A continuum damage concrete model for earthquake analysis of concrete gravity dam–reservoir systems

In this study, the earthquake damage response of the concrete gravity dams is investigated with considering the effects of dam–reservoir interaction. A continuum damage model which is a second-order tensor and includes the strain softening behavior is selected for the concrete material. The mesh-dependent hardening technique is adopted such that the fracture energy dissipated is not affected by the finite element mesh size. The dynamic equilibrium equations of motion are solved by using the improved form of the HHT-α time integration algorithm. Two dimensional seismic analysis of Koyna gravity dam is performed by using the 1967 Koyna earthquake records. The effects of damage on the earthquake response of concrete gravity dams are discussed. Comparison of the Westergaard and Lagrangian dam–reservoir interaction solutions is made. The effects of viscous damping ratio on the damage response of the dam are also studied.     

基于局部加密非结构化网格的三维电阻率法有限元数值模拟

总结了目前常用的结构化网格及其局限性,分析了非结构化网格对复杂地质体边界的适应性和Delaunay三角化算法及其网格加密策略,提出了一种新的局部节点加密方法,实现了对复杂模型的完全非结构化四面体全自动剖分,给出了三维直流电阻率模拟中四面体网格的质量评价标准和最优指标.计算和分析表明,数值解在点电流源及附近的奇异区精度最低,网格加密策略可以有效地减少其影响,极大地提高数值解的精度.本文提出的局部节点加密策略计算量最小,对精度的改善也优于经典方法.在精度要求苛刻或模型十分复杂时,局部体积加密策略和二次单元是高精度模拟的可靠保证.     

Analytical Solutions for Water Flow and Solute Transport in the Unsaturated Zone

Analytical solutions for the water flow and solute transport equations in the unsaturated zone are presented. We use the Broadbridge and White nonlinear model to solve the Richards’ equation for vertical flow under a constant infiltration rate. Then we extend the water flow solution and develop an exact parametric solution for the advection-dispersion equation. The method of characteristics is adopted to determine the location of a solute front in the unsaturated zone. The dispersion component is incorporated into the final solution using a singular perturbation method. The formulation of the analytical solutions is simple, and a complete solution is generated without resorting to computationally demanding numerical schemes. Indeed, the simple analytical solutions can be used as tools to verify the accuracy of numerical models of water flow and solute transport. Comparison with a finite-element numerical solution indicates that a good match for the predicted water content is achieved when the mesh grid is one-fourth the capillary length scale of the porous medium. However, when numerically solving the solute transport equation at this level of discretization, numerical dispersion and spatial oscillations were significant.     

Discontinuous Steady‐State Analytical Solutions of the Boussinesq Equation and Their Numerical Representation by Modflow

Known analytical solutions of groundwater flow equations are routinely used for verification of computer codes. However, these analytical solutions (e.g., the Dupuit solution for the steady‐state unconfined unidirectional flow in a uniform aquifer with a flat bottom) represent smooth and continuous water table configurations, simulating which does not pose any significant problems for the numerical groundwater flow models, like MODFLOW. One of the most challenging numerical cases for MODFLOW arises from drying‐rewetting problems often associated with abrupt changes in the elevations of impervious base of a thin unconfined aquifer. Numerical solutions of groundwater flow equations cannot be rigorously verified for such cases due to the lack of corresponding exact analytical solutions. Analytical solutions of the steady‐state Boussinesq equation, associated with the discontinuous water table configurations over a stairway impervious base, are presented in this article. Conditions resulting in such configurations are analyzed and discussed. These solutions appear to be well suited for testing and verification of computer codes. Numerical solutions, obtained by the latest versions of MODFLOW (MODFLOW‐2005 and MODFLOW‐NWT), are compared with the presented discontinuous analytical solutions. It is shown that standard MODFLOW‐2005 code (as well as MODFLOW‐2000 and older versions) has significant convergence problems simulating such cases. The problems manifest themselves either in a total convergence failure or erroneous results. Alternatively, MODFLOW‐NWT, providing a good match to the presented discontinuous analytical solutions, appears to be a more reliable and appropriate code for simulating abrupt changes in water table elevations.     

