Studies on parallel seismic testing for integrity of cemented soil columns

The principle and process of parallel seismic (PS) testing for the integrity testing of cemented soil columns are in- troduced in this paper. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) for the pile-soil system is established for impulse responses. Under saturated soil or unsaturated soil condition, several vibrating velocity-time histories at different depths in parallel hole are obtained based on the numerical simulation. It shows that the length of the pile and the one-dimensional (1D) P-wave velocity in the pile can be determined easily from the features of the mentioned velocity-time histories. By examining the slopes of the first arrival time plotted versus depth or the depth where the amplitude of the first arrival significantly decreases, the length of the pile can be determined. The effects of the 3D P-wave propagation through the saturated soil and the defect of the cemented soil column on the velocity-time histories are also investigated.

Setup and application of a structural seismic hybrid simulation system on local area network

To implement structural hybrid simulation independent of the control system of any testing equipment in civil engineering, an external command control approach is put forward. Several setup technologies and the corresponding API approaches are investigated to simultaneously combine numerical simulation with physical testing. Hybrid program technology is put forward and described in detail, using Visual C++ program to effectively and accurately control testing equipment and MATLAB program to implement numerical simulation with easy extension. The control program of testing equipment and numerical simulation program are integrated by calling MATLAB engine in Visual C++. A hybrid simulation about a full-scale six-story masonry structure is carried out. The testing results manifest that the external command control approach has the versatility because of simple hardware connection and control program independent on control software of testing equipment; powerful program function of Visual C++ and flexible program of MATLAB are integrated by hybrid program technology; hybrid simulation system provides a realistic and cost-effective testing platform that enables earthquake engineer researchers to accurately and efficiently capture the seismic performance of large or complex structures without having to carry out physical testing of the entire structure.

Analysis and seismic tests of composite shear walls with CFST columns and steel plate deep beams

A composite shear wall concept based on concrete filled steel tube （CFST） columns and steel plate （SP） deep beams is proposed and examined in this study. The new wall is composed of three different energy dissipation elements： CFST columns; SP deep beams; and reinforced concrete （RC） strips. The RC strips are intended to allow the core structural elements - the CFST columns and SP deep beams - to work as a single structure to consume energy. Six specimens of different configurations were tested under cyclic loading. The resulting data are analyzed herein. In addition, numerical simulations of the stress and damage processes for each specimen were carried out, and simulations were completed for a range of location and span-height ratio variations for the SP beams. The simulations show good agreement with the test results. The core structure exhibits a ductile yielding mechanism characteristic of strong column-weak beam structures, hysteretic curves are plump and the composite shear wall exhibits several seismic defense lines. The deformation of the shear wall specimens with encased CFST column and SP deep beam design appears to be closer to that of entire shear walls. Establishing optimal design parameters for the configuration of SP deep beams is pivotal to the best seismic behavior of the wall. The new composite shear wall is therefore suitable for use in the seismic design of building structures.

Regional seismicity triggered by the HyogoKen Nanbu, Japan, M=7.2 earthquake on January 17, 1995

The time and spatial feature of the regional seismicity triggered by the Hyogo-Ken Nanbu, Japan, M=7.2 earthquake on January 17, 1995, was studied. The concerned region is about several hundred kilometers in length and breadth surrounding the epicenter (33°-37°N, 133°-138°E). It is divided into 16 subregions. The seismicity of these subregions from January of 1976 to June of 1996 has been analyzed. It is showed that, 1) there were significant seismicity changes in 10 subregions triggered by the Hyogo-Ken Nanbu, Japan, M=7.2 earthquake on January 17, 1995. These changes passed a Z statistic test exceeding 0.95 confidence level and the greatest epicenter distance of these subregions was 280 km; 2) seismicity changes were triggered within 1-5 days in three subregions near the main shock while in other subregions the seismicity changes were triggered within several ten days after the main shock; 3) the greatest triggered event is 5.4, which is about the same size as the greatest aftershock; 4) the regional stress change resulted from the main shock may be the triggered mechanism of the regional seismicity.

