An attenuation model for distant earthquakes

Large magnitude earthquakes generated at source–site distances exceeding 100km are typified by low‐frequency (long‐period) seismic waves. Such induced ground shaking can be disproportionately destructive due to its high displacement, and possibly high velocity, shaking characteristics. Distant earthquakes represent a potentially significant safety hazard in certain low and moderate seismic regions where seismic activity is governed by major distant sources as opposed to nearby (regional) background sources. Examples are parts of the Indian sub‐continent, Eastern China and Indo‐China. The majority of ground motion attenuation relationships currently available for applications in active seismic regions may not be suitable for handling long‐distance attenuation, since the significance of distant earthquakes is mainly confined to certain low to moderate seismicity regions. Thus, the effects of distant earthquakes are often not accurately represented by conventional empirical models which were typically developed from curve‐fitting earthquake strong‐motion data from active seismic regions. Numerous well‐known existing attenuation relationships are evaluated in this paper, to highlight their limitations in long‐distance applications. In contrast, basic seismological parameters such as the Quality factor (Q‐factor) could provide a far more accurate representation for the distant attenuation behaviour of a region, but such information is seldom used by engineers in any direct manner. The aim of this paper is to develop a set of relationships that provide a convenient link between the seismological Q‐factor (amongst other factors) and response spectrum attenuation. The use of Q as an input parameter to the proposed model enables valuable local seismological information to be incorporated directly into response spectrum predictions. The application of this new modelling approach is demonstrated by examples based on the Chi‐Chi earthquake (Taiwan and South China), Gujarat earthquake (Northwest India), Nisqually earthquake (region surrounding Seattle) and Sumatran‐fault earthquake (recorded in Singapore). Field recordings have been obtained from these events for comparison with the proposed model. The accuracy of the stochastic simulations and the regression analysis have been confirmed by comparisons between the model calculations and the actual field observations. It is emphasized that obtaining representative estimates for Q for input into the model is equally important.Thus, this paper forms part of the long‐term objective of the authors to develop more effective communications across the engineering and seismological disciplines. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Frequency domain modal analysis of earthquake input energy to highly damped passive control structures

A new complex modal analysis‐based method is developed in the frequency domain for efficient computation of the earthquake input energy to a highly damped linear elastic passive control structure. The input energy to the structure during an earthquake is an important measure of seismic demand. Because of generality and applicability to non‐linear structures, the earthquake input energy has usually been computed in the time domain. It is shown here that the formulation of the earthquake input energy in the frequency domain is essential for deriving a bound on the earthquake input energy for a class of ground motions and for understanding the robustness of passively controlled structures to disturbances with various frequency contents. From the viewpoint of computational efficiency, a modal analysis‐based method is developed. The importance of overdamped modes in the energy computation of specific non‐proportionally damped models is demonstrated by comparing the energy transfer functions and the displacement transfer functions. Through numerical examinations for four recorded ground motions, it is shown that the modal analysis‐based method in the frequency domain is very efficient in the computation of the earthquake input energy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic structural control using an electric servomotor active mass driver system

This study investigates an electric‐type active mass driver (AMD) system for structural vibration control. Composed primarily of an electric servomotor and a ball screw, the electrical AMD system is free from noise problems, oil leakage, and labor‐intensive maintenance that commonly are associated with hydraulic AMD systems. The desired stroke amplification of the mass and the power demand of the servomotor can be adjusted via the ball screw pitch, which in turn affects the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. Meanwhile, an instantaneous optimal direct output feedback control algorithm is adopted. Numerical simulation is performed using a five‐story steel frame as the object structure under the conditions of the 1940 El Centro earthquake. The AMD system proves to be effective and efficient within a certain range of the ball screw pitch. The reductions of the peak responses can reach as high as 70% if properly designed. Requiring only the velocity measurement of the top floor for on‐line feedback control, the proposed control algorithm is recommended for practical implementation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance evaluation of steel arch bridges against major earthquakes. Part 1: dynamic analysis approach

In this study the inelastic behavior of steel arch bridges subjected to strong ground motions from major earthquakes is investigated by dynamic analyses of a typical steel arch bridge using a three‐dimensional (3D) analytical model, since checking seismic performance against severe earthquakes is not usually performed when designing such kinds of bridge. The bridge considered is an upper‐deck steel arch bridge having a reinforced concrete (RC) deck, steel I‐section girders and steel arch ribs. The input ground motions are accelerograms which are modified ground motions based on the records from the 1995 Hyogoken‐Nanbu earthquake. Both the longitudinal and transverse dynamic characteristics of the bridge are studied by investigation of time‐history responses of the main parameters. It is found that seismic responses are small when subjected to the longitudinal excitation, but significantly large under the transverse ground motion due to plasticization formed in some segments such as arch rib ends and side pier bases where axial force levels are very high. Finally, a seismic performance evaluation method based on the response strain index is proposed for such steel bridge structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Frozen Soils and Devastating Characteristics of West Kunlun Mountains Pass Ms 8.1 Earthquake Area in 2001

