Spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration – a case study of the Saguenay region,Canada

The spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration were selected as input parameters for the determination of potential seismic site effects in the Saguenay region, Canada. The methodology used in this study involved three clear steps. First, a 3D geological model of the surficial deposits was built taking into consideration the type, spatial distribution and thickness of the deposits. Second, representative average V_s values were determined for each of the major soil units. Finally, the average shear-wave velocity from the ground surface to bedrock (V_sav), the shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m (V_s30) and the fundamental site resonance period (T₀) were calculated over a regular grid for the study area. The results include the spatial distribution of the fundamental site resonance period, the average shear-wave velocity in the first 30 m of the ground and the spatial distribution of National Building Code of Canada seismic soil classes for the Saguenay region.     

Measuring the relationships between landscape aesthetics suitability and spatial patterns of urbanized lands: an informed modelling framework for developing urban growth scenarios

This study develops an informed modelling approach that follows a bottom-up planning strategy to define plausible urban growth scenarios. In this case, landscape aesthetics suitability of the area was first generated using multi-criteria evaluation method. Then, a buffer zone of 1 km was considered to extract the average values of aesthetics suitability scores surrounding urban patches with medium physical size (10–30 hectares). The averaged values were considered as the dependent variable. In the next step, landscape metrics of these urban patches, as explanatory variables, were also computed to measure compositional and configuration-based attributes of urban clusters. Bivariate associations (Pearson correlation analysis) and statistical relationships (linear regression algorithm) between landscape metrics and their associated aesthetics values were measured and modelled. According to the results, both composition and configuration values are significantly correlated to the dependent variable in which configuration-based attributes depicted a stronger explanatory power.     

A modi?ed failure criterion for transversely isotropic rocks

A modified failure criterion is proposed to determine the strength of transversely isotropic rocks. Me-chanical properties of some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks including gneiss, slate, marble, schist, shale, sandstone and limestone, which show transversely isotropic behavior, were taken into consider-ation. Afterward, introduced triaxial rock strength criterion was modified for transversely isotropic rocks. Through modification process an index was obtained that can be considered as a strength reduction parameter due to rock strength anisotropy. Comparison of the parameter with previous anisotropy in-dexes in literature showed reasonable results for the studied rock samples. The modified criterion was compared to modified Hoek-Brown and Ramamurthy criteria for different transversely isotropic rocks. It can be concluded that the modified failure criterion proposed in this study can be used for predicting the strength of transversely isotropic rocks.     

Development of a New Index to Assess the Rock Mass Drillability

Knowledge of drillability of rock masses in engineering projects is very important in determining drilling costs. In drilling operations, so many parameters such as the properties of rock and the drilling equipment affect the drilling performance. In this study, after discussing the rock mass drillability process and identifying all the effective parameters, interaction matrixes based on the rock engineering systems, that analyze the interrelationship between the parameters affecting rock engineering activities, is introduced to study the rock mass drillability tribosystem. Given that interaction matrix codes are not unique numbers, and then possible interactive intensities are calculated for each matrix and a group decision-making method, Fuzzy–Delphi–AHP technique has been used to obtain appropriate weights. As a result, rock mass drillability index (RMDI) is presented to classify the rock mass drillability. The results indicate the ability of this method to analyze rock mass drillability procedure. Drilling data along with laboratory rock properties from Sungun copper mine were collected and were ranked according to the new classification system. Fifteen zones at the mine site were ranked based upon the new index RMDI and a reasonable correlation was obtained between measured drilling rate at the zones and RMDI data.     

Assessing the visual impacts of new urban features: coupling visibility analysis with 3D city modelling

Abstract

Land use changes associated with urbanization often have negative impacts on scenic beauty. In this paper, we explore and compare the visual impact of two different scenarios of urban growth including historical urban growth (HUG) and aesthetically sound urban growth (AUG) with two different categories of height for buildings in the city of Gorgan, Iran. This was done by viewshed and landscape metric analysis of different viewpoints and 3D representation of each scenario. The results show that with the AUG scenario, viewsheds are less impacted by new developments than the HUG scenario in all the viewpoints. It can be concluded that building locations can considerably affect the landscape visibility while building height does not impact to the same degree as location. The results of this research, as a Spatial Decision Support System, would help the managers for better understanding of different patterns of urbanization and its effect on landscape view.     

