Aseismic performances of constrained damping lining structures made of rubber-sand-concrete

Flexible damping technology considering aseismic materials and aseismic structures seems be a good solution for engineering structures.In this study,a constrained damping structure for underground tunnel lining,using a rubber-sand-concrete(RSC)as the aseismic material,is proposed.The aseismic performances of constrained damping structure were investigated by a series of hammer impact tests.The damping layer thickness and shape effects on the aseismic performance such as effective duration and acceleration amplitude of time-domain analysis,composite loss factor and damping ratio of the transfer function analysis,and total vibration level of octave spectrum analysis were discussed.The hammer impact tests revealed that the relationship between the aseismic performance and damping layer thickness was not linear,and that the hollow damping layer had a better aseismic performance than the flat damping layer one.The aseismic performances of constrained damping structure under different seismicity magnitudes and geological conditions were investigated.The effects of the peak ground acceleration(PGA)and tunnel overburden depth on the aseismic performances such as the maximum principal stress and equivalent plastic strain(PEEQ)were discussed.The numerical results show the constrained damping structure proposed in this paper has a good aseismic performance,with PGA in the range(0.2-1.2)g and tunnel overburden depth in the range of 0-300 m.

Aseismic ridge subduction and flat subduction:Insights from three-dimensional numerical models

Flat subduction can significantly influence the distribution of volcanism,stress state,and surface topography of the overriding plate.However,the mechanisms for inducing flat subduction remain controversial.Previous two-dimensional(2-D)numerical models and laboratory analogue models suggested that a buoyant impactor(aseismic ridge,oceanic plateau,or the like)may induce flat subduction.However,three-dimensional(3-D)systematic studies on the relationship between flat subduction and buoyant blocks are still lacking.Here,we use a 3-D numerical model to investigate the influence of the aseismic ridge,especially its width(which is difficult to consider in 2-D numerical models),on the formation of flat subduction.Our model results suggest that the aseismic ridge needs to be wide and thick enough to induce flat subduction,a condition that is difficult to satisfy on the Earth.We also find that the subduction of an aseismic ridge parallel to the trench or a double aseismic ridge normal to the trench has a similar effect on super-wide aseismic ridge subduction in terms of causing flat subduction,which can explain the flat subduction observed beneath regions such as Chile and Peru.

Field investigation on severely damaged aseismic buildings in 2014 Ludian earthquake

The 2014 magnitude 6.5 Ludian earthquake caused a death toll of 617, many landslides and tens of thousands of collapsed buildings. A field investigation to evaluate the damage to buildings was carried out immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake. Severely damaged aseismic buildings, which were basically observed in the downtown of Longtoushan Town, were carefully examined one by one with the aim to improve design codes. This paper summarizes the damage observed to the investigated aseismic buildings in both the structural and local levels. A common failure mode was observed that most of the aseismic buildings, such as RC frame structures and confined masonry structures, were similarly destroyed by severe damage or complete collapse of the first story. The related strong ground motion, which was recorded at the nearby station, had a short duration of less than 20 s but a very large PGA up to 1.0 g. The RC frames based on the new design codes still failed to achieve the design target for ＂strong column, weak beam＂. Typical local failure details, which were related to the interaction between RC columns and infill walls and between constructional columns and masonry walls, are summarized with preliminary analyses.

Aseismic Reliability Analysis Approach for Offshore Jacket Platform Structures

By means of nonlinear pushover collapse analysis approach, the aseismic reliability analyses of two offshore jacket platforms in the Bohai Gulf in China are studied according to their ocean location and environmental loadings there. On the basis of those analyses, an aseismic reliability analysis approach is presented. The results show that the aseismic reliability of those platforms is high. Also it is proved that this aseismic reliability analysis approach is simple, practical and reliable.

The subduction of the Copiapó aseismic ridge,is the causing of the formation of metallic minerals deposits in north of Chile and Argentina?

