On the use of biorthogonalization for solving systems of linear equations in numerical weather forecasting

Summary The paper deals with the solving of large systems of linear equations which are created when implicit and semi-implicit differential methods are used to solve the primitive equations of the atmosphere. Systems with similar properties are also created in solving boundary problems of multi-level filtered models. First, the specific properties of these systems, which are then used to construct an efficient method of solving them, are described.     

How to solve systems of linear algebraic equations with symmetrical positive semidefinite matrices in the problems of gravimetry and magnetometry

Highly efficient new methods for solving the systems of linear algebraic equations with symmetrical positive semidefinite matrices are considered.     

Algorithm for solving 3-D problems of em induction by means of a vector integral equation

Summary An algorithm is presented for solving the problem of electromagnetic induction in a halspace with a 3-D perturbing body under a harmonically variable exciting field. There are analysed properties of the Green's tensor function elements as well as their integrals in elementary prismatic volumes into which the body is divided. The results, obtained from numerical computations, are given for a long highly conducting prism, which is one of the models in the COMMEMI project.

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Coefficient estimation for a generalized equation of earthquake magnitude by means of the linear programming

Summary Beginning with a definition to the equation of the earthquake magnitude a generalization of this equation is obtained by approximating the magnitude and depth — distance functions with the help ofmth andnth degree polynomial functions. The determination of the polynomial function coefficients is proposed to be done either by the method of the least squares or by the linear programming. Owing to the solving proportions the use of electronic computers is considered as being necessary. By means of this generalized equation, magnitude equations formerly studied by different authors, are obtained through particularisation.     

Analysis of geodynamo equations by means of perturbation theory

Abstract

Perturbation theory methods are developed for the kinematic geodynamo equations. The vector Green's function is constructed for the unperturbed equation, which includes the axisymmetric differential rotation. While investigating the perturbation series, we consider a special case in which the decay rates of the axisymmetric toroidal and poloidal dipoles are degenerate. For a number of models within the framework of the theory developed, estimates are given for generation conditions and for observed characteristics of the geomagnetic field.     

Balancing the source terms in a SPH model for solving the shallow water equations

A shallow flow generally features complex hydrodynamics induced by complicated domain topography and geometry. A numerical scheme with well-balanced flux and source term gradients is therefore essential before a shallow flow model can be applied to simulate real-world problems. The issue of source term balancing has been exhaustively investigated in grid-based numerical approaches, e.g. discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods and finite volume Godunov-type methods. In recent years, a relatively new computational method, smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH), has started to gain popularity in solving the shallow water equations (SWEs). However, the well-balanced problem has not been fully investigated and resolved in the context of SPH. This work aims to discuss the well-balanced problem caused by a standard SPH discretization to the SWEs with slope source terms and derive a corrected SPH algorithm that is able to preserve the solution of lake at rest. In order to enhance the shock capturing capability of the resulting SPH model, the Monotone Upwind-centered Scheme for Conservation Laws (MUSCL) is also explored and applied to enable Riemann solver based artificial viscosity. The new SPH model is validated against several idealized benchmark tests and a real-world dam-break case and promising results are obtained.     

Use of Picard and Newton iteration for solving nonlinear ground water flow equations

This study examines the use of Picard and Newton iteration to solve the nonlinear, saturated ground water flow equation. Here, a simple three-node problem is used to demonstrate the convergence difficulties that can arise when solving the nonlinear, saturated ground water flow equation in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems with and without nonlinear boundary conditions. For these cases, the characteristic types of convergence patterns are examined. Viewing these convergence patterns as orbits of an attractor in a dynamical system provides further insight. It is shown that the nonlinearity that arises from nonlinear head-dependent boundary conditions can cause more convergence difficulties than the nonlinearity that arises from flow in an unconfined aquifer. Furthermore, the effects of damping on both convergence and convergence rate are investigated. It is shown that no single strategy is effective for all problems and how understanding pitfalls and merits of several methods can be helpful in overcoming convergence difficulties. Results show that Picard iterations can be a simple and effective method for the solution of nonlinear, saturated ground water flow problems.     

