Model of a multiscaled MHD dynamo

A simple model for a multiscaled MHD dynamo is suggested. The uppermost tier of the model controls the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field, while the lower tiers are responsible for the evolution of the small-scale velocity and magnetic fields. This approach makes it possible to reproduce, e.g., the evolution of the Galactic magnetic field for realistic magnetic Reynolds numbers, which cannot be done using direct, detailed simulations.     

Infiltration effects on a two-dimensional molecular dynamics model of landslides

We propose a two-dimensional computational model for deep landslides triggered by rainfall, based on interacting particles or grains. The model describes a vertical section of a fictitious granular material along a slope, in order to study the behavior of a wide-thickness landslide. The triggering of the landslide is caused by the exceeding of two conditions: a threshold speed and a condition on the static friction of the particles, the latter based on the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion (Coulomb in Mem Acad R Div Sav 7:343–387, 1776; Mohr in Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der Technischen Mechanik. Ernst, Berlin, 1914). The interparticle interactions are represented as a potential that, in the absence of suitable experimental data and due to the arbitrariness of the grain dimension, is modeled similarly to the Lennard-Jones’ one (Lennard-Jones in Proc R Soc Lond A 106(738):463–477, 1924), i.e., with an attractive and a repulsive part. For the updating of the particle positions, we use a molecular dynamics method, which is quite suitable for this type of systems (Herrmann and Luding in Continuum Mech Thermodyn 10:189–231, 1998). An infiltration scheme is introduced for modeling the increasing pore pressure due to the rainfall. Finally, we also introduce the viscosity in the dynamical equations of motion. The statistical characterization and dynamical behavior of the results of simulations are quite satisfactory relative to real landslides: We obtain a power law distribution of landslide triggering times, and the velocity patterns are typical of real cases, including the acceleration progression. Therefore, we can claim that this type of modeling can represent a new method to simulate landslides triggered by rainfall.     

Dilatancy of granular materials in a strain space multiple mechanism model

A granular material consists of an assemblage of particles with contacts newly formed or disappeared, changing the micromechanical structures during macroscopic deformation. These structures are idealized through a strain space multiple mechanism model as a twofold structure consisting of a multitude of virtual two‐dimensional mechanisms, each of which consists of a multitude of virtual simple shear mechanisms of one‐dimensional nature. In particular, a second‐order fabric tensor describes direct macroscopic stress–strain relationship, and a fourth‐order fabric tensor describes incremental relationship. In this framework of modeling, the mechanism of interlocking defined as the energy less component of macroscopic strain provides an appropriate bridge between micromechanical and macroscopic dilative component of dilatancy. Another bridge for contractive component of dilatancy is provided through an obvious hypothesis on micromechanical counterparts being associated with virtual simple shear strain. It is also postulated that the dilatancy along the stress path beyond a line slightly above the phase transformation line is only due to the mechanism of interlocking and increment in dilatancy due to this interlocking eventually vanishing for a large shear strain. These classic postulates form the basis for formulating the dilatancy in the strain space multiple mechanism model. The performance of the proposed model is demonstrated through simulation of undrained behavior of sand under monotonic and cyclic loading. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SPASE 2.0: a standard data model for space physics

SPASE—for Space Physics Archive Search and Extract—is a group with a charter to promote collaboration and sharing of data for the Space Plasma Physics community. A major activity is the definition of the SPASE Data Model which defines the metadata necessary to describe resources in the broader heliophysics data environment. The SPASE Data Model is primarily a controlled vocabulary with hierarchical relationships and with the ability to form associations between described resources. It is the result of many years of effort by an international collaboration (see http://www.spase-group.org) to unify and improve on existing Space and Solar Physics data models. The genesis of the SPASE group can be traced to 1998 when a small group of individuals saw a need for a data model. Today SPASE has a large international participation from many of the major space research organizations. The design of the data model is based on a set of principles derived from evaluation of the existing heliophysics data environment. The development guidelines for the data model are consistent with ISO-2788 (expanded in ANSI/NISO Z39.19) and the administration for the data model is comparable to that described in the ISO standards ISO-11179 and ISO-20943. Since the release of version 1.0 of the data model in 2005, the model has undergone a series of evolutions. SPASE released version 2.0 of its data model in April 2009. This version presents a significant change from the previous release. It includes the capability to describe a wider range of data products and to describe expert annotations which can be associated with a resource. Additional improvements include an enhanced capability to describe resource associations and a more unified approach to describing data products. Version 2.0 of the SPASE Data Model provides a solid foundation for continued integration of worldwide research activities and the open sharing of data.     

