Increase In Vertical Displacement Research Articles

Mechanical and microstructural evolution of solidified/stabilized heavy metal-contaminated soil under a hydro-chemical-mechanical coupling environment

The long-term effectiveness of Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) under realistic disposal scenarios is a common controversy of its application. This study sought to investigate the evolution of the mechanical properties and microstructure of Pb-Zn-Cd composite contaminated soil solidified/stabilized by cement and fly ash (CSCS) under a hydro-chemical-mechanical coupling environment (HCM). An HCM simulation system was developed to reproduce the simultaneous action of hydraulic, chemical, and stress environments on CSCS. The mechanical and microstructural evolution of CSCS under HCM was assessed using vertical settlement monitoring, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, computed tomography (CT), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The increasing environmental acidity induces an increase in vertical displacement and a decrease in UCS. The highest final settlement was 0.96 mm at pH 3 and a pressure of 250 kPa, which was 39.13 % greater than the value at pH 5 and 7. The UCS decreased by 18.54 % after 168 h of HCM treatment at pH 7, while the value reached 45.83 % when the pH was lowered to 3. Seepage contributes to initial hydration as evidenced by an increase in the early E50 of the CSCS. Hydrodynamic scouring and chemical erosion increase the pore size and deteriorate the soil structure, whereas compaction helps to redistribute soil particles, thus improving the structural integrity and uniformity of the CSCS.

Deformation Characteristics of Pipelines Due to Adjacent Excavation in Riprap Reclamation Strata

The Shenzhen Ma Wan area has special geotechnical conditions, with more than 50% of the area being reclaimed rock formations. Riprap reclamation strata are particularly susceptible to significant deformation upon stress release. To comprehensively comprehend the reaction of existing pipelines to the excavation of an adjacent deep foundation pit within the riprap reclamation strata, an interaction of the soil–pipeline was conducted by encompassing both scaled model tests and numerical simulations based on a cross-sea channel project. Firstly, scaled model tests were performed on a soil–pipeline interaction caused by excavation. Subsequently, the numerical model was verified by comparing the numerical simulation results with the scaled model test results. Then, the internal force, strain of the pipeline, and soil surface deformation under the conditions of a soil layer with riprap were analyzed, and the results were compared with the case without riprap. Finally, the influence of the support structures was analyzed. The results indicated that the presence of the riprap in strata led to a 19% increase in vertical displacement of the ground surface and a 35% increase in the pipeline bending moment compared with the case without riprap in the same strata. The maximum internal force and strain occurred at an inclined angle of 45° in the pipeline section. Furthermore, it was found that the first lateral support after excavation played a pivotal role in controlling the overall deformation of the foundation pit. The changes in stiffness in the lateral support were more sensitive to the horizontal displacement than the vertical displacement of the pipeline. The results provide valuable insights for the design and safety evaluation of engineering projects in riprap reclamation strata.

Kinematic Differences Based on Shooting Proficiency and Distance in Female Basketball Players.

The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in kinematic characteristics between (a) proficient and non-proficient two-point and three-point shooters, (b) made and missed two-point and three-point shots within a proficient group of shooters, and (c) shots attempted from two-point and three-point shooting distances. Eighteen recreationally active females with previous basketball playing experience attempted 10 two-point (5.10 m) and 10 three-point shots (6.32 m) while facing directly to the basket. To eliminate the possible influence of fatigue, each shot was separated by a 5-10 s rest interval. Participants who made ≥50% of their two-point and ≥40% of their three-point shooting attempts were classified as proficient. A high-definition video camera recording at 30 fps and video analysis software (Kinovea) were used to obtain the kinematic variables of interest during both the preparatory phase (PP) and release phase (RP) of the shooting motion. The results indicate that proficient two-point shooters attained less hip and shoulder flexion during the PP and had greater release height and vertical displacement during the RP. Hip angle differentiated made from missed two-point shots within the proficient group of shooters, with made shots being depicted by less hip flexion. Significantly greater vertical displacement was observed in proficient three-point shooters during the RP. Additionally, the greater elbow and release angles separated made from missed three-point shots within the proficient group of shooters. In response to an increase in shooting distance, hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder angles during the PP all decreased. Moreover, an increase in shooting distance caused a decrease in release angle and an increase in vertical displacement during the RP, while the relative release height remained unchanged.

