Seismic Impact Research Articles

On models of ground vibrations in strong earthquakes

Objective. The purpose of these studies is to determine, on the basis of the developed models describing seismic impacts, the most acceptable for acceptance from the point of view of the accuracy of the description of the seismic oscillation both in the shape of the envelope and in duration and frequency characteristics.Method. The use of empirical models in describing soil fluctuations as a random process has been considered in a number of papers. This paper presents the main simplifying assumptions used in this approach. The validity of empirical models and some difficulties encountered in modeling the oscillation process are investigated.Result. A methodology for assessing the reliability of the proposed impact models is proposed. The proposed method takes into account the soil - geological characteristics, as well as spectral data of instrumental recordings of known earthquakes.Conclusion. The seismic impact model, as well as the approximating modeling function, should be determined by the degree of responsibility of the building.

Ensuring AI Is Helpful and Not Harmful in Health Care.

The presence of artificial intelligence (AI) is spreading fast through almost every industry, and health care is no exception. Data-based decision-making software is becoming pervasive in all facets of modern life, and the AI-enabled chatbot ChatGPT is having a seismic impact on the public perception of AI.

European Jewish dermatologists who came to New South Wales, Australia, as a consequence of National Socialism: Challenges and contributions.

The period of National Socialism (1933-1945) had a seismic impact on the medical profession in Europe and beyond. This study aimed to identify Jewish dermatologists who fled Europe as a result of National Socialism and migrated to the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), to document their struggles, and to describe their contributions to dermatology. Five dermatologists who survived the horrors of Nazism and migrated to NSW were identified. Frederik Goldschlag (1893-1973), Richard Kantor (1886-1954), Isidor Knossew (1898-1965), Emil Milder (1902-1973), and Emery Kocsard (1912-2005) arrived in NSW during the period of 1938 to 1951. Myriad contributions were made to dermatology. The challenges confronted by refugee dermatologists did not cease with the end of National Socialism. On reaching Australia, university and medical board barriers and the country's strong British affiliation posed further difficulties for many refugee doctors from the European continent. The study complements previous research on the exodus of dermatologists from Europe to countries other than Australia as a result of National Socialism. The study also prompts sober reflection about the losses suffered by dermatology, alongside other branches of medicine, through Nazism and the Holocaust.

Relational database for building strong motion recordings used for seismic impact assessments

Historical data play a primary role in reconstructing building seismic responses and assessing damage in near-real time. While these types of data sets exist, they are often fragmented, difficult to access, and require significant manual manipulation on the part of the user to obtain useful information. This article introduces a relational database that comprises historical data from 216 buildings subjected to [Formula: see text] earthquakes, spanning a 36-year period in California. It includes comprehensive information about the events and accelerometer-equipped buildings, parameters that are often used in post-earthquake impact assessments, and time-series structural response data recorded during real earthquakes. The database is designed to facilitate incremental updating as new events occur, and the associated data becomes available. It is also paired with a Python-based tool that reduces the barrier to user access with a few simple inputs. The long-term goal is to expand the database to include additional seismic events and spur the development of similar single- or multi-hazard repositories.

Seismohydrogeological Phenomena as an Earthquakes’ Trigger Impact on Groundwater (by the Example of the Wells of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Test Site, Kamchatka Peninsula)

Based on the long-term observations of the wells on the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Test Site, the Kamchatka Peninsula, the paper analyzes manifestations of three main types of seismohydrogeological effects – hydrogeological precursors, coseismic pressure jumps and postseismic effects of the vibrational impact of seismic waves in measurements of the pressure and chemical composition of groundwater, depending on the earthquake parameters (magnitude, epicentre distance, intensity of seismic impact in the observation areas). The paper presents data on the earthquakes that were preceded by hydrogeological precursors in several (n = 2–4) wells. It is discussed whether it is possible to use hydrogeological precursors to predict strong earthquakes in Kamchatka. The authors also discuss the results of their experimental use in a real-time environment with weekly reports on the current observational data for the Kamchatka Branch of the Russian Expert Council. By the example of water level observations in YUZ-5 Well, the authors analyzed coseismic jumps in the groundwater pressure due to rupture formation in the sources of local Mw 6.0 earthquakes and four types of effects of the vibrational impact of seismic waves during local and distant Mw = 6.8–9.3 earthquakes at epicentral distances from 80 to 14 600 km; the study demonstrates that such effects depend on the earthquake parameters and the intensity of seismic impact in the well area.