Modelling flash flood propagation in urban areas using a two-dimensional numerical model

This paper reports on the numerical modelling of flash flood propagation in urban areas after an excessive rainfall event or dam/dyke break wave. A two-dimensional (2-D) depth-averaged shallow-water model is used, with a refined grid of quadrilaterals and triangles for representing the urban area topography. The 2-D shallow-water equations are solved using the explicit second-order scheme that is adapted from MUSCL approach. Four applications are described to demonstrate the potential benefits and limits of 2-D modelling: (i) laboratory experimental dam-break wave in the presence of an isolated building; (ii) flash flood over a physical model of the urbanized Toce river valley in Italy; (iii) flash flood in October 1988 at the city of Nîmes (France) and (iv) dam-break flood in October 1982 at the town of Sumacárcel (Spain). Computed flow depths and velocities compare well with recorded data, although for the experimental study on dam-break wave some discrepancies are observed around buildings, where the flow is strongly 3-D in character. The numerical simulations show that the flow depths and flood wave celerity are significantly affected by the presence of buildings in comparison with the original floodplain. Further, this study confirms the importance of topography and roughness coefficient for flood propagation simulation.     

A two-dimensional snow creep model for alpine terrain

The paper is focused on the investigation of snow creep and settlement of alpine snowpacks. A detailed investigation of the constitutive behavior of snow for long-term creeping under low-strain rates is provided. The snowpack is considered as a compressible, viscous fluid. An assumption for a temperature and density-dependent viscosity and viscous Poisson ratio is provided in this paper, based on observations in nature and laboratory. The provided model is particularly applicable for settlement calculation of seasonal alpine snowpacks and computation of reaction forces on obstacles. The model is evaluated by numerous laboratory and field experiments. Different case studies are provided in this paper.     

A two-dimensional fuzzy random model of soil pore structure

A new conceptual model for soil poresolid structure is formalized. Soil poresolid structure is proposed to comprise spatially abutting elements each with a value which is its membership to the fuzzy set “pore, ” termed porosity. These values have a range between zero (all solid) and unity (all pore). Images are used to represent structures in which the elements are pixels and the value of each is a porosity. Twodimensional random fields are generated by allocating each pixel a porosity by independently sampling a statistical distribution. These random fields are reorganized into other poresolid structural types by selecting parent points which have a specified local region of influence. Pixels of larger or smaller porosity are aggregated about the parent points and within the region of interest by controlled swapping of pixels in the image. This creates local regions of homogeneity within the random field. This is similar to the process known as simulated annealing. The resulting structures are characterized using one and twodimensional variograms and functions describing their connectivity. A variety of examples of structures created by the model is presented and compared. Extension to three dimensions presents no theoretical difficulties and is currently under development.     

The effects of aluminum-silicon ordering on phase separation for a two-dimensional model of alkali feldspars

The time evolution of a model system for mixtures of sodium and potassium feldspars is investigated by computer simulations in order to determine what effects aluminum-silicon ordering may have on phase separation in these minerals. We assume that there is a greater energetic advantage for Al atoms to move onto preferred sites in the vicinity of Na atoms than in the vicinity of K atoms. This couples Al/Si ordering to the phase separation. We find that in such a system phase separation is slowed substantially compared to a system in which the two processes are not coupled.     

Vibration of a rigid footing—a finite model for the elastic half space

A problem common to most numerical methods of analysing the vibration of a rigid body on an elastic half space is indentified especially as regards the arbitrary truncation of the semi-infinite half space or the numerically expensive computations involved in some of the methods. This paper presents a boundary integral equation (BIE) method of defining a finite domain to replace the half space and consists of evaluating the BIE over the domain. A mathematical justification is provided for defining the domain, and the error involved in such truncation of the half space in shown to be small. Yet the computations are very cheap owing to the simple trigonometric/algebraic functions involved in the BIE. The accuracy of the method is quite commendable especially as seen from the results presented for the circular foundation for which analytical and experimental solutions are available for comparison.     

Analytical model for two-dimensional electro-osmosis-enhanced preloading consolidation of unsaturated soil

Acta Geotechnica - Electro-osmotic consolidation is taken as a valid and practical approach for soft ground improvement, and it is of vital significance to study the consolidation behaviour of...     

具有守恒特性的二维溃坝洪水演进数值模型

基于结构网格,采用有限体积法建立了二维水动力学模型,模拟溃坝洪水在复杂实际地形条件下的流动过程。该模型采用中心迎风格式求解界面通量,并结合对界面变量的线性重构,使其具有空间上的二阶精度。分别采用中心差分方法和半隐式方法对底床坡度项和摩擦阻力项进行离散,保证了模型的和谐性和稳定性。对于复杂地形条件下溃坝洪水的模拟,负水深的产生是影响模型稳定的关键因素。当库朗特数小于0.25时,模型能够保证任何时刻的计算水深都是非负的,而无需对负水深单元进行特殊处理。因此,相比于现有的大部分溃坝洪水模型,该模型具有更强的鲁棒性和稳定性。     

Evolution of induced fabric in a strain space multiple mechanism model for granular materials

