Fault on-off versus strain rate and earthquakes energy

We propose that the brittle-ductile transition （BDT） controls the seismic cycle. In particular, the movements detected by space geodesy record the steady state deformation in the ductile lower crust, whereas the stick-slip behavior of the brittle upper crust is constrained by its larger friction. GPS data allow analyzing the strain rate along active plate boundaries. In all tectonic settings, we propose that earthquakes primarily occur along active fault segments characterized by relative minima of strain rate, segments which are locked or slowly creeping. We discuss regional examples where large earthquakes happened in areas of relative low strain rate. Regardless the tectonic style, the interseismic stress and strain pattern inverts during the coseismic stage. Where a dilated band formed during the interseismic stage, this will be shortened at the coseismic stage, and vice-versa what was previously shortened, it will be dilated. The interseismic energy accumulation and the coseismic expenditure rather depend on the tectonic setting （extensional, contractional, or strike-slip）. The gravitational potential energy dominates along normal faults, whereas the elastic energy prevails for thrust earthquakes and performs work against the gravity force. The energy budget in strike-slip tectonic setting is also primarily due elastic energy. Therefore, precursors may be different as a function of the tectonic setting. In this model, with a given displacement, the magnitude of an earthquake results from the coseismic slip of the deformed volume above the BDT rather than only on the fault length, and it also depends on the fault kinematics.

Study on correlativity among some seismological prediction indexes related to earthquake frequency or energy

Correlation among various seismological prediction indexes related to earthquake frequency N or energy E for describing seismicity changes is studied by seismic data of 11 seismic zones (areas) in the Sichuan-Yunnan region. A statistical test for correlativity shows that seismicity indexes obtained from transformation of earthquake frequency N or energy E have correlation to a certain extent while they are used to describe seismicity changes. If the transformation is linear in all cases, the correlation coefficient is equal to 1. The smaller the transformation deviation from linearity, the bigger the correlation coefficient is.

Statistical analysis on energy field of seismicity in Ningxia and its neighborhood region

The random function theory is used in the paper. Taking the regional seismicity energy as the random function of space and time, the features of small seismicity field in Ningxia and its neighborhood region are studied by the analytical method of natural orthogonal function expansion. The chief part of the field, i.e., the temporal changes of time weight coefficients of first several typical fields is analyzed. We have found that their values had upward and downward changes of a large amplitude before moderate-strong earthquakes and showed variation features correlating to moderate-strong earthquakes occurred in the region and its surrounding areas. From the earthquake examples in Ningxia region, we can make the conclusion that the method of natural orthogonal function expansion of earthquake energy stochastic field is an earthquake analysis and prediction method that is worth further exploration.

Mathematical modeling and full-scale shaking table tests for multi-curve buckling restrained braces

Buckling restrained braces （BRBs） have been widely applied in seismic mitigation since they were introduced in the 1970s. However, traditional BRBs have several disadvantages caused by using a steel tube to envelope the mortar to prevent the core plate from buckling, such as： complex interfaces between the materials used, uncertain precision, and time consumption during the manufacturing processes. In this study, a new device called the multi-curve buckling restrained brace （MC-BRB） is proposed to overcome these disadvantages. The new device consists of a core plate with multiple neck portions assembled to form multiple energy dissipation segments, and the enlarged segment, lateral support elements and constraining elements to prevent the BRB from buckling. The enlarged segment located in the middle of the core plate can be welded to the lateral support and constraining elements to increase buckling resistance and to prevent them from sliding during earthquakes. Component tests and a series of shaking table tests on a full-scale steel structure equipped with MC-BRBs were carried out to investigate the behavior and capability of this new BRB design for seismic mitigation. The experimental results illustrate that the MC-BRB possesses a stable mechanical behavior under cyclic loadings and provides good protection to structures during earthquakes. Also, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the mechanical characteristics of BRBs.

Distribution of apparent stress in western China

Distribution of apparent stress in Chinese mainland and its surrounding regions was presented using the NEIC broadband radiated energy catalogue and the Harvard CMT catalogue from January 1987 to December 1998. Due to the limitation on the number of samples, reliable results are only for the western China. It is observed that the average apparent stress in Chinese mainland is 0.8 MPa; The maximum apparent stress to the east of the Tibetan plateau is 2.6 MPa; And the average apparent stress in the north-south seismic belt is more than one time higher than its adjacent regions. Distribution pattern of apparent stress seems to have a large-scale correlation with the cumulative energy release level in the 20th century.

On temporal and spatial distribution of seismic apparent stresses in Yunnan area

The method of radiation energy （ER） of the earthquake wave measured by the peak velocity （r·v） of the ground motion is applied to a detailed study on the temporal and spatial distribution of the seismic apparent stresses （σa） for the moderate and small earthquakes and two aftershock sequences in Yunnan area. The results show that there exists an obvious non-homogeneity for the seismic apparent stresses in the spatial distribution. The concentrated regions of the high apparent stresses are related to the active places of the moderate and small earthquakes. Before the Dayao M=6.2 earthquake, there was a period in which the apparent stresses were high and the value was 5 times of the average value, 0.25 MPa. The relatively high values of apparent stresses distribute around the epicentral area of the major shock and nearby. It indicates that the variation characteristics of the apparent stresses can be taken as a new kind of criterion for the earthquake-risk forecast. Usually the ratio of the apparent stresses of the aftershock sequence σaA to the ones σaM of main shock is less than 1.0.