Faults resembling channel-like features

We analyzed a synthetic transfer zone and its associated fault planes and relay ramp in Penobscot, a potential offshore field in the Scotian Basin. Transfer zones are structural areas where one fault dies out and another fault begins, forming a relay ramp in the middle. They can be categorized as divergent, convergent, and synthetic transfer zones depending on the relative location and dipping directions of the faults. These zones not only play an important role in fluid migration but also help interpreters delineate secondary features such as fractures, splay shears, and Riedel faults. Commonly those faults would branch into smaller splays and the relay ramp can get “breached” with connecting faults with the increase of slip. The study area in the Scotian basin is characterized by two major listric normal faults dipping in the same direction giving rise to a synthetic transfer zone. These faults are clearly visible on seismic attributes, including curvature and coherence slices extracted along the top of the Cretaceous Petrel Formation. However, when analyzing the seismic attributes along the overlying Wyandot Formation’s top, we observe channel-like features, which run parallel as well as at an angle to these faults. However, when we performed further analysis using seismic amplitude’s vertical slices, interpreted horizons, and seismic attributes, we found that these features are not channels. We divided the features into two types, the first is parallel to the main faults and can be associated with the grabens formed by synthetic and antithetic secondary faults (NE-SW). The second type is related to the polygonal faulting associated with differential compaction and gravitational loading of the Wyandot Chalk Formation. Apart from the two lineations, there are NNE-SSW oriented lineations which are an impression of basement faulting, and NNW-SSE oriented lineations representing acquisition footprint.

Minimization of Torsional Parameters in Dual Asymmetrical Building through Proper Configuration of Centres

Columns are the core lateral load resisting elements in the buildings which do not have any other forms of resisting components. The sectional dimensions of the columns are often judge based upon the gravitational loading or a combined effect of gravitational and lateral loading on the structure. As per the early research on irregular buildings, they are highly vulnerable for damage when subjected to lateral forces (seismic/wind) when compared to regular shaped buildings, due to the presence of torsional forces. It has also been proved that these torsional forces are generated due to structural eccentricities of the system. The centres of stiffness and strength are predominantly dependent upon the configuration of the lateral load resisting elements. In this study, the effect of proper configuration of column’s dimensions on torsional parameters of irregular buildings is carried out. Non-linear Time History analysis on Plan irregular building with dual asymmetry is performed using scaled acceleragrams and the torsional parameters such are diaphragm’s rotation, torsional irregularity ratio, angular acceleration of the diaphragm are compared with the basic model.

A Myth of Preferred Days of Strong Earthquakes?

Existing evidence on the origin times of magnitude M≥7.5 earthquakes worldwide, based on authoritative earthquake catalogs, does not permit rejection of the null hypotheses of random coincidental occurrence at any time during the Earth or the Moon cycles. Specifically, the nonparametric Kuiper test statistics for cyclic variations applied to seismic evidence resulting from the empirical distributions of the M≥7.5 earthquake origin time Julian day (JD) and the Moon phase (MP) do not allow the rejection of the null hypotheses of uniform distributions within the corresponding cycles. On the other hand, the same Kuiper test permits the rejection of the null hypotheses of the same chance of occurrence on any JD or MP for strong magnitude M≥6.0 earthquakes, at least for the past four decades of presumably the best-earthquake determinations and, in particular, for earthquakes in the Northern Hemisphere (with an evident seasonal pattern). The nonparametric two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test statistics suggest no preferred distances to the Moon at the occurrence of large earthquakes. All of this contributes, to the results of solid statistical testing of hypotheses, for a better understanding of the complex seismic response of the Earth’s lithosphere to periodic gravitational loading.

ROLE(S) OF GRAVITATIONAL LOADING ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEUROMUSCULAR PROPERTIES

The roles of gravitational load or anti-gravitational muscular activities on the growth and development of motor function and/or anti-gravity muscle, soleus, had been investigated. In this review, the responses of growth-associated changes in swimming [1, 2] and/or surface righting performance [3], spatial learning and memory functions [4], and hippocampal neurogenesis [5] or protein expression [6] to hindlimb unloading (HU) by hindlimb suspension or spaceflight during neonatal growing period in rats were discussed. Effects on the morphological and contractile properties, distribution of neuromuscular junction in single muscle fibers, sampled from tendon-to-tendon, and roles of satellite cells and myonuclei in the regulation of these properties [7–9] were also reviewed.

Numerical modelling of the response of an unsaturated silty soil under wetting and gravitational loading processes

This paper presents the results of a numerical study aiming at simulating the response of an unsaturated fine-grained soil under wetting and gravitational loading processes. This study is based on the results of some centrifuge tests carried out to assess the influence of partial saturation on the laterally loaded pile response. The hydro-mechanical behaviour of the silty soil is described using a constitutive model adapted to unsaturated conditions. The model predictions are compared with the measurements provided by LVDTs and laser transducers in the first phases of the experimental study. Besides validating the model, the numerical study aimed at investigating the influence of the after-compaction conditions on both the displacement field and the evolution of the more significant state variables during imbibition and gravitational loading processes. Finally, an additional analysis is conducted to determine the effects of the pile installation on the soil response.

The rapid distortion of two-way coupled particle-laden turbulence

In this study, we address the modification of sheared turbulence by dispersed inertial particles. The preferential sampling of the straining regions of the flow by inertial particles in turbulence leads to an inhomogeneous distribution of particles. The strong gravitational loading exerted by the highly concentrated regions results in anisotropic alteration of turbulence at small scales in the direction of gravity. These effects are investigated in a rapid distortion theory (RDT) extended for two-way coupled particle-laden flows. To make the analysis tractable, we assume that particles have small but non-zero inertia. In the classical results for single-phase flows, the RDT assumption of fast shearing compared to the turbulence time scales leads to the distortion and shear-induced production of turbulence. In particle-laden turbulence, the coupling between the two phases under rapid shearing induces number density fluctuations that convert gravitational potential energy to turbulent kinetic energy and modulate the turbulence spectrum in a manner that increases with mass loading. Turbulence statistics obtained from RDT are compared with Euler–Lagrange simulations of homogeneously sheared particle-laden turbulence.