Influence of span-to-depth ratio on dynamic response of vehicle-turnoutbridge system in high-speed railway

For high-speed railways,the smoothness of the railway line significantly affects the operational speed of trains.When the train passes through the turnout on a long-span bridge,the wheel-rail impacts caused by the turnout structure irregularities,and the instability arising from the bridge's flexural deformation lead to a strong coupling effect in the vehicle-turnout-bridge system.This significantly affects both ride comfort and operational safety.For addressing this issue,the present study considered a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge as an example and established a train-turnout-bridge coupled dynamic model of high-speed railway.Utilizing a selfdeveloped dynamic simulation program,the study analysed the dynamic response characteristics when the train passes through the turnouts on the bridge.It also investigated the influence of different span-to-depth ratios of the bridge on the vehicle dynamic response when the train passes through the main line and branch line of turnouts and then proposed a span-to-depth ratio limit value for a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge.The research findings suggest that the changes in the span-to-depth ratio have a relatively minor impact on the train’s operational performance but significantly affect the dynamic characteristics of the bridge structure.Based on the findings and a comprehensive assessment of safety indicators,it is advisable to establish a span-to-depth ratio limit of 1/4500 for a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge.

Study on the Influence of Aspect Ratio on the Seismic Response and Overturning Resistance of a New Staggered Story Isolated Structure

The aspect ratio of the structure has a significant impact on the overall stability of the ultra high-rise building. A large aspect ratio of the structure increases the risk of overturning and reduces the lateral stiffness of the structure, leading to significant tensile and compressive stresses in the isolated bearings. To study the effect of aspect ratio on the seismic response and overturning resistance of a new staggered story isolated structure, three models with different aspect ratios were established. Nonlinear time-history analysis of the three models was conducted using ETABS finite element software. The results indicate that the overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure increase with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the increase in the overturning moment of the superstructure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance moment, resulting in a decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The overturning moment and overturning resistance moment of the substructure in the new staggered story isolated structure decrease with an increasing aspect ratio. However, the decrease in the overturning moment of the substructure is greater than the decrease in the overturning resistance moment, leading to an increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure with an increasing aspect ratio. The decrease in the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure in the new staggered story isolated structure is much greater than the increase in the overturning resistance ratio of the substructure. Therefore, as the aspect ratio of the overall structure increases, the overturning resistance ratio of the superstructure and the entire structure decreases.

Microtremor-based analysis of the dynamic response characteristics of a site containing grouped earth fissures

In this study,the Beibu earth fissure site in the northeastern part of Weihe Basin,which contains four nearly parallel earth fissures,was studied.A long straight microtremor measuring line,containing 49 measuring points across four earth fissures,was established to investigate the dynamic response of this site using Fourier spectrum,response acceleration spectrum,Arias intensity,and HVSR analyses.The main results are as follows:(1)The fundamental frequencies of 44 measuring points obtained from HVSR analysis are concentrated within 1.67 Hz-2.25 Hz,and the existence of the earth fissures has little effect on the fundamental frequency changes.(2)There is an amplification effect near a single earth fissure.The dynamic responses are large at the measuring points near the earth fissure,and the values decrease with increasing distance from the earth fissure.In areas between two adjacent earth fissures,these values decrease and are even lower than those in sites without amplification effects.(3)In this earth fissure site,the general area(or less affected area)and affected areas were delineated based on the amplification effect.In engineering applications,construction design should avoid these affected areas and existing structures should be reinforced to satisfy the seismic fortification requirements.

Tunnel flexibility effect on the ground surface acceleration response

Flexibility of underground structures relative to the surrounding medium, referred to as the flexibility ratio, is an important factor that influences their dynamic interaction. This study investigates the flexibility effect of a box-shaped subway tunnel, resting directly on bedrock, on the ground surface acceleration response using a numerical model verified against dynamic centrifuge test results. A comparison of the ground surface acceleration response for tunnel models with different flexibility ratios revealed that the tunnels with different flexibility ratios influence the acceleration response at the ground surface in different ways. Tunnels with lower flexibility ratios have higher acceleration responses at short periods, whereas tunnels with higher flexibility ratios have higher acceleration responses at longer periods. The effect of the flexibility ratio on ground surface acceleration is more prominent in the high range of frequencies. Furthermore, as the flexibility ratio of the tunnel system increases, the acceleration response moves away from the free field response and shifts towards the longer periods. Therefore, the flexibility ratio of the underground tunnels influences the peak ground acceleration （PGA） at the ground surface, and may need to be considered in the seismic zonation of urban areas.