The calculation, of a sloping shell with, a rectangular slot, during seismic impact

The algorithm of the oscillation frequency of the shell with a thin rectangular slot is presented, whichshows the features of the constructions with discontinuous parameters. A mathematical model of a slitted shell has been developed. Determining the place of attachment of the seismic protection element is described. Standard and structural calculations on the maximum values of seismic forces on vertical loads and their reference loads on the levels of the inter-floor overlap of the building with any calculation software complexes.

Influence of Topographic and Geological Features on the Seismic Response of the Reef Site in the South China Sea

Insufficient comprehension of the seismic impact of the reef terrain, geology, and material properties of the reefs in the South China Sea still presents considerable impediments in studying the seismic response of reef engineering sites and assessing their seismic safety. To surmount this challenge, a seismic response analysis model of the reef-seawater system is established. This model takes into account the fluid-solid interaction effect, the wave radiation effect of the infinite seawater layer and the semi-infinite seabed, as well as the seismic wave input process of the reef-seawater system. Through targeted parameter analyses, the impact of various factors, including the shear wave velocity, thickness, and slope of distinct reef layers, the width of the reef flat, and the dynamic coupling effect of seawater on the seismic response of reef sites, is thoroughly examined. It has been determined that the seismic response of the reef site is markedly amplified as the shear wave velocity decreases and the thickness of the uppermost reef layer increases. While the effects of the slope gradient of the topmost reef layer and the width of the reef flat on the seismic response of the reef site are chiefly observed in the edge area and the central area, respectively. The layer of seawater plays a crucial role in radiation damping, serving as a medium for the dissipation of seismic energy and thereby weakening the overall seismic response of the reef site.

Multi-objective optimization of high performance concrete columns under compressive loading with potential applications for sustainable earthquake-resilient structures and infrastructures

High performance column composites are multifunctional composites designed to improve resilience of structures and infrastructures to natural and unforeseen multiple loads during service. As a result of their superior mechanical performance, high performance column composites have been found attractive to improve resilience of medium and high-rise buildings as well as long-span structures and infrastructures in earthquake-prone regions. Scientometric analysis revealed limitations of traditional design standards and inadequate earthquake engineering to reduce collosal damage during seismic impact and the need for investment in alternative green energy to reduce anthropogenic-induced earthquakes linked to oil and gas projects. High performance CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) composite was investigated as potential laminate reinforcement and confinement for recycled concrete column using performance-based Taguchi-Response surface methodology optimization. Though columns wrapped with two layers CFRP confinement and reinforced with internal laminate CFRP reinforcement obtained higher maximum load and favourable failure mode, the optimized result, which comprises column confined with two layers of external CFRP confinement only, obtained 36.3% and 36.19% greater fracture toughness and fracture energy respectively, 1.4 times better displacement ductility index, 2.78 times strain ductility index and comparable load capacity. The superior mechanical performance of high performance recycled concrete column composite and favourable failure mode was attributed to strain hardening effect which depends on the CFRP confinement. Further studies are required to improve the mechanical performance and failure mode of high performance column composite for construction of resilient structures and infrastructures in the built environment.

