Mid-Continent Earthquakes And Their Effect On Concrete Structures Essa

Mid-Continent Earthquakes and Their Effect on Concrete Structures Disasters come in many shapes, sizes, and forms yet all are detrimental to people and structures of all types. The most terrifying of all disasters are natural disasters, the force of nature is rivaled by no man made disaster. One of the natural disasters that has terrorized as well as fascinated humans through out history is the earthquake. Most earthquakes are associated with areas such as Southern California or China, but the most detrimental aspect of disaster is the element of suprise. In this case areas such as Central North America and North Turkey have been visited by the violent shock of a mid-continent earthquake. These earthquakes are violent and cause mass amounts of structural damage and total destruction of many structures. Concrete being a very brittle material is affected greatly during an earthquake but through technology many advancements have been made to compensate for the damaging effects caused by an earthquake. This paper will discuss mid-continent earthquakes of the past, their effect on concrete structures, problems effecting concrete structures, and alternative materials and solutions to bypass those problems during future earthquakes. Mid-Continent Earthquakes A series of earthquakes occurred between December 1811 and February 1812 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone which is in the Mississippi River Valley. These earthquakes may have been caused by a series of buried faults and anomalous rock formations that formed 500 million years ago when tectonic forces tried and failed to split North America in two. This structure known as the Reelfoot Rift is the zone of weakness that could account for the earthquakes during this period (Reducing Losses 1995). This series of earthquakes was characterized by ground warping, fissuring, severe landslides, and caving stream banks. An area of over 600,000 square kilometers was damaged during the 1811-1812 period of earthquakes (USGS 2000). During the earthquakes ground shaking occurred as the land moved up and down and caused trees to bend, chimneys to fall, and log cabins to be thrown to the ground. Liquefaction was also a problem during the mid-continent earthquakes where the shaking transformed water saturated soil or sediment into a thick quicksand like slurry (Reducing Losses 1995). Sand bars and points of islands in the Miss. River gave way while some whole islands disappeared. This period of earthquakes was also characterized by deformation which is either elastic or inelastic. Both types of deformation were apparent during the earthquakes. When the rocks snapped back after movement during the elastic deformation large cracks in the ground were opened up. Inelastic deformation occurred when land was uplifted while other parts sunk and remained in that position. This uplift of the ground and the waves moving during the ground shaking gave the appearance that the Miss. River was flowing North. A very recent mid-continent earthquake occurred in Turkey called the Izmit Earthquake. The rupture appeared to be about 110 km in length and occurred during August of 1999. This earthquake occurred along a strike slip fault where there were recorded offsets of 1.2m to 4.9m (USGS 1999). There was a mass destruction of buildings and as a result about 300,000 people were killed or injured (USGS 1999) while many were left homeless in campsites where diseases were rampant. Ground shaking was tremendous as a result of the 7.5 Richter scale rated earthquake where many buildings were flattened. Deformation was evident in the Izmut Bay where the fault leaves the eastern side of the bay and slumps along the crack formed scarps (USGS 1999). Sag ponds were a result of the liquefaction that occurred along the strike slip fault. This earthquake was devastating to the residents of northern Turkey but a lot of valuable information was extracted in order to prevent that magnitude of disaster in the future. Effects and Problems of Earthquakes on Concrete Structures Earthquakes are very detrimental to concrete structures which are very brittle and struggle and often lose to the violent shaking of the earth and the many ramifications that are brought about by the shaking. Damage to the structures are caused by the materials inertia and resistance to movement that causes the concrete to fail and ultimately the collapse of the building. Ground acceleration is the key aspect from an engineering point of

