Discussion on “A generalized three-dimensional failure criterion for rock masses”

There are many methods to construct true triaxial strength criteria for rocks.Jaiswal and Shrivastva(2012)proposed a strength criterion,named J–S criterion,in the deviatoric plane,which provides nearly the same misfts for true triaxial test data as the exponential criterion.It is diffcult to calculate the strength at given2and3using the J–S criterion,and the multiple solutions to the nonlinear equation may induce confusion and mistake.Strength envelopes in deviatoric planes are not geometric similar;therefore,true triaxial test data cannot be grouped in the mean stress to check strength criteria in the deviatoric plane.     

Causes of Buildings＇ Abandonment in the Years 1960-1990

When a relatively new building is not being fully utilized, there must have existed, at one time, a change in its initial conditions. The aim of this research is to study the changes in the initial conditions which cause buildings to be underutilized and analyze whether the demolition was justified. Causes can be found in problems due to the building＇s management, as the owners make the main decisions concerning the buildings. Additionally problems are due to the location where the building is constructed because site conditions changes a lot in one generation. The use of the building can also be a cause of abandonment as the original use can end before the lifespan of the building. Architectural style can be dated as fashions and styles change rapidly. Finally, causes can be in the physical condition of the buildings： structure, construction, installations and adherence to current regulations. In this article, the authors provide guidelines demonstrating how buildings of a past generation which were initially considered obsolete, can be properly reused.     

The Hero Journey of Ishmael in Moby Dick

MobyDick, a novel acclaimed as a success of nineteenth-century American fiction, has always been challenging to readers,as it can be interpreted from different perspectives. There are two Ishmaels in i...     

A simplified three-dimensional extension of Hoek-Brown strength criterion

The Hoek-Brown(HB) strength criterion has been applied widely in a large number of projects around the world.However,this criterion ignores the intermediate principal stress σ_2.Many evidences have demonstrated that the rock strength is dependent on σ_2. Thus it is necessary to extend the HB criterion into a three-dimensional(3D) form.In this study,the effect of σ_2 on the strength of rocks is identified by reviewing the true triaxial tests of various rock types reported in the literature.A simple 3D strength criterion is developed.The modified criterion is verified by the true triaxial tests of 13 rock types.The results indicate that the modified criterion can achieve a good fit to most of rock types.It can represent a series of criteria as b varies.For comparisons,several existing 3D versions of the HB criterion are selected to predict the strengths of these rock types.It is indicated that the proposed criterion works better than other criteria.A substantial relationship between parameter b and the unconfined compressive strength is established,which guarantees that the proposed criterion can still work well even in the absence of true triaxial test data.     

Workflow to numerically reproduce laboratory ultrasonic datasets

The risks and uncertainties related to the storage of high-level radioactive waste （HLRW） can be reducedthanks to focused studies and investigations. HLRWs are going to be placed in deep geological repositories,enveloped in an engineered bentonite barrier, whose physical conditions are subjected tochange throughout the lifespan of the infrastructure. Seismic tomography can be employed to monitor itsphysical state and integrity. The design of the seismic monitoring system can be optimized via conductingand analyzing numerical simulations of wave propagation in representative repository geometry.However, the quality of the numerical results relies on their initial calibration. The main aim of this paperis to provide a workflow to calibrate numerical tools employing laboratory ultrasonic datasets. The finitedifference code SOFI2D was employed to model ultrasonic waves propagating through a laboratorysample. Specifically, the input velocity model was calibrated to achieve a best match between experimentaland numerical ultrasonic traces. Likely due to the imperfections of the contact surfaces, theresultant velocities of P- and S-wave propagation tend to be noticeably lower than those a prioriassigned. Then, the calibrated model was employed to estimate the attenuation in a montmorillonitesample. The obtained low quality factors （Q） suggest that pronounced inelastic behavior of the clay has tobe taken into account in geophysical modeling and analysis. Consequently, this contribution should beconsidered as a first step towards the creation of a numerical tool to evaluate wave propagation innuclear waste repositories.
2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

笑口常开

<正>Laughter is a powerful (and free!) medicine that you’re not taking enough of. Sharing a genuine ( 真诚的) laugh with a friend or co -worker can be enough to brighten our day, no matter how down-and-out we feel. Laughter is a stress-reducer, immunity-booster (免疫助推器), heart -helper, and confidence -builder.Read on to learn more about the surprising benefits of humor.笑是疗效最好的药(且免费),怎么用也不会够。无论我们感觉自己的情绪有多么低落沮丧,和朋友或同事分享一下发自内心的笑声足以让我们开心一整天。笑是减压器,笑是免疫助推器,笑是心脏辅助器,笑是自信生成器。阅读下文来多了解一下幽默带给我们的惊人好处。     

The Elements of a Design Entity

Any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that species. DNA is a substance carrying an organism's genetic information. My definition of DNA is Designing New Architecture. The purpose is to examine the DesignInc entity to look for the specific features that make up the organisation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. As human beings we are 99 per cent similar but the one per cent difference is so complex that it allows for us all to be unique. This is the same for design-based practices, where superficially many firms of architects and urban and interior designers look very similar. In fact, the process and opportunities of design initiatives are so complex that vast differences can be detected if a careful investigative analysis is undertaken.     

Outline of the Comprehensive Urban Transport Planning for Shanghai

Part Ⅰ The prepararion of the comprhensive transport planfor Shanghai began in 1985,under the proposal and organi-zation of Mr Ni Tianzeng,the late Vice Mayor,and the de-partments concerned.Its objective was to provide compre-hensive and quantitative analysis for urban transport deci-sion making in Shanghai.Urban transport is such a com-plex issue that viewpoints and suggestions concerning thesolution can be raised from various angles.The amount ofinvestment that can be put in transport development andthe possibility of replacement are limited,so it will be verydifficult to make a scientific decision without theprecondition of a comprehensive and quantitative analysis. The making of this plan involved all the parties which     

如何做一个好客人

<正>When visiting someone’s home,whether they’re a close family member,a friend,or a colleague,it is important to be a polite guest.Your manners could make all the difference between a pleasant stay or a disastrous1one.Be polite in order to make sure that your stay is enjoyable both for yourself and your hosts.拜访某人的家时,无论他们是亲密的家庭成员、朋友或同事,做一个有礼貌的客人是很重要的。会是一次愉快的逗留还是一次灾难性的到访将取决于你的礼貌。