Seismic performances of dyke on liquefiable soils

Various field investigations of earthquake disaster cases have confirmed that earthquake-induced liquefaction is a main factor causing significant damage to dyke,research on seismic performances of dyke is thus of great importance.In this paper,seismic responses of dyke on liquefiable soils were investigated by means of dynamic centrifuge model tests and three-dimensional（3D） effective stress analysis method which is based on a multiple shear mechanism model and a liquefaction front.For the prototype scale centrifuge tests,sine wave input motions with peak accelerations 0.806 m/s2,1.790 m/s2 and 3.133 m/s2 of varied amplitudes were adopted to study the seismic performances of dyke on the saturated soil layer foundation with relative density of approximately 30%.Then,corresponding numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the distribution and variations of deformation,acceleration,excess pore-water pressure（EPWP）,and behaviors of shear dilatancy in the dyke and the liquefiable soil foundation.Moreover,detailed discussions and comparisons between numerical simulations and centrifuge tests were also presented.It is concluded that the computed results have a good agreement with the measured results by centrifuge tests.The physical and numerical models both indicate that the dyke hosted on liquefiable soils subjected to earthquake motions has exhibited larger settlement and lateral spread：the stronger the motion is,the larger the dyke deformation is.Compared to soils in the deep ground under the dyke and the free field,the EPWP ratio is much smaller in the shallow liquefiable soil beneath the dyke in spite of large deformation produced.For the same overburden depth soil from free site and the liquefiable foundation beneath dyke,the characteristics of effective stress path and stress-strain relations are different.All these results may be of theoretical and practical significance for seismic design of the dyke on liquefiable soils.

Sedimentary microfacies of the H8 member in the Su14 3D seismic test area

The distribution of sedimentary microfacies in the eighth member of the Shihezi formation（the H8 member） in the Sul4 3D seismic test area was investigated.A Support Vector Machine（SVM） model was introduced for the first time as a way of predicting sandstone thickness in the study area.The model was constructed by analysis and optimization of measured seismic attributes.The distribution of the sedimentary microfacies in the study area was determined from predicted sandstone thickness and an analysis of sedimentary characteristics of the area.The results indicate that sandstone thickness predictions in the study area using an SVM method are good.The distribution of the sedimentary microfacies in the study area has been depicted at a fine scale.

Soil Liquefaction Hazard Evaluation by the New Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Test （SDMT）

Soil liquefaction, and the permanent deformations that frequently result from it, have caused significant damage in past earthquakes. The procedures used in contemporary geotechnical earthquake engineering practice are generally based on simplified procedures for the evaluation of the liquefaction potential. The work describes a framework for performance-based earthquake engineering and its use in the development of a performance-based procedure for liquefaction hazard evaluation. The performance-based procedure will be used to show how consistent application of conventional procedures for evaluation of liquefaction potential can influence performance prediction. Implications for liquefaction-resistant design will also be discussed. The purpose is to summarize current procedures for practical prediction of liquefaction behavior, to describe recent advances in the understanding of liquefaction behavior, and to describe the incorporation of this improved understanding into new solutions for detailed modeling of soil liquefaction, Simplified procedures for evaluation of liquefaction hazards will be reviewed relatively briefly, with more details devoted to emerging knowledge about the mechanics of liquefiable soil behavior, and methods for incorporating those mechanics into improved models for performance prediction. In particular it focuses about the influence on the evaluation of Cyclic Resistance Ratio （CRR） by different in-situ tests （Cone Penetration Test （CPT）. Standard Penetration Test （SPT） and Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Test （SDMT）） and by different shear waves velocity measurements （Down Hole D-H. Cross Hole C-H, Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Test SDMT）.

