表明，在川滇菱形块体内，定点连续形变观测获得的长周期频段信息中的长期趋势变化除去仪器零漂等局部干扰外，基本上都和块体运动方向或者块体边界主干断裂活动方式相一致，表明在定点连续形变长周期频段信息中，也存在有与地震孕育有关的地壳形变信息。对其在预报上的作用做了初步研究。