The strain space multiple mechanism model idealizes the behavior of granular materials based on a multitude of virtual simple shear mechanisms oriented in arbitrary directions. Within this modeling framework, the virtual simple shear stress is defined as a quantity that depends on the contact distribution function as well as the normal and tangential components of inter‐particle contact forces, which evolve independently during the loading process. In other terms, the virtual simple shear stress is an intermediate quantity in the upscaling process from the microscopic level (characterized by the contact distribution and inter‐particle contact forces). The stress space fabric (i.e. the orientation distribution of the virtual simple shear stress) produces macroscopic stress through the tensorial average. Thus, the stress space fabric characterizes the fundamental and higher modes of anisotropy induced in granular materials. Comparing an induced fabric associated with the biaxial shear of plane granular assemblies obtained via a simulation using Discrete Element Method to the strain space multiple mechanism model suggests that the strain space multiple mechanism model has the capability to capture the essential features in the evolution of an induced fabric in granular materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The structure of mantle flows and stress fields in a two-dimensional convection model with non-Newtonian viscosity

The structure of mantle convection and spatial fields of superlitho static pressure and vertical and horizontal stresses in the Earth’s mantle are studied in a 2D numerical model with non-Newtonian viscosity and heat sources. The model demonstrates a jump-like motion of subduction zones and reveals abrupt changes in the stress fields depending on the stage of slab detachment. The stresses decrease dramatically in the areas without slabs. The horizontal stresses o_xx, superlitho static pressure, and vertical stresses o_zz in the part of the mantle lacking intense near-vertical flows are approximately equal, varying within ± 6, ± 8, and ± 10 MPa, respectively. However, these fields are stronger in the areas of descending slabs, where the values of the above parameters are about an order of magnitude higher (± 50 MPa).This result agrees with the current views of the oceanic slabs as the most important gent of mantle convection. We have found significant differences among the o_xx, o_zz, and pressure fields. The pressure field reveals both the vertical and horizontal features of slabs and plumes, clearly showing their long thermal conduits with broader heads. The distributions of o_xx are sensitive to the near-horizontal parts of the flows, whereas the o_zz fields reveal mainly their vertical substructures. The model shows the presence of relatively cold remnants of slabs in the lower mantle above the thermal boundary layer. Numerous hot plumes penetrating through these high-viscosity remnants, as well as the new descending slabs, induce intense stress fields in the lower mantle, which are strongly inhomogeneous in space and time.     

二维各向异性岩土介质中渗流分析的等参有限元方法

为了建筑环境的保护,软土地区基坑围护中的坑内降水与坑外水位保持常是一对矛盾的课题.而坑内外的水位差,极易形成止水结构两侧的渗流运动.对饱和各向异性、水平延伸、厚度大致相等、且存在一、二类边界时的承压含水层中的承压水二维非稳定流渗流问题,本文推导出了二维、各向异性渗流等参有限元方程,用以进行基坑围护止水结构附近渗流场分析,并给出了算例.     

Phase equilibria and elastic properties of a pyrolite model for the oceanic upper mantle

The upper-mantle source regions of basaltic magmas in oceanic regions contain both H₂O and CO₂. If the water content of the upper-mantle peridotite is (<0.4%) approx., then its solidus has a distinctive P,T character such that the geotherm for older oceanic regions will enter a zone of incipient (<2%) melting — the low-velocity zone (LVZ) — at depths of 85–95 km. This LVZ is overlain by a lithosphere of subsolidus amphibole-bearing peridotite in which there is a density increase at ~55 km due to the first appearance of garnet. An alternative model in which the LVZ is attributed to the presence of CO₂ fluid phase bubbles is incompatible with experimental data showing high solubility of CO₂ in basaltic magmas at the P,T conditions of the LVZ. The LVZ contains a small melt fraction as an intergranular film (aspect ratio <10⁻²); this melt is of olivine melilitite (CO₂, H₂O present) or olivine nephelinite (H₂O only present) character and is interstitial to olivine > orthopyroxene > garnet > clinopyroxene mineralogy. Temperatures at the top of the LVZ are in the range 1000–1150°C. The lithosphere thickens with age and distance from the mid-oceanic ridges, reaching a stable configuration at a thickness of 85–95 km for t > 80 m.y. With increasing age of the oceanic crust, the velocities in the lithosphere increase, the LVZ becomes thinner, and the velocity contrast between the lithosphere and the LVZ decreases. The pyrolite petrological model and its velocity profile satisfactorily account for most of the geophysical data for various age provinces in oceanic regions.     

基于应力空间的多重势面模型及其与邓肯-张模型的比较

多重势面模型直接从数学原理出发建立本构关系,避开了传统塑性理论中屈服面的概念,为研究岩土工程材料本构模型提供了新的思路.本文推导了基于应力空间的多重势面模型本构关系,对同一单元体在不同加载方式下,分别利用多重势面模型和邓肯-张E-μ模型,采用完全相同的模型参数进行了应力、应变计算,并在此基础上对比分析了计算结果.本文的计算分析成果有助于进一步理解和研究多重势面模型.