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Soil strain is the key parameter to control the elasto-plastic deformation and even the failure processes. To overcome the defect that the strain of the model soil is always smaller than that of the prototype in Iai’s generalized scaling law (GSL), a modified scaling law was proposed based on Iai’s GSL to secure the same dynamic shear strain between the centrifuge model and the prototype by modulating the amplitude and frequency of the input motion at the base. A suite of dynamic centrifuge model tests of dry sand level ground was conducted with the same overall scaling factor ( λ =200) under different centrifugal accelerations by using the technique of “modeling of models” to validate the modified GSL. The test results show that the modified GSL could achieve the same dynamic strain in model as that of the prototype, leading to better modeling for geotechnical problems where dynamic strain dominates the response or failure of soils. Finally, the applicability of the proposed scaling law and possible constraints on geometry scaling due to the capability limits of existing centrifuge shaking tables are discussed.

Geotechnical centrifuge modeling, which can effectively simulate the stress field of soil in the prototype, was adopted to help investigate the effects of the uplifting of pipes buried at different depths within a medium dense sand under (1) a static state and (2) a dynamic state. To acquire the displacement vector fields and strain contours in the soil around pipes, particle image velocimetry technology was applied. The study focused on the deformation mechanisms of soil surrounding the pipes and ground surface. Two different deformation triggers, external forces and soil liquefaction, were considered. When uplifting was caused by an external force, the relationship between the soil deformation and uplift resistance was similar to the typical ground load–deformation characteristic relationships. There was little displacement of soil during the elastic stage. Along with the uplifting of the pipe, a plastic zone within the range of one pipe diameter (1D) above the pipe appeared in the soil at peak resistance. During the post-peak period, a shear failure plane extended upwards to the ground surface, at an inclined angle forming a trumpet-like shape. The ground surface deformation range expanded according to the buried depth of the pipe. Meanwhile, in a liquefied field, the soil flowed within a heart-shaped region around the pipe. The soil deformation region surrounding a shallow buried pipe, with a width of 5D–6D, was far larger than that found for a pipe buried at the same depth in a static field. Both heave and settlement could be observed on the ground surface.

The great Wenchuan earthquake ( M s = 8.0) in 2008 caused severe damage in the western part of the Chengdu Plain. Soil liquefaction was one of the major causes of damage in the plain areas, and proper evaluation of liquefaction potential is important in the definition of the seismic hazard facing a given region and post-earthquake reconstruction. In this paper, a simplified procedure is proposed for liquefaction assessment of sandy deposits using shear wave velocity ( V s ), and soil liquefaction from the Banqiao School site was preliminarily investigated after the earthquake. Boreholes were made at the site and shear wave velocities were measured both by SASW and down-hole methods. Based on the in-situ soil information and V s profiles, the liquefaction potential of this site was evaluated. The results are reasonably consistent with the actual field behavior observed after the earthquake, indicating that the proposed procedure is effective. The possible effects of gravel and fines contents on liquefaction of sandy soils were also briefly discussed.

The evaluation and design of stone column improvement ground for liquefaction mitigation is a challenging issue for the state of practice. In this paper, a shear wave velocity-based approach is proposed based on the well-defined correlations of liquefaction resistance （CRR）-shear wave velocity （V）-void ratio （e） of sandy soils, and the values of parameters in this approach are recommended for preliminary design purpose when site specific values are not available. The detailed procedures of pre- and post-improvement liquefaction evaluations and stone column design are given. According to this approach, the required level of ground improvement will be met once the target V of soil is raised high enough （i.e., no less than the critical velocity） to resist the given earthquake loading according to the CRR-V relationship, and then this requirement is transferred to the control of target void ratio （i.e., the critical e） according to the V-e relationship. As this approach relies on the densification of the surrounding soil instead of the whole improved ground and is conservative by nature, specific considerations of the densification mechanism and effect are given, and the effects of drainage and reinforcement of stone columns are also discussed. A case study of a thermal power plant in Indonesia is introduced, where the effectiveness of stone column improved ground was evaluated by the proposed V-based method and compared with the SPT-based evaluation. This improved ground performed well and experienced no liquefaction during subsequent strong earthquakes.

Parameterized level-set method (PLSM) has been proposed and developed for many years, and is renowned for its efficacy in addressing topology optimization challenges associated with intricate boundaries and nucleation of new holes. However, most pertinent investigations in the field rely predominantly on fixed background mesh, which is never remeshed. Consequently, the mesh element partitioned by material interface during the optimization process necessitates approximation by using artificial interpolation models to obtain its element stiffness or other properties. This paper introduces a novel approach to topology optimization by integrating the PLSM with body-fitted adaptive mesh and Helmholtz-type filter. Primarily, combining the PLSM with body-fitted adaptive mesh enables the regeneration of mesh based on the zero level-set interface. This not only precludes the direct traversal of the material interface through the mesh element during the topology optimization process, but also improves the accuracy of calculation. Additionally, the incorporation of a Helmholtz-type partial differential equation filter, relying solely on mesh information essential for finite element discretization, serves to regulate the topological complexity and the minimum feature size of the optimized structure. Leveraging these advantages, the topology optimization program demonstrates its versatility by successfully addressing various design problems, encompassing the minimum mean compliance problem and minimum energy dissipation problem. Ultimately, the result of numerical example indicates that the optimized structure exhibits a distinct and smooth boundary, affirming the effective control over both topological complexity and the minimum feature size of the optimized structure.

