Potential vegetation markers – analytical pyrolysis of modern plant species representative of Neolithic SE Spain

A selection of plant species that may have been relevant for the Neolithic in the SW Mediterranean have been characterised with pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (pyrolysis–GC/MS) in search for molecular vegetation markers. Roots and aerial parts were analysed separately for the following species: Anthyllis cytisoides, Asphodelus cerasiferus, Brachypodium retusum, Cistus albidus, Cistus clusii, Dorycnium pentaphyllum, Ephedra fragilis, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, Olea europaea, Phillyrea angustifolia, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Rhamnus lycioides, Rosmarinus officinalis, Smilax aspera and Stipa tenacissima; furthermore domesticated plants were analysed, including wheat (Triticum aestivum, Triticum dicoccum, Triticum monococcum, Triticum timopheevi and Triticum turgidum), barley (Hordeum vulgare and H. vulgare Hulled) and legumes (Lathyrus cicera, Lathyrus sativus, Lens culinaris, Pisum sativa, Vicia ervilia, Vicia faba and Vicia sativa). This resulted in 290 potential markers. In addition, the organic matter of surface soils under different vegetation cover has been analysed to test the presence of the potential markers in the soil. Forty-six of the potential markers were detected in the soil organic matter, of which part have not been reported before. The results may be useful for interpretation of the organic matter composition of soils and plant remains, which can be valuable in archaeology.     

Probabilistic Seismic Design of Pile Foundations in Non Liquefiable Soil by Response Spectrum Approach

The behavior of pile foundations in non liquefiable soil under seismic loading is considerably influenced by the variability in the soil and seismic design parameters. Hence, probabilistic models for the assessment of seismic pile design are necessary. Deformation of pile foundation in non liquefiable soil is dominated by inertial force from superstructure. The present study considers a pseudo-static approach based on code specified design response spectra. The response of the pile is determined by equivalent cantilever approach. The soil medium is modeled as a one-dimensional random field along the depth. The variability associated with undrained shear strength, design response spectrum ordinate, and superstructure mass is taken into consideration. Monte Carlo simulation technique is adopted to determine the probability of failure and reliability indices based on pile failure modes, namely exceedance of lateral displacement limit and moment capacity. A reliability-based design approach for the free head pile under seismic force is suggested that enables a rational choice of pile design parameters.     

One-Dimensional Ground Response as a Preliminary Tool For Dynamic Analyses in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

This article discusses how to calibrate some parameters of two-dimensional finite element models for numerical analyses in geotechnical earthquake engineering. The calibration was made through the simulation of the one-dimensional vertical propagation of S-waves in elastic layers, whose theoretical solutions are available in literature. The numerical results were compared with those obtained by frequency domain analyses. The influence of several sources of damping arising in the model, including that deriving from boundary conditions and numerical integration, was investigated. The proposed calibration procedure constitutes a useful preliminary step for performing advanced dynamic analyses of any geotechnical system.     

Dynamic Response of Saturated Soil - Foundation System Acted upon by Vibration

In this study, the response and behavior of machine foundations resting on dry and saturated sand was investigated experimentally. In order to investigate the response of soil and footing to steady state dynamic loading, a physical model was manufactured to simulate steady state harmonic load at different operating frequencies. Total of 84 physical models were performed. The footing parameters are related to the size of the rectangular footing and depth of embedment. Two sizes of rectangular steel model footing were tested at the surface and at 50 mm depth below model surface. Meanwhile the investigated parameters of the soil condition include dry and saturated sand for two relative densities 30% and 80%. The response of the footing was elaborated by measuring the amplitude of displacement by the vibration meter. The response of the soil to dynamic loading includes measuring the stresses inside the soil using piezoelectric sensors as well as measuring the excess pore water pressure using pore water pressure transducers. It was concluded that the maximum displacement amplitude response of the foundation resting on dry sand models is more than that on the saturated sand by about 5.0–10%. The maximum displacement amplitude of footing is reduced to half when the size of footing is doubled for dry and saturated sand. The final settlement (St) of the foundation increases with increasing the amplitude of dynamic force, operating frequency and degree of saturation. Meanwhile, it is reduced with increasing the relative density of sand, modulus of elasticity, and embedding inside soils. The excess pore water pressure increases with increasing the relative density of the sand, the amplitude of dynamic loading and the operating frequency. In contrast, the rate of dissipation of the excess pore water pressure during dynamic loading is more in the case of loose sand.     

