Double rolling isolation systems: A mathematical model and experimental validation

Rolling isolation systems (RISs) protect fragile building contents from earthquake hazards by decoupling horizontal floor motions from the horizontal responses of the isolated object. The RISs in use today have displacement capacities of about 20 cm. This displacement capacity can be increased by stacking two systems. This paper presents and evaluates a complete non-linear model of the coupled dynamics of double RISs. The model is derived through the fundamental form of Lagrange׳s equation and involves the non-holonomic constraints of spheres rolling between non-parallel surfaces. The derivation requires the use of two translating and rotating reference frames. The proposed model is validated through comparisons between experimentally measured and numerically predicted time histories and peak response quantities—total acceleration and relative displacement. The effects of the initial conditions, the mass of the isolated object, and the amplitude and period of the disturbance on the system׳s performance are assessed.     

Selectivity of seismic electric signal (SES) of the 2000 Izu earthquake swarm: a 3D FEM numerical simulation model

Although seismic electric signal (SES) has been used for short-term prediction of earthquakes, selectivity of SES still remains as one of the mysterious features. As a case study, we made a numerical simulation based on a 3D finite element method (FEM) on the selectivity of SES observed in the case of the 2000 Izu earthquake swarm. Our numerical results indicated that the existence of conductive channel under Niijima island could explain the reported SES selectivity.     

地震CT勘探原理及其在公路隧道病害诊断中的应用

地震CT勘探是一种新的地球物理方法。具有分辨率高、可靠性强、信息量大、图象直观的特点。可以广泛地用于线路、场地、隧道、边坡等项目的工程地质勘查和病害诊断。在元磨高速公路芭蕉箐隧道的地质病害诊断中应用地震CT进行勘探,取得了良好的效果。     

Targeted energy transfers in vibro-impact oscillators for seismic mitigation

In the field of seismic protection of structures, it is crucial to be able to diminish ‘as much as possible’ and dissipate ‘as fast as possible’ the load induced by seismic (vibration-shock) energy imparted to a structure by an earthquake. In this context, the concept of passive nonlinear energy pumping appears to be natural for application to seismic mitigation. Hence, the overall problem discussed in this paper can be formulated as follows: Design a set of nonlinear energy sinks (NESs) that are locally attached to a main structure, with the purpose of passively absorbing a significant part of the applied seismic energy, locally confining it and then dissipating it in the smallest possible time. Alternatively, the overall goal will be to demonstrate that it is feasible to passively divert the applied seismic energy from the main structure (to be protected) to a set of preferential nonlinear substructures (the set of NESs), where this energy is locally dissipated at a time scale fast enough to be of practical use for seismic mitigation. It is the aim of this work to show that the concept of nonlinear energy pumping is feasible for seismic mitigation. We consider a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) primary linear system (the structure to be protected) and study seismic-induced vibration control through the use of Vibro-Impact NESs (VI NESs). Also, we account for the possibility of attaching to the primary structure additional alternative NES configurations possessing essential but smooth nonlinearities (e.g., with no discontinuities). We study the performance of the NESs through a set of evaluation criteria. The damped nonlinear transitions that occur during the operation of the VI NESs are then studied by superimposing wavelet spectra of the nonlinear responses to appropriately defined frequency – energy plots (FEPs) of branches of periodic orbits of underlying Conservative systems.     

武汉地区地震效应影响研究

虽然武汉市地震影响及地震危险性的水平较低 ,强震也不是武汉市工程地质环境的主要问题 ,但在城市生命线工程和高层超高层建筑方面必须考虑单体抗震设防。而且 ,随着武汉市城市建设的不断发展 ,地震效应影响逐渐成为武汉市工程地质环境评价的一个重要因子。文章在分析了武汉地区地震动衰减规律 ,进行了地震危险性评价 ,深入研究了各土层动力参数性质的基础上 ,指出武汉地区地震地面破坏主要存在砂土液化和软土震陷两种型式及各自可能的空间分布.     

雅砻江锦屏水电站工程区活动构造研究及地壳稳定性评价

北东向的锦屏山-小金河断裂带从北东到南西斜穿整个锦屏水电站工程区。在它的东南和西北分别有北北西走向的羊坪子-纸厂沟断层组和北西走向的前波、高牛场等断层。锦屏山-小金河断裂带的马山头-周家坪断层组、瓦科断层组和北西向前波断层等晚第四纪继续活动, 但活动强度很弱。工程区新构造运动以整体抬升为主, 兼水平滑移和旋转运动。历史至今, 工程区地震活动微弱, 是地壳相对稳定的地区。     

Numerical damage assessment of Haghia Sophia bell tower by nonlinear FE modeling

In the present paper, the numerical damage assessment of the masonry bell tower called “Haghia Sophia” in Trabzon, Turkey is performed by nonlinear 3D finite element modeling. The behavior of bell tower is determined under several different conditions: nonlinear static analysis containing dead and wind loads and nonlinear seismic analysis. In addition to, an assessment of the tower’s stability with respect to the tilt of the tower is carried out by means of a nonlinear analysis. In the nonlinear dynamic analysis, the east–west component of 1992 Erzincan earthquake is used. Cracking and crushing of the masonry have been taken into account, as well as the influence of material nonlinearity. The numerical analysis has given a valuable picture of possible damage evolution, providing useful hints for the prosecution of structural monitoring. The displacement and stress fields, as well as the distribution of cracking have been calculated and compared to the actual distribution of fractures in the tower. It is seen from the numerical results that there is a good agreement with present damages of the bell tower.     

Investigation of seismicity after the initiation of a Seismic Electric Signal activity until the main shock

The behavior of seismicity in the area candidate to suffer a main shock is investigated after the observation of the Seismic Electric Signal activity until the impending main shock. This is based on the view that the occurrence of earthquakes is a critical phenomenon to which statistical dynamics may be applied. In the present work, analysing the time series of small earthquakes, the concept of natural time chi was used and the results revealed that the approach to criticality itself can be manifested by the probability density function (PDF) of kappa(1) calculated over an appropriate statistical ensemble. Here, kappa(1) is the variance kappa(1)(=-(2)) resulting from the power spectrum of a function defined as Phi(omega)= summation operator(k=1)(N) p(k) exp(iomegachi(k)), where p(k) is the normalized energy of the k-th small earthquake and omega the natural frequency. This PDF exhibits a maximum at kappa(1) asymptotically equal to 0.070 a few days before the main shock. Examples are presented, referring to the magnitude 6 approximately 7 class earthquakes that occurred in Greece.