The tempo-spatial evolution characteristics of the load/unload response ratio before strong earthquakes in California of America and its predicting implications

In this paper, the tempo-spatial evolution characteristics of the load/unload response ratio (namely LURR or Y value) before strong earthquakes with magnitude over 6 during 1976~1994 in California of America are studied in detail. The results show that there appear some high-Y regions cohering with the regional tectonic trend in a great area 3~4 years before strong earthquakes and these high-Y regions migrate from the periphery to the epicenter region at a speed of tens of kilometers per year. The load/unload response ratio (LURR) anomalies near the epicenter region characterizes a type of (ascend ? descend( and appear and increase steeply until one year or less before most earthquakes. (Positive( earthquakes form usually a concentration area; in and near which the main shock occurs. We have analyzed the different and same characters of earthquakes between California of American and the Chinese mainland. Basing on these results, we discuss the approach and method how to predict and estimate the three parameters (place, time and magnitude) of a strong earthquake in California of American by applying the characteristics of the LURR.

The spatial temporal evolution characteristics of the load／unload response ratio（LURR） and its implications for predicting the three elements of earthquakes

The spatial temPOral evolution characteristics of the load/unload response ratio (Y) before strong earthquakes is studied in this paper. The results show that the regions of high value of Y migrate and converge to the impending earthquake epicenter from different directions before the occurrence of the event. Basing on this discovery, it is proposed that the method can be used to predict the three elements of an earthquake. It was applied to predict that an earthquake would occur in the western part of Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The three elements (time, space and magnitude) of the Menglian earthquake with Ms7.3 which occurred on July 12, 1995 in Yunnan Province tallied with our prediction.

Effective AC and DC Responses of Nonlinear Composites at Higher Concentration

For higher concentration of inclusions, an effective medium approximation （EMA） method is used to investigate the bulk effective response of weakly nonlinear composites, which are subject to the constitutive relation of electric displacement and electric field, Dα = εαE ＋Xα｜E｜^2 E. As an example of three dimensions, under the external AC and DC electric fields Eapp = Eα（1 ＋ sinωt）, we have derived the general effective nonh＇near response of composites by the EMA method for higher concentration of spherical inclusions. Furthermore, the effective nonlinear responses at harmonics are predicted.

Does the root to shoot ratio show a hormetic response to stress? An ecological and environmental perspective

Root/shoot(R/S)ratio is an important index for assessing plant health,and has received increased attention in the last decades as a sensitive indicator of plant stress induced by chemical or physical agents.The R/S ratio has been discussed in the context of ecological theory and its potential importance in ecological succession,where species follow different strategies for above-ground growth for light or below-ground competition for water and nutrients.We present evidence showing the R/S ratio follows a biphasic dose–response relationship under stress,typical of hormesis.The R/S ratio in response to stress has been widely compared among species and ecological succession classes.It is constrained by a variety of factors such as ontogeny.Furthermore,the current literature lacks dose-response studies incorporating the full dose–response continuum,hence limiting scientific understanding and possible valuable application.The data presented provide an important perspective for new-generation studies that can advance current ecological understanding and improve carbon storage estimates by R/S ratio considerations.Hormetic response of the R/S ratio can have an important role in forestry for producing seedlings with desired characteristics to achieve maximum health/productivity and resilience under plantation conditions.

Engineering characteristics of near-fault vertical ground motions and their effect on the seismic response of bridges

A wide variety of near-fault strong ground motion records were collected from various tectonic environments worldwide and were used to study the peak value ratio and response spectrum ratio of the vertical to horizontal component of ground motion, focusing on the effect of earthquake magnitude, site conditions, pulse duration, and statistical component. The results show that both the peak value ratio and response spectrum ratio are larger than the 2/3 value prescribed in existing seismic codes, and the relationship between the vertical and horizontal ground motions is comparatively intricate. In addition, the effect of the near-fault ground motions on bridge performance is analyzed, considering both the material nonlinear characteristics and the P-A effect.

