Variability and trends in daily minimum and maximum temperatures and in the diurnal temperature range in Lithuania,Latvia and Estonia in 1951–2010

Spatial distribution and trends in mean and absolute maximum and minimum temperatures and in the diurnal temperature range were analysed at 47 stations in the eastern Baltic region (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) during 1951–2010. Dependence of the studied variables on geographical factors (latitude, the Baltic Sea, land elevation) is discussed. Statistically significant increasing trends in maximum and minimum temperatures were detected for March, April, July, August and annual values. At the majority of stations, the increase was detected also in February and May in case of maximum temperature and in January and May in case of minimum temperature. Warming was slightly higher in the northern part of the study area, i.e. in Estonia. Trends in the diurnal temperature range differ seasonally. The highest increasing trend revealed in April and, at some stations, also in May, July and August. Negative and mostly insignificant changes have occurred in January, February, March and June. The annual temperature range has not changed.     

Spatial response of two European atmospheric circulation classifications (data 1901–2010)

Air pressure field and circulation pattern frequencies were investigated to (1) locate and compare positions of the underlying pressure fields, (2) analyse the spatial dimension of affected areas, (3) create schematic maps of important circulation types and (4) compare the classification types in their response to the data. Two manual classifications were used, selected for the length of their time series and their applicability to a larger region: the Grosswetterlagen classification (GWLc) and the Vangengeim–Girs classification (VGc). Their time series were correlated with a global set of gridded monthly sea-level pressure data. Results show the different conceptual orientation of VGc (hemispheric) and GWLc (continental). The highest correlation values and the largest affected areas are visible in winter, where patterns frequently extended into northern Africa and western Asia. Schematic maps, illustrating the average location of main pressure centres, are provided for basic classes of both classifications. Re-arranging GWLc subtypes increases the classifications comparability with the VGc. Analysis of moving correlation coefficients reveals high fluctuations in the relation of both classifications over time.     

A dynamic 2DH flocculation model for coastal domains

Ocean Dynamics - A dynamic two-dimensional depth-averaged (2DH) parameterization for flocculation of cohesive sediments is proposed based on the kinetic model by Winterwerp (J Hydraul Res...     

Deep slices and the Supercluster-Void Network

We compare the properties of superclusters of Abell clusters with those of superclusters of loose groups from the Las Campanas Redshift Survey. We show that supercluster intersections with the LCRS slices coincide with the high-density regions of the galaxy distribution. The orientation of superclusters in respect of line-of-sight is nearly random, with a slight excess of systems oriented perpendicularly to the line of sight.     

Stability and tightness evaluation of bedded rock salt formations for underground gas/oil storage

The presence of interfaces has a critical influence on the stability and tightness of underground gas/oil storages. In China, these energy storages are constructed mainly in bedded salt formations and are widely distributed. Therefore, it is necessary to study the sedimentary rhythm and mechanical characteristics of the interfaces between beds. The petrologic study of core samples from exploratory wells in Yunying Salt Mine, Hubei Provence, China, reveals a sedimentary rhythm and multiple interfaces of bedded salt formations: (1) Mudstone–anhydrite–glauberite–Glauber’s salt–salt rock–mudstone are periodically deposited in sequences. Chemical deposition, the predominant formation mechanism, and mechanical deposition appear alternately and result in the formation of sedimentary multicycles; (2) depending on whether a certain component of the rhythm is lacking or not, interfaces are divided into sequential depositional interfaces and intermittent depositional interfaces. Depending on the deposition frequency, interfaces can also be classified into dominant interfaces and secondary interfaces. Depending on whether the mineral composition changes gradually or abruptly, interfaces can be divided into gradual transition interfaces and discrete discontinuous interfaces. Based on the classification of the interfaces together with scanning electron microscope analyses, the cementation state and strength of the interfaces are discussed. Both field investigations and laboratory tests show that the strengths of the chemical deposition interfaces are higher than those of the mechanical deposition interfaces. Specifically, interfaces of mudstone and rock salt are mostly weak. Taking into account the presence of weak interfaces, the strength of interbedded salt formations around caverns can be represented by a U-shaped lower-bound strength envelope curve, which means that shear failure may occur more easily at the haunches of the cavern. Therefore, when setting the range of the internal operating pressures, more attention should be paid to the shear strength of the weak interlayers and weak interfaces, in particular those at the haunches of the cavern, to ensure the stability and tightness of underground gas/oil stores.     

