Measurement and modeling of moisture content above an oscillating water table: implications for beach surface moisture dynamics

This study examined the influence of tidally‐induced oscillations of the beach water table in regulating beach surface moisture dynamics. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the influence of hysteresis and transient flow effects on surface moisture variability. The experimental apparatus utilized a column of well‐sorted fine sand partially immersed in a reservoir of water. The water level in the reservoir was raised and lowered via a diaphragm‐metering pump to simulate tidally induced fluctuations of the water table, and the moisture content profile within the column was monitored using an array of Delta‐T probes. Moisture contents at specific elevations within the column were utilized as proxies to represent various ‘surface’ elevations (relative to the high water table). Results indicate that surface moisture content behaves in a distinctly hysteretic manner. Examination of water flow scanning curves illustrated that for all surface elevations considered, higher moisture contents for a given pressure head occurred during the drying cycle than during the wetting cycle. This observation is particularly evident with shallow surface elevations (i.e. water table close to the surface) where the Haines Jump phenomenon was found to have a significant influence on moisture content dynamics. Additionally, an assessment of the accuracy of hysteretic and non‐hysteretic models to predict the measured moisture contents demonstrated that hysteretic simulations consistently provide a better representation of the observed moisture contents than non‐hysteretic simulations. A time lag was found between the respective maxima and minima in water table elevation surface moisture content. At the near surface water table positions the time lag ranged between 30 and 100 minutes, and it increased to 240 minutes (four hours) with the high water table at 60 cm below the surface. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mean wind speed profiles in the surface layer above wavy water surface

Analysis of field and laboratory measurements and theoretical studies was used to establish that the generally adopted logarithmic shape of wind speed profile near the ocean surface does not hold in the presence of waves. It was shown that, under the conditions of developing or developed waves at high wind speed, this profile assumes the form of two logarithmic branches, which join at a large height where wave-induced pulsations of wind speed decay. A model of wind speed profile under these conditions was constructed.Translated from Vodnye Resursy, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2005, pp. 165–170.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Matushevskii.     

Multivariate analyses of water chemistry: surface and ground water interactions

Multivariate statistical methods (MSMs) applied to ground water chemistry provide valuable insight into the main hydrochemical species, hydrochemical processes, and water flowpaths important to ground water evolution. The MSMs of principal component factor analysis (FA) and k-means cluster analysis (CA) were sequentially applied to major ion chemistry from 211 different ground water-sampling locations in the Amargosa Desert. The FA reduces the number of variables describing the system and finds relationships between major ions. The CA of the reduced system produced objective hydrochemical facies, which are independent of, but in good agreement with, lithological data. The derived factors and hydrochemical facies are innovatively presented on biplots, revealing composition of hydrochemical processes and facies, and overlaid on a digital elevation model, displaying flowpaths and interactions with geologic and topographic features in the region. In particular, a distinct ground water chemical signature is observed beneath and surrounding the extended flowpath of Fortymile Wash, presenting some contradiction to contemporary water levels along with potential interaction with a fault line. The signature surrounding the ephemeral Fortymile Wash is believed to represent the relic of water that infiltrated during past pluvial periods when the amount of runoff in the wash was significantly larger than during the current drier period. This hypothesis and aforementioned analyses are supported by the examination of available chloride, oxygen-18, hydrogen-2, and carbon-14 data from the region.     

Shaking table tests and dynamic analyses of masonry wall buildings with frame-shear walls at lower stories

This paper describes shaking table tests of three eight-story building models： all are masonry structures in the upper stories, with or without frame-shear walls of one- or two- stories at the bottom. The test results of damage characteristics and seismic responses are provided and compared. Then, nonlinear response analyses are conducted to examine the reliability of the dynamic analysis. Finally, many nonlinear response analyses are performed and it is concluded that for relatively hard sites under a certain lateral stiffness ratio （i.e., the ratio of the stiffness of the lowest upper masonry story to that of the frame- shear wall story）, the masonry structure with one-story frame-shear wall at the bottom performs better than a structure built entirely of masonry, and a masonry structure with frame-shear wall of two stories performs better than with one-story frame- shear wall. In relatively soft soil conditions, all three structures have similar performane. In addition, some suggestions that could be helpful for design of masonry structures with ground story of frame-shear wall structure in seismic intensity region VII, such as the appropriate lateral stiffness ratio, shear force increase factor of the frame-shear wall story, and permissible maximum height of the building, are proposed.     