Al Gore essays

Al Gore essays Al Gore has played an important role in the United States. Still today he contributes to his country. Thing happened periodically in Al gores life to make him the man that he has become today. Al Gore jr. was born on March 31, 1948. Since the day he was born his parents were proud of him. His dad, Al Gore sr., was quoted saying to a reporter for the Nashville Tennessan, If I have a baby boy, I dont it buried on the inside of the paper I want it on the Page 1 Where it belongs. Little Al Gore weighed nine pounds two ounces when hr was born. Als dad wanted him to spend a fair amount of time growing up on his familys two hundred fifty acre farm. Al would spend long weekends, summers, holidays, and his entire seventh year of his life on the Carthage property. His dad felt that being around plain people, that grew crops and raised livestock, would help Al Gore grow character. The last thing that Al Gores dad wanted was for him to grow up to think he was better than someone. Al Gores family also played a very important role in the development of his successful life. His dad, Albert Gore Sr., was probably his biggest influence on his Character because he was just a farmer that had to work hard for everything in his life. His moms name was Pauline Gore. She was also a bug part in als life, by showing him good morals and respect for others. Al Gore was not a dummy either. He was accepted to Harvard, and did really well his freshman year were he stayed in a Mauer Freshman dorms. His sophomore year he wanted to be in a frat house so he wouldnt have to be in the old dorms. He would spend his sophomore year in the Duster House, a frat house that didnt have the greatest reputation. The Duster House was more known for its partying. He would be put with a group of guys that he would remember for the rest of his life. The most comm...

Raptorex - Facts and Figures

Raptorex - Facts and Figures Name: Raptorex (Greek for thief king); pronounced RAP-toe-rex Habitat: Woodlands of central Asia Historical Period: Early Cretaceous (130 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 10 feet long and 150 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Small size; stunted hands and arms About Raptorex Discovered in inner Mongolia by the famous paleontologist Paul Sereno, Raptorex lived about 60 million years before its more famous descendant Tyrannosaurus Rexbut this dinosaur already had the basic tyrannosaur body plan (big head, powerful legs, stunted arms), albeit in a diminutive package of only 150 pounds or so. (Based on an analysis of its bones, the sole specimen of Raptorex appears to have been a full-grown adult six years of age). Analogizing from other early tyrannosaurslike the Asian DilongRaptorex may have been covered with feathers, though as yet theres no definitive proof for this. A recent study of Raptorexs type fossil has cast some doubt on the conclusions reached by Sereno. Another team of paleontologists claims that the sediments Raptorex was found in have been dated incorrectly, and that this dinosaur was actually a juvenile of the late Cretaceous tyrannosaur Tarbosaurus! (The giveaway is that the fossil of a prehistoric fish uncovered alongside Raptorex was misidentified, and it fact belonged to a genus that plied the rivers of Mongolia during the late rather than early Cretaceous period.)

Instructional Design Outline Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Instructional Design Outline - Research Paper Example The main purpose of education is to nurture critical thought, capacity for independence and creativity in general. Educational institutions need to ensure that young individuals leave formal education armed with the skills, aptitude, and confidence needed to face life outside school (Brown & Green 2011). It has in the past been believed that educational success of a child is dependent upon their background. This is however not the case. Educational success is determined by the willingness of the student to learn, their hard work as well as the effectiveness of the educator in teaching. Educators in the 21st Century have come to understand the importance individual education since the young generation of today is the future of tomorrow (Brighouse & Woods 1999). Just as it is in the business world and other industries, the educational sector has become a diverse and cultural center where students from different backgrounds come together to learn. Due to this fact alone, the educators o r teachers need to consider the fact that each individual student has their own special needs in as far as learning is concerned (Brown & Green 2011). For this, a planning process is required. ... According to majority of literature focusing on education, learning is more likely to result to change in practice once a needs assessment has been carried out as personal incentive tends to drive educational effort. Creation of a Needs Assessment Plan can be made for a number of reasons and therefore it is important that its objective or goal be defined, and determine the method of delivery (Brighouse & Woods 1999). It is believed that needs assessment in itself enhances educational effectiveness as well as the outcome but it is crucial that it be placed within the wider process of planned learning (Brown & Green 2011). Educators need to be aware of the fact that individual and group learning needs differ where one may fail to address important needs and interests of individual students. It is thus important to develop a balance when establishing a needs assessment. As aforementioned, the world is rapidly changing and this creates pressure on educational institutions to ensure acces sibility and equity where resources are lacking or are less. There is also an increased demand in the need for institutional autonomy in addition to tremendous and heightened transformations taking place in a turbulent external environment (Brighouse & Woods 1999). One importance of a Needs Assessment Plan in learning is to examine as well as evaluate discrepancies while facilitating the creation of priorities of responses to the needs (Brown & Green 2011). A needs assessment is an important instrument of educational planning, evaluation and implementation where decisions about priorities are made. It also reduces uncertainty with regards to the planning process. Irrespective of their differences, students are expected to