Climatology of precipitation extremes in Estonia using the method of moving precipitation totals

A method of moving precipitation totals is described and applied for the analysis of precipitation extremes in Estonia. Numbers of extremely wet and extremely dry days and other indices of precipitation extremes were calculated using the daily precipitation data measured at 51 stations over Estonia during 1957–2009. Mean regularities of spatial and seasonal distribution were determined. Long-term changes were detected using Sen's method and Mann–Kendall test. The highest risk of heavy precipitation is in the regions of higher mean precipitation on the uplands and on the belt of higher precipitation in the western part of continental Estonia. Wet spells have their sharp maxima in July and August. The highest risk of droughts is observed in the coastal regions of West Estonia. In the coastal area, droughts appear mostly in the first half of summer, while in the eastern Estonia, they are usually observed during the second half of summer. Extreme precipitation events have become more frequent and intense. Statistically significant increasing trends were, first of all, found in the time series of winter extreme precipitation indices. In summer and autumn, trends existed in some indices, but in spring, there were no trends at all. There were no trends in time series of dryness indices in Estonia in 1957–2009.     

The effect of protective pillars on the deformation of mine shafts

Summary Mine shafts have traditionally been protected by leaving the ore in the immediate surroundings of the shafts in place as a pillar. Empirical rules are used to determine the dimensions of these protective pillars. The face element principle introduced by Salamon has been used to compute functions which express the influence of mining in a horizontal seam on the rock mass above it. Values have been calculated for the tilt, distortion, horizontal and vertical strain, curvature, and vertical stress along a shaft for various values of Poisson's ratio, seam depth, pillar radius, mining geometry, and closure over the mined area. The results are compared with those obtained using empirical ideas, particularly the angle of draw concept in determining pillar size. It appears that the depth of the seam is of major significance and that no pillar is needed for the protection of a shaft when the mined seam is beyond a certain depth. On the other hand it is possible, at all depths, to replace the protective action of a shaft pillar by other mining schemes. A significant amount of information which has been published on experience gained during the mining of shaft pillars tends to indicate that in many mines shaft pillars are excessively large.

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Zusammenfassung Schachtsicherheitspfeiler, die den Schacht vor Abbaueinwirkungen schützen sollen, werden gewöhnlich aufgrund von Erfahrungswerten bemessen.Die durch den Abbau in einem Flöz flacher Lagerung verursachten Einwirkungen auf einen saigeren Schacht sind hier nach dem Flächenelement-Prinzip ermittelt, wie Salamon es einführte. Entlang der Schachtsäule wurden die Schiefstellung, Verschiebung, horizontale und vertikale Dehnung, Krümmung und vertikale Spannung berechnet. Dabei wird der Einfluß der Querdehnungszahl, der Flöztiefe, des Pfeilerradius, der Form des Abbaufeldes und der Konvergenz im Flöz betrachtet. Diese Ergebnisse werden mit empirischen Regeln verglichen. Dabei ergab sich, daß die Tiefe des Flözes erhebliche Bedeutung hat und daß zum Schutze des Schachtes kein Pfeiler benötigt wird, wenn das abgebaute Flöz unterhalb einer bestimmten Teufe liegt. Auf der anderen Seite ist es für alle Tiefen möglich, den Schutz des Schachtes durch den Sicherheitspfeiler ersetzende geeignete Abbaumethoden zu gewährleisten.Manche Veröffentlichungen lassen erkennen, daß Schachtsicherheitspfeiler oft unnötig groß bemessen sind.

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Résumé En général la protection des puits est accomplie par l'abandon d'une partie du gisement, le stot de puits. Les dimensions des stots sont déterminées par des méthodes empiriques.Dans cette étude c'est la méthode proposée par Salamon qui est employée; il s'agit du calcul de l'influence de l'extraction d'un élément de taille sur les morts terrains supérieurs. Cette méthode permet de calculer les déformations, la pente, la distorsion, la courbure et les tensions le long du puits. L'influence de la profondeur de la couche, de la convergence, de l'aire exploitée, du diamètre du stot de protection et des caractéristiques mécaniques du terrain ont été considérées.Les résultats indiquent l'importance particulière de la profondeur du gisement. En effet, au-delà d'une certaine profondeur un stot de protection devient superflu. D'autre part l'influence de l'aire exploitée et de la convergence dans cette région sont telles qu'il est toujours possible de remplacer l'action protectrice du stot par une protection equivalente fournie par l'emploi d'un schèma d'exploitation bien choisi.Le nombre de cas où une exploitation partielle ou entière du stot de puits a eu lieu et où son influence sur la colonne du puits a été décrite est suffisant pour permettre d'affirmer qu'en général les dimensions du stot de puits sont trop importantes.

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With 11 Figures