Three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing and its application in long span hangars

Based on the seismic response characteristics of space frame structures,a new type of seismic isolation bearing defined as a three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing（3DSIB） is developed in this paper.The bearing offers excellent properties such as multi-dimensional seismic isolation,reasonable rotation capability,good ability to resist lifting load,uncoupled stiffness in horizontal and vertical directions,etc.In the 3DSIB,the horizontal dimension is designed by combining the Teflon sliding device and helical spring,while the vertical dimension is developed by introducing disk springs or helical springs.The mathematical model of the 3DSIB was established and its performance with the critical parameters was tested on a shaking table.Furthermore,the 3DSIB was applied in a 120 m span hangar structure and simulated using SAP2000 software to evaluate its performance in practical structures.The performance of the structures with and without 3DSIB was compared.It is shown that the hangar structure with 3D bearings achieves a better performance.The axial force and acceleration response of the structures with 3DSIB are effectively reduced,while the displacement response of the bearing is within the predetermined range.

High-resolution crustal velocity imaging using ambient noise recordings from a high-density seismic array:An example from the Shangrao section of the Xinjiang basin,China

A profile of shallow crustal velocity structure(1–2 km) may greatly enhance interpretation of the sedimentary environment and shallow tectonic deformation.Recent advances in surface wave tomography, using ambient noise data recorded with high-density seismic arrays, have improved the understanding of regional crustal structure. As the interest in detailed shallow crustal structure imaging has increased, dense seismic array methods have become increasingly efficient. This study used a high-density seismic array deployed in the Xinjiang basin in southeastern China, to record seismic data, which was then processed with the ambient noise tomography method. The high-density seismic array contained 203 short-period seismometers, spaced at short intervals(～ 400 m). The array collected continuous records of ambient noise for 32 days. Data preprocessing,cross correlation calculation, and Rayleigh surface wave phase-velocity dispersion curve extraction, yielded more than 16,000 Rayleigh surface wave phase-velocity dispersion curves, which were then analyzed using the direct-inversion method. Checkerboard tests indicate that the shear wave velocity is recovered in the study area, at depths of 0–1.4 km,with a lateral image resolution of ～ 400 m. Model test results show that the seismic array effectively images a 50 m thick slab at a depth of 0–300 m, a 150 m thick anomalous body at a depth of 300–600 m, and a 400 m thick anomalous body at a depth of 0.6–1.4 km. The shear wave velocity profile reveals features very similar to those detected by a deep seismic reflection profile across the study area. This demonstrates that analysis of shallow crustal velocity structure provides high-resolution imaging of crustal features.Thus, ambient noise tomography with a high-density seismic array may play an important role in imaging shallow crustal structure.

Limit analysis for the seismic stability of three-dimensional rock slopes using the generalized Hoek-Brown criterion

The parameters that influence slope stability and their criteria of failure are fairly understood but over-conservative design approaches are often preferred,which can result in excessive overburden removal that may jeopardize profitability in the context of open pit mining.Numerical methods such as finite element and discrete element modelling are instrumental to identify specific zones of stability,but they remain approximate and do not pinpoint the critical factors that influence stability without extensive parametric studies.A large number of degrees of freedom and input parameters may make the outcome of numerical modelling insufficient compared to analytical solutions.Existing analytical approaches have not tackled the stability of slopes using non-linear plasticity criteria and threedimensional failure mechanisms.This paper bridges this gap by using the yield design theory and the Hoek-Brown criterion.Moreover,the proposed model includes the effect of seismic forces,which are not always taken into account in slope stability analyses.The results are presented in the form of rigorous mathematical expressions and stability charts involving the loading conditions and the rock mass properties emanating from the plasticity criterion.