Dynamic Response Analysis of Airport Pavement under Impact Loading

The safety of the airport runway, as an infrastructure, is of considerable concern. The existing research has problems of hysteresis and unreasonable load application. In this paper, ANSYS is used to construct a coupled tire–pavement model to study the dynamic characteristics of airport asphalt pavements under impact loading. Taking the Boeing 737–800 as an example, the impact of an aircraft landing on an airport pavement is simulated by applying a dynamic load to the landing gear. The effects of tire pressure, landing pitch angle, and sinking speed on the dynamic response of the airport runway are investigated. The effects of each factor of the airport pavement are analyzed by comparing the maximum effective stress, effective strain, and displacement in the vertical direction at the same position of different structures. The results show that when the tire pressure is 2.0 MPa, the maximum values of effective stress, effective strain, and vertical displacement increase by 29.8%, 19.1%, and 22.2%, respectively, compared with 1.0 MPa. The maximum values of effective stress, effective strain, and vertical displacement at the 3.0 m/s sinking speed increase by 25.2%, 93.1%, and 77.1%, respectively, compared with that at the sinking speed of 1 m/s, which indicates that the effect of sinking speed on the dynamic response of the pavement is more significant. However, the change in the landing pitch angle has little impact on the response parameters of the pavement. Meanwhile, the flexural tensile stress at the bottom of the surface and the equivalent effect at the top of the soil foundation must be considered in the design of the airport pavement structure.

Force profile assessment of direct-printed aligners versus thermoformed aligners and the effects of non-engaged surface patterns

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to measure the forces delivered by direct-printed aligners (DPA) in the vertical dimension and compare the force profile with traditional thermoformed aligners (TFA) and to investigate the impact of non-engaged surface patterns to the properties of DPA and TFA.MethodsA force-measuring appliance was fabricated capable of displacing the aligner in 0.10 mm increments and measuring the resultant force. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (ATMOS 0.030″ American Orthodontics) and TC-85DAC resin (Graphy Inc) were used to create TFA and DPA, respectively. Aligners were temperature-controlled prior to and during testing to simulate the oral environment. The resultant forces from displacements ranging from 0.10 to 0.30 mm were measured.ResultsAt intraoral temperatures, DPA demonstrated significantly less force than TFA. TFA demonstrated a substantial statistically significant increase in force with each 0.10 mm increase in vertical displacement. DPA demonstrated a much more consistent force profile across the range of displacements. The effects of surface patterns in both DPA and TFA were generally a decrease in force. Statistical significance of surface patterns was detected for TFA at displacements of 0.30 mm and greater and significant for DPA only at a displacement of 0.10 mm. Surface patterns in both DPA and the TFA did not show any statistical difference when assessing force proprieties.ConclusionsForces delivered by aligners in the vertical dimension by DPA are more consistent and of lower magnitude than those of TFA aligners. Surface patterns were not capable of altering the force properties of both DPA and TFA.

An innovative digital image correlation technique for in-situ process monitoring of composite structures in large scale additive manufacturing

As additive manufacturing (AM) continues to develop and become a standardized manufacturing method, there will be a continued need to provide in-situ monitoring during the manufacturing of polymer composite printed components. Thermal residual stress is a primary cause of failures such as interlayer disbonds or delamination, micro cracking, and dimensional instability, which can occur during or after the build. This study reports a novel digital image correlation (DIC) adaptation to monitor thermal residual stresses during the entire print process for large-scale AM. In this work, DIC has been investigated (a) by the natural speckle produced by the polymer surface for correlation, (b) to monitor AM build, and (c) to evaluate the effect of thermal residual stress on warpage of the printed component. The natural speckle pattern of the AM material resulted in a respectable 3.57% error compared to the traditional painted speckle pattern of 3.05% error. DIC measured a 190% increase in vertical displacement at the edge of the wall compared to the center, indicating warpage during AM. This work is a step towards a non-intrusive residual stress measuring technique using DIC for large-scale AM.