Optimal control of linear and nonlinear asymmetric structures by means of passive energy dampers

Asymmetric structures experience uneven deformation demand among different resisting planes and stories when subjected to earthquake excitation. Damage is focused in some elements jeopardizing structural integrity. These structures are common in professional practice because of architectural and functionality constraints. In this scenario the use of energy dissipation devices (EDD) has arisen as an advisable solution to balance and minimize structural damage. Procedures for the design of linear structures equipped with EDD have been widely proposed in the literature, few of them deal with the optimum spatial distribution of nonlinear systems. This paper evaluates and compares the optimized spatial damper distribution of linear and nonlinear systems. An optimization technique is presented based on control indexes called min–max algorithm. Then, this technique is compared with two simple methodologies: (i) the fully stressed design, which is an analysis‐redesign procedure, and (ii) the simplified sequential search algorithm (SSSA), which is a sequential method. It is pointed out that the SSSA is a fixed step coordinate descent type method. The examples considered show that the SSSA is a discrete approximation of the min–max algorithm, not only for linear but also for nonlinear structures equipped with linear and nonlinear EDD. Furthermore, it is found that the distribution of EDD obtained from a linear analysis is a good approximation of the nonlinear optimal solution. The SSSA is a reliable method that can be applied to achieve drift and torsional balance for design purposes; moreover, it can be implemented with conventional tools available in professional practice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A re-evaluation of equivalent linear models for simple yielding systems

Commonly used equivalent linear models for simple yielding systems subjected to harmonic and earthquake excitations are re-evaluated. It is shown that with respect to damping, these models contain the same basic information. Reported differences in the literature are simply due to scaling: since the product of the equivalent stiffness and equivalent damping is a constant, smaller damping values would be obtained by the use of the small amplitude equivalent stiffnesses. It is argued that for harmonic excitation, the secant stiffness is an appropriate representation of equivalent stiffness, leading to large equivalent damping values that increase with ductility. For earthquake excitation the Iwan proposal is shown to be the preferred model leading to larger damping values than previously reported. A comparison of the models for harmonic and earthquake excitations shows that, in general, and at comparable ductilities, damping values due to harmonic excitation are about five times those due to earthquake excitation, and the period changes due to harmonic excitation are about twice those due to earthquake excitation.     

The method of linear integral representations for solving 3D structural inverse problems of potential theory

The algorithm for the solution of a three-dimensional (3D) structural inverse problem in potential theory is described. The algorithm is based on the method of linear integral representations and on the method of extending compacts. The proposed approach is verified on model examples for an anomalous gravity field.     

Eulerian-Lagrangian localized adjoint methods for systems of nonlinear advective-diffusive-reactive transport equations

The contamination of groundwater by various hazardous materials has emerged as a primary environmental issue. The pollution of oil reservoirs is a closely related problem in that microorganisms are involved in the contaminant process. The mathematical models that describe these phenomena involve a set of nonlinear advective-diffusive-reactive transport equations, which may involve reactions with all the species and are themselves coupled to growth equations for the subsurface bacterial population. In this article, we discuss and compare different mathematical models, present Eulerian-Lagrangian localized adjoint methods (ELLAM) and combine them with specific linearization techniques to solve these nonlinear transport systems. The derived numerical schemes systematically adapt to the changing features of governing equations. The relative importance of advection, diffusion and reaction is directly incorporated into the schemes by judicious choice of the test functions in the variational formulations. Numerical experiments are presented to show the potential of these methods.     

An iterative method for finding small magnetic objects in the subsurface by linear and non-linear inversion1

A method to determine the position and magnetization vector of buried objects producing a magnetic anomaly is described. The data used were collected in boreholes. Since the anomaly is due to a number of objects, a ‘stripping’ procedure is employed for finding them, and therefore the process of inversion for finding all objects causing the anomaly consists of a few inversion steps. In each inversion step, two dipoles are considered as a model which approximates an object. The position and magnetic moments of the dipoles are the unknown parameters. The initial parameters are optimized by minimization of an objective function. The optimization procedure consists of a combination of linear and non-linear inversion. The solution of the linear inversion is obtained by singular value decomposition and that of the non-linear inversion by a six-dimensional simplex method (polytope algorithm). After finding one object, its effect is subtracted (‘stripped’) from the data and a new inversion step is started with new initial models and with a reduced data set. The inversion steps for finding different objects are continued until the absolute norm of the data becomes less than some adjustable value. The data will also be inverted assuming a three-dipole model in order to find the effect of using a more complex model in the inversion. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated using synthetic and real borehole data.     