Probabilistic seismic stability of three-dimensional slopes by pseudo-dynamic approach

Probabilistic analysis is a rational approach for engineering design because it provides more insight than traditional deterministic analysis. Probabilistic evaluation on seismic stability of three dimensional (3D) slopes is studied in this paper. The slope safety factor is computed by combining the kinematic approach of limit analysis using a three-dimensional rotational failure mechanism with the pseudo-dynamic approach. The variability of input parameters, including six pseudo-dynamic parameters and two soil shear strength parameters, are taken into account by means of Monte-Carlo Simulations (MCS) method. The influences of pseudo-dynamic input variables on the computed failure probabilities are investigated and discussed. It is shown that the obtained failure probabilities increase with the pseudo-dynamic input variables and the pseudo-dynamic approach gives more conservative failure probability estimates compared with the pseudo-static approach.

Research and application on three-dimensional seismic and vibration isolation for building

This paper presents the study of a three-dimensional(3D) isolation system.Firstly,the authors investigated the effects of an innovative 3D isolator,which was composed of a connecting plate,a rubber pad for vibration isolation in the vertical direction and a horizontal rubber bearing for seismic isolation in both horizontal directions.Secondly,the authors designed such a vibration isolation system and installed it underneath two specific residential buildings which were built directly over an existing subway communication hub platform in Beijing.These buildings required good performance vibration and seismic isolation system to reduce the impact from the running of nearby subway trains.Finally,in situ tests were conducted for both the isolated and the non-isolated buildings for the purpose of comparison.The test results showed that the maximum acceleration response level of the isolated superstructure is reduced by 10% as compared to that of the platform.The maximum attenuation of vibration reaches up to 25 dB.The 3D system explored in this paper is very effective in control and suppression of building vibration induced by earthquakes or running of trains.

Three-dimensional seismic velocity tomography of the upper crust in Tengchong volcanic area, Yunnan Province

Based on data collected by deep seismic sounding carried out in 1999, a three-dimensional P wave velocity structure is determined with tomographic inversion. The tomographic result shows that there is a P wave low velocity zone (LVZ) in the upper crust beneath the Tengchong volcanic area. The LVZ is in the depth of 7~8 km and may be a smgma chamber or a partial melting body. The result also shows that the LVZ is in the northeastern side of the Rehai hydrothermal field, which is located in another LVZ near the surface. The shallow LVZ may represent a well-developed fracture zone. The strong hydrothermal activity in Rehai area can attribute to the existence of fractures between two LVZs. These fractures are the channels for going upwards of the deep hot fluid.

Application of High-Density Seismic Image in Nondestructive Exploration of Cut-off Cement-Soil Wall in Earth Dam

In order to quickly explore the quality of cut-off wall in dams, a new method of high-density seismic image was adopted and estimated by model and in-situ wall tests.The vibration exciter was employed and several parameters such as hypocentral distance, length of signal record and sampling space in signal collection were determined, which are 8 m, 0.25 ms and 128 ms respectively. Through time and frequency field signal analyses, it is concluded that, the smaller arrival times of reflected longitudinal and surface waves, and the higher their main frequencies, the higher the strength of the wall, vice versa. Accordingly the construction quality of the wall can be evaluated quickly by high-density seismic image.

Method of high-density seismic imaging exploration and application samples

The paper introduces the method of high-density seismic imaging exploration, discusses its features different from conventional shallow seismic reflection wave technique, and illustrates the application effect of the method using three samples of engineering geological explorations on land and in water exploration of underground cavity, location survey of sunk ship and investigation of channel silt depth.

Three-dimensional P velocity structure in Beijing area

A detail three-dimensional P wave velocity structure of Beijing, Tianjin and Tangshan area (BTT area) was deter-mined by inverting local earthquake data. In total 16 048 P wave first arrival times from 16048 shallow and mid-depth crustal earthquakes, which occurred in and around the BTT area from 1992 to 1999 were used. The first arrival times are recorded by Northern China United Telemetry Seismic Network and Yanqing-Huailai Digital Seismic Network. Hypocentral parameters of 1 132 earthquakes with magnitude ML=1.7~6.2 and the three-dimensional P wave velocity structure were obtained simultaneously. The inversion result reveals the com-plicated lateral heterogeneity of P wave velocity structure around BTT area. The tomographic images obtained are also found to explain other seismological observations well.