Dynamic centrifuge model test was conducted to study the earthquake-induced differential settlement of foundation on cohesive ground, and the influence of asymmetry of building was investigated. During the experiment, the overconsolidated kaolin clay ground with a three-dimensional asymmetrical structure model was shaken by a basically balanced input motion, and bender elements were used to measure shear wave velocities of model ground to reveal the soil fabric evolution during and after shaking. The test results show that, the total seismic settlement of foundation is composed of instantaneous and long-term post-earthquake settlements, and most of the differential settlement occurs immediately after the earthquake while the post-earthquake settlement is relatively uniform despite its large amplitude. The asymmetry of building affects the settlement behavior considerably. Compared with 1-or 2-dimensional structures, more evident differential settlement occurs under three-dimensional asymmetrical building during shaking, which accounts for one-half of the total seismic settlements and results in complex spatial tilting effects of foundation.

In this paper, dynamic shear mechanical properties of a new metal rubber isolating bearing is tested and studied. The mixed damping model is provided for theoretical modeling of MR isolating bearing, the shear stiffness and damping characteristics of the MR bearing can be analyzed separately and easily discussed, and the mixed damping model is proved to be an rather effective approach. The test results indicate that loading frequency bears little impact over shear property of metal rubber isolating bearing, the total energy consumption of metal rubber isolating bearing increases with the increase in loading amplitude. With the increase in loading amplitude, the stiffness of the isolating bearing will reduce showing its \"soft property\"; and the type of damping force gradually changes to be close to dry friction. The features of \"soft property\" and dry friction energy consumption of metal rubber isolating bearing are very useful in practical engineering application.

The hysteresis dynamic behavior of metal rubber mathematically modeled with a practical method is studied, and the method of parameter separated identification is presented with details. Parameters of the model are identified with the test data of metal rubber, from which the theoretical loops are reconstructed, and the mechanism of the nonlinear damping behavior of the metal rubber is investigated. The theoretical loops and the experimental one are close to each other with satisfactory accuracy. The result shows that with the simple mathematical form and the satisfactory precision, the mixed damping model can be used effectively in practical engineering. This study provides a practical and effective method in modeling and the parameter identification of the metal rubber isolator.

Though seismic isolation technology has been applied widely in civil engineering and proved effective, it is not used in large aqueduct. Shaking table test experiment was made on anti-seismic problem of a large aqueduct in South-to-north Water Transfer Project. First, a single span aqueduct model is designed and made. Then, several isolation bearings are designed for experiment. At last, the structure system dynamic responses were presented with isolation bearing mounted and not under different period earthquake loads for different working conditions. The results show that by using isolation bearings, which can play an important role in large aqueduct anti-seismic problem, the structure dynamic response can be reduced effectively.

In order to control the spread of COVID-19, China had implemented strict lockdown measures. The closure of cities had had a huge impact on human production and consumption activities, which had greatly reduced population mobility. This article used air pollutant data from 341 cities in mainland China and divided these cities into seven major regions based on geographic conditions and climatic environment. The impact of urban blockade on air quality during COVID-19 was studied from the perspectives of time, space, and season. In addition, this article used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to systematically analyze the characteristics of air pollution in the country and used the Pearson correlation coefficient to explore the relationship between NDVI and the air pollutant concentrations during the COVID-19 period. Then, linear regression was used to find the quantitative relationship between NDVI and AQI, and the fitting effect of the model was found to be significant through t test. Finally, some countermeasures were proposed based on the analysis results, and suggestions were provided for improving air quality. This paper has drawn the following conclusions: (1) the concentration of pollutants varied greatly in different regions, and the causes of their pollution sources were also different. The region with the largest decline in AQI was the Northeast China (60.01%), while the AQI in the southwest China had the smallest change range, and its value had increased by 1.72%. In addition, after the implementation of the city blockade, the concentration of NO 2 in different regions dropped the most, but the increase in O 3 was more obvious. (2) Higher vegetation coverage would have a beneficial impact on the atmospheric environment. Areas with higher NDVI values have relatively low AQI. There is a negative correlation between NDVI and AQI, and an average increase of 0.1 in NDVI will reduce AQI by 3.75 (95% confidence interval). In the case of less human intervention, the higher the vegetation coverage, the lower the local pollutant concentration will be. Therefore, the degree of vegetation coverage would have a direct or indirect impact on air pollution.