Reaction of the Underground Water to Seismic Impact from Industrial Explosions

A comprehensive monitoring at the territory of the Korobkovskoe and Lebedinskoe iron ore deposits of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA), which are developed using explosive technologies, has been carried out since July 2019 near the town of Gubkin (Belgorod Region, Russia). A unique database of the responses of the system “reservoir–well” to short-delay explosions in a mine and a quarry has been formed with a sampling rate of 200 Hz on the basis of synchronous seismic, barometric, and precision hydrogeological measurements. The research object is groundwater in the zones of exogenous weathering and tectonic fracturing of the ore-crystalline basement of the Archean-Proterozoic. Processing hydrogeological responses to mass explosions in the mine and the quarry made it possible to indicate two types of water level response to seismic impact. In addition to coseismic variations in the pore pressure in the system “reservoir–well” for the first time postseismic hydrogeological effects were established during the exploitation of the iron ore deposits. The observed effects may have been caused by two mechanisms. The first mechanism is represented by the skin effect—a change in the permeability of a fluid-saturated reservoir in the near-wellbore space. The second one is the renewal of existing fracture systems and the formation of technogenic fractures in the zones of lithological-stratigraphic contacts and faults at the interface between weathered and relatively monolithic rocks. The subsequent decrease of the water level in the well is associated with the filling of the fractured zones with water.

Analysis of Ordinary Buildings on the Island of Ischia (Italy) for a Seismic Impact Assessment

Ischia is a quiescent volcanic complex, characterized by several periods of activity, also of explosive typology. Each year, seismic stations detect few low-energy events, although in the past severe earthquakes occurred, causing extensive damage. The last significant seismic event, with a magnitude of 3.91, occurred on 21st August 2017, again in the municipality of Casamicciola. The hazard constituted by seismic phenomena is compounded by a high exposed value, in terms of population and buildings. From 1861 to today, the resident population has increased considerably, from 23,511 to 62,831 units, to which are added 4 million tourists a year. The high risk of the Ischia territory highlights the need to bring the sustainable planning at the centre of the debate, considering the vulnerability of the area. In this perspective, an application aimed at assessing the seismic impact scenario induced by a single seismic event is illustrated below. The aim is to show a methodological approach able to quantify the resources necessary for emergency planning and organization of operational intervention.

Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis on Pavement Failure Restoration; Case Study of Sorong–Makbon Road

The Sorong–MakbonSorong–Makbon Corridor is one of the key routes connecting Sorong to other sections of the West Papua region in Indonesia. Throughout the Sorong–Makbon Corridor, roads and slopes often sustain damage. When landslides reach the road shoulder and destroy the pavement, they often prevent access to the road. In addition to the influence of surface water runoff, there are indications that earthquakes contribute to the ineffectiveness of the previous design. This seems to be accurate since the author has seen the typical movement of avalanches. Using the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) approach, the earthquake’s effects on this corridor were mapped out. With the use of the Indonesian earthquake data library, the Matlab-Zmap Program, and the Spectrum Response, the history of earthquakes in the Sorong–Makbon corridor was analysed to determine their velocity. This analysis reveals that the earthquake’s influence on the Sorong–Makbon corridor has an acceleration value between 1.2 and 1.5 G. The prior design did not account for a quake of this magnitude. With this study, the correctly identified seismic impact could be sent back into the simulation to more adequately repair and restore the damage.

Hydrogeological Responses to Distant Earthquakes in Aseismic Region

For the first time precise measurements of the groundwater level variations in the territory of the Mikhnevo geophysical observatory in an aseismic region (Moscow region, Russia) have been carried out since February 2008 at a sampling rate of 1 Hz. The groundwater level variations under quasi-stationary filtration are considered indicators of the dynamic deformation of a fluid-saturated reservoir represented by carbonate-terrigenous sediments. Both permanent (long-term) factors—atmospheric pressure, lunar-solar tides, and periodic (short-term) ones—seismic impacts from distant earthquakes, are used as probing signals for analyzing the filtration parameters of aquifers of different ages. Hydrogeological responses to the passage of seismic waves from earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.1–9.1 with epicentral distances of 1456–16,553 km was recorded in 2010–2023. Dependences of dynamic variations of the pore pressure in the upper weakly confined and lower confined aquifers on the ground velocity are approximated by different regression functions. Spectral analysis of hydrogeological responses made it possible to identify coseismic and postseismic effects from distant earthquakes. The postseismic effects in the form of an episodic increase in the pore pressure may be caused by a skin effect—clogging of microcracks nearby the wellbore by colloidal particles under intensive seismic impact.