A Statistical Analysis on Recent Tidal Triggering of the Earthquake in the Tianshan Seismic Zone

A statistical analysis is done to study the spatio-temporai features of earthquake activity in the Tianshan seismic belt triggered by tide, based on Schuster＇s test. The data we choose is the ML ≥2. 0 earthquakes from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012 in eastern Tianshan, and the calculation is on tidal body stress. The results show that the p-value based on the time window smoothing of Schuster＇s test corresponds better with the strong earthquakes in the Tianshan seismic belt, especially for a long time before the November 1, 2011 Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake, when the p-value of the Schuster＇s test was always lower than the threshold of 0. 05 for tidal trigger of earthquake, but after the Niika Ms6. 0 earthquake, that value was quickly restored to a high level, which reflects a close relationship between the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake and the Earth tide. According to the p-value based on the spatial window smoothing of Schuster＇s test, the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was at or near the tidal triggering area. Thus we can see from the spatio-temporal results that the Nilka Ms6. 0 earthquake was obviously triggered by Earth fide.

Site observations of weathered granitic soils subjected to cementation and partial drainage using SCPTU

Because of the cementation inherited from the parent rock,weathered granitic soil is usually susceptible to disturbance,which poses considerable challenges for laboratory characterization.The cone penetration test with pore pressure measurements has long been known for its reliability in site investigations and stratigraphic profiling.However,although extensive piezocone test results and experience are available for sedimentary soil,similar advances are yet to be made for weathered granitic soil.Moreover,the experience from sedimentary soil may not be directly applicable to weathered profiles because of the essentially different natures of the two types of geomaterials.This study performs seismic piezocone tests in a weathered granitic profile comprising residual granitic soil,completely weathered granite,and highly weathered granite.Pore pressure is measured at both the cone mid-face and the shoulder,and the effects of penetrometer size and penetration rate are considered.A series of updated soil behavior type charts is proposed to interpret the test results,thereby allowing the effect of weathering to be evaluated.This paper offers an important extension to the sparse data on the in situ responses of weathered materials.

Effect of strata restraint on seismic performance of prefabricated sidewall joints in fabricated subway stations

A disadvantage of the conventional quasi-static test method is that it does not consider the soil restraint effect.A new method to test the seismic performance of prefabricated specimens for underground assembled structures is proposed,which can realistically reflect the strata restraint effect on the underground structure.Laboratory work combined with finite element(FE)analysis is performed in this study.Three full-scale sidewall specimens with different joint forms are designed and fabricated.Indices related to the seismic performance and damage modes are analyzed comprehensively to reveal the mechanism of the strata restraint effect on the prefabricated sidewall components.Test results show that the strata restraint effect effectively improves the energy dissipation capacity,load-bearing capacity,and the recoverability of the internal deformation of the precast sidewall components.However,the strata restraint effect reduces the ductility of the precast sidewall components and aggravates the shear and bending deformations in the core region of the connection joints.Additionally,the strata restraint effect significantly affects the seismic performance and damage mode of the prefabricated sidewall components.An FE model that can be used to conduct a seismic performance study of prefabricated specimens for underground assembled structures is proposed,and its feasibility is verified via comparison with test data.

The Role of Soil Investigation on Performance-based Design in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

The spatial variability of geotechnical earthquake engineering critical parameters obtained by laboratory and in situ tests in the same area is affected by different measurements. The paper provides a brief synthesis of ground motion and site effects analysis procedures within a Performance-Based Design framework. In particular it focuses about the influence on the evaluation of site effects in some active regions by different shear waves velocity measurements （Down Hole D-H and Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Test SDMT）. Moreover the variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with strain level and depth from different laboratory dynamic or cyclic tests for soil characterisation （Resonant Column Test RCT） was evaluated. The available data enabled one to compare the shear waves velocity profile obtained by laboratory and in situ tests （Cone Penetration Tests CPT） with empirical correlations proposed in literature.

Site Earthquake Characteristics and Dynamic Parameter Test of Phase Ⅲ Qinshan Nuclear Power Engineering

The earthquake characteristics and geological structure of the site to sitting the Qinshan Nuclear Power Station are closely related. According to site investigation drilling, sampling, seismic sound logging wave test in single-hole and cross-hole, laboratory wave velocity test of intact rock, together with analysis of the site geological conditions, the seismic wave test results of the site between strata lithology and the geologic structure were studied. The relationships of seismic waves with the site lithology and the geologic structure were set up. The dynamic parameters of different grades of weathering profile were deduced. The results assist the seismic design of Phase Ⅲ Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, China.