Seismic,ground motion and geotechnical characteristics of the 2011 Van-Erciş and Van-Edremit earthquakes of Turkey,and assessment of geotechnical damages

Two devastating earthquakes with moment magnitudes of 7.2 and 5.6 occurred on October 23, 2011 (Van-Erci? earthquake) and November 9, 2011 (Van-Edremit earthquake), respectively, in the Van Province of the eastern Turkey. The Van-Erci? and Van-Edremit earthquakes caused 604 and 38 fatalities, respectively, and heavy damage to buildings and other structures, particularly in Erci? town and Van City. In this study, characteristics of both main shocks and their geotechnical aspects, such as local site conditions, liquefaction phenomena and associated ground deformations and slope failures are evaluated. The failures of slopes and embankments and rock falls and ground liquefaction may also be indications of diluted ground deformation caused by the earthquake fault. It seems that a wedge-like body bounded by two fault planes was uplifted. As a result of this movement, the northern shoreline of Van Lake uplifted. The November 9, 2011 Van-Edremit earthquake was triggered due to the variation of crustal stresses induced by the October 23, 2011 earthquake. The effects of local site conditions have contributed to the damage of some parts of Erci? city and its vicinity; however, the ground liquefaction was not observed in the city as anticipated. With a magnitude of 5.6, the Van-Edremit earthquake is probably the smallest magnitude earthquake to cause liquefaction in Turkey so far.     

Defining the suitability of new crushed rock aggregate source areas in the North of Kocaeli Province using GIS

This study evaluated the current crushed rock aggregate resources and defined the suitability of potential crushed rock aggregate resource areas in the north of Kocaeli Province by using the geographical information system (GIS). Evaluation of the current aggregate market showed that almost 80 % of the total annual production (14.35 million tonnes) is supplied by the quarries located in Gebze and 20 % of the total annual production (3.65 million tonnes) is supplied by the quarries located in Hereke. The commercial crushed rock aggregate is totally supplied from the limestone and dolomite type carbonate rocks in the northern Kocaeli region. Defining the suitability of potential crushed rock aggregate resource areas was achieved by using GIS methods. First, an aggregate bedrock potential map was developed by using the geological map of the area and categorized as high, moderate and low bedrock potential areas. The high potential areas, which comprised almost 25 % of the northern Kocaeli region, contain carbonate rocks with varying physical, chemical and engineering properties. Secondly, the suitability of the bedrock potential areas was checked by considering the land-use, distance to the county centres and distance to major roads and highways layers in the weighted overlay function of the GIS. The resulting final map contained not suitable, low suitability and suitable areas for crushed rock aggregate. The suitable areas were grouped into three zones according to their geographic distributions. Further, the most promising crushed rock aggregate areas were defined based on the previous field work and surveys in the suitable areas.     

An architectural evaluation method for conservation of traditional dwellings

Historic urban sites and traditional houses are the most important evidence of the past life style. The conservation of these traditional values in the context of conservation and revitalization of architectural heritage is in a sense the preservation of culture. The main goal of conservation is to enliven cultural properties by evaluating their architectural, historical, environmental, visual and aesthetic characteristics. These evaluation studies, which are essential in the context of conservation plans, are inevitable phases to determine the principles of the plans. This study is aimed to propose a method for the architectural evaluation phase, which is essential before conservation decisions. The proposed method is based on a gradation system. Odunpazar? district in Eski?ehir/Turkey is determined as the area to test this gradation method. It is proposed that this method explains the systematic way for evaluating architectural features belonging to historic sites whose conservation plans are to be prepared. In the study, traditional buildings are evaluated from the point of their exterior and interior architectural characteristics and classified as different value groups: A, B, C and D. This grouping will be advantageous to conservation decisions. Different technical teams may be organized to be responsible for these various value groups. As a result, a systematic approach for the determination of specialized teams and required equipment will be achieved. Thus, an accurate determination of required time and cost estimates will be realized.     

Estimation of total equivalent temperature difference values for multilayer walls and flat roofs by using periodic solution

A theoretical methodology was developed to find total equivalent temperature difference (TETD) values for multilayer flat roofs and walls of buildings. The TETD values based on time lag and decrement factor are estimated using measured hourly solar radiation on a horizontal surface and outside air temperatures. The time lag and decrement factor are obtained numerically using periodic solution of one-dimensional transient heat transfer problem for the building structures. The problem is initially formulated using a differential equation and the appropriate initial and boundary conditions. It is then converted into dimensionless form and solved by application of complex finite Fourier transform (CFFT). The solution is used to find hourly variation of temperature inside the structure, the heat gain to the building through the structure, the highest and lowest temperatures at the inner and outer surfaces of the roofs and walls, and the time periods involved in reaching these temperatures. Sol-air temperatures for different directions as well as time lag and decrement factor are obtained, and these are used to determine the TETD values of the structures.     