Seismic zoning of the Teutejak ore field area (Magadan region)

Earthquakes’ nature was studied and detailed seismic zoning and seismic micro-zoning were carried out for the Teutejak ore field area (Magadan region), considering geological, geophysical and seismological data. Detailed seismic zoning was based on tectonic zoning maps of Magadan region and seismological monitoring data in the vicinity the Teutejak ore field area, carried out by MB GS RAS. 10 source zones and 8 faults generating earthquakes were identified. Hypocenters of potential maximum earthquakes were determined. They are associated with the largest deep faults (Khurensky and Chelomdzha-Yamsky) and can cause ground shake in the area of main structures. According to the results of the JSR, the initial (background) seismicity in the area of the ore field for objects with an increased level of responsiveness is 9 points, the magnitude of the most dangerous earthquake according to calculations will be MS = 7.5. The initial seismicity for objects with a normal level of responsibility is 8 points, the magnitude of the most dangerous earthquake will be MS = 6.8. The obtained results of the detailed seismic zoning were the initial estimates of seismic impacts for seismic micro-zoning. The initial seismicity for objects with a normal level of responsibility is 8 points, the magnitude of the most dangerous earthquake will be MS = 6.8. The calculated increment of the score and the calculated intensity of the seismic impact on the 10 areas, characterized by different engineering and geological conditions of the soils of the upper part of the section, both the method of direct registration of earthquakes and explosions, and the method of acoustic stiffness were used. The research results are shown on detailed seismic zoning map.

Analysis of Seismic Impact on Hailuogou Glacier after the 2022 Luding Ms 6.8 Earthquake, China, Using SAR Offset Tracking Technology

An Ms 6.8 earthquake struck Luding County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province on 5 September 2022, with the epicenter about 10 km away from Hailuogou Glacier. How Hailuogou Glacier was affected by the earthquake was of major concern to society. Sentinel-1 SAR satellite imaging was used to monitor the glacier surface velocity during different periods before and after the Luding earthquake based on pixel offset tracking (POT) technology, which applies a feature-tracking algorithm to overcome the phase co-registration problems commonly encountered in large displacement monitoring. The results indicated that the velocity had a positive correlation with the average daily maximum temperature and the slope gradient on the small-slope surfaces. The correlation was not apparent on the steeper surfaces, which corresponded spatially with the identified ice avalanche region in the Planet images. It was deduced that this may be because of the occurrence of ice avalanches on surfaces steeper than 25°, or that the narrower front channel impeded the glacier’s movement. The Luding earthquake did not cause a significant increase in the velocity of Hailuogou Glacier within a large range, but it disturbed the front area of the ice cascade, where the maximum velocity reached 2.5 m/d. Although the possibility of directly-induced destruction by ice avalanches after the earthquake was low, and the buffering in the downstream glacier tongue further reduced the risk of ice avalanches, the risk of some secondary hazards such as debris flow increased. The proposed method in this study might be the most efficient in monitoring and evaluating the effects of strong earthquakes on glaciers because it would not be limited by undesirable weather or traffic blockage.

Possible consequenses of the technogenic seismic impact on geological environment of the central part of East European craton from the small-aperture seismic group «Mikhnevo»

The results of natural and man- made seismicity long-term observations on the Eastern European Platform (EEP) according to the data of the small-aperture seismic group (MSG) “Mikhnevo” IDG RAS are summarized. It is shown that technogenic seismicity is dominant in this area. Descriptions of wave forms from blasts at the largest quarries of the Belgorod and Kursk regions are given. Special attention to the assessment of energy from explosions produced at numerous relatively small quarries located in the central part of the EEP is paid. The energy assessment of the total technogenic impact on the environment is given. The results of registration and location of natural-tectonic events that occurred on the territory of the central part of the EEP, previously considered aseismic, are shown. The negative impact on the territories located near the existing quarries from the resulting dust and gas emissions during drilling and blasting and other mining operations was noted.