面向目标自适应海洋可控源电磁三维矢量有限元正演

本文实现了一种面向目标自适应海洋可控源电磁三维矢量有限元方法.为满足三维复杂电性结构模拟的需求,网格剖分采用非结构化六面体.在组装刚度矩阵之后,形成的大型复数线性方程组分解为等价的实数形式,利用带预条件的广义最小残差法进行求解.在获得微分方程的解之后,为提高解的准确性,通过面向目标的自适应误差估计来指示网格细化,重点加密能使观测点数值模拟精度提高的网格.对于大规模三维数据,为了使模型空间的并行计算达到均衡负载的效果,我们使用METIS函数库来进行网格计算任务量的划分.最后,通过对比一维解析解与三维自适应矢量有限元计算结果,验证了程序的正确性;通过自适应过程中误差指示子的分布,验证了面向目标自适应的有效性;通过对三维复杂模型进行均衡负载下的并行计算,测试了程序的可扩展性.     

三角网格有限元法波动模拟的数值频散及稳定性研究

三角网格有限元法能够准确模拟复杂构造和复杂介质条件下的地震波场,数值频散和稳定性条件是地震波数值模拟中参数选择的主要依据.基于均匀的线性三角网格单元,根据结构刚度矩阵的组装原理以及平面波理论,推导了集中质量矩阵下两种网格结构的声波频散函数以及稳定性条件,并对数值频散特性以及稳定性进行了详细研究:三角网格单元中波动的数值频散除了受到空间采样间隔、单元网格纵横比和波传播方向等常规因素的影响外,还受到网格布局的影响,过锐或过钝的三角单元会对波动数值频散产生不良的影响,不同类型的单元网格、单元纵横比对应着不同的稳定性条件,正三角单元中的波动具有较好的数值频散特性,其数值各向异性(频散随波传播方向的变化)效应最弱,稳定性条件也较为宽松.最后通过数值模拟直观地验证了以上分析结果,为有限元正演三角网格的剖分和参数的设置提供一定的理论依据.     

Numerical solution of the dam failure problem by the random choice method

A numerical solution of the dam failure problem as described by the one-dimensional shallow water equations is presented. The construction of the solution is based on the random choice method consisting in the superposition of locally theoretical solutions and sampling techniques. The search of the optimal sampling is performed through the application of the random choice method to the scalar wave equation. The dam failure problem is then solved and a comparison with the theoretical solution is presented. It is shown that the random choice method computes the bore with almost infinite resolution, represents exactly the constant state behind it and calculates the depression wave with great accuracy.     

Stability and accuracy of two-dimensional kinematic wave overland flow modeling

A two-dimensional finite element based overland flow model was developed and used to study the accuracy and stability of three numerical schemes and watershed parameter aggregation error. The conventional consistent finite element scheme results in oscillations for certain time step ranges. The lumped and the upwind finite element schemes are tested as alternatives to the consistent scheme. The upwind scheme did not improve on the stability or the accuracy of the solution, while the lumped scheme provided stable and accurate solutions for time steps twice the size of time steps needed for the consistent scheme. A new accuracy based dynamic time step estimate for the two-dimensional overland flow kinematic wave solution is developed for the lumped scheme. The newly developed dynamic time step estimates are functions of the mesh size, and time of concentration of the watershed hydrograph. Due to lack of analytical solutions, the time step was developed by comparing numerical solutions of various levels of discretization to a reference solution using a very fine mesh and a very small time step. The time step criteria were tested on a different set of problems and proved to be adequate for accurate and stable solutions. A sensitivity analysis for the watershed slope, Manning’s roughness coefficient and excess rainfall rate was conducted in order to test the effect of parameter aggregation on the stability and accuracy of the solution. The results of this analysis show that aggregation of the slope data resulted in the highest error. The roughness coefficient had a smaller effect on the solution while the rainfall intensity did not show any significant effect on the flow rate solution for the range of rainfall intensity used. This work pioneers the challenge of providing guidelines for accurate and stable numerical solutions of the two-dimensional kinematic wave equations for overland flow.     

Variable-density flow and transport in porous media: approaches and challenges

We review the state of the art in modeling of variable-density flow and transport in porous media, including conceptual models for convection systems, governing balance equations, phenomenological laws, constitutive relations for fluid density and viscosity, and numerical methods for solving the resulting nonlinear multifield problems. The discussion of numerical methods addresses strategies for solving the coupled spatio-temporal convection process, consistent velocity approximation, and error-based mesh adaptation techniques. As numerical models for those nonlinear systems must be carefully verified in appropriate tests, we discuss weaknesses and inconsistencies of current model-verification methods as well as benchmark solutions. We give examples of field-related applications to illustrate specific challenges of further research, where heterogeneities and large scales are important.     

