Seismic shear distribution among interconnected cantilever walls of different lengths

Mid‐rise to high‐rise buildings in seismic areas are often braced by slender reinforced concrete (RC) walls, which are interconnected by RC floor diaphragms. In design, it is typically assumed that the lateral forces are distributed in proportion to the wall's elastic stiffness. Pushover analyses of systems comprising walls of different lengths have, however, shown that large compatibility forces can develop between them, which should be considered in design, but the analyses have also shown that the magnitude of the computed forces is very sensitive to the modelling assumptions. Using the results of a complex shell element model as benchmark, different simple hand‐calculation methods and inelastic beam element models are assessed and improved to yield reliable estimates of the base shear distribution among the individual walls comprising the interconnected wall system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic evidence of a crustal fault affecting a linear laccolith: The Guadiana Fault and the Monchique Alkaline Complex (SW Iberian Peninsula)

Magnetic anomalies can help reveal the structure of the upper crust in regions with intermediate or basic igneous rocks, and their continuity is essential to determine the position of crustal faults. The southwestern Iberian Peninsula constitutes the foreland of the Betic Cordillera and is characterized by an elongated E-W dipole extending 200 km toward its external zones. The anomaly is related to the outcropping Monchique Alkaline Complex, characterized by rocks of moderate magnetic susceptibility (0.029 SI) intruding into the metapelitic host rock of the South Portuguese Zone. Analysis of aeromagnetic and field magnetic anomalies serves to constrain the geometry of this laccolith. Toward the east, the magnetic dipole has a 60 km long N-S sharp boundary that coincides with the southern part of the Guadiana River. Field magnetic and gravity anomalies confirm the presence of this structure. It is produced by a sharp step in the elongated anomalous body, with an E downthrown block, interpreted as the offset produced by a deep N-S crustal fault—the Guadiana Fault. Therefore, the Guadiana River has three long linear segments near its mouth, locally coinciding with a N-S trending joint set, that support the presence of this major fault. To date, no evidence of this tectonic discontinuity, coinciding with the Spanish-Portuguese border, has been reported. Magnetic research is essential for understanding the structure of wide regions intruded by intermediate and/or basic igneous rocks.     

Kinematic model of crustal deformation of Fenwei basin,China based on GPS observations

Using high precision GPS data for the period of 1999–2007 from the China Crustal Movement Observation Network, we have constructed a plate kinematic model of crustal deformation of Fenwei basin, China. We have examined different kinematic models that can fit the horizontal crustal deformation of the Fenwei basin using three steps of testing. The first step is to carry out unbiasedness and efficiency tests of various models. The second step is to conduct significance tests of strain parameters of the models. The third step is to examine whether strain parameters can fully represent the deformation characteristics of the 11 tectonic blocks over the Fenwei basin. Our results show that the degree of rigidity at the Ordos, Hetao, Yinshan and South China blocks is significant at the 95% confidence level, indicating the crustal deformation of these blocks can be represented by a rigid block model without the need to consider differential deformation within blocks. We have demonstrated that homogeneous strain condition is suitable for the Yinchuan basin but not for other 6 blocks. Therefore, inhomogeneous strains within blocks should be considered when establishing the crustal deformation model for these blocks. We have also tested that not all of the quadratic terms of strain parameters are needed for the Yuncheng-Linfen block. Therefore, four kinds of elastic kinematic models that can best represent the detailed deformation characteristics of the 11 blocks of Fenwei basin are finally obtained. Based on the established model, we have shown that the current tectonic strain feature of the Fenwei basin is mainly characterized by tensile strain in the NW–SE direction, and the boundaries betweem the Ganqing and Ordos blocks and the Shanxi graben possess the maximum shear strain. A comparison between our results and past geological and geophysical investigations further confirms that the model established in this paper is reasonable.     

Evaluation of the natural vibration frequencies of a historical masonry building accounting for SSI

The dynamic identification of a historical masonry palace located in Benevento (Italy) has been carried out. The case study is representative of many buildings located in historic Italian centres. Since the building has been instrumented by the Department of Civil Protection with a permanent dynamic monitoring system, some of the recorded data, acquired in various operating conditions have been analysed with basic instruments of the Operational Modal Analysis in order to identify the main eingenfrequencies and vibration modes of the structure. The experimental results have been compared to the numerical outcomes provided by a detailed three-dimensional Finite Element (FE) model of the building where Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI) has been taken into account. The comparison of experimental vs. numerical frequencies and vibration modes of the palace evidenced the role exerted by the subsoil on the dynamic response of the building.     

Soil water content vertical profiles under natural conditions: matching of experiments and simulations by a conceptual model

The prediction of soil moisture content, θ, as a function of depth, z, and time, t, is of fundamental importance for applications in many hydrological processes. The main objective of this paper is to provide an approach to solve this problem at a local scale in soils with vegetation. The matching of soil moisture vertical profiles observed under natural conditions in grassy plots and their simulations by a conceptual model is presented. Experimental measurements were performed in a plot located in Central Italy, complete with hydrometeorological sensors specifically set up and equipped with a time domain reflectometry system providing the water content, θ_e(z, t). A conceptual model framework earlier proposed for two‐layered soil vertical profiles was modified and adopted for simulations. The changes concern the incorporation of evapotranspiration, the reduction of the original model for applications also to homogeneous soil vertical profiles, and a correction for the differences existing between assumed and observed initial moisture contents. In the model calibration, it was found that the effects of vegetation could be represented adequately by a fictitious soil vertical profile with a more permeable upper layer of saturated hydraulic conductivity, K_s, independent of time. Then, for the validation events, the model simulations in the stages of both infiltration and redistribution/evapotranspiration reproduced appropriately θ_e(z, t) with typical values of root mean square error in the range 0.0017–0.0657. Similar results were obtained by applying the modified two‐layered model for simulations of experimental data observed in three other plots located in Northern Italy and Germany. For all four vegetated sites, the two‐layer profile better matched the experimental data than the assumption of a homogeneous profile. Thus, the conceptual approach based on a two‐layered scheme for representing θ(z, t) in soils with vegetation appears to be appropriate for many hydrological applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