Numerical Analyses of the Effectiveness of Soft Barriers into the Soil for the Mitigation of Seismic Risk

An approach to mitigate the seismic risk of existing structures by means of the creation of a continuous thin layer of grouted soil at a convenient depth is presented. A parametric numerical analysis is reported using different constitutive models with reference to two geometrical schemes. It is shown that if the grouted layer has a stiffness significantly lower than that of the surrounding soil, it may be effective in reducing the seismic demand. In the parametric analyses, the positive role of yielding is also observed, which indicates that the barrier is more effective with larger input amplitudes.     

Optimal Control of Structures under Earthquakes Including Soil-Structure Interaction

It is well known that the soil-structure interaction (SSI) changes the dynamic response of a structure supported on flexible soil. The analysis of optimally controlled SSI systems has certain difficulties due to the nature of the SSI and the optimal control problem. In this paper, a two-step iteration-based numerical algorithm is proposed to handle optimally controlled SSI systems under earthquakes. First, the optimal control forces are obtained by using a fixed-base system. Then, the optimal control forces are converted to the frequency domain by the Fourier transform technique to be used in the equations of the SSI system. The lateral displacement and the rocking of the foundation are obtained from the equations of the SSI system containing the optimal control forces in the frequency domain. The lateral displacement and rocking of the foundation are then converted to the time domain by the inverse Fourier transform technique, and the lateral accelerations and the rocking accelerations of the foundation are obtained by the forward finite difference method. During the second step, the optimal control forces are calculated again by using the lateral acceleration and the rocking acceleration of the foundation along with the earthquake ground motion. Using the method explained above, the optimal control forces obtained in the time domain are used in the equations of the soil-structure system from which the behavior of foundation and structure is obtained. In the final section of the paper, a numerical study is conducted for a controlled structure supported on flexible soil.     

Chemical durability of lead-bearing glazes in sulphuric acid solutions — Laboratory experiments performed on Zsolnay architectural ceramics from Budapest (Hungary)

This study aims to simulate the long-term deterioration of architectural glazes exposed to open air in a highly polluted urban environment. A laboratory experiment—a 14-day long accelerated weathering test—on glazed roof tiles has been performed to reveal the damaging influence of contacting acid solutions originating from dissolved gaseous pollutants, mainly SO₂. The studied tiles are made by the Hungarian Zsolnay factory and applied on two buildings in Budapest in the 19th and 20th century. The ceramics were covered mainly by lead glazes in the construction and lead-bearing alkali glazes in the renovation periods.

The solution of pH2 induced a greater dissolution, especially of alkali and alkaline earth metals (up to 2886 ppm), but less lead (up to 21 ppm) from the lead glazes of the construction periods. Newly formed lead sulphate (anglesite) on the corroded glaze parts precipitated on some lead-bearing alkali glazes, with moderate dissolution of alkali and alkaline earth metals (up to 396 ppm) accompanied by higher amount of lead (28–39 ppm). Based on the results, the main determining factor in the durability of glazes is mostly their chemical composition and less their preliminary degradation state.     

不稳定青铜器的处理方法

“青铜病”的稳定问题对文物保护工作者来说还是一个挑战。文献报道了不少的处理方法,每种方法都有其优点及不足之处。本文对“青铜病”的处理方法进行了考察,主要讨论了化学封护法的应用及其未来的研究方向。     

馆藏金属器物上浅蓝色铜锈蚀物的辨别与成因分析

不同于新出土青铜器上的锈蚀物,博物馆藏金属器物上经常可见浅蓝色铜的锈蚀物。为辨别和探析其成因,通过采用扫描电子显微镜-能谱仪(SEM-EDX)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和激光拉曼光谱仪(Raman)进行元素成分和物相综合分析,发现其为铜的有机盐。这些有机盐包括简单(或碱式)的甲酸铜和乙酸铜,也包括复杂的含有钠离子和碳酸根的乙酸铜NaCu(CO₃)(CH₃CO₂)、含有钠离子和氧离子的水合甲酸铜Cu₄Na₄O(HCOO)₈(OH)₂·4H₂O。这种浅蓝色铜的有机盐形成根源主要有两种:储存或展览环境的不当;用于除锈的化学试剂的残留。要杜绝这类锈蚀物的形成需要确保储存和展览器物的环境低湿度且无有机酸释放材料的存在。对经过化学处理的器物应确保将化学试剂清理干净且无任何残留以绝后患。对复合材料器物的处理更应谨慎,因为对不同材质的处理和保存环境要求不一样,要个例对待。