Proposed support design, Kaletepe tunnel, Turkey

In this paper, preliminary support design of Kaletepe tunnel, located on Bilecik-Istanbul highway, Turkey, was analyzed by empirical and numerical methods. The rock mass rating (RMR) and rock mass quality (Q) systems were employed for empirical rock mass quality determination. Numerical analysis for the stress–strain distribution of the tunnel excavation and support systems was also carried out. The applied support performance was investigated at different sections of the tunnel route. It was seen that empirical and numerical approaches showed similar results. This indicates that when the empirical method is supported by numerical method, the preliminary support design will be more reliable.     

Groundwater and geotechnical aspects of deep excavations in Hong Kong

Consideration of groundwater is a key element in almost every construction project. The design of deep excavations for basements or underground railway station concourses below the water table require that the water pressures are taken into account. Whilst these can be considered to be hydrostatic in soil, the decreasing permeability of rock with depth and the fact that groundwater flow is invariably along discrete fractures means that the water pressure is unlikely to be hydrostatic at depth.

Groundwater control for deep excavations can be achieved by a number of methods such as grouting, pumping or structural walls or a combination of these. For tunnelling projects grouting is extensively used, but the development of sophisticated tunnelling machines has led in many cases to the demise of compressed air as a means of groundwater control.     

Determination of the elastic modulus set of foliated rocks from ultrasonic velocity measurements

Ultrasonic measurements of compressional and shear wave velocities under hydrostatic pressure up to 70 MPa were carried out on cylindrical specimens cored across and along the foliation planes. Our measurements revealed that the foliation of the metamorphic rocks induces a clear velocity anisotropy between two orthogonal directions; faster along the foliation plane and slower across the plane in most rock types. All velocity components monotonically increase with the confining pressure, probably due to the closure of microcracks distributed in rock specimens. We determined the complete set of dynamic moduli of foliated metamorphic rocks with two assumptions; transverse isotropy due to the foliation and ellipsoidal seismic energy propagation from a point source. The calculated elastic moduli referring to different directions could be valuable for the design of various engineering structures in planar textured rock mass.     

Mitigation of liquefaction and associated ground deformations by stone columns

Soil liquefaction and associated ground failures have been a major source of damage during the past earthquakes. The risk of liquefaction and associated ground deformation can be reduced by various ground-improvement methods including the stone column (gravel drain) technique. This paper presents the current state of the stone column technologies as a liquefaction countermeasure. A comprehensive review is provided aiming to: (a) identify key considerations for the general use of stone columns as a liquefaction countermeasure, (b) provide insights for design and construction, (c) compile the latest research developments, and (d) identify sources of useful information. Case histories of field applications and observed field performance are cited to portray different stone column applications and observed effectiveness. The paper identifies areas where more research is needed and includes recommendations for future research and development.     

Active faulting at the Eurasian, North American and Pacific plates junction

The active faults known and inferred in the area where the major Pacific, North American and Eurasian plates come together group into two belts. One of them comprises the faults striking roughly parallel to the Pacific ocean margin. The extreme members of the belt are the longitudinal faults of islands arcs, in its oceanic flank, and the faults along the continental margins of marginal seas, in its continental flank. The available data show that all these faults move with some strike-slip component, which is always right-lateral. We suggest that characteristic right-lateral, either partially or dominantly, kinematics of the fault movements has its source in oblique convergence of the Pacific plate with continental Eurasian and North American plates. The second belt of active faults transverses the extreme northeast Asia as a continental extension of the active mid-Arctic spreading ridge. The two active fault belts do not cross but come close to each other at the northern margin of the Sea of Okhotsk marking thus the point where the Pacific, North American and Eurasian plates meet.     

Active faults and paleoseismicity in Fennoscandia, especially Sweden. Primary structures and secondary effects

Fennoscandia, today a region of low to moderately low seismicity, was, at the time of deglaciation, with rates of uplift on the order of tens of centimetres per year, a region of very high seismicity and active tectonics. This is evident both from primary fault structures and from secondary sedimentary and hard rock effects in the region around the epicentral areas. The map of active faults in Fennoscandia includes numerous structures previously not recognised. Despite this, the recording of active faults and paleoseismic events is still in its initial phase. Much more data will surely accumulate in the near future.     

温州世贸中心大厦钻孔灌注桩施工技术

介绍了温州世贸中心大厦钻孔灌注桩的主要特点和施工难点，以及在生产施工中所采取的主要技术措施，特别针对该工程中风化残留体施工难度大、桩孔深的特点，介绍了相应的处理办法和注意事项。     

内蒙古温带半干旱羊草草原N2O通量及其影响因素

利用静态箱 -气相色谱法于 2 0 0 1～ 2 0 0 3年对内蒙古锡林河流域羊草草原进行了连续 2年的野外定位试验 ,获得羊草草原原状群落与土壤N2 O年排放通量分别在 3 91～ 4 71μgm- 2h- 1以及 5 5 0～ 10 0 3μgm- 2 h- 1范围内变动 ,证明内蒙古温带半干旱羊草草原生态系统是大气中N2 O的源 ;系统分析了羊草草原N2 O通量的季节变化、源汇特征以及关键的环境因子对草地N2 O通量的影响等 ,建立了N2 O通量与环境因子间的回归方程 ;并利用两年连续完整的观测数据对羊草草原N2 O年排放量进行了估算     

Targeting seasonal climate forecasts for integration into household level decisions: the case of smallholder farmers in Lesotho

Seasonal climate forecasts have been promoted as a means to increase the resilience of marginal groups in Africa. The manifestations of this are still to be seen. This paper argues that successful dissemination and adoption of the forecast requires an in-depth profile of the characteristics and needs of user groups. The case study of a mountainous village in southern Lesotho is used to highlight the decisions which one group of marginal users – smallholder farmers – might make in response to the forecast. A participatory role-play exercise explores what information households presently receive and how new climate forecast information could be integrated into seasonal decision making. Results show that there are a number of low-input options available to these farmers for responding to the forecast. Adoption, however, is going to require repeated exposure to the forecast in conjunction with forecast development that is suited to users' needs. The case study is linked back to the larger scale by suggesting paths that seasonal climate forecast development could take if it is to contribute to improving livelihood sustainability among marginal groups.     

Transfer of Taiwanese ideas and technology to The Gambia, West Africa: a viable approach to rural development?

The development of Taiwan's agricultural sector contributed significantly to the country's transformation from virtual poverty after World War II to a modern industrial nation. Success resulted from the use of appropriate technologies, developed through an exceptionally close working relationship between government, research and development institutions, extension services and farmers in Taiwan. As part of their overseas development aid programme, the Republic of China on Taiwan has established Technical Missions in those developing countries where it receives political recognition. Among these is The Gambia, West Africa, where one focus of Taiwan's current Technical Mission is the development of women's market gardens. Although the gardens have proved successful, there is doubt as to whether their achievements will be sustained once Taiwan's Technical Mission in The Gambia has ended. Field research in Taiwan and in The Gambia, based largely on participatory techniques, has revealed that the low-tech methods introduced from Taiwan are appropriate for the Gambian environment. However, much depends on whether women participating in the schemes can commit sufficient time and energy to the gardens, as at present this is a limiting factor. The potential of the gardens may also be constrained by a lack of appropriate institutional infrastructure, particularly the scope for profitable disposal of garden produce. A major conclusion of the article is that successful transfer of appropriate technology to The Gambia is likely to be impeded by poorly developed coordination between groups that proved to be key 'players' in the development of agriculture in Taiwan: government, research and development institutions, extension services and producers.