Vertical Displacement of a Single Pile Due to Axial & Lateral Loads

Pile foundation supports the upper structure to the subgrade, generally vertical loads. Still, if horizontal loads are very dominant, such as bridges, tall buildings, and tower structures, it must be calculated. Pile foundations with combined loads are generally analyzed. The axial load is first to determine the axial carrying capacity and vertical displacement, then the lateral load to determine the lateral bearing capacity and lateral deflection. In the field, the two loads work together/simulant. In Indonesia, loading tests do not simultaneously, so in construction, it does not account for the additional vertical displacement and lateral deflection due to the load that works simulant. However, there has been an association in ASTM D3966-07 about the simulant loading test. This research will investigate the analysis and experimental laboratory, the effect of vertical displacement on a single pile foundation, as the effect of combined loads. Also, it gets a relationship that can be used as a reference for analyzing additional vertical displacement due to combined loads on pile foundations based on available independent loading test. The research will be divided into two stages. Stage I is an analysis with the Finite Element Method (FEM) approach. Phase II is a laboratory model experimental test, which is inbox (100x100x80) cm3 filled silty sand soil as an illustration of conditions in the field, single pile foundation using steel with a length of 50cm and 60cm, the diameter of 1.5cm and 2cm, with axial and lateral load variations and combined loads. The results obtained show that after adding vertical load (Pu) about 5x, lateral load (Hu) on (Pu/Hu > 5) and the vertical displacement stays like the loading test until it collapses. Another (Pu/Hu ≤ 5), the lateral load, will increase the significant vertical movement due to the combination load. With axial load five times greater than lateral load, there is no increase in vertical displacement. Still, at an axial load less than five times the lateral load, there is an increase in vertical displacement that needs to be considered.

Evaluating the Effect of Asymmetric Cross-section in Free Vibration and Bending Analysis Results of FG Sandwich Beam by Proposing Simple Efficient Element

In this paper, the asymmetric effect of the cross-section on the free vibration and bending analysis of FG sandwich beams are evaluated. For this purpose, a simple, efficient element is formulated. The new element is created based on the Timoshenko beam theory. The third- and second-order polynomials will be used for vertical displacement and rotation fields, respectively. The proposed formulation will be written based on satisfying the equilibrium equation. Satisfying the equilibrium equation of the Timoshenko beam, in addition to increasing element efficiency, will reduce the number of nodal unknowns. Several benchmark tests with different boundary conditions are used for thin and thick beams to prove the efficiency of the proposed element. The responses of the good elements of other researchers have been used for comparison. Numerical tests prove the rapid convergence rate and high accuracy of the proposed element in free vibration and bending analysis of the beams with various cross-section types and different boundary conditions. The pinned-sliding support conditions for the beam are used to evaluate the asymmetric effect of the cross-section. The use of asymmetric cross-sections creates additional axial displacements and intensifies the deflection of the beam under the lateral load. By increasing the asymmetry, the additional axial displacement and vertical displacement increase. These additional deflections for thin beams are more than thick ones. Also, asymmetry results in increasing the natural frequencies of beams. In the free vibration analysis, the effect of asymmetry on thick beams is more than thin ones.

Mechanical behavior analysis of buried pipeline under stratum settlement caused by underground mining

The stratum settlement caused by underground mining is one of the main geological disasters that threaten and damage buried pipelines. Therefore, the mechanical behavior of buried pipe under stratum settlement is investigated in this paper. Effects of pipeline parameters, mining area parameters and inclination directions of mining area on mechanical behavior of the buried pipeline are discussed. The results show that the maximum Von Mises stress and the maximum vertical displacement of pipeline are located in the middle of the pipeline during the mining process. As the excavation length increases, the Von Mises stress, the circumferential strain and vertical displacement increase. However, there is only stress concentration in the pipeline, and does not appear yield deformation. The vertical displacement of the pipeline is much greater than the horizontal displacement. The maximum stratum displacement appears on the upper surface of the mining area and it is stratum settlement. In addition, as the diameter-thickness ratio, buried depth, surrounding soil thickness of the pipeline and the height and the width of mining area increase, the maximum Von Mises stress, the circumferential strain and maximum vertical displacement of the pipeline increase, but they decrease with the increase of the buried depth of mining area. Whether the mining area is horizontal inclination or longitudinal inclination, the maximum Von Mises stress and maximum vertical displacement of pipeline are located in the middle of the pipeline. The maximum Von Mises stress, the circumferential strain and vertical displacement of pipeline decrease with the increase of the inclination angle. However, for the mining area of longitudinal inclination, the pipeline would produce horizontal displacement, the horizontal displacement of the pipeline increases with the increase of longitudinal inclination angle, and the position of the maximum strain of the pipe appears to shift. For the mining area of horizontal inclination, with the increase of horizontal inclination angle, the right side of vertical displacement curves approximately overlap, but the left side separates from each other.