Seven Ways To Socialize With Your Employees (And Not Get In Trouble) Research Paper

Seven Ways To Socialize With Your Employees (And Not Get In Trouble) - Research Paper Example In an administrative setting, socialization is a method and a new employee understands how to pull the strings, by flattering responsive attitude towards the prescribed and casual arrangement and the explicit manner to understand the regulations of deeds (Socialization). Different organizational settings require different setups and behavior and the employees have to abide by the set regulations. Employees have to meet each other to share their views and thoughts and to formulate a strategy to march ahead. These socialization process are imperative in developing an understanding towards each other and also to build a repo and social circle as it aids in better working atmosphere. Mingling with people, sharing ideas and thoughts are the essential components of a developing personality. In certain organizations the employer does not seem to socialize with the employees, rather the employer finds it degrading to mingle with the employees. On the contrary, it is essential to socialize with the employees and to motivate them to work with more co-ordination. In order to get more from your employees it is essential to socialize with them for varied reasons ... It is essential that the employer make the team members or the employees special about themselves. It is essential to motivate the team as salary and wages only could not do wonders but giving something in terms of motivation will add a fire to the sense of loyalty and also the feeling of belongingness (Six Keys to Motivating Your Team). 3. A few gestures and words of appreciation work better for the efficient and close-knit team- Saying "Thank you" and also acknowledging their efforts brings a remarkable difference. It works well under the conditions of economic constraints and when the market is not making much rise. It is essential to understand the psychology behind the motivation of the employees as different employees need different factors for motivation. For the employer it is essential to socialize with the employees in order to know the team and thereby to create an environment where the employees can remain positive and happy and try their best to harness the results the e mployer is searching for (Six Keys to Motivating Your Team). 4. Understanding the employees sooner the better- If the employees are devoting extra time, without much benefit and monetary gains, hardworking employees become discouraged and they tend to remain unmotivated to fulfill the task in the desired manner therefore it is essential to keep appreciating the staff from time to time. It is essential that appreciation should be done in the time frame as after a long interval if the employer appreciates the charm of getting appreciation is lost and the entire duration goes in waiting to listen to the words of admiration from the employers. It is therefore desired that the employers must socialize well with the employees and in admire them for all their efforts in a

Choroidal Neovascularization :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Choroidal Neovascularization If you had to give up one of your five senses, which would it be? Would you give up your ability to see? A startling number of people lose their eyesight due to an eye disorder known as choroidal neovascularization. And soon I may be one of them. Although there is no known cure for this unfortunate disease, studies have been conducted to find the appropriate surgical treatment. The outer portion of the 2.5 cm human eye is composed of three primary layers of tissue. The outermost layer is called the sclera, which acts as a protective coating. Within this layer the transparent cornea is present in the front area of the eyeball. Under the sclera is the choroid where the majority of blood vessels and the iris are located. The light-sensitive layer is known as the retina. As mentioned, the choroid contains most of the eyeball's blood vessels. It is also the layer prone to bacterial and secondary infections. Choroidal neovascularization is a process in which new blood vessels grow in the choroid, through the Bruch membrane and invade the subretinal space. Because there is currently no medical treatment for this disease this abnormal growth can easily lead to the impairment of sight or complete loss of vision. Three main diseases that cause choroidal neovascularization are age-related macular degeneration, myopia and ocular trauma. The Wisconsin Beaver Dam Study showed that 1.2% of 43-86 year old adults with age-related macular degeneration developed choroidal neovascularization. The study also proved that choroidal neovascularization was caused by myopia in 5-10% of myopes. Ocular trauma, another cause of choroidal neovascularization, is for reasons unknown found more often in males than females. More than 50 eye diseases have been linked to the formation of choroidal neovascularization. Even though most of these causes are idiopathic, among the known causes are related to degeneration, infections, choroidal tumors and or trauma. Among soft contact lens wearers choroidal neovascularization can be caused by the lack of oxygen to the eyeball. Unlike age-related macular degeneration, age is irrelevant to this cause. Although no medical treatments have proven to be a cure for choroidal neovascularization, particular antiangiogenic substances such as thalidomide, angiostatic steroid, and metalloproteinase inhibitors are currently being tested. Through surgical testing, partial removal of choroidal neovascularization proved to be useless. Therefore the focus has been placed on photodynamic therapy, a procedure approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Life in America