Solution of viscously damped linear systems using a set of load-dependent vectors

This paper considers a solution method for viscously damped linear structural systems which are subjected to transient loading. The equations of motion of such systems are written in a first-order form. A solution subspace is generated using the damped dynamic matrix and the static deflection from the first-order form of the equations of motion. Two convenient bases, Lanczos vectors and Ritz vectors, are constructed from this subspace. An approximate solution is then obtained by superposition of the Lanczos vectors or the Ritz vectors. In contrast to the traditional mode superposition method using complex eigenvectors, the Lanczos vectors or the Ritz vectors are less expensive to generate than the complex eigenvectors, yet yield comparable accuracy. In addition, there is no need for a static correction since the static deflection is already contained in our solution subspace. Numerical examples are presented to show the potential of using the Ritz vectors to compute responses of damped dynamic systems.     

An exact numerical time integration of scalar equations for undamped structural systems

An exact numerical time integration of scalar equations for undamped structural systems is presented. Typical numerical examples are included to illustrate the use of the proposed procedure.     

Modelling the non‐linear hydrological behaviour of a small Mediterranean forested catchment

A progressive perceptual understanding approach was used to identify a model structure able to represent the non‐linear behaviour of the hydrological cycle in a small intermittent Mediterranean stream. The initial lumped model structure consisting of a series of four connected water tanks (LU3) progressed to a model with five tanks (LU4), and finally to a semidistributed model structure (SD4) in which spatial variability of the evapotranspiration according to the vegetation cover and to the local aspect was considered. In the final model structure, which gave the best fit (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index = 0·78), an additional tank representing the riparian zone was included (SD4‐R). Results showed that the abrupt changes of the riparian water table during summer and the formation of a perched water table during the transition from dry to wet conditions were the main mechanisms leading to the non‐linear hydrological behaviour. The transpiration process from the saturated zone and the spatial variability of evapotranspiration resulted in key factors successfully representing the annual water balance. The spatial and temporal validations carried out for each of the four model structures considered in this study supported the hypothesis adopted during the calibration process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A methodology for dynamic analysis of linear structure-foundation systems with local non-linearities

An efficient computational technique is presented for the dynamic analysis of large linear structural systems with local non-linearities. The earthquake response evaluation for many practical structures belongs to this class of problems. The technique provides a rational approach to the earthquake-resistant design of structure-foundation systems with predetermined non-linearities occurring along the structure-foundation interface. Various possibilities for base isolation systems are naturally fitted within the proposed framework. In particular, we address uplifting of the structure as a natural base isolation concept. We use the dynamic substructuring technique and an efficient numerical algorithm which accommodates non-proportional damping as a consistent way to reduce significantly the computational effort, which is in sharp contrast to the vast majority of ad-hoc simplified models used for the same purpose. A numerical example which demonstrates the vibration isolation effect when the uplifting of the concrete gravity dam occurs is also presented.     

Non‐linear seismic analysis and vulnerability evaluation of a masonry building by means of the SAP2000 V.10 code

The aim of the paper is to explore the possibilities offered by SAP2000^® v.10, a software package with user‐friendly interface widely used by practising engineers, for seismic analyses of masonry buildings. The reliability of the code was first investigated by carrying out static push‐over (SPO) analyses of two walls, already analysed by other researchers using advanced programs. The equivalent frame modelling was employed in all analyses carried out. The code was then used to investigate the seismic performance of an existing two‐storey building typical of the north‐east of Italy, with the walls being made of roughly squared stones. An SPO analysis was performed first on the most significant wall, followed by a number of time‐history analyses aimed to evaluate the dynamic push‐over curves. Finally, the seismic fragility curves were derived, considering the seismic input as a random variable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.