Estimating the properties of weathered bedrock and pilerock interaction from the geological strength index

The effect of variable rock mass properties on pile-rock interaction poses a great challenge to the design of stabilizing piles and numerical analysis of pile-rock interaction. The paper presents a novel method to estimate the properties of weathered bedrock, which can be applied to routine design of landslide-stabilizing piles for collivial landslides. The Ercengyan landslide located in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China, is the area of interest for this study. A geological investigation and triaxial tests were conducted to estimate the basic parameters, including Geological Strength Index(GSI), uniaxial compressive strength σ_(ci) and Hoek-Brown constant m_i of intact bedrock in the study area. Hoek-Brown criterion was used to estimate mechanical properties of the weathered rock, including elastic modulus E_m, cohesion c, friction angle Φ, and normal ultimate lateral resistance p_(max). A parametric study was performed to evaluate the effect of parameterizations of GSI, σ_(ci) and m_i on the bedrock properties and p-y curves. The estimated rock mass properties were used with PLAXIS 2D software to simulate pile-rock interaction. Effect of GSI on stress at the pile-rock interface and in the rock, pile bending moment, pile shear force, and p-y curve were analysed.     

Spatial patch structure and adaptive strategy for desert shrub of Reaumuria soongorica in arid ecosystem of the Heihe River Basin

In many arid ecosystems, vegetation frequently occurs in high-cover patches interspersed in a matrix of low plant cover. However, theoretical explanations for shrub patch pattern dynamics along climate gradients remain unclear on a large scale. This context aimed to assess the variance of the Reaumuria soongorica patch structure along the precipitation gradient and the factors that affect patch structure formation in the middle and lower Heihe River Basin (HRB). Field investigations on vegetation patterns and heterogeneity in soil properties were conducted during 2014 and 2015. The results showed that patch height, size and plant-to-patch distance were smaller in high precipitation habitats than in low precipitation sites. Climate, soil and vegetation explained 82.5% of the variance in patch structure. Spatially, R. soongorica shifted from a clumped to a random pattern on the landscape towards the MAP gradient, and heterogeneity in the surface soil properties (the ratio of biological soil crust (BSC) to bare gravels (BG)) determined the R. soongorica population distribution pattern in the middle and lower HRB. A conceptual model, which integrated water availability and plant facilitation and competition effects, was revealed that R. soongorica changed from a flexible water use strategy in high precipitation regions to a consistent water use strategy in low precipitation areas. Our study provides a comprehensive quantification of the variance in shrub patch structure along a precipitation gradient and may improve our understanding of vegetation pattern dynamics in the Gobi Desert under future climate change.

     

Hydrological management strategies for the control of algal blooms in regulated lowland rivers

Reservoirs of lowland floodplain rivers with eutrophic backgrounds cause variations in the hydrological and hydraulic conditions of estuaries and low-dam reservoir areas, which can promote planktonic algae to proliferate and algal bloom outbreaks. Understanding the ecological effects of variations in hydrological and hydraulic processes in lowland rivers is important for algal bloom control. In this study, the middle and lower reaches of the Han River, China, a typical regulated lowland river with a eutrophic background, are selected. Based on the effect of hydrological and hydraulic variability on algal blooms, a hydrological management strategy for river algal bloom control is proposed. The results showed that (a) differences in river morphology and background nutrient levels cause significant differences in the critical threshold flow velocities for algal bloom outbreaks between natural river and low-dam reservoir sections; there is no uniform threshold flow velocity for algal bloom control. (b) There are significant differences in the river hydrological/hydraulic conditions between years with and without algal blooms. The average river flow, water level and velocity in years with algal blooms are significantly lower than those in years without algal blooms. (c) For different river sections where algal blooms occur and to meet the threshold flow velocities, the joint operation of cascade reservoirs and diversion projects is an effective method to prevent and control algal blooms in regulated lowland rivers. This study is expected to deepen our understanding of the ecological significance of special hydrological processes and guide algal bloom management in regulated lowland rivers.     

非等间距GM(1,1)模型的总体最小二乘算法及其病态问题

在非等间距GM(1,1)模型中，系数矩阵中有无误差的常数项和有误差的随机项，并且系数矩阵与观测向量误差同源，即系数矩阵与观测向量中有相同的元素存在，这些相同元素应该有相同的改正数，为此本文推导了一种适合非等间距GM(1,1)模型求解的总体最小二乘算法。同时，考虑到非等间距GM(1,1)模型中存在病态问题时影响总体最小二乘计算结果的稳定性，提出对系数矩阵常数列乘以某一常数的方法，以改善病态问题。     

中小型海水淡化装置及其能量回收技术的开发和应用

海水淡化是解决沿海地区淡水资源短缺问题的重要途径,目前我国适用于海岛、舰船和钻井平台等工况的中小型海水淡化装置及其能量回收技术还不完善。文章分别介绍手持式、自增压式和撬装式(船用、岛用和风光油储一体化)中小型海水淡化装置系列的技术特点,并按类别分别介绍装置关键技术即能量回收技术的工作原理,提出研发中小型海水淡化装置与能量回收一体机的系列化产品可有效降低能耗、促进技术进步和满足国内需求。     

