Seismic triggering of landslides. Part B: Simulation of dynamic failure processes

in Natural Hazards & Earth System Sciences (2003), 3

From field observations it is possible to establish correlations between geological conditions and landslide occurrence. However, in general, it is difficult to assess the affect of individual factors on ... [more ▼]

From field observations it is possible to establish correlations between geological conditions and landslide occurrence. However, in general, it is difficult to assess the affect of individual factors on slope instability because of their mutual interaction. In addition, the dynamic effect of propagating seismic waves significantly increases the complexity of the slope stability problem. Wave diffraction, reflection and focusing effects are dependent on local geological conditions and make it difficult to analyse dynamic sliding mechanisms using field observations alone. As a consequence, in order to examine the influence of various geological and seismic factors on slope movements, it is often necessary to produce numerical models. This paper describes the results of such models as applied to two case studies in Kyrgyzstan: the Ananevo rockslide, located in granite, and the Suusamyr debris slump-flow, situated within soft sediments (see Part A: Havenith et al., 2003). Discrete element modelling (UDEC), adapted both to the discontinuous character of fractured rock and to the heterogeneity of layered mediums, was used. This permitted simulation of deformation mechanisms, including seismically induced bending, block tilting, and slip. Particular attention was paid to the interaction between deformation mechanisms, site-specific amplification effects, and subsurface structure. [less ▲]

SEISMICALLY RETROFITTING AND UPGRADING RC-MRF BY USING EXPANDED METAL PANELS

Doctoral thesis (2011)

Reinforced concrete moment resisting frames (RC-MRFs) have been widely used as the main structural resisting systems for over 30 years based on their capacity in resisting both gravity loads and lateral ... [more ▼]

Reinforced concrete moment resisting frames (RC-MRFs) have been widely used as the main structural resisting systems for over 30 years based on their capacity in resisting both gravity loads and lateral forces like winds or earthquakes and on low cost of construction. However, there have been still many existing RC-MRFs not designed according to any modern seismic code. This may lead to some undesired failures under a rather low intensity earthquake. There are several existing retrofitting systems available for seismically retrofitting RC-MRFs, such as steel braces, steel plate or RC shear walls, base isolators…In those, some are able to increase the stiffness, strength, deformation and energy absorbing capacity of the structures and some are able to reduce the influence of the seismic actions on the structure. Despite having advantage in increasing the stiffness and strength for the buildings, the use of bulky systems like RC shear walls to retrofit buildings under seismic actions becomes more limited due to its complication in erection and high costs for foundation. The use of lighter retrofitting systems such as steel braces or shear walls made from steel or aluminium… has been becoming more favourable. Made from sheet steel or various alloys by cutting and simultaneous stretching cold, expanded metal is considered as a macro-foam material. An expanded metal panel (EMP) with rectangular dimensions of 1.25m x 2.5m having many rhomb shape stitches with different geometrical sizes is the popular product. Currently it is employed primarily in the areas of protection (fencing, gates) and architecture. The final goal of this study is to consider a new application different in the field of civil engineering and more specifically that of the earthquake resistance of buildings. The work plan includes two main parts. This first part will set the EMP over existing techniques and see if its use is justified in the context of earthquake resistance. In addition, a more detailed description of the EMP is considered. In this way, the different data required for modelling the new resistance system are known and analyzes, tests and comparisons can be made in order to validate the use of EMP in the context of earthquake resistance. A complete study on pure shear behaviour of EMP under monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loading has been developed including experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations. To apply EMP in seismically retrofitting RC-MRFs, thirty two RC-MRFs have been designed according to two codes EC2 and EC8. The seismic performance of the studied frames has been evaluated using Pushover and NLTH analyses. For the frames designed according to EC2 or EC8 with low ductility, some prominent deficiencies are found, such as incomplete load path or the soft-story failure. Based on the knowledge of deficiencies of the existing frames, many attempts to exploit EMP to seismically retrofit the existing frames have been made. All frames designed according to EC2 and EC8 with Low Ductility Class need to retrofit because they cannot reach the target displacements due to premature failure of beam-column joints. To seismically retrofit them by using EMP, a design procedure based on Direct Displacement Based Design (DDBD) has been proposed. The design is an iterative procedure, starting with the selection of the target displacements at the top based on the results from Pushover analysis. They are usually less than the limit displacements at which RC frames collapse due to crushing of the concrete at beam-column joints. These displacements are also the target ones for the retrofitted frames. The results from design procedure proposed are significantly affected by some typical factors such as selected target displacements and capacity of the existing frames contributing to overall resistance of the retrofitted frames, equivalent viscous damping of the EMP and MRFs as well as geometrical dimensions of the existing frames. The retrofitted design results, assessed by Pushover and NLTH analyses, have indicated that DDDB is a useful tool to design EMP to seismically retrofit the existing frames. With EMP, all retrofitted frames can reach target displacements under design earthquakes without any brittle failure, not like the original frames. However, EMP cannot improve the behaviour of the beam-column joints. Under the earthquakes greater than design ones, failure of the nodes is still observed in all retrofitted frames. The comparison of the seismic performance of the frames before and after being retrofitted has shown that EMP is able to reduce the influence of the earthquake on the original frames by increasing their strength and stiffness and by absorbing the seismic energy. Proposed design procedure of connection between EMP and the frame elements is applicable. This was verified in the experiments when connecting EMP with the steel testing frames. The design approach for the connection is based on Capacity Design, all starting with the maximum resistance of the bars in a rhomb-shape stitch of the EMP and the tension field action developed in the EMP during shear loading. However, it is necessary to perform tests on the connections between EMP and the RC beams and columns. Also, improved practical details can be developed. [less ▲]