Life in America was written by Thomas Low Nichols in the 1830s, it was a text that captured the life and the situation of the country some years after the 1812 war. It is somewhat hard to establish the precise genre of the text, since the literary styles were somewhat different in those days.The specific term here is somewhat, since all the literary genres that exist today also existed then, but some writing styles that existed in mid 19th century do not really exist anymore and the text by Nichols might just belong to a writing style that is gone.Essay writing in its original definition could be described as a writing of a report (e.g. about a country or a situation) in a rather poetic manner. This kind of writing was very popular in the 19th century since much of the period’s literature was inspired by epic works, struggles, revolutions and the romantic spirit. Revolutionary poems and this kind of â€Å"epic journalism† were very popular.The style to which the Nichols text bears such resemblance had a close relation to what used to called Travel Writing in several European languages. It is similar to the descriptive or epic journalism but it as an account of   a journey by a writer or a journalist, to some extent an equivalent to a foreign correspondent nowadays. Before the telegraph that was the only way to be kept in tune with the news abroad, the correspondent would send weekly or monthly reports through the mail and the texts would be published in journals or weeklies.Thomas Low Nichols is the perfect example of a high middle class amateur writer. The language he uses and the emphasis that is given to education in the text show a high level of education. He actually writes as a professional and was a writer by dedication (a quite famous one) but that most probably wasn’t his main source of income.High middle class people in post revolutionary America usually had family estates or businesses to run and wrote, practiced law or got inv olved into politics for patriotic, personal or sentimental reasons rather then looking for a career as the case is today.Nichols is obviously from an estate and business owning family. He shows us that through the story of his father: â€Å"My father had been drafted as a militia-man during the war of 1812, and might have fought in the famous battle of Plattsburg had not his business engagements made it necessary for him to hire a substitute, by which he lost not only much glory, but the bounty-money and a hundred and sixty acres of land, which was afterwards given to every surviving soldier whose name could be found upon the rolls of the army.†His father’s job was obviously important enough to allow him to hire a substitute as well as the fact that he became colonel shows a background of education and wealth.The most probable purpose of Nichols becoming a journalist and an author is a mixture of love for writing, patriotic feelings, positive hopes for a new country an d a new world.He belongs to the post revolutionary generation that might have lived through some periods of the revolution, but were too young to take any active part in it. His generation was more optimistic and â€Å"easy going† then their fathers as well as they were more cultured and interested in arts and poetry then their revolutionary fathers were. They also enjoyed a better and more certain economic situation then their struggling fathers. In other words Nichol’s generation was softer and more progressive.They were also very proud of what their fathers accomplished and Nichols actually gives us a mixed account of what has been accomplished by the war of independence as well as by the Cultural Revolution that was a direct result of the post revolutionary struggle for America’s place as a young and progressive country.His writing is basically directed at young Americans and Europeans in order to show them the progress that was accomplished in the 30-odd ye ars of the country’s independence. He writes first hand from personal experience and the literary sources available at the time.