Assessment of alternative adsorption models and global sensitivity analysis to characterize hexavalent chromium loss from soil to surface runoff

We investigate our ability to assess transfer of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), from the soil to surface runoff by considering the effect of coupling diverse adsorption models with a two‐layer solute transfer model. Our analyses are grounded on a set of two experiments associated with soils characterized by diverse particle size distributions. Our study is motivated by the observation that Cr(VI) is receiving much attention for the assessment of environmental risks due to its high solubility, mobility, and toxicological significance. Adsorption of Cr(VI) is considered to be at equilibrium in the mixing layer under our experimental conditions. Four adsorption models, that is, the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and linear models, constitute our set of alternative (competing) mathematical formulations. Experimental results reveal that the soil samples characterized by the finest grain sizes are associated with the highest release of Cr(VI) to runoff. We compare the relative abilities of the four models to interpret experimental results through maximum likelihood model calibration and four model identification criteria (i.e., the Akaike information criteria [AIC and AIC_C] and the Bayesian and Kashyap information criteria). Our study results enable us to rank the tested models on the basis of a set of posterior weights assigned to each of them. A classical variance‐based global sensitivity analysis is then performed to assess the relative importance of the uncertain parameters associated with each of the models considered, within subregions of the parameter space. In this context, the modelling strategy resulting from coupling the Langmuir isotherm with a two‐layer solute transfer model is then evaluated as the most skilful for the overall interpretation of both sets of experiments. Our results document that (a) the depth of the mixing layer is the most influential factor for all models tested, with the exception of the Freundlich isotherm, and (b) the total sensitivity of the adsorption parameters varies in time, with a trend to increase as time progresses for all of the models. These results suggest that adsorption has a significant effect on the uncertainty associated with the release of Cr(VI) from the soil to the surface runoff component.     

海水中铯-137的γ能谱测量不确定度评估

为科学评价测量结果的可靠性，对海水中137Cs γ能谱分析方法的不确定度进行了评估。根据《化学分析中不确定度的评估指南》，分析不确定度的来源并逐一对各不确定度分量进行了量化，最终计算了合成相对标准不确定度。结果表明，影响海水中137Cs γ能谱测量不确定度的因素分别为样品源137Cs峰区计数、标准源活度、取样体积、化学回收率、本底137Cs峰区计数及标准源137Cs峰区计数，其中样品源137Cs峰区计数的不确定度贡献最为突出。对于137Cs活度浓度为1.28 mBq/L的海水样品，其合成相对标准不确定度为9.78%。     

Geophysical Signature of the Shallow Water Flow in the Deepwater Basin of the Northern South China Sea

Shallow water flow (SWF), a disastrous geohazard in the continental margin, has threatened deepwater drilling operations. Under overpressure conditions, continual flow delivering unconsolidated sands upward in the shallow layer below the seafloor may cause large and long-lasting uncontrolled flows; these flows may lead to control problems and cause well damage and foundation failure. Eruptions from over-pressured sands may result in seafloor craters, mounds, and cracks. Detailed studies of 2D/3D seismic data from a slope basin of the South China Sea (SCS) indicated the potential presence of SWF. It is commonly characterized by lower elastic impedance, a higher Vp/Vs ratio, and a higher Poisson’s ratio than that for the surrounding sediments. Analysis of geological data indicated the SWF zone originated from a deepwater channel system with gas bearing over-pressured fluid flow and a high sedimentation rate. We proposed a fluid flow model for SWF that clearly identifies its stress and pressure changes. The rupture of previous SWF zones caused the fluid flow that occurred in the Baiyun Sag of the northern SCS.     

水下发射超空泡射弹对UUV平台姿态影响分析

超空泡射弹武器能够突破普通射弹水中运动极限，有效打击水雷等水下目标。针对水下发射超空泡射弹武器的平台适应性开展了初步研究，建立了超空泡射弹武器及 UUV 搭载平台仿真模型，计算分析了水下超空泡射弹武器在不同方位、不同角度发射时 UUV 平台姿态角的变化，得到了水下发射超空泡射弹对 UUV 平台姿态的影响规律，为水下超空泡射弹武器系统及其平台适配性研究提供了依据。     

利用短期静态PPP结果反演海潮负荷位移

采用香港11个GPS测站的观测资料进行1 h、2 h、3 h和4h静态PPP解算，获得4组PPP坐标序列，利用调和分析求取11个测站处8个主要分潮的负荷位移参数（振幅和相位），将其与海潮模型计算的负荷位移参数进行对比，并比较分析PPP反演值与海潮模型值改正海潮负荷信号的效果。结果表明，垂直和水平方向上，不同PPP结果反演8个分潮的负荷位移分别具有约5 mm和7 mm的差异；PPP反演8个分潮垂向负荷位移优于全球海潮模型，但水平方向上的反演效果稍弱。