La séismicité historique du Hainaut, de la Flandre et de l'Artois de 700 à 1800

in Annales de la Société Géologique de Belgique (1989), 112

Seismology and rotation of the Herbig Ae star HD 104237 .

in Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana (2006), 77

HD 104237 is the first pulsating Herbig Ae star for which very recently a significant number of pulsation frequencies has been detected by means of high-resolution spectroscopy. The high quality radial ... [more ▼]

HD 104237 is the first pulsating Herbig Ae star for which very recently a significant number of pulsation frequencies has been detected by means of high-resolution spectroscopy. The high quality radial velocity curve based on 1888 individual echelle spectra obtained in 42 nights in 1999 and 2000 revealed for the first time by spectroscopic means multiperiodic oscillations in a pre-main sequence star: a total of 8 frequencies have been detected so far, 5 amongst them were detected at a very high confidence level Böhm et al. \cite{pulsation}. This result encouraged us to develop asterosismological models for such young pre-main sequence pulsator (Dupret et al. \cite{dupret}), but the dramatic lack of a precise knowledge of the fundamental stellar parameters appear still to be critical. A summary of the main results of the pulsation study are presented and first indications for a stellar rotational modulation are exhibited. [less ▲]

Seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance (SeSAME syndrome) caused by mutations in KCNJ10.

in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2009), 106(14), 5842-7

We describe members of 4 kindreds with a previously unrecognized syndrome characterized by seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, metabolic ... [more ▼]

We describe members of 4 kindreds with a previously unrecognized syndrome characterized by seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypomagnesemia). By analysis of linkage we localize the putative causative gene to a 2.5-Mb segment of chromosome 1q23.2-23.3. Direct DNA sequencing of KCNJ10, which encodes an inwardly rectifying K(+) channel, identifies previously unidentified missense or nonsense mutations on both alleles in all affected subjects. These mutations alter highly conserved amino acids and are absent among control chromosomes. Many of these mutations have been shown to cause loss of function in related K(+) channels. These findings demonstrate that loss-of-function mutations in KCNJ10 cause this syndrome, which we name SeSAME. KCNJ10 is expressed in glia in the brain and spinal cord, where it is believed to take up K(+) released by neuronal repolarization, in cochlea, where it is involved in the generation of endolymph, and on the basolateral membrane in the distal nephron. We propose that KCNJ10 is required in the kidney for normal salt reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule because of the need for K(+) recycling across the basolateral membrane to enable normal activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase; loss of this function accounts for the observed electrolyte defects. Mice deficient for KCNJ10 show a related phenotype with seizures, ataxia, and hearing loss, further supporting KCNJ10's role in this syndrome. These findings define a unique human syndrome, and establish the essential role of basolateral K(+) channels in renal electrolyte homeostasis. [less ▲]

Die Sekretion von Schutz- und Nutzstoffen

in Winterstein, Hans (Ed.) Handbuch der vergleichenden Physiologie (1910)

Selbsthilfe bei Brandgefahr. Überlegungen zu den Rechtsmitteln im Prinzipat

Scientific conference (2011, January 21)

Select Bibliography (Frontières: A Franco-British Writers' Festival about Identity)

Textual, factual or bibliographical database (2003)

Selected groundwater studies of EU project AquaTerra leading to large-scale basin considerations

in Water Practice & Technology (2007), 2(3),

Several local groundwater studies within the EU project AquaTerra in the Basins of the Meuse, Elbe point at significant influences of groundwater on surface water, while the Brévilles Catchment shows a ... [more ▼]

Several local groundwater studies within the EU project AquaTerra in the Basins of the Meuse, Elbe point at significant influences of groundwater on surface water, while the Brévilles Catchment shows a distinct problematic of pesticide loading to groundwater. Further modeling studies are currently being developed. In the Danube Basin no specific groundwater studies were carried out in the framework of AquaTerra. However on larger scales geochemical proxies such as strontium isotope ratios can give an insight into groundwater contributions to the river that reflects an integral signal of the environmental status of the Basin. Future local groundwater studies should be further correlated to the environmental status of rivers nearby. [less ▲]

Selected Protein Monitoring in Histological Sections by Targeted MALDI-FTICR in-source decay Imaging.

in Analytical Chemistry (2013), sous presse

MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) is a rapidly growing method in biomedical research allowing molecular mapping of proteins on histological sections. The images can be analyzed in terms of ... [more ▼]

MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) is a rapidly growing method in biomedical research allowing molecular mapping of proteins on histological sections. The images can be analyzed in terms of spectral pattern to define regions of interest. However, the identification and the differential quantitative analysis of proteins require off line or in situ proteomic methods using enzymatic digestion. The rapid identification of biomarkers holds great promise for diagnostic research but the major obstacle is the absence of rapid and direct method to detect and identify with a sufficient dynamic range a set of specific biomarkers. In the current work, we present a proof of concept for a method allowing identifying simultaneously a set of selected biomarkers on histological slices with minimal sample treatment using in-source decay (ISD) MSI and MALDI-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR). In the proposed method, known biomarkers are spotted next to the tissue of interest, the whole MALDI plate being coated with 1,5-DAN matrix. The latter enhances MALDI radical-induced ISD, providing large tags of the amino acid sequences. Comparative analysis of ISD fragments between the reference spots and the specimen in imaging mode allows for unambiguous identification of the selected biomarker while preserving full spatial resolution. Moreover, the high resolution/high mass accuracy provided by FTICR mass spectrometry allows the identification of proteins. Well-resolved peaks and precise measurements of masses and mass differences allow the construction of reliable sequence tags for proteins identification. The method will allow the use MALDI-FTICR MSI as method for rapid targeted biomarker detection in complement to classical histology. [less ▲]