Comments on ‘A comparative study of ANN and neuro-fuzzy for the prediction of dynamic constant of rockmass’

Singh et al (2005) examined the potential of the ANN and neuro-fuzzy systems application for the prediction of dynamic constant of rockmass. However, the model proposed by them has some drawbacks according to fuzzy logic principles. This discussion will focus on the main fuzzy logic principles which authors and potential readers should take into consideration.     

Triple diagram method for the prediction of wave height and period

Many formulations have been developed so far to predict the wave height and period from fetch length and wind blowing duration for a constant wind speed. This study aimed to predict wave parameters from fetch length and meteorological factors by using triple diagram methodology based on Kriging principles. Proposed model results were compared with Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) model which is used so commonly in the ocean and coastal engineering studies. For the implementation of the methodology hourly wave and wind data were obtained from a buoy located in Lake Ontario. Numerical and graphical comparisons demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms the classical formulation.     

Point Cumulative Semivariogram for Identification of Heterogeneities in Regional Seismicity of Turkey

Geological events are neither isotropic nor homogeneous in their occurrences. These two properties present difficulties for spatial modeling of regionalized variables. This paper presents a point cumulative semivariogram (PCSV) technique for quantifying the heterogeneity characteristics of the phenomenon concerned. The basis of the methodology is to obtain experimental PCSVs for each measurement point which led to estimation of radius of influence around each site. In addition, the experimental PCSVs provide basic information about the heterogeneity of the geological variable in the region, and furthermore many useful interpretations can be made concerning the regional variability of the variable. It provides the measure of cumulative similarity of a regional variable around any measurement site. Because PCSV is a means of measuring total similarity, maps at fixed similarity levels are provided in order to document the regional heterogeneity. Identification of heterogeneities depends on the comparison of fixed PCSV values at a multitude of irregularly scattered sites. The PCSV methodology has been applied to the regional seismic data of Turkey.     

Return period and risk calculations for ocean wave energy applications

The statistical behavior of wave energy at a site strongly depends on the wave characteristics. Wave energy converters fail to produce energy when there are no sufficiently available wave heights. Hence, evaluation of return periods and risk values of the minimum wave height becomes important for wave energy studies. A time index representing the minimum wave height is proposed here for ocean wave applications. Persistence plays a significant role in the calculation of return period and risk. Although ignoring the serial independence makes calculations easy, it leads to overestimations of the real status. In this paper, return periods and risk values are compared with each other by taking into consideration independent and dependent situations. Application of the study is achieved for the stations located in the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.     

Aquifer heterogeneity determination through the slope method

In arid‐region wadis, groundwater storage lies within shallow Quaternary alluvium deposits, which are connected with the present‐day hydrological cycle and, therefore, are replenished due to occasional runoff and flash flood occurrences. The groundwater resources are precious in these environments; therefore, their potentiality must be assessed with care in the best manner. The aquifer potentiality is calculated after the storativity and transmissivity parameter estimations, which require rather long‐duration field tests with restrictive assumptions in the theoretical model developments, such as the homogeneity and isotropy. It is the main purpose of this paper to expose the fundamentals of the slope‐matching procedure (SMP) and its application for short‐duration field tests in arid‐region aquifers. In this manner, the subsurface hydrogeological behaviours of the bored land pieces at and around the well locations are prospected in a detailed and refined manner. It is shown that in many cases the classical techniques are appropriate, inconvenient and inapplicable with conclusive reliable results and conclusions. The application of the SMP is presented for some aquifer tests from the central western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modified hydrograph method for arid regions

There is a real need for more research on regionalization of flood estimation methods in arid zones. Such estimations are important because reliable long‐term storm rainfall and corresponding runoff measurements are commonly unavailable. This is the situation in many parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hence, it is necessary to develop a new approach, one that suits the conditions found in the Kingdom, which depend on available, but incomplete measurements and catchment morphological features. In this paper, a modified methodology based on the classical Snyder approach is proposed and it is referred to as the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) approach in order to reflect works of this kind within the Survey. The basis of the methodology has two phases, namely, logical and empirical. The former phase is valid for any part of the world whether humid or arid, but the latter phase is location specific, which in the case of this paper, is the Arabian Peninsula. The application of the methodology is presented for Wadi Baysh, a major wadi in the south‐western part of the Kingdom. Furthermore, a synthetic unit hydrograph (UH) methodology based on a Gamma distribution function is also presented with applications to some of the Wadi Baysh sub‐basins. For this purpose, a dimensionless UH has been obtained, which is special for the area. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2015年夏季海南岛东部沿岸物理结构及浮游植物群落

琼东上升流（EHU）是南海北部最强劲的上升流系统之一。它的水动力过程已经被很多研究所揭示，但是它的浮游植物群落依然不清楚。通过利用卫星遥感数据和2015年上升流季节的航次数据，我们首次阐明了琼东上升流区域（EHU）和其临近区域雷州半岛东部上升流区（ELPU）浮游植物生物量和群落的空间结构。在夏季季风的驱动下，我们在琼东沿岸发现了一个显著的低温高盐冷舌。由于雷州半岛东部大陆架宽广平缓，ELPU比EHU相对较弱。在EHU,由于受潮汐和风浪混合的影响，高溶解氧浓度 (>6.0 mg/l)几乎从表层延伸到30米深度。其次，低溶解氧的海水(<6.0 mg/l, 缺氧)被上升流从底层抽吸到上层。ELPU和EHU相比有更差的DO状况，在EHU，底层DO浓度由于大量的消耗，浓度甚至低于3.5 mg/l。在EHU，浮游植物生物量最大值出现在30米水层而不是在表层，约为1.5 mg/m³。这表明了上升流对于浮游植物生长和DO分布的影响范围。由于营养物质输入丰富， ELPU处的浮游植物生物量比EHU高很多。在EHU处，浮游植物生物量最大值可以达到4.0 mg/m³。浮游植物生物量在EHU和ELPU的沿岸区域则降低到了大约0.2~0.3 mg/m³，而这个值与远海接近。在EHU的近岸，浮游植物群落结构被硅藻所主宰，大约占了浮游植物生物量的50%。原核生物（大约40%）、绿藻（大约20%）、原绿球藻（大约20%）组成了EHU的近岸的主要群落。在ELPU,硅藻大约占了浮游植物生物量的80%，其次是绿藻，这表明与EHU相比，这个区域是一个相对不同的生态系统。     

Rock Quality Designation Model Formulation and Simulation for Correlated Fracture Intact Lengths

An important factor in the rock quality assessment analysis from discontinuity measurements along a scanline is the correlation of intact lengths. The autorun model and first order autorun coefficient are proposed as a method for objectively quantifying intact length correlation structure and discontinuity occurrences along any scanline. Necessary definitions for the methodology are presented on a quantitative basis such as the alternative intact length percentages and experimental autorun coefficient. An expression is proposed for the number of discontinuity occurrences along a scanline depending on the scanline length, alternate intact length percentages, and the autorun coefficient. Monte Carlo simulation technique is used with a suitable autorun model to verify this expression. A mathematical expression is derived for the expected Rock Quality Designation (RQD) value by taking into account the correlation of the intact lengths. Additional simulations show the validity of the new RQD expression. With the methodology proposed much less engineering experience and judgment are required in estimating the RQD value from scanline measurements. The application of the methodology has been presented for some field data.