The results obtained in this work evince that the metallic mineral deposits located in the northern region of the Chilean-Pampean flat slab(in northern Chile and north-western Argentina),at approximately 27°30’S,would be related to the subduction of the Copiapo aseismic ridge.The analysis of the gravity anomalies and vertical gravity gradient allows inferring a deflection and truncation of the main trend of the Andean structures at the extrapolated zone of the Copiapo ridge beneath South America.Thus,the general NNE-trend of the Andean structures are rotated locally to an ENE-strike within the area of the Ojos del Salado-San Buena Ventura lineament.We explain that this anomalous behavior of the gravity derived anomalies is related to the deformational effects imprinted by the ridge subduction.Regions with a low subduction angle(<30° to horizontal)are related to large mineralization due to fluids released by dehydration of the subducting crust.In addition,a higher degree of mantle melting could be produced by a thicker oceanic crust.Therefore,we interpret that the processes associated to the subduction of the Copiapo aseismic ridge(emplaced on a thickened oceanic crust due to a local compensation of the seamounts)are the cause of formation and emplacement of big metallic mineral deposits in this region of Chile and Argentina.

Aseismic negative dislocation model and deformation analysis of crustal horizontal movement during 1999--2001 in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang block

Through numerical simulation for GPS data, aseismic negative dislocation model for crustal horizontal movement during 1999~2001 in the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang block is presented, combined with the spatial distribution of apparent strain field in this area, the characteristics of motion and deformation of active blocks and their boundary faults, together with the place and intensity of strain accumulation are analyzed. It is shown that: a) 9 active blocks appeared totally clockwise motion from eastward by north to eastward by south. Obvious sinistral strike-slip and NE-NEE relative compressive motion between the blocks separated by Qilianshan-Haiyuan fault zone was discovered; b) 20 fault segments (most of them showed compression) locked the relative motion between blocks to varying degrees, among the total, the mid-east segment of Qilianshan fault (containing the place where it meets Riyueshan-Lajishan fault) and the place where it meets Haiyuan fault and Zhuanglanghe fault, more favored accumulation of strain. Moreover, the region where Riyueshan-Lajishan fault meets north boundary of Qaidam block may have strain accumulation to some degree. c) Obtained magnitude of block velocities and locking of their boundaries were less than relevant results for observation in the period of 1993~1999.

Aseismic safety analysis of a prestressed concrete containment vessel for CPR1000 nuclear power plant

Abstract： The containment vessel of a nuclear power plant is the last barrier to prevent nuclear reactor radiation. Aseismic safety analysis is the key to appropriate containment vessel design. A prestressed concrete containment vessel （PCCV） model with a semi-infinite elastic foundation and practical arrangement of tendons has been established to analyze the aseismic ability of the CPR1000 PCCV structure under seismic loads and internal pressure. A method to model the prestressing tendon and its interaction with concrete was proposed and the axial force of the prestressing tendons showed that the simulation was reasonable and accurate. The numerical results show that for the concrete structure, the location of the cylinder wall bottom around the equipment hatch and near the ring beam are critical locations with large principal stress. The concrete cracks occurred at the bottom of the PCCV cylinder wall under the peak earthquake motion of 0.50 g, however the PCCV was still basically in an elastic state. Furthermore, the concrete cracks occurred around the equipment hatch under the design internal pressure of 0.4MPa, but the steel liner was still in the elastic stage and its leak-proof function soundness was verified. The results provide the basis for analysis and design of containment vessels.

Aseismic Layer Detected in the Mid-Crust of Nubra-Siachen Region, India Using Local Seismic Data

The local seismicity observed by seismic network in siachen-nubra region during January 2010-December 2012 shows that the middle part of the crust (17 - 40 km) is aseismic. This aseismic layer (17 - 40 km) is sandwiched between two seismically active layers and depicts a good spatial correlation with the observations of low resistivity reported from magnetotelluric studies for the same region. The local seismicity shows a trend along the Karakoram fault and clustering of events in Shyok Suture zone and Karakoram shear zone. The moment magnitude of these events lies between 1.3 and 4.3. Most of these events have been originated in upper crust.

Introduction of structural aseismic research in China in recent four years

The paper mainly summarized the developments on structural aseismic theory, aseismic analysis and design of reinforced concrete structure, lifeline system, several another kinds of structures, site and structure foundation, structure mitigation and isolation of vibration in China in recent four years. This is the introduction of recent re-search results of Chinese professionals for international organizations and professionals. At the same time, it provides numerous abstract materials for colleagues to realize the trend of the structural aseismic theory and re-search range needing more study.

