On the use of microtremor recordings in seismic microzonation

Experimental methods involving microtremor recordings are useful for determining site effects in regions of moderate seismic activity where ground motion records are few, and in urban or industrial contexts where the noise level is high. The aim of this study is to establish a microzonation by using the Nogoshi–Nakamura method,[1, 2] a simple experimental technique based on microtremor recordings. Since the physical phenomena underlying the method are only partially understood, the spectral responses obtained cannot be used alone. We, therefore, complete our experimental results by comparing them with the solutions of a one-dimensional numerical simulation (SHAKE91).[3, 4] The experimental programme was carried out on a plain near the Rhone Delta (South of France). H/V spectral ratios were calculated at 137 noise measurement points. In addition, we were able to compute the numerical transfer functions from soil columns defined by geotechnical characteristics inside the studied region. A comparison of the results obtained by the experimental and numerical methods showed that the fundamental frequencies are in good agreement, but that the amplitudes obtained by the two techniques are sometimes different. The analysis of H/V spectral ratios enabled us to establish maps to characterize the region: a resonance frequency map and maps of amplification levels as a function of frequency range, leading to a seismic microzonation for the whole of the region.     

A review of aridity and groundwater

Surface hydrological studies are seen as inadequate in hyperarid and arid areas to provide reliable estimates of recharge. In most such areas surface discharges are not present so that assessments of groundwater resources are dependent upon ground interpretation and denied the flow control found in assessments elsewhere. Groundwater models show that gradients are sustained by long-term dewatering and very small amounts of modern indirect recharge. Recharge indications are well within the error of a hydrological balance. Discharges appear equally small. The development of groundwater in arid areas frequently faces problems of salination due to recycling of irrigation water and rising groundwater heads. Abstraction is often inadequately managed so that uncontrolled mining of groundwater occurs. The advantage that groundwater has, however, is that it offers staged development and staged appraisal.     

First‐year post‐fire erosion rates in Bitterroot National Forest,Montana

Accelerated runoff and erosion commonly occur following forest fires due to combustion of protective forest floor material, which results in bare soil being exposed to overland flow and raindrop impact, as well as water repellent soil conditions. After the 2000 Valley Complex Fires in the Bitterroot National Forest of west‐central Montana, four sets of six hillslope plots were established to measure first‐year post‐wildfire erosion rates on steep slopes (greater than 50%) that had burned with high severity. Silt fences were installed at the base of each plot to trap eroded sediment from a contributing area of 100 m². Rain gauges were installed to correlate rain event characteristics to the event sediment yield. After each sediment‐producing rain event, the collected sediment was removed from the silt fence and weighed on site, and a sub‐sample taken to determine dry weight, particle size distribution, organic matter content, and nutrient content of the eroded material. Rainfall intensity was the only significant factor in determining post‐fire erosion rates from individual storm events. Short duration, high intensity thunderstorms with a maximum 10‐min rainfall intensity of 75 mm h^?1 caused the highest erosion rates (greater than 20 t ha^?1). Long duration, low intensity rains produced little erosion (less than 0·01 t ha^?1). Total C and N in the collected sediment varied directly with the organic matter; because the collected sediment was mostly mineral soil, the C and N content was small. Minimal amounts of Mg, Ca, and K were detected in the eroded sediments. The mean annual erosion rate predicted by Disturbed WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) was 15% less than the mean annual erosion rate measured, which is within the accuracy range of the model. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Storm‐event rainfall–runoff modelling approach for ungauged sites in Taiwan

This work develops a top‐down modelling approach for storm‐event rainfall–runoff model calibration at unmeasured sites in Taiwan. Twenty‐six storm events occurring in seven sub‐catchments in the Kao‐Ping River provided the analytical data set. Regional formulas for three important features of a streamflow hydrograph, i.e. time to peak, peak flow, and total runoff volume, were developed via the characteristics of storm event and catchment using multivariate regression analysis. Validation of the regional formulas demonstrates that they reasonably predict the three features of a streamflow hydrograph at ungauged sites. All of the sub‐catchments in the study area were then adopted as ungauged areas, and the three streamflow hydrograph features were calculated by the regional formulas and substituted into the fuzzy multi‐objective function for rainfall–runoff model calibration. Calibration results show that the proposed approach can effectively simulate the streamflow hydrographs at the ungauged sites. The simulated hydrographs more closely resemble observed hydrographs than hydrographs synthesized using the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) dimensionless unit hydrograph method, a conventional method for hydrograph estimation at ungauged sites in Taiwan. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大万山波浪能试验场泊位间水动力影响分析

