Dynamic response of mountain tunnel,bridge,and embankment along the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor to active fault based on model tests

The Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor is prone to numerous active faults and frequent strong earthquakes.While extensive studies have individually explored the effect of active faults and strong earthquakes on different engineering structures,their combined effect remains unclear.This research employed multiple physical model tests to investigate the dynamic response of various engineering structures,including tunnels,bridges,and embankments,under the simultaneous influence of cumulative earthquakes and stick-slip misalignment of an active fault.The prototype selected for this study was the Kanding No.2 tunnel,which crosses the Yunongxi fault zone within the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.The results demonstrated that the tunnel,bridge,and embankment exhibited amplification in response to the input seismic wave,with the amplification effect gradually decreasing as the input peak ground acceleration(PGA)increased.The PGAs of different engineering structures were weakened by the fault rupture zone.Nevertheless,the misalignment of the active fault may decrease the overall stiffness of the engineering structure,leading to more severe damage,with a small contribution from seismic vibration.Additionally,the seismic vibration effect might be enlarged with the height of the engineering structure,and the tunnel is supposed to have a smaller PGA and lower dynamic earth pressure compared to bridges and embankments in strong earthquake zones crossing active faults.The findings contribute valuable insights for evaluating the dynamic response of various engineering structures crossing an active fault and provide an experimental reference for secure engineering design in the challenging conditions of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.

Potential seismic landslide hazard and engineering effect in the Ya’an-Linzhi section of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor, China

The Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor is located at the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,where the complex topography and geological conditions,developed geo-hazards have severely restricted the planning and construction of major projects.For the long-term prevention and early control of regional seismic landslides,based on analyzing seismic landslide characteristics,the Newmark model was used to carry out the potential seismic landslide hazard assessment with a 50-year beyond probability 10%.The results show that the high seismic landslide hazard is mainly distributed along large active tectonic belts and deep-cut river canyons,and are significantly affected by the active tectonics.The low seismic landslide hazard is mainly distributed in the flat terrain such as the Quaternary basins,broad river valleys,and plateau planation planes.The major east-west linear projects mainly pass through five areas with high seismic landslide hazard:Luding-Kangding section,Yajiang-Xinlong(Yalong river)section,Batang-Baiyu(Jinsha river)section,Basu(Nujiang river)section,and Bomi-Linzhi(eastern Himalaya syntaxis)section.The seismic action of the Bomi-Linzhi section can also induce high-risk geo-hazard chains such as the high-level glacial lake breaks and glacial debris flows.The early prevention of seismic landslides should be strengthened in the areas with high seismic landslide hazard.

Development characteristics and failure modes of reactivated ancient landslides in the Sichuan–Tibet transportation corridor,China

The risk of reactivated ancient landslides in the Sichuan–Tibet transportation corridor in China is significantly increasing,primarily driven by the intensification of engineering activities and the increased frequency of extreme weather events.This escalation has resulted in a considerable number of fatalities and extensive damage to critical engineering infrastructure.However,the factors contributing to the reactivation and modes of destruction of ancient landslides remain unknown.Therefore,it is imperative to systematically analyze the developmental characteristics and failure modes of reactivated ancient landslides to effectively mitigate disaster risks.Based on a combination of data collection,remote sensing interpretation,and field investigations,we delineated the developmental attributes of typical ancient landslides within the study area.These attributes encompass morphological and topographic aspects,material composition,and spatial structure of ancient landslides.Subsequently,we identified the key triggers for the reactivation of ancient landslides,including water infiltration,reservoir hydrodynamics,slope erosion,and excavation,by analyzing representative cases in the study area.Reactivation of ancient landslides is sometimes the result of the cumulative effects of multiple predisposing factors.Furthermore,our investigations revealed that the reactivation of these ancient landslides primarily led to local failures.However,over extended periods of dynamic action,the entire zone may experience gradual creep.We categorized the reactivation modes of ancient landslides into three distinct types based on the reactivation sequences:progressive retreat,backward thrusting,and forward pulling–backward thrusting.This study is of great significance for us to identify ancient landslides,deepen our understanding of the failure modes and risks of reactivated ancient landslides on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,and formulate effective disaster prevention and mitigation measures.

Ecological vulnerability assessment of the Ya'an-Qamdo section along the southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor

Identifying the ecological vulnerability of the sensitive and fragile ecosystem of the Ya’anQamdo section along the southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet transport corridor is of paramount importance to reduce environmental damage resulting from infrastructure construction.This paper divided the Ya’an-Qamdo transport section into 22subzones according to their ecological environment characteristics.Based on the vulnerability evaluation model established by the fuzzy matter-element analysis method,the eight main assessment indicators of ecological vulnerability were windstorm,rainstorm,snowstorm,extreme temperature,extreme air pressure,geological hazard,natural conditions,and social resources.The rating and ranking of vulnerability in each subzone were based on the weight of the judgment indicators.Scientific processes were used to verify the rationality of both the indicators themselves and their weights.The results of this study show that subzone 9,located in the subalpine cold and humid forest and scrubland zone,is the most vulnerable,and subzone 1,located in the low-to mid-land warm and humid forest zone,is the least vulnerable.The conclusion of the study suggests that targeted measures of ecological protection should be formulated before development and construction of major transportation infrastructure.Construction should evade the most vulnerable areas,and in-depth research on ecological restoration should be carried out in low-to midvulnerability areas so that the ecological environment along the route can be protected effectively for sustainable economic and social development.

The Challenges Faced on Transit Transport Corridors by Landlocked Countries in Central Africa: Literature Review

The landlocked countries are the one without access to the sea and can be assimilate as countries around the world with a disadvantage of geography situation location. Chad and the Central African Republic are two of the 40 landlocked countries around the world that transport 80% of their goods by road and rail, and as much as almost more than 50% of their passengers through a transit country with a transit transport system which is crucial for their trade and exchanges. The study aims to introduce the importance to have a good and efficiency transport network infrastructure in Central Africa to facilitate the trade for the landlocked countries of Central Africa (Chad and the Central African Republic), member of CEMAC trade area and proposes some measures that can be adopted to improve their conditions and ameliorate the trade for those countries.

Transport Corridor Alive With Possibilities

New Lamu Port infrastructure initiative has potential to improve the economies of East Africa East africa is gearing up to construct a trade lifeline that is set to be one of the largest transport projects in africa. In early February, Kenya, Ethiopia and south sudan launched construction of