Mechanism on Moho offset induced by aseismic slip of deeply buried faults

Recent high-resolution deep seismic reflection profile across the Kunlun fault in northeastern Tibet shows clearly that the Moho is cut off by a complex thrust fault system. Moho offset is a general phenomenon, but little is known about the dynamic mechanism. In this study, contact models with Maxwell materials are used to simulate the mechanical process of Moho offset induced by the aseismic slip of deeply buried faults. Based on the seismic reflection data, we project a single fault model and a complex fault system model with two faults inter- secting. The deformations of the Moho, the aseismic slips, and contact stresses on faults in different models are discussed in detail. Results show that the Moho offset might be produced by aseismic slip of deeply buried faults, and the magnitude is influenced by the friction coefficient of faults and the viscosity of the lower crust. The maximum slip occurs near the Moho on the single fault or at the crossing point of two intersecting faults system. Stress concentrates mainly on the Moho, the deep end of faults, or the crossing point. This study will throw light on understanding the mechanism of Moho offset and aseismic slip of deeply buried faults. The results of complex fault system with two faults intersecting are also useful to understand the shallow intersecting faults that may cause earthquakes.

Long aseismic slip duration of the 2006 Java tsunami earthquake based on GPS data

The Java earthquake occurred on July 17, 2006 with magnitude 7.8 associated to the subduction process of Indo-Australian plate and Sundaland block off southwestern coast of Java. We present postseismic deformation parameters of the 2006 Java earthquake analyzed using campaign GPS observation from 2006 to 2008 and continuous observation from 2007 to 2014. We use an analytical approach of logarithmic and exponential functions to model these GPS data. We find that the decay time in the order of hundreds of days after the mainshock as observed by 8 years＇ data after the mainshock for magnitude 7 earthquake is longer than a general megathrust earthquake event. Our findings suggest that the 2006 Java earthquake which is considered as ＂tsunami earthquake＂ most probably occurred in the region that has low rigidity and tends to continuously slip for long time periods.

Discussion on uncertainties，attenuation of ground motion and aseismic design criterion

The usually calculated exceedance probability curves of ground motion are reduced as cumulative probability curves of normal distribution on some assumptions in this paper. These curves clearly displayed the variation of curve shape with the variance of attenuation relation and its physical implication. Similar investigation is also made on uncertainties of hypocenter locations and magnitudes of future earthquakes. The larger the uncertainty,the flatter the exceedance probability curve is. In a broad sense, the less people know future earthquakes, the flatter is the curve. Due to the rich or poor data sets available, the uncertainties of attenuation relation are different from region to region. The acceleration attenuation relations in these regions with no enough strong earthquake records can be obtained by conversion from other region, but with larger uncertainty. The uncertainty contains systematic difference between the two regions in addition to common stochastic error. A method to check and adjust the converted attenuation relation by using the local data is proposed in this paper. If the uncertainty of attenuation relation is too large, the result of seismic hazard assessment may be unaccepted sometimes.In order to realize that the structures do not collapse in large earthquakes, be repairable under moderate ones and without destruction in small earthquakes, this paper suggests that it may be reasonable to get the first and the third levels of aseismic design parameters by some empirical relation on the basis of the second level not by fixing the risk probability levels (63%, 10% and 3%). A particular aseismic design criterion is not only a balance between economic cost and seismic risk but also suited to the human's knowledge of nature.

A two degree of freedom stable quasi-zero stiffness prototype and its applications in aseismic engineering

In this paper, an archetypal aseismic system is proposed with 2-degree of freedom based on a smooth and discontinuous(SD)oscillator to avoid the failure of electric power system under the complex excitation of seismic waves. This model comprises two vibration isolation units for the orthogonal horizontal directions, and each of them admits the stable quasi-zero stiffness(SQZS)with a pair of inclined linear elastic springs. The equation of motion is formulated by using Lagrange equation, and the SQZS condition is obtained by optimizing the parameters of the system. The analysis shows that the system behaves a remarkable vibration isolation performance with low resonant frequency and a large stroke of SQZS interval. The experimental investigations are carried out to show a high sonsistency with the theoretical results, which demonstrates the improvement of aseismic behavior of the proposed model under the seismic wave.