Seismic Response of Embedded Retaining Wall for Excavation Support

A comparative analysis of the solutions for the seismic impact on a flexible retaining wall designed to strengthen the construction excavation for a multi-storey building in Sofia has been performed. For this purpose, the following FEM calculation models of the interaction of the wall with the surrounding soil body were compiled: (1) a 1D beam-column-spring model of the wall, including spring support in its embedded length and pseudostatic seismic loading of the wall with active earth pressure, determined by the Mononobe-Okabe method; (2) a 2D model of the wall and soil body, with pseudostatic seismic loading in the form of inertial forces applied at the finite element nodes; (3) a time history FE analysis conducted with the accelerograms of two landmark earthquakes from the Balkan Peninsula - the 1976 Vrancea (Romania) earthquake and the 1986 Kalamata (Greece) earthquake. The pseudostatic seismic loading in analyzes (1) and (2) was determined on the basis of the reference pseudostatic acceleration of 2.3 m/s2, determined for the city of Sofia according to the seismic hazard map for Bulgaria. The accelerograms in analysis (3) were scaled to a maximum value of acceleration of PGA = 2.3 m/s2. The physical modelling of the soil body uses the HSM and HSsmall advanced constitutive laws, implemented in the Plaxis software.

The Possible Consequences of the Technogenic Seismic Impact on the Geological Environment in the Central Part of the East European Platform Based on Data from the Small-Aperture Mikhnevo Seismic Group

The Possible Consequences of the Technogenic Seismic Impact on the Geological Environment in the Central Part of the East European Platform Based on Data from the Small-Aperture Mikhnevo Seismic Group

Helicopter service of hospital building

The report considers two variants of a building with a special purpose of the roof slab. Option 1 is a model of the building - without a helicopter pad, and Option 2 has a helicopter pad. For basic structural elements, the values of: displacements, shear forces and load-bearing reinforcements are shown. Specialized software for computational models is used. Combinations of impacts are proposed, including dynamic loading. The solutions of the two options are compared and a conclusion is made about the efficiency of the solutions with the helicopter service. The maximum values of the internal forces are obtained by taking into account together the horizontal and vertical components of the seismic impact.

Blasting-induced seismic impact on protected objects on ground surface at Zapolyarny Mine of Medvezhyi Ruchei LLC

In open-pit mineral mining with drilling and blasting, a significant part of buildings and structures, as a rule, suffer from the blasting-induced seismic impact. Some production facilities under consideration, due to their long service life, have defects, which makes them less resistant to the blasting-induced seismic impact. In such cases, assessment of the blasting-induced seismic impact requires experimental investigation to be performed. The main and common characteristic in the assessment of the seismic impact induced by the air blast wave that can cause damage to natural and engineering structures is the peak particle velocities measured in the area of these structures. The approach proposed by M.A. Sadovsky was applied to determining PPV due to the blasting-induced seismic impact. The scope of this work included the research of seismic wave propagation from explosions in an open pit at Zapolyarny Mine of Medvezhyi Ruchei LLC. ZETLAB seismographs were used to study the effect of the seismic explosion waves on the protected facilities. The research was performed for the upper rock mass strata composed of basalts. The tests were carried out to determine physical and mechanical properties of basalts. The measurement profiles of blasting-induced seismic waves were oriented in the northern, western and northwestern directions. As a result of the measurements and experimental data processing using the regression analysis in the range of reduced distances from 11 m/kg1/3 up to 1100 m/kg1/3, the relation of the reduced distance and PPV was obtained. The relation makes it possible to determine the permissible weight of a single charge to ensure safety of the protected structures.

Religion in the Digital Age: An Irreversible Process

Digital technology is fundamentally changing what it means to be human, in particular what it means to be a religious or spiritual human being, as it becomes an “irreversible” process. Indeed, the process is having a seismic impact on the religious and spiritual lives of “digital natives”, who have never known a world without the Internet. This paper will seek to determine, by way of the Digital Theology method put forward by Sutinen and Cooper, if the religious-disaffiliation trend among younger populations is connected to the digitalization of society, either causally or correlationally, and what, if anything, religious leaders and faith communities can do about it. Research on the effects of high social media usage will be given special attention, in order to highlight the double-edged nature of digital technology.