ANALYSIS OF THE GEOMETRY OF SURFACE DEFORMATIONS CAUSED BY INDUCED TREMORS IN THE AREA OF UNDERGROUND COPPER MINING

Abstract. Induced seismicity by human operations such as mining is usually unpredictable due to the sudden and unexpected character of this phenomenon. The effects of seismic events on the surface, i.e. ground deformation had been difficult to measure with traditional geodetic methods, which are based on discrete point observations and are carried out at temporal intervals and in fixed locations (e.g. levelling lines). Development of radar remote sensing (InSAR) techniques and proliferation of open satellite radar data such as Sentinel- 1 mission provides means that can now be successfully applied to investigate areas and ground movements affected by seismicity induced by mining. In this paper four induced seismic events with magnitudes from 4.5 to 4.8 that occurred between 16 December 2016 and 15 September 2018 in the Rudna underground copper mine area in SW Poland have been investigated with differential satellite radar interferometry (DInSAR). Based on the results of processing of 37 pairs of Sentinel-1 data captured before and after each of these events, deformation areas have been spatially localised and vertical displacement and extent of deformation have been calculated. The mean maximum vertical displacements range from −70 mm for the 4.5 magnitude tremor to −94 mm for the 4.8 magnitude event. Whereas, mean extent ranges from 1.5 km to 1.9 km in the W-E direction and from 1.8 km to 2.1 km in the N-S direction. A linear relation between magnitude of induced tremor and increase in vertical displacement and extent of the ground deformation has been established. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that InSAR is adequately accurate technique to analyse ground displacements caused by mining induced tremors and provides continuous field data on the geometry of the resulting deformation areas.

Electrode Configurations for Piezoelectric Tube Actuators With Improved Scan Range and Reduced Cross-Coupling

The article describes two new methods for driving piezoelectric tube scanners. The first method aims to maximize horizontal and vertical scan range by driving the internal electrode rather than grounding it. This approach eliminates the need for a circumferential Z-electrode, which permits longer quadrant electrodes that develop greater deflection and vertical scan range. Experimental results demonstrate a 62% increase in lateral scan range and an 87% increase in vertical scan range. The second method aims to eliminate mechanical cross-coupling between the lateral deflection, tilt angle, and vertical extension. This method involves splitting the piezoelectric tube into eight external electrodes and a driven internal electrode, similar to the first method. This configuration results in less lateral deflection but significantly reduces the tilting and vertical motion induced by lateral deflection. Experimental results demonstrate an 44% increase in vertical displacement, 96% reduction in tilting, and 62% reduction in vertical cross-coupling.

Load-Settlement Characteristics of Tropical Red Soils of Southern Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between the load-settlement curves obtained from field (in situ) plate load test under static loading conditions to those obtained from finite element (FE) analysis, for tropical red soils. Three test locations were selected within the University of Benin campus in Benin City, Nigeria. Laboratory tests were conducted on samples obtained from these three locations to obtain the index and strength properties of the soil, and these were used as input parameters for the FE analysis. The FE analysis was performed with PLAXIS 2D, using Mohr-Coulomb soil model as the constitutive model. Comparison of load-settlement curves obtained from the field plate load test with those obtained from the FE analysis showed that the FE tool was able to predict the ultimate vertical displacement for all three test locations, with good accuracy. The maximum vertical settlement obtained for Site A from the field plate load test was 8.79 mm, while that obtained from FE analysis was 9.02 mm. For Sites B and C, it was 12.77 mm vs 12.30 mm and 22.85 mm vs 22.30 mm respectively. Parametric studies were also conducted in order to evaluate the effect of variations in soil conditions on the static response of the soils. Results from the water table parametric analysis showed significant increase in vertical displacement as the soil immediately below the footing gets saturated. The results also showed that c and ϕ have significant influence on the load-settlement curves under static loading.

Load-Settlement Characteristics of Tropical Red Soils of Southern Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between the load-settlement curves obtained from field (in situ) plate load test under static loading conditions to those obtained from finite element (FE) analysis, for tropical red soils. Three test locations were selected within the University of Benin campus in Benin City, Nigeria. Laboratory tests were conducted on samples obtained from these three locations to obtain the index and strength properties of the soil, and these were used as input parameters for the FE analysis. The FE analysis was performed with PLAXIS 2D, using Mohr-Coulomb soil model as the constitutive model. Comparison of load-settlement curves obtained from the field plate load test with those obtained from the FE analysis showed that the FE tool was able to predict the ultimate vertical displacement for all three test locations, with good accuracy. The maximum vertical settlement obtained for Site A from the field plate load test was 8.79 mm, while that obtained from FE analysis was 9.02 mm. For Sites B and C, it was 12.77 mm vs 12.30 mm and 22.85 mm vs 22.30 mm respectively. Parametric studies were also conducted in order to evaluate the effect of variations in soil conditions on the static response of the soils. Results from the water table parametric analysis showed significant increase in vertical displacement as the soil immediately below the footing gets saturated. The results also showed that c and ? have significant influence on the load-settlement curves under static loading.