Rapid afterslip and short-term viscoelastic relaxation following the 2008 M_W7.9 Wenchuan earthquake

Significant postseismic deformation of the 2008 M W 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake has been observed from GPS data of the first 14 days after the earthquake. The possible mechanisms for the rapid postseismic deformation are assumed to be afterslip on the earthquake rupture plane and viscoelastic relaxation of coseismiclly stress change in the lower crust or upper mantle. We firstly use the constrained least squares method to find an afterslip model which can fit the GPS data best. The afterslip model can explain near-field data very well but shows considerable discrepancies in fitting far-field data. To estimate the effect due to the viscoelastic relaxation in the lower crust, we then ignore the contribution from the afterslip and attempt to invert the viscosity structure beneath the Longmenshan fault where the Wenchuan earthquake occurred from the postseismic deformation data. For this purpose, we use a viscoelastic model with a 2D geometry based on the geological and seismological observations and the coseismic slip distribution derived from the coseismic GPS and InSAR data. By means of a grid search we find that the optimum viscosity is 9×10 18 Pa·s for the middle-lower crust in the Chengdu Basin, 4×10 17 Pa·s for the middle-lower crust in the Chuanxi Plateau and 7×10 17 Pa·s for the low velocity zone in the Chuanxi plateau. The viscoelastic model explains the postseismic deformation observed in the far-field satisfactorily, but it is considerably worse than the afterslip model in fitting the near-fault data. It suggests therefore a hybrid model including both afterslip and relaxation effects. Since the viscoelastic model produces mainly the far-field surface deformation and has fewer degree of freedoms （three viscosity parameters） than the afterslip model with a huge number of source parameters, we fix the viscositiy structure as obtained before but redetermine the afterslip distribution using the residual data from the viscoelastic modeling. The redetermined afterslip distribution becomes physically more reasonable; it is more localized and exhibits a pattern spatially complementary with the coseismic rupture distribution. We conclude that the aseismic fault slip is responsible for the near-fault postseismic deformation, whereas the viscoelastic stress relaxation might be the major cause for the far-field postseismic deformation.

Synthesis of accelerograms compatible with the Chinese GB 50011-2001 design spectrum via harmonic wavelets: artifi cial and historic records

A versatile approach is employed to generate artificial accelerograms which satisfy the compatibility criteria prescribed by the Chinese aseismic code provisions GB 50011-2001. In particular, a frequency dependent peak factor derived by means of appropriate Monte Carlo analyses is introduced to relate the GB 50011-2001 design spectrum to a parametrically defined evolutionary power spectrum （EPS）. Special attention is given to the definition of the frequency content of the EPS in order to accommodate the mathematical form of the aforementioned design spectrum. Further, a one-to-one relationship is established between the parameter controlling the time-varying intensity of the EPS and the effective strong ground motion duration. Subsequently, an efficient auto-regressive moving-average （ARMA） filtering technique is utilized to generate ensembles of non-stationary artificial accelerograms whose average response spectrum is in a close agreement with the considered design spectrum. Furthermore, a harmonic wavelet based iterative scheme is adopted to modify these artificial signals so that a close matching of the signals＇ response spectra with the GB 50011-2001 design spectrum is achieved on an individual basis. This is also done for field recorded accelerograms pertaining to the May, 2008 Wenchuan seismic event. In the process, zero-phase high-pass filtering is performed to accomplish proper baseline correction of the acquired spectrum compatible artificial and field accelerograms. Numerical results are given in a tabulated format to expedite their use in practice.

A simplified design method for metallic dampers used in the transverse direction of cable-stayed bridges

The aseismic design of cable-stayed bridges in the transverse direction with newly proposed metallic dampers that can accommodate both longitudinal and transverse movement of the deck has recently been considered.This work focuses on developing a simplified method to design an appropriate metallic damper.The seismic performance of cablestayed bridges with different damper stiffness,main span lengths,tower shapes and types of deck in the transverse direction are investigated.The transverse displacement of the deck of a cable-stayed bridge increases significantly with the increment of the damper stiffness,which proves that the design of the damper stiffness is crucial.A simplified model considering the damper stiffness,cable system and tower in the transverse direction is developed to evaluate the period and lateral displacement of a complicated cable-stayed bridge.Based on the simplified model,a design method is proposed and assessed using two cable-stayed bridges as examples.The results show that metallic dampers can be designed with high efficiency,and the optimal ductility of the damper can be selected.

