Development of fragility curves by incorporating new spectral shape indicators and a weighted damage index:case study of steel braced frames in the city of Mashhad,Iran

In this study, strong ground motion record （SGMR） selection based on Eta （~/） as a spectral shape indicator has been investigated as applied to steel braced flame structures. A probabilistic seismic hazard disaggregation analysis for the definition of the target Epsilon （ε） and the target Eta （η） values at different hazard levels is presented, taking into account appropriately selected SGMR＇s. Fragility curves are developed for different limit states corresponding to three representative models of typical steel braced frames having significant irregularities in plan, by means of a weighted damage index. The results show that spectral shape indicators have an important effect on the predicted median structural capacities, and also that the parameter r/is a more robust predictor of damage than searching for records with appropriate c values.

Effects of fabric anisotropy on elastic shear modulus of granular soils

The fabric anisotropy of a granular soil deposit can strongly infl uence its engineering properties and behavior. This paper presents the results of a novel experimental study designed to examine the effects of fabric anisotropy on smallstrain stiffness and its evolution with loading on the elastic shear modulus of granular materials under a K0 condition. Two primary categories of fabric anisotropy, i.e., deposition-induced and particle shape-induced, are investigated. Toyoura sand deposits with relative densities of 40% and 80% were prepared using deposition angles oriented at 0o and 90o. Piezoelectric transducers were used to obtain the elastic shear modulus in the vertical and horizontal directions(Gvh and Ghh). The measurements indicate distinct differences in the values of G with respect to the different deposition angles. Particle shapeinduced fabric anisotropy was examined using four selected sands. It was concluded that sphericity is a controlling factor dominating the small-strain stiffness of granular materials. The degree of fabric anisotropy proves to be a good indicatorin the characterization of stress-induced fabric evolution during loading and unloading stress cycles. The experimental data were used to calibrate an existing micromechanical model, which was able to represent the behavior of the granular material and the degree of fabric anisotropy reasonably well.

Sulcus and otolith outline analyses: complementary tools for stock discrimination in white croaker Pennahia argentata in northern Chinese coastal waters

This study analyzed and compared variations of the sulcus and otolith outlines of three geographic stocks(Huanghe(Yellow)River estuary(HHE),Jiaozhou Bay(JZB),and Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary(CJE))of white croaker Pennahia argentata in northern Chinese coastal waters.The sulcus and otolith outline analyses via elliptical Fourier transform(EFT,i.e.,outline analysis)achieved an overall classifi cation rate of 80.4%and 87.2%,respectively.Based on a combination of sulcus and otolith shape indices(SIs)and two derivative ratios,a moderate discriminatory effi ciency of 64.7%was obtained.The results indicate that sulcus outline analysis could be used alone to discriminate white croaker stocks,and that both sulcus and otolith outline analyses discriminated the fi sh stocks at a higher classifi cation rate than the shape indices.The sulcus outline analysis provided complementary information to the whole otolith outline analysis for stock discrimination.Both the sulcus and otolith outline analyses effi ciently discriminated between the most geographically separated CJE and HHE stocks,indicating that they could be considered discrete stocks for fi shery management.

Quantitative Evaluation Method of Shape Indicator for Cold-rolled Strip

Quantitative level evaluation of cold-rolled strip was significant for the shape control and the product structure optimization. Based on the probability statistics method and the shape pattern recognition method, the shape evaluation model of cold-rolled strip was established to evaluate real-time shape of the online strip. The model was embedded in the shape control system, and the online strip shape state was real-time observed whether to meet the technical indicators, so the shape level could be identified and evaluated. Based on the shape evaluation indicators, the shape component could be well controlled to improve the shape hit rate and the control stability, so that the rolled strip shape could meet the technical requirements. At a 1050 cold strip mill, the shape data of the scene typical specifications strip were online collected and real-time evaluated, and the hit of macro shape in less than 8 I was 68.44%, indicating that the mill shape control had considerable room for improvement, as well as the evaluation method was feasible and practical for quantitative evaluation of the strip shape. So the new evaluation model has important guiding significance to increase value-added and reduce product quality objection.