Three-Dimensional P-Wave Velocity Structure of the Crust of North China

Since the Xingtai （邢台） earthquake in 1966, China Earthquake Administration has carried out a survey campaign along more than thirty deep seismic sounding （DSS） profiles altogether about twenty thousand kilometers long in North China to study the velocity structure of the crust and the upper mantle in this region, and has obtained a great number of research findings. However, these researches have not provided a 3D velocity structure model of the crust of North China and cannot provide seismic evidence for the study of the deep tectonic characteristics of the crust of the whole region. Hence, based on the information from the published data of the DSS profiles, we have chosen 14 profiles to obtain a 3D velocity structure model of North China using the vectorization function of the GIS software （Arc/Info） and the Kriging data gridding method. With this velocity structure model, we have drawn the following conclusions： （1） The P-wave velocity of the uppermost crust of North China changes dramatically, exhibiting a complicated velocity structure in plane view. It can be divided into three velocity zones mainly trending towards north-west. In the research area, the lowest-velocity zones lie in the Haihe （海河） plain and Bohai （渤海） Bay. Although the geological structure of the sedimentary overburden in the study area is somewhat inherited by the upper crust, there are still several differences between them. （2） Generally, the P-wave velocity of the crust increases with depth in the study area, but there still exists local velocity reversion. In the east, low-velocity anomalies of the Haihe plain gradually disappear with increasing depth, and the Shanxi （山西） graben in the west is mainly characterized by relatively low velocity anomalies. Bounded by the Taihang （太行） Mountains, the eastern and western parts differ in structural trend of stratum above the crystalline basement. The structural trend of the Huanghuaihai （黄淮海） block in the east is mainly north-east, while that of the Shanxi block and the eastern edge of the Ordos block is mainly north-west. （3） According to the morphological features of Moho, the crust of the study area can be divided into six blocks. In the Shanxi block, Moho apppears like a nearly south-north trending depression belt with a large crustal thickness. In the southern edge of the Inner Mongolia block and the south of the Yanshan （燕山） block,the Moho exhibits a feature of fold belt, trending nearly towards east-west. In the eastern edge of the Ordos block, the structure of Moho is relatively complex, presenting a pattern of fold trending nearly towards north-west with alternating convexes and concaves. Beneath the Huanghuaihai block, the middle and northern parts of the North China rift zone, the Moho is the shallowest in the entire region, with alternating uplifts and depressions in its shape. For the anteclise zone in the west of Shandong （山东） Province, the Moho is discontinuous for the fault depression extending in the north-west direction along Zaozhuang （枣庄） -Qufu （曲阜）.

Three-Dimensional Pressure Modeling of South China Sea in High Temperature High Pressure Field

Yingqiong basin is a proven hydrocarbon-rich basin in South China Sea. There are a number of large exploration prospects in high temperature and over-pressured formations, especially in Yacheng Block of Qiongdongnan basin and Dongfang District of Yinggehai Basin. Owing to good exploration situation, we have already achieved proven geological reserves over 1000 × 108 m3. In recent years, a few drilled HPHT wells have confirmed that pressure predicted by conventional method was wildly inaccurate. From the view of regional stress, the accuracy of the pressure prediction will be substantially improved. Accurate pressure prediction and three-dimensional pressure modeling which are based on three-dimensional lithology modeling are the cornerstone to achieve exploration breakthrough. In this paper, the use of the triple constraint trend lithology model broke through the traditional method of seismic lithology prediction only by means of impedance threshold value. Compared with actual data and prediction, it confirms that three-dimensional pressure modeling method is reasonable and effective, and has a wide prospect of application.

Effects of vertical seismic acceleration on 3D slope stability

The conventional pseudo-static approach often neglects the effect of the vertical＇ seismic acceleration on the stability of a slope, but some analyses under plane-strain （2D） conditions show a significant effect on the slope stability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the vertical acceleration on the safety of three-dimensional （3D） slopes. In the strict framework of limit analysis, a 3D kinematically admissible rotational failure mechanism is adopted here for 3D homogeneous slopes in frictional/cohesive soils. A set of stability charts is presented in a wide range of parameters for 3D slopes under combined horizontal and vertical seismic loading conditions. Accounting for the effects of the vertical seismic acceleration, the difference in safety factors for 3D slopes can exceed 10%, which will significantly overestimate the safety of the 3D slopes.