Shaking table tests and dynamic analyses of masonry wall buildings with flame-shear walls at lower stories

This paper describes shaking table tests of three eight-story building models: all are masonry structures in the upper stories, with or without frame-shear walls of one- or two- stories at the bottom. The test results of damage characteristics and seismic responses are provided and compared. Then, nonlinear response analyses are conducted to examine the reliability of the dynamic analysis. Finally, many nonlinear response analyses are performed and it is concluded that for relatively hard sites under a certain lateral stiffness ratio (I.e., the ratio of the stiffness of the lowest upper masonry story to that of the frame-shear wall story), the masonry structure with one-story frame-shear wall at the bottom performs better than a structure built entirely of masonry, and a masonry structure with frame-shear wall of two stories performs better than with one-story frame-shear wall. In relatively soft soil conditions, all three structures have similar performane. In addition, some suggestions that could be helpful for design ofmasomy structures with ground story of frame-shear wall structure in seismic intensity region VII, such as the appropriate lateral stiffness ratio, shear force increase factor of the frame-shear wall story, and permissible maximum height of the building, are proposed.     

Shaking table tests and numerical analyses of an RC coupled wall structure with replaceable coupling beams

The replaceable coupling beam (RCB) is an innovative structural component developed to increase the seismic resilience of reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall structures. In this study, two 1/5‐scale 5‐story 3‐dimensional RC shear wall structures—one with conventional RC coupling beams and the other with RCBs—were designed, constructed, and tested on a shaking table. The failure pattern, dynamic properties, and structural responses, including the acceleration, displacement, story force, and strain responses, of the 2 structures are compared under earthquake excitations. The test results demonstrate that the seismic performance of the structure with RCBs was improved when RCBs were working compared with the structure with conventional RC coupling beams. In addition, the replaceable devices suffering the severe damage during an earthquake can be conveniently replaced after the earthquake. However, after the sudden failure of RCBs during the severe earthquakes, the inter‐story drift and floor acceleration of the structure with RCBs became larger. The design and manufacture quality of RCBs should be improved to avoid the sudden failure. Then, numerical models for the test structures were established using the commercial software PERFORM‐3D. Numerical simulations of the tests were conducted. The simulation results correspond well with the experimental results, thus verifying the accuracy of the numerical models. The RC shear wall structure installed with RCBs can be applied as a new type of earthquake‐resilient structure in engineering practice.     

Analytical solution of water table fluctuations above an inclined leaky layer due to ditch recharge

Ditch recharge is a method used for raising a water table. However, if the aquifer lies above a leaky layer, then the leaky bed will have an effect on the height of the water table. This paper attempts to provide an analytical solution of the transient state to the linearized Boussinesq equation. The solution proposed in this paper is intended for a generalized form of the leaky layer, with the boundary condition of the water level moving according to an exponential form. The results of theoretical analysis and experimental studies can provide a much better explanation of ditch recharge on an inclined leaky layer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time-lapse borehole radar monitoring of an infiltration experiment in the vadose zone

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an effective tool for imaging the spatial distribution of water content. An artificial groundwater recharge test was conducted in Nagaoka City in Japan, and time-lapse crosshole GPR data were collected to monitor the infiltration process in the vadose zone. Since electromagnetic wave velocities in the vadose zone are largely controlled by variations in water content, an increase in traveltime is interpreted as an increase in saturation. In the test zone, the infiltrated water penetrated downward with an average velocity of about 2.7 m/h. A finite-difference time-domain method using two-dimensional cylindrical coordinates is applied to simulate radargrams associated with the advancing wetting front and to quantify the effects of critical refraction. Standard zero-offset profiling for which all first-arrivals are assumed to be direct waves results in an underestimation of water content in the transition zone above the wetting front. As a result, correct velocity analysis requires identification of first-arriving critically refracted waves from the traveltime profile to accurately determine a water content profile.     

