ISO2394:2015 Annex D (Reliability of Geotechnical Structures)

ISO2394:2015 contains a new informative Annex D on “Reliability of Geotechnical Structures”. The emphasis in Annex D is to identify and characterize critical elements of the geotechnical reliability-based design process, while respecting the diversity of geotechnical engineering practice. This paper highlights the main features of Annex D and gaps for future work.     

接地电阻随季节及天气过程变化规律分析

为了解框架结构建筑物基础接地电阻的季节变化特征及天气过程对其变化的影响,分析了2010年广州从化气象局框架建筑物基础接地电阻和相关气象要素的自动气象站观测资料。从季节变化特征来看,框架结构接地电阻相对较为稳定,月平均值2月最大为0.78 Ω,9月份最小为0.57 Ω,全年变化最大值约为0.21 Ω。统计季节变化曲线和暴雨过程发现,接地体电阻与1.5 m土壤温度和1.0 m土壤含水量呈现明显的负相关,接地电阻减小值与暴雨的强度无明显的相关性。文中还对较长时间无降水的干旱过程进行了分析,结果表明：干旱时框架结构接地电阻值有明显的上升趋势,尤其在夏季,干旱对接地电阻影响较大。     

A simple parameterization of bulk canopy resistance from climatic variables for estimating hourly evapotranspiration

This paper examines a model for estimating canopy resistance r_c and reference evapotranspiration ET_o on an hourly basis. The experimental data refer to grass at two sites in Spain with semiarid and windy conditions in a typical Mediterranean climate. Measured hourly ET_o values were obtained over grass during a 4 year period between 1997 and 2000 using a weighing lysimeter (Zaragoza, northeastern Spain) and an eddy covariance system (Córdoba, southern Spain). The present model is based on the Penman–Monteith (PM) approach, but incorporates a variable canopy resistance r_c as an empirical function of the square root of a climatic resistance r* that depends on climatic variables. Values for the variable r_c were also computed according to two other approaches: with the r_c variable as a straight‐line function of r* (Katerji and Perrier, 1983, Agronomie 3 (6): 513–521) and as a mechanistic function of weather variables as proposed by Todorovic (1999, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ASCE 125 (5): 235–245). In the proposed model, the results show that r_c/r_a (where r_a is the aerodynamic resistance) presents a dependence on the square root of r*/r_a, as the best approach with empirically derived global parameters. When estimating hourly ET_o values, we compared the performance of the PM equation using those estimated variable r_c values with the PM equation as proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization, with a constant r_c = 70 s m^?1. The results confirmed the relative robustness of the PM method with constant r_c, but also revealed a tendency to underestimate the measured values when ET_o is high. Under the semiarid conditions of the two experimental sites, slightly better estimates of ET_o were obtained when an estimated variable r_c was used. Although the improvement was limited, the best estimates were provided by the Todorovic and the proposed methods. The proposed approach for r_c as a function of the square root of r* may be considered as an alternative for modelling r_c, since the results suggest that the global coefficients of this locally calibrated relationship might be generalized to other climatic regions. It may also be useful to incorporate the effects of variable canopy resistances into other climatic and hydrological models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimating evapotranspiration for a temperate salt marsh,Newcastle, Australia

Evapotranspiration was studied at a salt marsh site in the Hunter River estuary, NSW, Australia, during 1996–8. Estimates of actual evapotranspiration (E_a) were obtained for three sites using the eddy correlation method. These values were compared with results obtained with the Penman and Penman–Monteith equations, and with pan evaporation. The Penman–Monteith method was found to be most reliable in estimating daily and hourly evapotranspiration. Surface resistance values averaging 12 s m^?1 were derived from the eddy correlation estimates. Recent tidal flooding and rainfall were found to decrease surface resistance and increase E_a/E_p ratios. Estimates of evapotranspiration obtained using the Penman–Monteith method were shown to be sensitive to changes in surface resistance, canopy height and the method used to estimate net radiation from incoming solar radiation. These results underline the importance of accurately estimating such parameters based on site‐specific data rather than relying on empirical equations, which are derived primarily for crops and forests. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flux–Profile Relationships Over a Fetch Limited Beech Forest

