Unexpected soil amplification effect on seismic performance of highway bridges during the Aegean earthquake of October 2020, Mw 6.6

On October 30, 2020, an earthquake about 70 km away from the city center of Izmir with a 4.3 million population has shaken the city tremendously and has resulted in destruction of many building type of structures due to an unexpected high soil-amplified vibrations very similar to the Mexico City earthquake in 1985. The bridges at the soil-amplified sites has performed in elastic range with no damage at all. In the city of Izmir, the 42 year old twin bridges located on the main transportation route, were tremendously shaken by the earthquake had observed to have no seismic induced damage. Surprisingly twin bridges suffering from the alkali silica reaction (ASR) over the years did not even pound to each other despite the small size of longitudinal gap between them. As it has been known, the past performance of Turkish designed bridges are typically succesfull with almost no damage as observed in the Van 2011 and Sivrice 2020 earthquake mainly due to allowing movements at their joints and to flexible type of framing. The focus of the paper is given to understand the successful performance of bridges and to investigate the non-pounded twin bridges of the Izmir city. In this scope, a bridge inspection has been performed and the twin bridges have been analyzed for the recorded ground motion. The results have indicated that the structures have been subjected to 0.3 g at their vibration modes and the twin bridges have a synchronized motion due to having the identical vibration mode shape with a period of 1.5 seconds

Development of Northern Sea Route: Prospects for International Cooperation

Today due to global climate change the Northern Sea Route is being formed along the northern coast of Russia as a new international maritime passage in the Arctic. Due to the rapid increase in the interest of regional and non-Arctic states, the scientific community and business to this transportation route, there is a need to study the prospects for cooperation between Russia and other countries on the development of the Northern Sea Route. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the interests of external players in the NSR area, taking into account the latest changes and events, while the author uses swot-analysis and a comparative analytical approach to conduct the study. The results of the study have shown that cooperation with some Arctic countries on the development of the NSR could bring mutual benefits: Canada and Russia would exchange experience on the development of similar sea routes, and Norway and Iceland would receive advantages as hubs on new routes. Non-regional countries, such as China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and India, are interested in the NSR. For them, the Northern Sea Route is potentially shorter and safer compared to traditional routes, and it also allows to participate in projects located near its water area in science, energy and transport sectors. In turn, the participation of foreign partners is important for Russia, since it is usually accompanied by the active use of the route, the creation of large projects throughout its entire length, the attraction of serious funds, modern technologies and knowledge to the Arctic zone of the country.

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Determination of Land Compensation Value of PLN Tower on the Construction of TL 150 KV Kuala-Binjai

The purpose of the study is to find out and analyze how much influence the distance of tower land the central business district (CBD), distance of tower land to the government office, legal aspect of tower land, distance of the tower land to the public transportation route, and road class classification on land compensation value of PLN Tower on the construction of TL 150 KV Kuala-Binjai. This research is a quantitative descriptive research. The location of the research object is in Langkat Regency and Binjai City, North Sumatra Province, totaling 40 objects of land compensation value. All populations are as samples. The analytical method used is multiple linear regression. The results showed that the distance of the tower land to the central business district (CBD) has a significant effect on land compensation value. The distance of the tower land to the government office has a significant effect on land compensation value. The legal aspect of tower land has a significant effect on land compensation value. The distance of the tower land to the public transportation route has no significant effect on land compensation value. The road class classification has no significant effect on land compensation value. Keywords: Central Business District, Government Office, Legal Aspect, Public Transportation, Road Class Classification, Land Compensation Value.

An approach to greener overseas transport chain planning in FVL

The article deals with a very topical issue of environmental suitability of complex transport chains. Overseas transport chains in finished vehicle logistics (FVL) consist of a series of transport routes in which they successively combine rail, road and sea transport. It is necessary to know the input parameters and their impact on the operation of FVL, especially with the aim of evaluating the air pollutants produced and the energy efficiency (EE) achieved. The article gives a systematic approach in defining input parameters and their evaluation for efficient green transport chain planning. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated on an ongoing FVL of the export flow of luxury vehicles from Europe to Asian markets. Transport chains from four production sites in Central Europe to two loading ports in Koper and Bremerhaven, and in maritime RO-RO transport to four Asian unloading ports are analyzed. The results of the study show the need for more comprehensive planning of export FVL, including environmental assessment at the planning stage. Significant savings in energy consumption and reduction in GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions can be achieved by shifting cargo flows to the southern transportation route. The article enriches the current research on sustainable operation of FVL and provides applied results for infrastructural adaptation of the southern transport route.

Trade Promotion from Thailand to China As A Result Of a New Train Route

Objective - This paper aims to analyse the impact of the China-Laos railway on export trade from China to Thailand. The paper analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the new route and other routes base on driven factors, identifies what trade industry is suitable for this new route and provides some reference for Thai trade exporters. This will enable Thai export traders to understand the new transportation route formed by the railway and improve the trade volume and competitiveness of Thai products through this route. Methodology/Technique - Literature review method, secondary data method, in-depth interview method. Findings - It is found that the new route formed after the completion of the China-Laos railway has many advantages base on driven factors and many industries are suitable for the use of this new route. Novelty - Few people know much about the China-Laos railway, and even less about the analysis of its impact on Thailand's trade. The author's in-depth interview method allows him to get in touch with experts who are very relevant to the China-Laos railway, providing valuable insights. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Thai Products; Driving Factors; Route Selection; China-Laos Railway; In-depth Interviews; Secondary Data Method JEL Classification: F16, F18, F19.

TOTAL OIL CONTENT AND EPIPHYTIC DIATOM DENSITY IN SEAGRASSES LEAVES Enhalus acoroides AT PANDARATAN BEACH TAPANULI TENGAH REGENCY NORTH SUMATERA PROVINCE

The aimed of this study was to determine the total oil content at Pandaratan Beach, determine epiphytic diatoms density in seagrass leaves Enhalus acoroides at Pandaratan Beach, and determined the relationship between total oil content and epiphytic diatoms density in seagrass leaves E. acoroides at Pandaratan Beach. Based on the results of research conducted, the highest total oil content is in the area around the sea transportation route, namely 0.25 ppm and the lowest total oil content is in areas far from human activity, namely 0.16 ppm. The highest epiphytic diatoms density found in areas far from human activities, namely 932.21 Ind/cm2 and the lowest epiphytic diatoms density found in the area around the sea transportation lines, namely 663.41 Ind/cm2.The relationship between total oil content and epiphytic diatoms density at Pandaratan Beach, Tapanuli Tengah Regency, North Sumatra Province has a very weak relationship (r = 0.03).