Investigation of the change in soil fabric during cone penetration in silt using 2D measurements

Interpretation of CPTU testing in silt is non-trivial because of the partially drained conditions that are likely to occur during penetration. A better understanding of the pore pressure generation/dissipation is needed in order to obtain reliable design parameters. Following a previous study using X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) with volumetric digital image correlation (3D-DIC) that clearly showed the formation of distinct dilation and compression areas around the cone; the present work takes a closer look at those areas in order to link volumetric behavior to changes in soil fabric. High-resolution 2D backscattered electron images of polished thin sections prepared from frozen samples at the end of penetration are used. The images have a spatial resolution of 0.4 µm/pixel that allow a clear identification of grains and pore spaces. Image processing techniques are developed to quantify local porosity and obtain the statistical distribution of the particle orientation for the zones around the cone tip and shaft. It is shown that the formation of compaction regions is related to the ability of the grains to rearrange and align along a well-defined preferred orientation forming a more closed-fabric characterized by high anisotropy values, while zones of dilation are associated with a more open packing with grains randomly oriented and with large voids within. These observations suggested that for a saturated soil, water will move from a compressive zone to a neighboring dilative zone, creating a short drainage path. By shedding light on the link between soil fabric and drainage patterns, this study contributes toward a better understanding of the measured macro-response during CPTU tests on silt.     

Diversity and validity of stable-unstable transitions in the algorithmic weak stability boundary

This paper is devoted to verify the consistency of the algorithmic Weak Stability Boundary definition concerning the achievement of capture-escape detection, through examining the transitions produced by the implementation of this definition. Our main goal is to show that many types of spurious transitions concerning capture-escape behavior are found besides the expected transitions due to the separatrix role of the hyperbolic invariant manifolds of the central manifold of the collinear equilibria of the Planar Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem. We identify and characterize authentic and spurious transitions and discuss their spatial distribution along the boundary for sets of initial conditions with high eccentricity, showing the frequent occurrence of spurious transitions and of collisional trajectories. Also, we investigate smooth and fractal-like portions of the boundary. Finally, we propose an alternative stability boundary definition based on the effective detection of capture-escape transitions.     

Leaching experiments on a Mn-rich slag from the recycling of alkaline batteries – Solid phase characterization and geochemical modeling

Square sections of a Mn-rich slag from an alkaline battery recycling plant were submitted to 6-month batch leaching procedures. High-Purity Water (HPW), acidic (pH 4) and alkaline (pH 12) conditions were used in order to observe the behavior of primary solid phases as well as the constituent elements (Mn, Mg, Al, Si, Ca). The experiments were coupled with both KINDIS(P) modeling and mineralogical study (SEM-EDS). Experimental results showed that the Mn-rich slag was sensitive to acidic conditions which induced the dissolution of primary phases. Moreover, pH 4 conditions did not result in the formation of newly formed solid products, leading to the greatest mobilization of metallic elements (especially Mn). Alkaline conditions favored the precipitation of secondary phases, especially rhodochrosite, calcite and Mg-saponite, inducing low mobilization of the contained elements. The KINDIS(P) modeling allowed the stability of primary phases and newly formed products to be predicted. Although the modeled results have to be considered with caution, they allow the assessment and understanding of future environmental behavior of the solid material in given conditions. In this case, the reuse of Mn-rich slag in acidic conditions has to be avoided because of the acidic dissolution of the primary phases.     

Fast Earth–Moon transfers with ballistic capture

This contribution deals with fast Earth–Moon transfers with ballistic capture in the patched three-body model. We compute ensembles of preliminary solutions using a model that takes into account the relative inclination of the orbital planes of the primaries. The ballistic capture orbits around the Moon are obtained relying on the hyperbolic invariant structures associated to the collinear Lagrangian points of the Earth–Moon system, and the Sun–Earth system portion of the transfers are quasi-periodic orbits obtained by a genetic algorithm. The trajectories are designed to be good initial guesses to search optimal cost-efficient short-time Earth–Moon transfers with ballistic capture in more realistic models.     

Exploring fishing dependence in gulf coast communities

Two unrelated data sources (quantitative secondary data and qualitative primary data) and mixed methodologies (statistical analysis and ethnography) are used to define the concept of, and develop indicators for, fishing dependence. Techniques for integrating differing data sources are developed. Comparisons of the qualitative rankings with the quantitative rankings were, overall, positive and statistically significant. The process used thus confirmed that the indicators were reliable measures for fishing dependence. In terms of external validity and triangulation, the process used was more rigorous than using ethnography “after-the-fact” to ground-truth the quantitative indicators.     

Laboratory measurements of the Ka-band (7.5 mm to 9.2 mm) opacity of phosphine (PH3) and ammonia (NH3) under simulated conditions for the Cassini-Saturn encounter

Recently, a model for the centimeter-wavelength opacity of PH₃ under conditions characteristic of the outer planets was developed by Hoffman et al. (2001, PhD thesis), based on centimeter wavelength laboratory measurements. New laboratory measurements have been conducted which show that this model is also accurate at low pressures and temperatures, and at millimeter wavelengths such as will be employed in Cassini Ka-band (9.3 mm) radio occultation studies. The opacity of PH₃ in a hydrogen/helium (H₂/He) atmosphere has been measured at frequencies in the Ka-band region at 32.7 GHz (9.2 mm), 35.6 GHz (8.4 mm), 37.7 GHz (8.0 mm), and 39.9 GHz (7.5 mm) at pressures of 0.5, 1, and 2 bar and at temperatures of 295, 209, and 188 K. Additionally, new high-precision laboratory measurements of the opacity of NH₃ in an H₂/He atmosphere have been conducted under the same temperature and pressure conditions described for PH₃. These new measurements better constrain the NH₃ opacity model supporting use of a Ben-Reuven lineshape model. These measurements will also elucidate the interpretation of millimeter wavelength observations conducted with the NRAO/VLA at 43 GHz (7 mm).     

Applicability and dynamical characterization of the associated sets of the algorithmic weak stability boundary in the lunar sphere of influence

The present contribution investigates the applicability of the associated initial condition sets generated by the algorithmic definition of the weak stability boundary in the lunar sphere of influence in the context of Earth-to-Moon low-energy capture transfers. First, we test the applicability of the initial condition sets in view of two mission strategies, namely, direct inner transfers in the Planar Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem and external transfers based in the Patched Three-Body approach. Then, we check the consistency of the stability classification regarding the selection of captured solutions, identifying the stable subsets which provide temporary capture solutions. Additionally, we show the diversity of behaviors classified as stable by the current stability criteria of the algorithmic definition, which indicates that the algorithmic criteria must be reviewed in order to guarantee that the stable solutions correspond solely to low-energy capture orbits. The combination of our analyses allows the detection of the subsets of stable initial conditions that provide feasible Earth-to-Moon transfer solutions. Specifically, we show an external low-energy Earth- to-Moon transfer with zero midcourse correction at the patching section.