The influence of an internal boundary layer and a roughness sublayer on flux–profile relationships for momentum and sensible heat have been investigated for a closed beech forest canopy with limited fetch conditions. The influence was quantified by derivation of local scaling functions for sensible heat flux and momentum (_h and _m) and analysed as a function of atmospheric stability and fetch. For heat, the influences of the roughness sublayer and the internal boundary layer were in agreement with previous studies. For momentum, the strong vertical gradient of the flow just above the canopy top for some wind sectors led to an increase in _m, a feature that has not previously been observed. For a fetch of 500 m over the beech forest during neutral atmospheric conditions, there is no height range at the site where profiles can be expected to be logarithmic with respect to the local surface. The different influence of the roughness sublayer on _h and _m is reflected in the aerodynamic resistance for the site. The aerodynamic resistance for sensible heat is considerably smaller than the corresponding value for momentum.     

Recent landslide activity in Manaihan,East Belgium

Past landslides have been recognized in the Battice area in E-Belgium. In contrast to the other inactive landslides, the Manaihan landslide responded immediately to heavy rainfall events in the last two decades. This study aims to map its spatial extent and the dominant surface features; to measure surface displacement using GPS; to investigate subsurface structure with Cone penetration test (CPT) and corings; and to determine the depth of the shear surface by inclinometers. Results show a partial landslide reactivation. Surface velocities range between 20 and 40 cm/year and are strongly dependent on winter rainfall. CPT results give clear boundaries between the landslide mass and the undisturbed bedrock in the head scarp. Distinct shear surfaces have been determined with displacement rates up to 15.8 mm in 21 days. Further research should apply geophysical methods for two-dimensional information on the ground, investigate geotechnical properties of the landslide mass, model slope instability, and determine the influence of a sewage pipe crossing the central landslide mass as a potential cause for landslide activity.     

2009年6月九江一次典型雷击事故原因分析

根据2009年6月江西省九江一次雷击事故现场的勘察结果,利用雷电监测数据和剩磁检测数据对雷电流大小进行了对比分析,认为造成雷击事故的可能原因有三方面,分别是电源SPD的保护级别不够、SPD的容量太小、接地引下线过长和截面积太小。最后,提出了相应的整改建议。     

Assessing probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction at a given site in a given exposure time using CPTU

This paper is a follow-up to a previous paper on the subject of liquefaction potential index (LPI), a parameter that is often used to characterize the potential for surface manifestation of liquefaction at a given site subjected to a given shaking level (represented by a pair of peak ground surface acceleration a_max and moment magnitude M_w). In the previous paper by Juang and his coworkers, the LPI was re-calibrated for a piezocone penetration test (CPTU) model, and a simplified model based on LPI was created for computing the conditional probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction (P_G). In this paper, the model for this conditional probability P_G is extended into a complete framework for assessing the probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction in a given exposure time at a given site subjected to all possible ground motions at all seismic hazard levels. This new framework is formulated and demonstrated with an example site in 10 different seismic regions in the United States.     

Influence of the water layer upon the depth of ground radar investigations in freshwater reservoirs

A number of problems associated with detailed investigation of subsurface geological structure below the bottoms of freshwater reservoirs (rivers, ponds, and lakes) arise during the study of the upper portions of geological sections. The present study is aimed at marginal estimation of the penetrating depth of ground radar investigations in freshwater reservoirs (based on bottom reflections), taking into account the complex nature of conductivity and its dependence upon the frequency under ideal conditions with no noise. The same method can be applied for estimating any given dynamic recording range.     

Deformation analysis of geocell reinforcement using Winkler model

Geocell reinforcement has been increasingly applied to embankment engineerings. Deformation calculation is one of the major concerns during the design process. Using Winkler foundation model and with consideration of the interface resistance effect, a deformation control differential equation for the geocell reinforced mattress under the vertical symmetric loads is presented in this paper. The corresponding power-series semi analytic solutions for the displacements and the internal forces of geocell reinforcement are also presented. Furthermore, the influence factors such as loads, length and flexural rigidity of geocell reinforcement, coefficient of subgrade reaction and the interface resistance on the stress-deformation characteristic of geocell reinforcement are discussed. Finally, two examples are employed to verify the presented method. This study suggests that the effect of the interface resistance on the deformation of geocell reinforcement should be considered in engineering design.