Response of piles and pile groups to travelling SH-waves

The response of single piles and pile groups under vertically and obliquely incident seismic waves is obtained using the hybrid boundary element (BEM) formulation. The piles are represented by compressible beam-column elements and the soil as a hysteretic viscoelastic half-space. A recently developed Green function corresponding to the dynamic Mindlin problem is implemented in the numerical formulation. Exact analytical solutions for the differential equations for the piles under distributed harmonic excitations are used. Treating the half-space as a three-dimensional elastic continuum, the interaction problem is formulated by satisfying equilibrium and displacement compatibility along the pile-soil interface. Solutions adopted for the seismic waves are obtained by direct integration of the differential equations in terms of amplitudes. Salient features of the seismic response are identified in several non-dimensional plots. Results of the analyses compare favourably with the limited data available in the literature.     

A depth-averaged tidal numerical model using non-orthogonal curvilinear co-ordinates

The two-dimensional shallow-water equations are developed for non-orthogonal curvilinear co-ordinates, in terms of the local deviations of the mesh from east and north. The equations are discretised and applied to a numerical model of tides in the Menai Strait in north Wales. The mesh is designed partially to fit the coastline and deep channels in the domain. After calibration, the model produces results which correspond well with measurements. This research was carried out while on sabbatical leave from University of Plymouth.     

Probabilistic modeling of aquifer heterogeneity using reliability methods

A probabilistic model of groundwater contaminant transport is presented. The model is based on coupling first- and second-order reliability methods (FORM and SORM) with a two-dimensional finite element solution of groundwater transport equations. Uncertainty in aquifer media is considered by modeling hydraulic conductivity as a spatial random field with a prescribed correlation structure. FORM and SORM provide the probability that a contaminant exceeds a target level at a well, termed the probability of failure. Sensitivity of the probability of failure to basic variabilities in grid block conductivity is also obtained, at no additional computational effort. The effect of the choice of the predetermined target level at the observation well is provided, along with its effect on the relevant sensitivity information. Considerable saving in computational time was achieved by superimposing a coarse random variables mesh on a finer numerical mesh. The presence of regions of lower conductivity on the probabilistic event is analyzed, and the regions in which conductivity most affects the results are identified.     

A higher order continuum model for the dynamic shear behaviour of multi-storey frames

A continuum model is developed to predict the response of multi-storey frames to dynamic excitations. The equations of the proposed theory are derived in a systematic manner using smoothing operations. The order of the theory is kept arbitrary. To appraise the validity of the theory natural frequencies and vibration shapes predicted by discrete and continuum models are compared. This comparison provides valuable information about goodness of the proposed model because natural frequencies and vibration shapes represent spectral structure of the theory. The most crucial finding obtained from the analysis is that, as an implication of the smoothing operations used in the derivation of the theory, one should define an effective height which is equal to the height of the frame plus half of the height of the top storey. The numerical results indicated that the use of effective height in the analysis improves the prediction of the theory considerably. It is found also that the number of modes the continuum model can describe correctly increases with the number of storeys and that the lowest number of storeys for which the theory can be used is three. Further, it is observed that an increase in the order of the theory improves greatly its prediction and that in the presence of non-uniform distributions of frame properties, such as, of mass, stiffness, etc., the theory still remains valid.     

A residual flow procedure and application for free surface flow in porous media

A finite element procedure based on the extension of the saturated flow domain into the partially saturated zone above the free surface is proposed. The finite element equations are derived by using a pseudo variational principle which results into a residual or correction load vector. The steady or transient free surface is corrected by using the residual load in an iterative scheme. The proposed procedure uses only one (initial) mesh and does not require modification of the mesh during iterations. It is compared (qualitatively) with other procedures such as variable mesh and variational inequalities. The procedure provides satisfactory comparisons with a number of closed-form solutions and laboratory test results; two applications involving the latter are described in the paper.     

Numerical simulation of overflow at vertical weirs using a hybrid level set/VOF method

This paper presents the applications of a newly developed free surface flow model to the practical, while challenging overflow problems for weirs. Since the model takes advantage of the strengths of both the level set and volume of fluid methods and solves the Navier-Stokes equations on an unstructured mesh, it is capable of resolving the time evolution of very complex vortical motions, air entrainment and pressure variations due to violent deformations following overflow of the weir crest. In the present study, two different types of vertical weir, namely broad-crested and sharp-crested, are considered for validation purposes. The calculated overflow parameters such as pressure head distributions, velocity distributions, and water surface profiles are compared against experimental data as well as numerical results available in literature. A very good quantitative agreement has been obtained. The numerical model, thus, offers a good alternative to traditional experimental methods in the study of weir problems.     