Some chemical properties of hazelnut husk and its suitability for particleboard production

Hazelnut husk is a renewable natural resource that has not industrial utilization yet. The objective of this study was to examine some chemical properties (holocellulose, cellulose, lignin and ash contents, alcohol–benzene, hot and cold water solubility and solubility in dilute alkali (1% NaOH)) of hazelnut husk and to evaluate its suitability to produce composite panels. For this study, particleboards were produced using hazelnut husk as an alternative raw material for the forest products industry. Two panel density levels (0.6 and 0.7 g/cm³) and three types of resins (urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), melamine-formaldehyde (MUF)) were selected as treatments. The findings indicated that hazelnut husk waste is a valuable renewable natural resource for particleboard production and could be utilized as a substitute for wood in board production. Its shortcomings, such as higher water absorption and thickness swelling could easily be controlled by adding water repellent chemicals in production. The bending and the internal bond strength properties of the hazelnut husk boards produced met the requirement for the general purpose product standards (TS-EN 312-2) at 0.70 g/cm³ density.     

Survey on communication architectures for wind energy integration with the smart grid

Communication systems are needed to integrate generated power from wind farms with the electrical grid. This paper provides a comprehensive review of available communication technologies, protocols and objectives related to wind energy and electrical grid integration. This paper summarizes the communication system solutions for wind generation. A major obstacle is an absence of unified communication architectures and standards.     

Removal of Nitrate from Aqueous Solutions by Electrodialysis

In this work the removal of the nitrate from water was carried out by electrodialysis. In the experiments the effect of the applied voltage, pH value, initial nitrate concentration and duration of treatment on the removal rate of nitrate have been investigated. The results obtained from experiments have indicated that nitrate can be removed effectively applying electrodialysis.     

An artificial neural network model for the prediction of critical submergence for intake in a stratified fluid medium

Density differences may occur because of temperature differentials, suspended sediments, dissolved salts or other chemicals. Most of the large surface reservoirs are stably stratified throughout most, or all, of the year. One of the means of assisting the management is to allow a selective withdrawal from the reservoir. And while an intake is used for withdrawal (from the lower layer), a maximum discharge is required not allowing the uptake of the upper layer fluids. The value of the intake's vertical distance from the upper layer elevation (submergence) when the upper layer fluids begin to be drawn into the intake is known as ‘critical submergence’. In this study, the critical submergence for a circular intake pipe in a stratified body (which has different layer thickness) is investigated. Experiments were conducted on a vertically flowing downward intake pipe in a still-water reservoir. Artificial neural network (ANN) models and formulas, which are found by the theoretical analysis of critical spherical sink surface (CSSS), are used for the analysis of experimental results. The CSSS has the same centre and discharge as the intake. The ANN model and CSSS results are compared with the experimental results.     

Engineering geological evaluation and preliminary support design for the metro extension tunnel,Ankara, Turkey

The paper reports an assessment of the engineering geological characteristics of the rock mass to be encountered between Mecidiye and Gazino stations on the new extension of the Ankara metro and the determination of appropriate support and excavation methods. The rock mass quality was estimated using the rock mass rating (RMR), geological strength index (GSI) and rock mass quality (Q) systems and the tunnel divided into sections. The RMR, Q and NATM systems were used to determine the support and excavation methods in these areas. The deformations and stress concentrations around each tunnel section were investigated and the interaction of the support systems with the rock mass was analyzed using finite element software. It is concluded that rock mass classification systems should be used in tandem with numerical tools, although it is emphasized that the estimation of rock mass properties is not an exact science and both rock properties and numerical models should be refined based on observations and the results of instrumentation installed during the construction of a tunnel.      

Microcystin-LR toxicity on dominant copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi of the upper San Francisco Estuary

This study investigates the toxicity and post-exposure effects of dissolved microcystin (MC-LR) on the dominant copepods of the upper San Francisco Estuary (SFE), where blooms of the toxic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa coincide with record low levels in the abundance of pelagic organisms including phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish. The potential negative impact of Microcystis on the copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi has raised concern for further depletion of high quality fish food. Response of copepods to MC-LR (MC) was determined using a 48-h standard static renewal method for acute toxicity testing. Following exposure, a life table test was performed to quantify any post-exposure impacts on survival and reproduction. The 48-h LC-50 and LC-10 values for MC were 1.55 and 0.14 mg/L for E. affinis; and 0.52 and 0.21 mg/L for P. forbesi. Copepod populations recovered once dissolved MC was removed and cultures returned to optimal conditions, suggesting no post-exposure effects of MC on copepod populations. Dissolved microcystin above 0.14 mg/L proved likely to have chronic effects on the survival of copepods in the SFE. Since such high concentrations are unlikely, toxicity from dissolved microcystin is not a direct threat to zooplankton of the SFE, and other mechanisms such as dietary exposure to Microcystis constitute a more severe risk.