Mode-based equivalent multi-degree-of-freedom system for one-dimensional viscoelastic response analysis of layered soil deposit

Discrete models such as the lumped parameter model and the finite element model are widely used in the solution of soil amplification of earthquakes. However, neither of the models will accurately estimate the natural frequencies of soil deposit, nor simulate a damping of frequency independence. This research develops a new discrete model for onedimensional viscoelastic response analysis of layered soil deposit based on the mode equivalence method. The new discrete model is a one-dimensional equivalent multi-degree-of-freedom（MDOF） system characterized by a series of concentrated masses, springs and dashpots with a special configuration. The dynamic response of the equivalent MDOF system is analytically derived and the physical parameters are formulated in terms of modal properties. The equivalent MDOF system is verified through a comparison of amplification functions with the available theoretical solutions. The appropriate number of degrees of freedom（DOFs） in the equivalent MDOF system is estimated. A comparative study of the equivalent MDOF system with the existing discrete models is performed. It is shown that the proposed equivalent MDOF system can exactly present the natural frequencies and the hysteretic damping of soil deposits and provide more accurate results with fewer DOFs.

Large-scale seismic isolation through regulated liquefaction： a feasibility study

Using controlled liquefaction, a seismic isolation technique is introduced by which a large area with dozens of structures can be seismically isolated. The proposed Large Scale Seismic Isolation （LSSI） is in many ways similar to conventional base isolations. The required bearing is provided by a fully undrained pre-saturated liquefiable layer which has substantial vertical stiffness/capacity and minimal lateral stiffness. Moreover, required energy dissipation would be provided through material damping and Biot flow-induced damping within the liquefied layer. LSSI consists of a thick non- liquefiable crust layer and an underlying engineered pre-saturated liquefiable layer bounded by two impermeable thin clay layers. The liquefiable layer should be designed to trigger liquefaction as soon as possible within the early seconds of a design level seismic event. Adopting the energy-based GMP liquefaction theory, optimum gradation of the liquefiable layer is also investigated. It tumed out that LSSI would effectively reduce acceleration response spectrum within short to medium periods. Contribution of the proposed LSSI is more pronounced in the case of stronger ground motions such as near field events as well as ground motions with longer return periods.

Grating lobes suppression method for stepped frequency GB-SAR system

A grating lobes suppression method for chirp-subpulse stepped frequency（CSSF） signals is proposed, which is applied to deformation monitoring using the ground based synthetic aperture radar（GB-SAR） system. This method is based on accurate estimation and correction of the phase and amplitude error along two dimensions（range and azimuth）, i.e., the error estimation inside the subpulse（in-subpulse error） and across the stepped frequency subpulses（cross-subpulse error） of transmitted CSSF signals. Validated both with simulated data and experimental data recorded in the deformation monitoring campaign, it can be seen that the method as well as the relative conclusions can be fully and effectively applied to most of the stepped frequency systems.

A 10 GHz high-efficiency and low phase-noise negative-resistance oscillator optimized with a virtual loop model

A virtual loop model was built by the transmission analysis with virtual ground method to assist the negative-resistance oscillator design, providing more perspectives on output power and phase-noise optimization. In this work, the virtual loop described the original circuit successfully and the optimizations were effective. A 10 GHz high-efficiency low phase-noise oscillator utilizing an InGaP/GaAs HBT was achieved. The 10.028 GHz oscillator delivered an output power of over 15 dBm with a phase-noise of lower than -107 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset. The efficiency of DC to RF transformation was 35 %. The results led to a good oscillator figure of merit of-188 dBc/Hz. The measurement results agreed well with those of the simulations.

Ground-based verification and data processing of Yutu rover Active Particle-induced X-ray Spectrometer

The Active Particle-induced X-ray Spectrometer（APXS） is one of the payloads on board the Yutu rover of the Chang＇E-3 mission. In order to assess the instrumental performance of APXS, a ground verification test was performed for two unknown samples（basaltic rock, mixed powder sample）. In this paper, the details of the experiment configurations and data analysis method are presented. The results show that the elemental abundance of major elements can be well determined by the APXS with relative deviations 〈15 wt.%（detection distance=30 mm,acquisition time=30 min）. The derived detection limit of each major element is inversely proportional to acquisition time and directly proportional to detection distance, suggesting that the appropriate distance should be 〈50 mm.