当前我国近海海域属稀缺资源,波浪能试验场建设须通过合理布局各测试泊位,在保证试验场各泊位可同时正常开展测试工作的前提下,尽量减小用海面积。拉近试验泊位距离,是减小用海面积的直接手段,但在此过程中,必须保证在试验场场址海域水动力环境下,泊位接入测试波浪能装置后,其之间的水动力影响在可接受的范围内。以大万山波浪能试验场泊位设计为例,介绍一种有效的泊位间水动力影响分析方法。方法采用自主开发的二维Boussinesq波浪模型,开展水动力影响分析工作,同时引入相对波高比概念,对泊位接入装置后影响距离和影响面积进行了定量的分析。文中研究得出的分析方法,可用于判定泊位布局设计的合理性。     

Distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in Yellow Sea sediments

To investigate the distribution,abundance,and species composition of dinoflagellate cysts in the Yellow Sea,surface sediment samples were collected at 37 sites,including the Korean dump site.Twenty-one dinoflagellate cyst taxa were identified,with the assemblages dominated mainly by Spiniferites bulloideus,Operculodinium centrocarpum,and cyst of Alexandrium catenella/tamarense type.A high frequency of O.centrocarpum in the Yellow Sea was observed for the first time,and it is likely that this can be attributed to the dynamics of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass and the Changjiang(Yangtze) River runoff.Total cyst concentrations ranged from 23 to 48 442 cysts/g dry weight,and high cyst concentrations were recorded adjacent to the dumping site.This result suggests that anthropogenic activities such as ocean dumping stimulate the growth of dinoflagellates in the Yellow Sea,which in turn leads to high levels of dinoflagellate cyst production.     

玉树地震地表破裂调查与灾后重建避让选址研究

2010年4月14日07时49分40.7秒,青海省玉树县发生Ms7.1级地震。通过现场调查和分析,玉树地震的发震断裂是甘孜—玉树活动断裂的玉树段,地震产生的地表破裂长度为23km,走向北西西—北西,总体表现为左旋走滑特征,可进一步分为3段:西段呈连续延伸的左旋走滑破裂,在隆宝镇的"郭央烟宋多"附近(坐标:北纬33°03′11″、东经96°51′26″)最大水平位移达1.75m,可定为宏观震中;中段主要位于县城南侧,由多条右阶斜列的破裂组成;东段表现为逆冲兼左旋走滑。玉树地震除了造成大量房屋破坏外,次生地质灾害主要包括:地震砂土液化及其引起的公路变形、地震滑坡、地震诱发水渠破坏及其链生土质滑坡和泥石流等。通过对内外动力地质灾害的综合分析,初步提出了玉树地震灾区灾后重建避让选址的建议。     

露天矿排土场高边坡动力稳定性研究

露天矿生产采用爆破手段,除采矿形成边坡外,废矿堆积也常常形成排土场高边坡,现场实测露天矿排土场在生产爆破作用下的振动速度,将实测加速度数据推导得到的水平加速度值,线性插值到每一个土条中,利用等效静力法对边坡在爆破动力作用下的稳定性进行了计算及评价,与传统等效静力法相比,此方法更接近实际振动加速度分布情况。同时,采用模态叠加法,通过有限元动力响应分析的手段,对露天矿排土场高边坡表面不同部位土体位移分布规律进行了分析,最终得到研究边坡在生产爆破动荷载作用下不会产生整体滑移,但在坡面顶部表层或浅层会产生一定深度的拉张裂缝,在重力和爆破动力的作用下裂缝逐渐加深,到一定深度时,表层矿渣会顺坡滑下产生表面滑塌型破坏的结论。     

高位钻场长钻孔在淮南刘庄煤矿瓦斯抽采中的应用

刘庄煤矿东二采区121102工作面所开采的11-2煤层为非突出煤层,但在工作面回采期间,存在瓦斯突出的可能。为防止工作回风巷尤其是上隅角瓦斯超限,确保工作面的正常生产,同时兼顾瓦斯资源的抽采利用,施工了最大长度496m,钻孔直径133mm的瓦斯抽采孔。实际应用表明,该孔投入使用后,整个工作面回采过程中均未发生过瓦斯超限现象,说明利用大口径长距离钻孔取代巷道抽放瓦斯是完全可行的。本文介绍的高位钻场长钻孔的设计、施工和瓦斯抽采情况,可以为今后同类工作面中长钻孔的施工提供借鉴。