Analysis of Metabolic Products by Response Surface Methodology for Production of Human-like Collagen II

Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 is used to produce human-like collagen. The key constituents of media are optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Before thermal induction, the highest biomass production and the lowest production of some hazardous by-products, especially acetic acid, were obtained in the media containing 0.085 mol·L-1 glucose and 0.019 mol·L-1 nitrogen (carbon-nitrogen ratio, 4.47:1). After thermal induction, when the concentrations of glucose and nitrogen in the media were 0.065 mol·L-1 and 0.017 mol·L-1 , respectively (carbon-nitrogen ratio, 3.82:1), the productivity of human-like collagen per cell was the highest while that of acetic acid was the lowest. The extended analysis showed that the production of lactic acid and propionic acid increased while that of some intermediate acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle decreased if the dose of glucose increased.

Characteristics of response spectra for long-periods of main-shock recordings of the Chi-Chi earthquake

Current practice uses predictive models to extrapolate long-period response spectra based on far-field recordings in moderate and weak earthquakes. However, the spectra are not long enough and the data are often not reliable, which means that the seismic design code cannot accurately define seismic design requirements for long-period structures. The near-field recordings in the main-shock of the Chi-Chi earthquake have a large signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）, which makes them suitable for studying the long-period acceleration response spectrum up to 20 sec. The acceleration response spectra from 246 stations within 120 km of the causative fault are statistically analyzed in this paper. The influence of distance and site conditions on long-period response spectrum is discussed, and the shapes of the amplification spectra are compared with the standard spectra specified in the seismic design code of China. Finally, suggestions for future revisions to the code are proposed.

Vertical-to-horizontal response spectral ratio for offshore ground motions:Analysis and simplified design equation

In order to study the differences in vertical component between onshore and offshore motions,the vertical-to-horizontal peak ground acceleration ratio(V/H PGA ratio) and vertical-to-horizontal response spectral ratio(V/H) were investigated using the ground motion recordings from the K-NET network and the seafloor earthquake measuring system(SEMS).The results indicate that the vertical component of offshore motions is lower than that of onshore motions.The V/H PGA ratio of acceleration time histories at offshore stations is about 50%of the ratio at onshore stations.The V/H for offshore ground motions is lower than that for onshore motions,especially for periods less than 0.8 s.Furthermore,based on the results in statistical analysis for offshore recordings in the K-NET,the simplified V/H design equations for offshore motions in minor and moderate earthquakes are proposed for seismic analysis of offshore structures.

Activated systemic inflammatory response at diagnosis reduces lymph node count in colonic carcinoma

AIM: To investigate a link between lymph node yield and systemic inflammatory response in colon cancer. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated. All patients undergoing curative colonic resection were included. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and albumin were used as markers of SIR. In keeping with previously studies, NLR ≥ 4, albumin < 35 was used as cut off points for SIR. Statistical analysis was performed using 2 sample t-test and χ~2 tests where appropriate.RESULTS: Three hundred and two patients were included for analysis. One hundred and ninety-five patients had NLR < 4 and 107 had NLR ≥ 4. There was no difference in age or sex between groups. Patients with NLR of ≥ 4 had lower mean lymph node yields than patients with NLR < 4 [17.6 ± 7.1 vs 19.2 ± 7.9(P = 0.036)]. More patients with an elevated NLR had node positive disease and an increased lymph node ratio(≥ 0.25, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Prognosis in colon cancer is intimately linked to the patient’s immune response. Assuming standardised surgical technique and sub specialty pathology, lymph node count is reduced when systemic inflammatory response is activated.

Influence of porosity distribution on nonlinear free vibration and transient responses of porous functionally graded skew plates

This article deals with the investigation of the effects of porosity distributions on nonlinear free vibration and transient analysis of porous functionally graded skew(PFGS)plates.The effective material properties of the PFGS plates are obtained from the modified power-law equations in which gradation varies through the thickness of the PFGS plate.A nonlinear finite element(FE)formulation for the overall PFGS plate is derived by adopting first-order shear deformation theory(FSDT)in conjunction with von Karman’s nonlinear strain displacement relations.The governing equations of the PFGS plate are derived using the principle of virtual work.The direct iterative method and Newmark’s integration technique are espoused to solve nonlinear mathematical relations.The influences of the porosity distributions and porosity parameter indices on the nonlinear frequency responses of the PFGS plate for different skew angles are studied in various parameters.The effects of volume fraction grading index and skew angle on the plate’s nonlinear dynamic responses for various porosity distributions are illustrated in detail.

