Comparison of infiltration models

Fourteen popular, representative infiltration models, some physically based, some semi‐empirical and some empirical, were selected for a comparative evaluation. Using the Nash and Sutcliffe efficiency criterion, the models were evaluated and compared for 243 sets of infiltration data collected from field and laboratory tests conducted in India and the USA on soils ranging from coarse sand to fine clay. Based on a relative grading scale, the semi‐empirical Singh–Yu general model, Holtan model and Horton model were graded respectively as 6·52, 5·57 and 5·48 out of 10. The empirical Huggins and Monke model, modified Kostiakov and Kostiakov model were graded as 5·57, 5·30 and 5·22, respectively. The physically based non‐linear and linear models of Smith–Parlange were graded as 5·48 and 5·22, respectively. Other models were ranked lower than these models. All the models generally performed poorly in field tests on Georgia's sandy soils, except the Robertsdale loamy sand. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Free-convection flow past an exponentially accelerated vertical plate

The free-convection flow of an incompressible and viscous fluid past an exponentially accelerated infinite vertical plate is analysed. The Laplace transform method is used to obtain the expressions for velocity and skin-friction. The effect of various parameters, occuring into the problem, is discussed with the help of graphs and table.     

Flow behind an attached shock wave in a radiating gas

A simple method is used to determine the curvature of an attached shock wave and the flow variable gradients behind the shock curve at the tip of a straight-edged wedge placed symmetrically in a supersonic flow of a radiating gas near the optically thin limit. The shock curvature and the flow variable gradients along the wedge at the tip are computed for a wide range of upstream flow Mach numbers and wedge angles. Several interesting results are noted; in particular, it is found that the effect of an increase in the upstream flow Mach number or the radiative flux is to enhance the shock wave curvature which, however, decreases with an increase in the specific heat ratio or the wedge angle.     

Mariner 10 observations of hydrogen Lyman alpha emission from the venus exosphere: Evidence of complex structure

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer Experiment on the MARINER 10 spacecraft measured the hydrogen Lyman α emmission resonantly scattered in the Venus exosphere at several viewing aspects during the encounter period. Venus encounter occurred at 17:01 GMT on 5 February 1974. Exospheric emissions above the planet's limb were measured and were analyzed with a spherically symmetric, single scattering, two-temperature model. On the sunlit hemisphere the emission profile was represented by an exospheric hydrogen atmosphere with T_c = 275±50 K and n_c = 1.5 × 10⁵ cm^?3 and a non-thermal contribution represented by T_H = 1250±100 K with n_H = 500±100 cm^?3. The observations of the dark limb showed that the spherically symmetric model used for the sunlit hemisphere was inappropriate for the analysis of the antisolar hemisphere. The density of the non-thermal component had increased at low altitudes, < 12,000 km, and decreased at high altitudes, > 20,000 km, by comparison. We conclude that the non-thermal source is on the sunward side of the planet. Analysis of the dark limb crossing suggests that the exospheric temperature on the dark side is <125 K if the exospheric density remains constant over the planet; upper limits are discussed. An additional source of Lyman α emission, 70 ± 15 R, was detected on the dark side of the planet and is believed to be a planetary albedo in contrast to multiple scattering from the sunlit side. Our analysis of the MARINER 10 data is consistent when applied to the MARINER 5 data.     

Effect of solar pressure on the motion and stability of the system of two inter-connected satellites in an elliptical orbit

The effect of solar pressure on the two-dimensional motion of two cable-connected satellites in the Earth's central gravitational field of force for the elliptical orbit of the centre-of-mass of the system has been analysed. The equations of motion obtianed are nonlinear and non-autonomous.It is concluded with the aid of non-resonant solution that the system experiences resonance main as well as parametric. If the eccentricity is small, the system will always oscillate about the position of equilibrium with tight string like dumb-bell satellite with changing phase and constant amplitude.     

Photo-electric study of the eclipsing binary RU Eridani

B andV observations of the eclipsing binary RU Eridani made on 23 nights during 1974–76 are reported. An improved period of 0^d.63219951 is derived. After rectification ofB andV light curves, new elements are derived using Russel-Merrill method. The system is classified as semidetached.     

An exact similarity solution in radiation magneto-gas-dynamics for the flows behind a spherical shock wave

An exact similarity solution for a spherical magnetogasdynamic shock is obtained in the case when radiation energy, radiation pressure and radiative heat flux are important. The total energy of the shock wave increase with time. We have shown that due to the magnetic field the flow variables are considerably changed. Also, due to increases in radiation pressure number the radiation flux is increased.     

Thermal stress analysis of underground openings

In the use of underground space for storage of solar energy, storage of excess heat from thermal power plants and containment of nuclear waste, the host medium is subjected to a thermal field accompanied by a thermal stress field. These stresses may endanger the stability and integrity of the structure. In this paper, the stress field, in circular and spherical openings, due to a given thermal field is analytically determined and numerically verified. Both lined and unlined openings are considered. The numerical and analytical results are in a satisfactory agreement. The lining stresses, support pressure and radial interface displacement depend only on the thermal field in the lining. A simplified method of stress computation applicable to a thin lining is also presented.