A method for computing interstory drift spectra with consideration of gravity effects

Vertical loads such as gravity may have an important influence on the seismic response of buildings. In this paper, the continuous shear-beam model is extended to study the seismic demand of shear buildings with consideration of the gravity load effect under near-field ground motions. An analytical solution of the free motion equation of as gravity shear beam model is provided in terms of a Bessel series. A method for computing interstory drift spectra is proposed. The interstory drift spectra for two near-field records with distinct pulses are presented to illustrate the effects of gravity and the damping ratio. The interstory drift spectra are also used to analyze the spectral characteristics of near fault ground motion during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The effects of the gravity load ratio, damping ratio and higher modes are investigated and discussed.

Highly efficient photo-thermal synergistic catalysis of CO_(2)methanation over La_(1-x)Ce_(x)NiO_(3)perovskite-catalyst

Solar-driven photo-thermal catalytic CO_(2)methanation reaction is a promising technology to alleviate the problems posed by greenhouse gases emissions.However,designing advanced photo-thermal catalysts remains a research challenge for CO_(2)methanation reaction.In this work,a series of ABO3(A=lanthanide,B=transition metal)perovskite catalysts with Ce-substituted LaNiO3(La_(1-x)Ce_(x)NiO_(3),x=0,0.2,0.5,0.8,1)were synthesized for CO_(2)methanation.The La_(0.2)Ce_(0.8)NiO_(3) exhibited the highest CH_(4) formation rate of 258.9 mmol·g^(-1)·hcat-1,CO_(2)conversion of 55.4%and 97.2%CH_(4) selectivity at 300℃with the light intensity of 2.9 W·cm^(-2).Then the catalysts were thoroughly analyzed by physicochemical structure and optical properties characterizations.The partial substitution of the A-site provided more active sites for the adsorption and activation of CO_(2)/H_(2).The sources of the active sites were considered to be the oxygen vacancies(O_(v))created by lattice distortions due to different species of ions(La^(3+),Ce^(4+),Ce^(3+))and exsolved Ni0 by H_(2)reduction.The catalysts have excellent light absorption absorbance and low electron-hole(e^(-)/h^(+))recombination rate,which greatly contribute to the excellent performance in photo-thermal synergistic catalysis(PTC)CO_(2)methanation.The results of in situ irradiated electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer(ISI-EPR)and ISI-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)indicated that the aggregation of unpaired electrons near the defects and Ni metal(from La and Ce ions to Ov and Ni0)accelerated adsorption and activation of CO_(2)/H_(2).At last,the catalyst properties and structure were correlated with the proposed reaction mechanism from the in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectrum(DRIFTS)measurements.The in situ precipitation of the B-site enhanced the dispersion of Ni,while its enriched photoelectrons upon illumination further promote hydrogen dissociation.More H^(*)spillover accelerated the rate-determining step(RDS)of HCOO*hydrogenation.This work provides the theoretical basis for the development of catalysts and industrial application.