Analysis of high-frequency local coupling instability induced by multi-transmitting formula—P-SV wave simulation in a 2D waveguide

Local coupling instability will occur when the numerical scheme of absorbing boundary condition and that of the field wave equation allow energies to spontaneously enter into the computational domain. That is, the two schemes support common wave solutions with group velocity pointed into the computation domain. The key to eliminate local coupling instability is to avoid such wave solutions. For lumped-mass finite element simulation of P-SV wave motion in a 2D waveguide, an approach for stable implementation of high order multi-transmitting formula is provided. With a uniform rectangular mesh, it is proven and validated that high-frequency local coupling instability can be eliminated by setting the ratio of the element size equal to or greater than \(\sqrt 2 \) times the ratio of the P wave velocity to the S wave velocity. These results can be valuable for dealing instability problems induced by other absorbing boundary conditions.     

Optimal weighting in the finite difference solution of the convection-dispersion equation

Oscillation and numerical dispersion limit the reliability of numerical solutions of the convection-dispersion equation when finite difference methods are used. To eliminate oscillation and reduce the numerical dispersion, an optimal upstream weighting with finite differences is proposed. The optimal values of upstream weighting coefficients numerically obtained are a function of the mesh Peclet number used. The accuracy of the proposed numerical method is tested against two classical problems for which analytical solutions exist. The comparison of the numerical results obtained with different numerical schemes and those obtained by the analytical solutions demonstrates the possibility of a real gain in precision using the proposed optimal weighting method. This gain in precision is verified by interpreting a tracer experiment performed in a laboratory column.     

A moving mesh algorithm for 3-D regional groundwater flow with water table and seepage face

A numerical algorithm is described for solving the free-surface groundwater flow equations in 3-D large-scale unconfined aquifers with strongly heterogeneous conductivity and surface recharge. The algorithm uses a moving mesh to track the water-table as it evolves according to kinematic and seepage face boundary conditions. Both steady-state and transient algorithms are implemented in the SECO-Flow 3-D code and demonstrated on stratigraphy based on the Delaware Basin of south-eastern New Mexico.     

Stream tube integration method for analysing subsurface fluid flow

A stream tube integration method is introduced to solve transient subsurface fluid flow problems. The method combines a geometry-embedded form of Darcy's Law and the notion of location of average. Two types of problems, transient radial flow to a well of finite radius in an areally infinite aquifer and in a double porosity system, are solved by the stream tube integration method and the integral finite difference method. Results of the solutions show that the stream tube integration method, with fixed coarse mesh, are more accurate and better behaved than the integral finite difference method, with fine mesh. The fixed mesh stream tube integration method is readily extended to the moving mesh method. With much coarse mesh, the moving mesh technique can obtain the same accurate results as the fixed mesh stream tube integration method. It is suggested that the stream tube integration method is a viable way to state, solve, interpret and verify numerical solutions. The method provides efficient computation and improved accuracy for analysing subsurface fluid flow. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modeling of lock-exchange gravity/turbidity currents by a high-order upwinding combined compact difference scheme

This study presents two-dimensional direct numerical simulations for sediment-laden current with higher density propagating forward through a lighter ambient water.The incompressible NavierStokes equations including the buoyancy force for the density difference between the light and heavy fluids are solved by a finite difference scheme based on a structured mesh.The concentration transport equations are used to explore such rich transport phenomena as gravity and turbidity currents.Within the framework of an Upwinding Combined Compact finite Difference(UCCD)scheme,rigorous determination of weighting coefficients underlies the modified equation analysis and the minimization of the numerical modified wavenumber.This sixth-order UCCD scheme is implemented in a four-point grid stencil to approximate advection and diffusion terms in the concentration transport equations and the first-order derivative terms in the Navier-Stokes equations,which can greatly enhance convective stability and increase dispersive accuracy at the same time.The initial discontinuous concentration field is smoothed by solving a newly proposed Heaviside function to prevent numerical instabilities and unreasonable concentration values.A two-step projection method is then applied to obtain the velocity field.The numerical algorithm shows a satisfying ability to capture the generation,development,and dissipation of the Kelvin-Helmholz instabilities and turbulent billows at the interface between the current and the ambient fluid.The simulation results also are compared with the data in published literatures and good agreements are found to prove that the present numerical model can well reproduce the propagation,particle deposition,and mixing processes of lock-exchange gravity and turbidity currents.