天津局地暴雨特征及落区预报分析

利用常规观测资料分析2009-2011年天津地区33次局地暴雨天气过程的影响系统。对局地暴雨天气发生前的大气环境物理参数进行统计,对比不同影响系统下预报着眼点的差异。结果表明：天津局地暴雨主要发生在蒙古冷涡、东北冷涡、高空槽前以及高空槽后四种天气系统的影响下。蒙古冷涡系统下应以整层良好的水汽和涡旋系统东南象限深厚的辐合上升运动为着眼点;而东北冷涡系统下则需关注低层水汽条件充沛和中层强烈的辐合抬升;高空槽系统下在动力、水汽以及能量条件配合较为均衡;而槽后型系统影响下若发生局地暴雨,各种强对流参数特征则最为显著。在此基础上,通过典型局地暴雨过程对强降水落区进行诊断表明,天津构造加密探空由于充分考虑了近地面的温湿风特征,计算所得的可降水量、对流有效位能以及地面至3km高度的垂直风切变对局地暴雨落区具有良好的指示性。同时,个例研究也表明TJ-WRF对局地暴雨天气过程有较好的预报能力,综合应用模式物理量结果能较好地预报局地暴雨落区。     

Seismic performance and comparison of three different I beam to box column joints

Despite the inherently advantages of the box column, finding the best option for the I beam to the box column connection is the main challenge in using the box column as a structural member for special moment frames. In this paper, the seismic performance of unreinforced connection, weakened connection and strengthened connection was evaluated through a comprehensive experimental program. The seismic comparisons were fabricated by assessing the strength, ductility and energy dissipation in each configuration. Three full scale tests with several connections were carried out. All the specimens were subjected to cyclic loading and prior to failure by forming a plastic hinge in the beam, all the connections managed to reach an inelastic rotation of more than 6.0% rad. The experimental and analytical results showed that the seismic performance of the strengthened connection with flange and shear plates turned out to be the most effective in the beam to the box column connection. Moreover, the normalized stress distribution of the continuity plates revealed that the possibility of the weld fracture in unreinforced connection is more than other specimens.     

城市边缘带识别研究进展与展望

城市边缘带作为城市与乡村相交接的特殊地带,是城市化进程中最为敏感的区域;城市边缘带的定量识别是研究边缘带社会结构、景观格局和发展梯度的基础工作,也是城市化生态环境效应定量分析的前提条件。但边缘带识别的理论与方法未受到足够重视,缺乏系统梳理。本文在对比分析城市边缘带及相关概念的基础上,明确了城市边缘带识别的实质与内涵;提出了基于指示要素—空间单元—判别模型的城市边缘带识别概念框架,并从上述三方面系统回顾了国内外城市边缘带识别研究进展;对未来研究进行了展望,认为城乡作用机理探析、多要素综合识别、非参数化模型融合、多尺度转换以及长时间序列动态监测等将是下一步重点研究方向。     

中国县域国土空间集约利用计量测度与影响机理

土地利用问题日益成为中国经济发展的重要约束力之一。快速城镇化背景下城镇和乡村的快速扩张吞噬了宝贵的土地资源,粗放非集约的利用方式更加剧了土地资源的浪费。从国土空间集约利用的影响机理出发分析中国县域国土空间集约的影响机理对指导集约利用实践以及宏观集约利用政策瞄准和政策矫正都具有特殊意义。综合运用OLS模型、空间面板滞后模型和空间面板自相关模型以GIS和Matlab为技术平台,构建中国县域发展基础数据库 (1992-2010年),定量刻画中国2286个县级单元的空间集约利用度时空变化格局,计量分析社会经济发展、自然环境本底、区位交通地理、宏观战略政策和历史基础5大类变量17项具体因素的影响机理。研究结果表明,空间面板数据模型的整体显著性和可信度检验略高于一般面板数据OLS模型;在固定相关效应后对各因素的影响机制进行了检验,表明工业化、城镇化、经济发展水平、区位、交通和宏观战略政策等因素对县域国土空间集约利用的影响较为明显。自然环境因素弱于社会经济因素。被忽略的历史因素对县域国土空间集约利用具有极显著的影响。未来县域国土空间集约利用应因势利导,强化有利因素,减小不利因素影响。提高工业化和城镇化发展水平和质量。发挥市场的主导作用,完善土地市场和运行机制。优化国土空间集约利用调控政策和管治手段,制定差别化的空间集约利用政策。以资源环境承载力为基础和约束最大限度地提高投入和产出水平。     

栅格数字地形分析中的尺度问题研究方法

栅格数字高程模型（DEM）固有的尺度特征给以栅格DEM为基本输入的数字地形分析带来各种尺度问题。对栅格数字地形分析中涉及的尺度进行梳理,以分辨率和分析窗口为重点,对栅格数字地形分析中的多尺度表达、尺度效应、适宜尺度选择、尺度转换等尺度问题及其相互关系进行阐述;分别介绍各类尺度问题的现有定量研究方法,尤其对尺度效应定量刻画和适宜尺度选择方法,根据不同方法计算定量指标所利用的信息类别进行分类归纳;最后讨论了其中有待进一步开展研究的几方面工作。