Effective AC response of a nonlinear spherical coated composite

An effective nonlinear response of a nonlinear composite with spherical coated inclusions randomly embedded in a host medium under the action of an external AC electric field, Ea= E1 sin（wt） ＋ E3 sin（3wt）, is investigated using a perturbation method. The local potentials of the composite at higher harmonics are given both in the region of local inclusion particles and in the local host region under the external AC electric field. All effective nonlinear responses of the composite and the relationship between the effective nonlinear responses at the fundamental frequency and third harmonics are also studied for spherical coated inclusion in a dilute limit.

Dynamic response analysis of liquefiable ground due to sinusoidal waves of different frequencies of shield construction

Vibration induced by shield construction can lead to liquefaction of saturated sand.Based on FLAC3D software,a numerical model of tunnel excavation is established and sinusoidal velocity loads with different frequencies are applied to the excavation face.The pattern of the excess pore pressure ratio with frequency,as well as the dynamic response of soil mass under different frequency loads before excavation,is analyzed.When the velocity sinusoidal wave acts on the excavation surface of the shield tunnel with a single sand layer,soil liquefaction occurs.However,the ranges and locations of soil liquefaction are different at different frequencies,which proves that the vibration frequency influences the liquefaction location of the stratum.For sand-clay composite strata with liquefiable layers,the influence of frequency on the liquefaction range is different from that of a single stratum.In the frequency range of 5-30 Hz,the liquefaction area and surface subsidence decrease with an increase in vibration frequency.The research results in this study can be used as a reference in engineering practice for tunneling liquefiable strata with a shield tunneling machine.

Theoretical analyses on bed topography responses in large depth-to-width ratio river bends with constant curvatures

Bed morphology is the result of a dynamic response to a complex meandering river system. It is an important factor for the further development of river. Based on the meandering river characterized by a large depth-to-width ratio, a theoretical model is established with the coupling of Navier-Stokes （N-S）~ sediment transport, and bed deformation equations. The flow characteristics and bed response of river are obtained with the perturbation method. The research results show that, under the effect of two- dimensional flow disturbance, the bars and pools present the regular response. For a given sinuousness, the amplitude of the bed response can be used as a criterion to judge the bedform stability. The effects of the Reynolds number, disturbance wavenumber, sinuousness, and bed morphology gradient on the bed response development are described.

Fundamental Characteristics of Reduction System for Seismic Response using Friction Force

A new device of reduction for seismic response using friction force was developed. In this paper, fundamental characteristics of reduction system for seismic response using this device were investigated by excitation experiment using artificial seismic waves. The peak acceleration amplitude on this system has decreased to about 50-90% over the input waves. Although a spectral peak around the frequency of 0.5Hz that is the natural period of this system was identified, the value of a spectral peak was decreased using bearings with the high friction force. This device is useful for reduction of seismic response.

Effective Response of Nonlinear Spherical Coated Composites Under External AC and DC Electric Field

Under the external AC and DC electric field, the effective response of nonlinear spherical coated composites, which obey the constitutive relation of electric displaeement and electric field, is investigated in the dilute limit by using the perturbation method. The local potentials in inclusion and host regions are derived at all harmonics. Moreover, the formulae of the effective linear and nonlinear responses are given in the dilute limit.

Removal of CO2 in a multistage fluidized bed reactor by amine impregnated activated carbon: optimization using response surface methodology

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major component of greenhouse gas. Increase in concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to global warming. To remove the CO2 from waste flue gas a four-stage counter-current multistage fluidized bed adsorber was developed and operated in continuous bubbling fluidization regime for the two丒phase system. This paper describes the optimum condition for CO2 removal efficiency in a multistage fluidized bed reactor using amine impregnated activated carbon. Response surface methodology with central composite design was used to determine the effect of three variables on the response. The variables are inlet concentration of CO2 in ppm (ranging from 3000 to 20,000), impregnation ratio of monoethanol amine (ranging from 0.2 to 0.6) and weir height in mm (20-60). The response was CO2 removal efficiency. The factor which was most influential has been identified from the analysis of variance. The optimum CO2 removal efficiency for the amine impregnated activated carbon (MEA-AC) was found to be 95.17%, at initial concentration of CO2 7312.85 ppm, chemical impregnation ratio of 0.31, and weir height 48.65 mm. From the experiment, the CO2 removal efficiency was found to be 95.97% at the same operating conditions. The predicted response was found to relevance with experimental data.