Stress and Strain Accumulation Due to a Long Dip-Slip Fault Movement in an Elastic-Layer over a Viscoelastic Half Space Model of the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere System

Most of the earthquake faults in North-East India, China, mid Atlantic-ridge, the Pacific seismic belt and Japan are found to be predominantly dip-slip in nature. In the present paper a dip-slip fault is taken situated in an elastic layer over a viscoelastic half space representing the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. A movement of the dip-slip nature across the fault occurs when the accumulated stress due to various tectonic reasons e.g. mantle convection etc., exceeds the local friction and cohesive forces across the fault. The movement is assumed to be slipping in nature, expressions for displacements, stresses and strains are obtained by solving associated boundary value problem with the help of integral transformation and Green’s function method and a suitable numerical methods is used for computation. A detailed study of these expressions may give some ideas about the nature of stress accumulation in the system, which in turn will be helpful in formulating an earthquake prediction programme.

The statistical study of precursory anom alies observed in Chinese Seismological Network

By using the precursory anomalies at fixed seismological stations or observational points in China, which are obtained every year from the Assembly of National Seismologic Consideration (ANSC) from 1988 to 1996, to study the relationship between the anomalies in a certain year and the earthquakes occurring in the Chinese mainland in the next year. Based on the anomalies before 84 moderate or large earthquakes, it is concluded that except for the means of ground water level, the anomalous ratios for the other six means of earthquake forecasting in seismic regions are smaller than that in aseismic regions or that in the whole mainland of China. The means which has the maximum anomalous ratio is the means of ground water level, and the regions where the maximum ratio is observed are Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The means which have the second anomalous ratios are the hydrogeochemistry and deformation and the regions where the second ratio is obtained are Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province. The means which has the minimum ratio is geomagnetism, the regions where the minimum ratio is observed are Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and South China. The composite nomalous ratios for all means are 26.85% in seismic regions, 25.11% in aseismic regions. The latter also is the background level of precursory anomalies in Chinese Seismological Network. The anomalous ratios are 26.30% for the earthquakes of M S about 5.0 within the range of 200 km distant from the epicenter, 29.19% for earthquakes about 6.0 within 300 km, and 29.44% for earthquakes about 7.0 within 500 km.

Depreciation factor equation to evaluate the economic losses from ground failure due to subsidence related to groundwater withdrawal

Subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal is a complex hydrogeological process affecting numerous cities settled on top of fluviolacustrine deposits. The discrete spatial variation in the thickness of these deposits, in combination with subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal, generates differential settlements and aseismic ground failure (AGF) characterized by a welldefined scarp. In cities, such AGF causes severe damages to urban infrastructure and considerable economic impact. With the goal of arriving to a general criterion for evaluating the economic losses derived from AGF, in the present work we propose the following equation: ELi = PVi*DFi. Where PVi is the value of a property “i”, and DFi is a depreciation factor caused by structural damages of a property “i” due to AGF. The DFi is calculated empirically through: . This last equation is based on the spatial relations of coexistence and proximity of property polygons and the AGF axis. The coexistence is valued as the quotient of the affectation area divided by the total area of the involved property;and the proximity to the AGF axis is expressed as the inverse of the perpendicular distance from the centroid of the property polygon to the AGF axis. The sum of these terms is divided by two to determine the percentage that affects the property value (PVi). These equations are relevant because it is the first indicator designed for the discrete assessment of the economic impacts due to AGF, and can be applied to real estate infrastructure from either urban or rural areas.

Transient deformation during the Milashan Tunnel construction in northern Sangri-Cuona Rift,southern Tibet,China observed by Sentinel-1 satellites

Using 3-year Sentinel-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar(SAR) data, we observed prominent ground subsidence around the construction site of the Milashan Tunnel, which is on top of the northern SangriCuona Rift(SCR) in southern Tibet. The most deformed area extends ～7 km in the north-south direction and ～6 km in the east-west direction, with a peak subsidence rate of over 10 mm/a in the line of sight direction of both the descending and ascending satellites. Aside from the long-term ground subsidence arising directly from underground water outflow and rock excavation, a regional aseismic fault slip episode is also evident. The aseismic slip event began in May 2016 and ended in July 2016. The surface aseismic displacements can be explained by normal faulting with mainly down-dip movement and a modest right-lateral strike-slip component on a nearly north-south trending fault. The aseismic deformation triggered by the Milashan Tunnel construction demonstrates the sensitive response of crustal-scale tectonics to human activity, which poses high seismic hazards for the heavily populated region.