Air and water entrapment in the vicinity of the water table

A laboratory tank was used to study entrapment of water in coarse sand lenses above the water table and of air in coarse sand lenses below the water table. Monitoring of these experiments involved a combination of visual inspection, measurement of moisture content, and measurement of air/water pressure. The medium consisted of coarse sand lenses with various degrees of vertical connectivity embedded within a fine sand matrix. Experiments were performed under conditions of both drainage (from a fully saturated medium) and imbibition. Observations during drainage included: (1) water was trapped in the coarse sand zones above the water table at heights significantly greater than anticipated from consideration of capillary rise in the coarse sand; (2) rapid drainage of these same coarse zones occurred when air penetrated into these zones through the surrounding fine sands; and (3) prior to the time of penetration of the coarse sand by air, water pressure in the coarse zone dropped significantly below atmospheric pressure. Observations during imbibition included: (1) entrapment of air within coarse sands below the water table, (2) the pore fluids in these zones varied spatially from predominantly air to predominantly water, and (3) pressure in the trapped air phase was significantly greater than pressure in the water phase in the surrounding fine sand. Overall, these results demonstrated significant sensitivity to the geometry of the coarse sand inclusions, particularly the vertical connectivity of the coarse sand lens.     

Comparison of surface and borehole locations of induced seismicity

Monitoring of induced microseismic events has become an important tool in hydraulic fracture diagnostics and understanding fractured reservoirs in general. We compare microseismic event and their uncertainties using data sets obtained with surface and downhole arrays of receivers. We first model the uncertainties to understand the effect of different acquisition geometries on location accuracy. For a vertical array of receivers in a single monitoring borehole, we find that the largest part of the final location uncertainty is related to estimation of the backazimuth. This is followed by uncertainty in the vertical position and radial distance from the receivers. For surface monitoring, the largest uncertainty lies in the vertical position due to the use of only a single phase (usually P‐wave) in the estimation of the event location. In surface monitoring results, lateral positions are estimated robustly and are not sensitive to the velocity model. In this case study, we compare event location solutions from two catalogues of microseismic events; one from a downhole array and the second from a surface array of 1C geophone. Our results show that origin time can be reliably used to find matching events between the downhole and surface catalogues. The locations of the corresponding events display a systematic shift consistent with a poorly calibrated velocity model for downhole dataset. For this case study, locations derived from surface monitoring have less scatter in both vertical and horizontal directions.     

Inverse upscaling of hydraulic parameters during constant flux infiltration using borehole radar

Modeling unsaturated flow in porous media requires constitutive relations that describe the soil water retention and soil hydraulic conductivity as a function of either potential or water content. Often, the hydraulic parameters that describe these relations are directly measured on small soil cores, and many cores are needed to upscale to the entire heterogeneous flow field. An alternative to the forward upscaling method using small samples are inverse upscaling methods that incorporate soft data from geophysical measurements observed directly on the larger flow field. In this paper, we demonstrate that the hydraulic parameters can be obtained from cross borehole ground penetrating radar by measuring the first arrival travel time of electromagnetic waves (represented by raypaths) from stationary antennae during a constant flux infiltration experiment. The formulation and coupling of the hydrological and geophysical models rely on a constant velocity wetting front that causes critical refraction at the edge of the front as it passes by the antennae. During this critical refraction period, the slope of the first arrival data can be used to calculate (1) the wetting velocity and (2) the hydraulic conductivity of the wet (or saturated) soil. If the soil is undersaturated during infiltration, then an estimate of the saturated water content is needed before calculating the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity value is then used in a nonlinear global optimization scheme to estimate the remaining two parameters of a Broadbridge and White soil.     