The investigation on damages to frozen soil sites during the West Kunlun Mountains Pass earthquake with Ms 8.1 in 2001 shows that the frozen soil in the seismic area is composed mainly of moraine, alluvial deposit, diluvial deposit and lacustrine deposit with the depth varying greatly along the earthquake rupture zone. The deformation and rupture of frozen soil sites are mainly in the form of coseismic fracture zones caused by tectonic motion and fissures,liquefaction, seismic subsidence and collapse resulting from ground motion. The earthquake fracture zones on the surface are main brittle deformations, which, under the effect of sinlstral strike-slip movement, are represented by shear fissures, tensional cracks and compressive bulges. The distribution and configuration patterns of deformation and rupture such as fissures, liquefaction, seismic subsidence and landslides are all related to the ambient rock and soil conditions of the earthquake area. The distribution of earthquake damage is characterized by large-scale rupture zones, rapid intensity attenuation along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Highway, where buildings distribute and predominant effect of rock and soil conditions.     

Features of the M7.9 Earthquake in the Russia- Mongolia- China Boundary Region

At 19:33 p. m on September 27, 2003, an earthquake with M7.9 occurred in the RussiaMongolia-China boundary Region. It was strongly felt in the Altay region of Xinjiang. The losses caused by the earthquake was 76 million yuan (RMB). Some information about the earthquake was outlined, including basic parameters, focal mechanism, evaluation of earthquake disaster losses and so on. The satellite remote sensing information worked initial analysis for deformation of ground and failure phenomenon.     

塔里木河南岸地下淡水资源分布特征及成因分析--以哈得4油田水源地为例

塔里木河南岸地下水资源，卡要为受塔里水河控制的具有高矿化背景的地下水，在塔里木河洪水的淡化影响下，形成了一定范围的地下水淡化带．这种淡化水对油田供水具有战略意义，在一定程度上制约着油田建设的发展．通过对塔埋木河南岸地下淡水资源的分布特征与成因分析．为塔河南岸地下淡水资源的合理开发与利用指明了方向．     

南太行山闪长岩的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄及岩石成因研究

南太行山符山和东冶角闪闪长岩岩体的精细SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年和元素-同位素地球化学研究表明:符山角闪闪长岩体形成于126.7±1.1Ma,东冶角闪闪长岩体形成于125.9±0.9Ma,与区内基性侵入岩和北太行地区侵入杂岩具有相似的形成年龄,表明晚中生代(±130Ma左右)太行山地区经历了与华北陆块同期的重要构造岩浆事件。区内闪长质岩石SiO_2=54.84％～65.75％,MgO=1.31％～3.89％,K_2O Na_2O=6.53％～11.40％,mg值=0.36～0.58,(La/Yb)_(cn)=9.86～22.77,(Gd/Yb)_(cn)=1.51～2.00;Eu/Eu=1.00～1.23,以富集LREE、LILE元素和明显亏损Nb-Ta、Zr-Hf-Ti等高场强元素为特征。~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr(t)=0.705363～0.706165,ε_(Nd)(t)=-13.8～-16.8,源自于EMI型富集岩石圈地幔,可解释为新生地幔底侵物质熔融后经过结晶分异作用的产物。与华北克拉通内部其他地区一样,早白垩世南太行山地区处于软流圈上涌的岩石圈伸展构造背景。     

神经网络在判别煤矿突水水源中的应用

矿井突水水源的识别是矿井防治水工作的基础，快速准确地判别突水的来源对整个矿井的安全生产起着十分重要的作用。以峰峰矿区梧桐庄矿为例，应用神经网络的方法，对矿井突水水源进行了系统研究。结果表明，运用该方法取得了较好的效果，并可以用此模型来解决类似的评价和判别问题。     

碳酸岩Sr、Nd、Pb 同位素地球化学研究评述

碳酸岩是出露相对较少的幔源岩石，其中Sr与Nd是研究地幔物质组成的主要对象之一。本文统计了世界上主要碳酸岩的锶、钕、铅同位素组成特征；研究显示，碳酸岩源区主要是洋岛玄武岩高U／Pb的HIMU端员和富集端员(EM1或EM2)的混合作用；此外大部分碳酸岩的锶、钕同位素落在大洋玄武岩范围内；这些均表明其成因与地慢柱有密切联系。碳酸岩及与之共生的硅酸岩的同源或独立源区模式部很难充分解释两者同位素组成特征，逭反映碳酸岩的演化模式涉及更复杂的过程。可能是俯冲作用使碳酸岩源区经历不同时间和程度的富集、亏损过程导致地幔源区成分不均一。