Severity of equinus gait deviation on centre of mass trajectory in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Background/Aims: To study the impact of severity of equinus gait on the vertical displacement of centre of mass and spatiotemporal parameters in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: A total of 23 ambulant children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy who had equinus gait and 16 typically developing children (controls) participated in this study. Children with cerebral palsy were categorised according to severity of equinus into two subgroups: children with peak dorsiflexion above 0° (positive group, n=11) and children with peak dorsiflexion below 0° (negative group, n=12). Three-dimensional gait analysis was conducted to measure the vertical displacement of centre of mass and spatiotemporal parameters of all participants. Results: There was a significantly greater increase in vertical displacement of centre of mass in equinus gait groups compared to the control group (P=0.007 for the positive group and P=0.011 for the negative group). Speed and step length were significantly reduced in the positive and negative groups compared to the control group, while cadence was non-significantly increased. No significant difference was found between the positive group and negative groups in any variables tested. Conclusions: Vertical centre of mass was significantly more displaced in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy with equinus compared to body mass index-matched typically developing children, regardless of the severity of equinus. The smooth transition of centre of mass and energy consumption might not be closely related to the degree of equinus.

Flexible Induction Heating Using Magnetic Resonant Coupling

This paper proposes and implements the concept of flexible induction heating based on the magnetic resonant coupling (MRC) mechanism. In conventional induction heating systems, the variation of the relative position between the heater and workpiece significantly deteriorates the heating performance. In particular, the heating effect dramatically reduces with the increase of vertical displacement or horizontal misalignment. This paper utilizes the MRC mechanism to effectuate flexible induction heating; thus, handling the requirements of varying vertical displacement and horizontal misalignment for various cooking styles. Differing from a conventional induction heating, the proposed induction heating adopts one resonant coil in the heater and one resonant coil in the workpiece, which can significantly strengthen the coupling effect, and, hence, the heating effect. Both the simulation and experimental results are given to validate the feasibility and flexibility of the proposed induction heating.

Dissolution of randomly distributed soluble grains: post-dissolution k0-loading and shear

Sediments experience mineral dissolution in most natural settings, and as a result of engineered processes such as carbon dioxide injection. The consequences of mineral dissolution are studied using the three-dimensional discrete-element method by gradually dissolving randomly distributed soluble grains in a laterally constrained cell under constant vertical stress. Either additional vertical load under zero lateral strain or shear loading are applied after dissolution. Results show that dissolution is accompanied by global horizontal stress change, increase in vertical displacement and porosity, and decrease in coordination number. Post-dissolution, sediments are more compressible; shear loading encounters a diminished peak strength and reduced dilative tendency in sediments that experienced dissolution; however, all specimens evolve towards a common ‘critical state' strength and sediment fabric at a large strain (in the absence of reprecipitation, changes in grain shape, or changes in grain size distribution). The analysis of micromechanical parameters shows that the total number of contacts decreases during dissolution and remaining contacts carry higher forces. Higher granular interlocking hinders settlement and leads to the development of higher fabric and force anisotropy during dissolution. Granular arching effectively resists vertical displacement around dissolving grains, a honeycomb fabric emerges and the specimen gains a higher porosity during dissolution. Overall, the extent of dissolution (soluble fraction) and the level of particle interlocking/angularity define the evolution of micro- and macro-scale parameters during dissolution and its response to subsequent loading.