Constraining water table depth simulations in a land surface model using estimated baseflow

Several recent studies have shown the significance of representing groundwater in land surface hydrologic simulations. However, optimal methods for model parameter calibration in order to realistically simulate baseflow and groundwater depth have received little attention. Most studies still use globally constant groundwater parameters due to the lack of available datasets for calibration. Moreover, when models are calibrated, various parameter combinations are found to exhibit equifinality in simulated total runoff due to model parameter interactions. In this study, a simple lumped groundwater model is incorporated into the Community Land Model (CLM), in which the water table is interactively coupled to soil moisture through the groundwater recharge fluxes. The coupled model (CLMGW) is successfully validated in Illinois using a 22-year (1984–2005) monthly observational dataset. Baseflow estimates from the digital recursive filter technique are used to calibrate the CLMGW parameters. The advantage obtained from incorporating baseflow calibration in addition to traditional calibration based on measured streamflow alone is demonstrated by a Monte Carlo-type simulation analysis. Using the optimal parameter sets identified from baseflow calibration, flow partitioning and water table depth simulations using CLMGW are improved, and the equifinality problem is alleviated. For other regions that lack observations of water table depth, the baseflow calibration approach can be used to enhance parameter estimation and constrain water table depth simulations.     

井地磁异常模量联合反演

三维反演是磁测数据定量解释的重要方法,在金属矿勘探中扮演着重要的角色.但是在实际矿区的应用中,传统的磁总场异常反演方法依然存在两个问题：一是地面磁异常反演的深度分辨率较低,深部场源体的成像效果差;二是金属矿中可能包含强剩磁,反演结果可能是完全错误的.尽管前人对上述两个问题分别进行了广泛的研究,但尚未尝试同时解决这两个问题.本文在前人研究的基础上,提出了一种井地磁异常模量联合反演方法,该方法需要的控制参数少,无需加入额外的地质信息,且可用于多场源复杂磁异常的反演,具有较强的适用性.本文方法首先将地面和井中磁异常转化为模量数据,然后利用基于核函数或距离的加权函数将井地模量数据结合起来,使得该方法适用于联合反演.我们利用井地多种异常参量进行反演的模型试验表明,在强剩磁存在时,本文方法的效果优于其他方法,在减少剩磁影响的同时,也改善了深部成像效果,具有良好的应用前景.

     

Recharge,upflux and water table response for shallow water table conditions in southwest Florida

A disproportionate increase or decrease in water table in response to minor water input or drainage is observed in shallow water table conditions inside drainage lysimeters. This increase happens because the capillary fringe of the shallow water table reaches up to or near the surface (Wieringermeer effect). The correlations between water table level changes and rainfall, seepage irrigation, drip irrigation, and drainage were analysed. Correlations with rainfall, seepage irrigation, and drainage were high (R² ranged from 0·46 to 0·97). Drip irrigation had low correlations due to the low rates of application (R² ranged from 0·26 to 0·44). Conventional methods of calculating recharge, such as multiplying the specific yield with the water table fluctuations, cannot be used for Wieringermeer effect situations. A method using water balance data and soil moisture at different depths in the lysimeters was developed to estimate recharge and upflux. The recharge results were used to develop the apparent specific yield S_ya, which could be used to calculate consequent recharge events from water table fluctuation data. Combining the water table fluctuation relationships developed with the S_ya value will allow the prediction of recharge from rainfall and irrigation events without the need for soil moisture equipment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

核电站设备的振动台试验

本文进行了核电站设备（IS型单级单吸清水离心泵）的动力特性测试和振动台试验，使用自由振动衰减法、白噪声激振法和半功率点法分别测出了水泵在三个方向上的自振频率和阻尼比。给出了楼板加速度时程的模拟方法。根据本文给出的模拟方法和楼板反应谱，模拟了楼板加速度时程，并进行了水泵的振动台试验。振动台试验是在水泵工作状态下进行的。     

Shake table tests of structures subject to pounding

Pounding between adjacent structures during earthquakes may significantly modify their response in terms of forces and displacements. In addition, it has a considerable influence on acceleration and thus on floor response spectra. Therefore, pounding may be unfavorable to the response of equipment. Despite extensive research in this field, the effects of pounding on structures are difficult to quantify accurately. This article presents results of shake table tests carried out on two representative scale adjacent structures subject to pounding. Besides investigating the effects of the gap between structures and the excitation signal, this study examines also the effect of tying the two structures together by means of rigid links to suppress pounding. The results of the experimental campaign are then compared with those of numerical simulations. Analyses and experimental results show good agreement regarding both impact forces and interstorey drifts.     