Experiments on excitation and data processing of low-frequency vibroseis in permafrost area of the tibetan plateau

Few seismic exploration work was carried out in Tibetan Plateau due to the characteristics of alpine hypoxia and harsh environmental protection needs.Complex near surface geological conditions,especially the signal shielding and static correction of permafrost make the quality of seismic data is not ideal,the signal to noise ratio(SNR)is low,and deep target horizon imaging is difficult.These data cannot provide high quality information for oil and gas geological survey and structural sedimentary research in the area.To solve the issue of seismic exploration in Tibetan Plateau,this test used low frequency vibroseis wide-line and high-density acquisition scheme.In view of the actual situation of the study area,the terrain,the source and the diff erent observation system were simulated,and the processing technique was adopted to improve the quality of seismic data.Low-frequency components with a minimum of 1.5Hz of vibroseis ensure the deep geological target imaging quality in the area,the seismic profi le wave group is clear,and the SNR is relatively high,which can meet the needs of oil and gas exploration.Seismic data can provide the support for the development of oil and gas survey in the Tibet plateau.

Hanging Gardens in Modern High-Rise Apartment Buildings

Hanging gardens,which follow the concept of ecology and sustainable development, inherit the design ideas of many classic works in the history of afchitecture, ate an important means in improving tlie living envifonment of people when urban residential buildings in China afe graduaEy characterized by high density and high floor area ratio. Through the analysis of the origin and development of hanging gardens, author of this paper summarized three typical types of hanging gardens in higji-rise apartment buildings, analyzed advantages and factors affecting the design of hanging gardens,and concluded main design points of llie gardens. It is believed that in the process of planning, design, construction and management of tiie hanging gafdens in high-rise apartment buildings in China, demand characteristics of different use groups should be taken into account, much emphasis should be placed to service to people than, visual pursuit, and human behaviors should be combined with built environment, thereby achieving the blending of people and scenery.

Reservoir accumulation conditions and key exploration&development technologies for Keshen gas field in Tarim Basin

The Keshen gas field is located in the central part of Kuqa foreland thrust belt in Tarim Basin,and is another large gas field discovered in Kuqa depression after Kela 2 gas field.Since the breakthrough in 2008,a number of large and medium scale gas reservoirs including Keshen 2,Keshen 5 and Keshen 8 have been discovered,that are characterized by ultra depth,ultra-high pressure,ultra-low porosity,ultra-low permeability,high temperature and high pressure.With natural gas geological reserves of nearly trillion cubic meters and production capacity of nearly 5.5 billion cubic meters,the Keshen gas field is the main natural gas producing area in Tarim Oilfield.The Keshen gas field is located in a series of thrusting imbrication structures in the Kelasu structural belt of Kuqa foreland thrust belt.The salt roof structure,plastic rheology of salt beds and pre-salt faulted anticlinal structure constitute the large wedge-shaped thrust body.The thick delta sandstone of the Cretaceous Bashijike Formation is widely distributed,and it forms the superior reservoir-caprock combination with overlying Paleogene thick gypsum-salt bed.The deep Jurassic-Triassic oil and gas migrate vertically along fault system formed in Late Himalaya,break through the thick Cretaceous mudstone and move laterally along the fracture system of the pre-salt reservoirs,to form anticline and fault anticline high pressure reservoir groups.Through near ten years of studies,the three-dimensional seismic acquisition and processing technology for complex mountainous areas,extrusion salt-related structural modeling technology and fractured low-porosity sandstone reservoir evaluation technology have been established,which lay a foundation for realization of oil and gas exploration objectives.Logging acquisition and evaluation technology for high temperature,high pressure,ultra-deep and low-porosity sandstone gas reservoirs,and efficient development technology for fractured tight sandstone gas reservoirs have been developed,which provide a technical support for efficient exploration&development and rapid production of the Keshen gas field.