Vertical Displacement of the Equine Pelvis When Trotting on an Aqua Treadmill

IntroductionHydrotherapy is increasingly applied within the equine industry for rehabilitation and therapy. Substantial anecdotal evidence exists suggesting the benefits of its application but while there is extensive literature on the use of aqua‐treadmills in humans and canines there is comparatively little in equines. Therefore, limited research exists supporting the role of the aqua‐treadmill in current therapy practices. This study aimed to investigate the effect of water depth on pelvic movement during aqua‐treadmill exercise.MethodsEight horses were trotted on an aqua‐treadmill at four water depths specifically measured to individual horses (P3, fetlock, MC3, carpus). Pelvic displacement was recorded using an optical motion capture system to collect coordinates from markers placed on the tuber sacrale, tuber coxae, withers and lumbar spine. Data were processed using custom written scripts (Matlab®) and ANOVA was performed.ResultsAll subjects demonstrated a significant increase in vertical displacement of the pelvis as water depth increased from P3 to carpus while displacement symmetry was not significantly altered with a change in water depth.ConclusionsThe common practice of increasing water depth to intensify the physical demands of the exercise while maintaining the desired movement symmetry is supported. Having knowledge of how a horse moves on an aqua‐treadmill is vital for tailoring specific therapy in order to most successfully rehabilitate the horse from injury. Investigation of the effects of increasing water depth on asymmetric horses should be carried out to further support its application as a tool for rehabilitation.Ethical Animal ResearchEthical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee at Moulton College. Owner consent was granted for all subjects and all horses were handled in compliance with British Horse Society standards throughout the trials. Sources of funding: Thomas Harrison Trust at Moulton College. Competing interests: none.

Parametric Finite Element Analysis of Bicycle Frame Geometries

This paper has outlined a FE model using beam elements to represent a standard road bicycle frame. The model simulates two standard loading conditions to understand the vertical compliance and lateral stiffness characteristics of 82 existing bicycle frames from the bicycle geometry project and compares these characteristics to an optimised solution in these conditions. Perhaps unsurprisingly smaller frames (490mm seat tube) behave the most favourably in terms of both vertical compliance and lateral stiffness, while the shorter top tube length (525mm) and larger head tube angle (74.5°) results in a laterally stiffer frame which corresponds with findings from literature. The optimised values show a considerable improvement over the best of the existing frames, with a 13% increase in vertical displacement and 15% decrease in lateral displacement when compared to the best of the analysed frames. The model has been developed to allow for further develop to include more detailed tube geometry, further analysis of more frame geometries, alternative materials, and analysis of other structural characteristics.

What can a sessile mollusk tell about neotectonics?

Dendropoma petraeum are fixed vermitids (mollusk) that colonize and construct abrasion platform rims along rocky shorelines. These endemic mollusks are considered good relative sea level indicators in the eastern and the southern Mediterranean, due to their narrow habitat below the sea surface (about ±10 cm). The observed relative sea level values recorded (submerged, uplifted or at present mean sea level) reflect a superposition of eustatic, isostatic, tectonic and possibly local sedimentary instabilities. The present study examines fossil Dendropoma samples gathered along the Levant coast, from northern Israel to eastern Turkey. Conventional radiocarbon dates (from Turkey, Syria and partly in Lebanon) and 14C Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) from Lebanon and Israel yields Dendropoma ages ranging through Late Holocene. A numerical model is used for calculating the change in sea level through the Holocene as a function of glacio-hydrology and isostasy of the eastern Mediterranean. Space–time dependent subtractions of the model values are used to eliminate the eustatic component of the relative sea level, in order to obtain the tectonic component. Results show a general northward increase in tectonic uplift of the Levantine coast with different rates in different tectonic segments. This differential uplift corresponds well to the major tectonic segments comprising the Levantine continental margin since the Pleistocene, from the Carmel fault to the East Anatolian fault. Hence, these segments were still active during the last thousands years and even during the last hundreds years. The general trend of northward increase in vertical displacement is predominantly dictated by the convergence between the Sinai and Arabian plates with Anatolia and Eurasia, across the Cyprus arc and Zagros belt; and the secondarily dictated by the northward increase in convergence component across the sinistral Dead Sea Fault plate boundary.

Effect of cutting the plantar fascia on mechanical properties of the foot.

A biomechanical model was used to calculate the loadbearing characteristics of the plantar fascia and to determine the effect of cutting the plantar fascia on the stiffness of the foot. With a load of 683 N applied to the foot, the model predicted a 17% increase in vertical displacement and a 15% increase in horizontal elongation when the plantar fascia was cut, compared with the corresponding value when the plantar fascia was intact. Plantar fasciotomy, although clinically satisfactory in cases of recalcitrant heel pain, decreases the stiffness of the foot and creates a less rigid and more deformable arch. The biomechanical model described can help to evaluate the possible outcome of such a procedure.