Evaluation of reliquefaction resistance using shaking table tests

Cases of modern and prehistoric liquefaction illustrate that sand deposits can be liquefied again (or “reliquefied”) by a subsequent earthquake after initially liquefying during seismic shaking. In order to test the validity of two postulates regarding reliquefaction mechanisms and to examine the role of gradational characteristics on reliquefaction resistance, 1 g shaking table tests were performed using five sands with differing gradation characteristics. The test results demonstrate that the number of cycles required to reliquefy each sand decreased significantly following the 1st liquefaction event as a result of destroying the “aged” sand fabric developed prior to the 1st shaking event via secondary compression of the initially loose sands. Reliquefaction resistance correlated reasonably well with a proxy for c_v (∝D₁₀²D_r^2.8), illustrating that both the permeability and compressibility of the sand play significant roles in the post-liquefaction fabric (and hence reliquefaction resistance) formed by a sand. While the initial decrease in reliquefaction resistance supports both the Oda et al. [8] and the Olson et al. [5] reliquefaction postulates, only the Olson et al. [5] postulate reasonably explains the subsequent, large increase in reliquefaction resistance observed during the 3rd through 5th shaking events. These tests suggest that the coefficient of consolidation, c_v=k_v/γ_wm_v (or proxy values such as D₁₀²D_r^2.8 or D₁₀/C_U) may be a useful tool for evaluating reliquefaction potential in forward and inverse (i.e., paleoliquefaction) analysis.     

Sea surface shape derivation above the seismic streamer

The rough sea surface causes perturbations in the seismic data that can be significant for time‐lapse studies. The perturbations arise because the reflection response of the non‐flat sea perturbs the seismic wavelet. In order to remove these perturbations from the received seismic data, special deconvolution methods can be used, but these methods require, as input, the time varying wave elevation above each hydrophone in the streamer. In addition, the vertical displacement of the streamer itself must also be known at the position of each hydrophone and at all times. This information is not available in conventional seismic acquisition. However, it can be obtained from the hydrophone measurements provided that the hydrophones are recorded individually (not grouped), that the recording bandwidth is extended down to 0.05 Hz and that data are recorded without gaps between the shot records. The sea surface elevation, and also the wave‐induced vertical displacement of the streamer, can be determined from the time‐varying pressure that the sea waves cause in the hydrophone measurements. When this was done experimentally, using a single sensor seismic streamer without a conventional low cut filter, the wave induced pressure variations were easily detected. The inversion of these experimental data gives results for the sea surface elevation that are consistent with the weather and sea state at the time of acquisition. A high tension approximation allows a simplified solution of the equations that does not demand a knowledge of the streamer tension. However, best results at the tail end of the streamer are obtained using the general equation.     

Shake table tests for the seismic fragility evaluation of hospital rooms

Health care facilities may undergo severe and widespread damage that impairs the functionality of the system when it is stricken by an earthquake. Such detrimental response is emphasized either for the hospital buildings designed primarily for gravity loads or without employing base isolation/supplemental damping systems. Moreover, these buildings need to warrant operability especially in the aftermath of moderate‐to‐severe earthquake ground motions. The provisions implemented in the new seismic codes allow obtaining adequate seismic performance for the hospital structural components; nevertheless, they do not provide definite yet reliable rules to design and protect the building contents. To date, very few experimental tests have been carried out on hospital buildings equipped with nonstructural components as well as building contents. The present paper is aimed at establishing the limit states for a typical health care room and deriving empirical fragility curves by considering a systemic approach. Toward this aim, a full scale three‐dimensional model of an examination (out patients consultation) room is constructed and tested dynamically by using the shaking table facility of the University of Naples, Italy. The sample room contains a number of typical medical components, which are either directly connected to the panel boards of the perimeter walls or behave as simple freestanding elements. The outcomes of the comprehensive shaking table tests carried out on the examination room have been utilized to derive fragility curves based on a systemic approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.