Correlating biostratigraphy and palaeoceanographic changes during late Quaternary at cold seeps with gas hydrate‐free areas of the Japan Sea using foraminifera paleoecology

Late Quaternary foraminifera assemblages have been examined in two sediment cores (MD179‐3296 and MD179‐3317) from cold seep areas in the eastern margin of the Japan Sea, off Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. Foraminifera assemblages in core MD179‐3296, which was located at the center of a pockmark on the Umitake Spur, show no evidence of methane flux and, especially in its upper portion, share the same paleo‐environmental history as other free gas hydrate areas of the Japan Sea. In comparison, in the core MD179‐3317 at the center of a pockmark at Joetsu Knoll, foraminiferal distributions were strongly affected by methane activities and, in the main part of the core, were deposited under local conditions. Three horizons were identified in this core, which are characterized by the high abundance value of Thalmannammina parkerae and might be related to methane flux due to sea level fall especially through late marine isotope stage (MIS) 3 and MIS 2.     

Prediction of the Rock Mass Diggability Index by Using Fuzzy Clustering-Based,ANN and Multiple Regression Methods

Rock mass classification systems are one of the most common ways of determining rock mass excavatability and related equipment assessment. However, the strength and weak points of such rating-based classifications have always been questionable. Such classification systems assign quantifiable values to predefined classified geotechnical parameters of rock mass. This causes particular ambiguities, leading to the misuse of such classifications in practical applications. Recently, intelligence system approaches such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and neuro-fuzzy methods, along with multiple regression models, have been used successfully to overcome such uncertainties. The purpose of the present study is the construction of several models by using an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) method with two data clustering approaches, including fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering and subtractive clustering, an ANN and non-linear multiple regression to estimate the basic rock mass diggability index. A set of data from several case studies was used to obtain the real rock mass diggability index and compared to the predicted values by the constructed models. In conclusion, it was observed that ANFIS based on the FCM model shows higher accuracy and correlation with actual data compared to that of the ANN and multiple regression. As a result, one can use the assimilation of ANNs with fuzzy clustering-based models to construct such rigorous predictor tools.     

Removal of hydrogen sulfide by zinc oxide nanoparticles in drilling fluid

Hydrogen sulfide is a very dangerous, toxic and corrosive gas. It can diffuse into drilling fluid from formations during drilling of gas and oil wells. Hydrogen sulfide should be removed from this fluid to reduce the environmental pollution, protect the health of drilling workers and prevent corrosion of pipelines and equipments. In this research nano zinc oxide with 14–25 nm particle size and 44–56 m2/g specific surface area was synthesized by spray pyrolysis method. The synthesized nanoparticles were used to remove hydrogen sulfide from water based drilling fluid. The efficiency of these nanoparticles in the removal of hydrogen sulfide from drilling mud were evaluated and compared with that of bulk zinc oxide. The obtained results show that synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles are completely able to remove hydrogen sulfide from water based drilling mud in just 15 min., whereas bulk zinc oxide is able to remove 2.5% of hydrogen sulfide in as long as 90 min. under the same operating conditions.     

Introducing the recharge–discharge relationship to evaluate the recharge coefficient of karstic aquifers: thematic and indexing approaches

ABSTRACT

Karst aquifers and springs are important with respect to their potential for supplying drinking water in regions suffering from water scarcity in Iran. Accordingly, it is essential to determine the recharge potential of the catchment and the regions with higher obtainability potential. This study provides a road map for the Sheshpeer catchment in southern Iran. A recharge potential (RP) map was produced from which a recharge index (RI) was computed for several selected springs in the catchment. Furthermore, the unit discharge (q) – defined as the average annual discharge for a given catchment area and unit rainfall depth for each spring – was calculated. The plot of q versus RI for the springs showed a linear positive relationship between the two variables (R ² = 0.9). Applying the trend equation of this plot to the whole Sheshpeer karstic catchment reveals that its long-term recharge coefficient is 0.74.     

Comparison of Building Damage Assessment Methods for Risk Analysis in Mining Subsidence Regions

The occurrence of subsidence phenomena in urban regions may induce small to severe damage to buildings. Many methods are provided in the literature to assess buildings damage. Most of these methods are empirical and use the horizontal ground strain as a subsidence intensity in the vicinity of a building. Application and comparison of these methods with a case study is the main objective of this paper. This comparison requires some harmonization of the existing methods and the development of a software, which combines the subsidence hazard prediction, the damage evaluation methods and a database of buildings with structural parameters as well as the geographical coordinates of the buildings An additional results is the development of a method for the prediction of the horizontal ground strain in the vicinity of each building. Results are given as a map of damaged buildings for the case study and the different existing methods with some statistical calculations such as the mean and the standard deviation of damage in the city. Comparison of these results allows identification of the “safer” method that give the higher mean of damage. The comparison of the calculated results and observed damage in Lorrain region show that, the Dzegeniuk et al. methods is more realistic in comparison of the other empirical methods.