Estimates of parameters of grain-size distribution from weight frequencies

When grains of a sediment sample are separated by sieving into a number of size classes, the weight of the grains belonging to a particular size-class is called the weight frequency of that class. That the weight frequencies cannot be used as simple frequencies for the calculation of the mean and standard deviation of size of grains is well known. A method is developed in this paper for estimating these two as well as a third parameter, named shape parameter, by minimizing a quadratic form that arises naturally as an analogue of the ² statistic. Two fully worked out numerical examples, with simulated data, are presented to illustrate the method. A computer program in FORTRAN language is also appended. Comparative study shows that the quicker conventional method used by geologists may produce reasonably good estimates of standard deviation when the sample size is large, but the estimates of mean may show large deviations.     

Gradient coupling within the terrestrial ionospheric plasma

The gradient coupling within the ionospheric plasma in the presence of local variation of atmospheric heating and other modifications during high power radio wave propagation has been studied. The appropriate form of coupled equations for the modified situation is obtained. The electromagnetic and acoustic modes of wave propagation have been separated and solved, by the WKB method. Field quantities may be used to explore different properties of the medium under the modified condition.     

Artificial modification of ionosphericE-layer by high power radio transmitters

Some anomalous TV receptions in India on band I have been interpreted as being propagated viaF-layer artificially modified by high power broadcast transmitters. In this paper, the possibility of VHF communication by artificially modifiedE-layer is discussed. The presented theoretical analysis shows that high-power broadcast trasmitters can produce substantial changes in temperature and ionisation in theE-layer. The rate of energy transfer from the wave to the medium particles has also been computed. Model calculations are made for a transmitter located near Calcutta. The possibility of the extra-ionisation producing field-aligned structures to support VHF communication is discussed.     

Studies on Flyrock at Limestone Quarries

Summary Observed flyrock distances for 47 blasts at six limestone quarries along with blast design parameters are presented. The influence of blasthole diameter, burden, stemming length, powder factor, the condition of blastholes (dry or wet) and the initiation systems on generation of flyrock is analysed and the most critical parameters for flyrock control are identified. Based on the analysis of results, suggestions are given to minimise the flyrock hazards at limestone quarries.     

Measurement and Analysis of Pore Water Pressure in Large Caverns and Shafts in a Hydro-electric Project

With an objective to understand the behaviour of pore water pressure around large underground openings, piezometers were installed in the rock around the desanding chambers, surge shaft, its drainage galleries, and the transformer cavern of a large hydro-electric project. The monitored data indicated that the pore water pressure was insignificant in the rock surrounding the desanding chambers prior to lining. On completion of the concrete lining of the chambers, the maximum pore water pressure was about 50 kPa as the flow of water was restricted. When one of the desanding chambers was charged with water, the piezometers around it indicated an excessive increase in the pore water pressure due to seepage of water from the chamber. Thus the piezometer readings were useful in taking appropriate remedial measures. In the surge shaft, higher values of pore water pressure were recorded on the hill side of the shaft as compared to the valley side. In one of the drainage galleries, the pore water pressure gradually increased to 450 kPa, which was released by drilling relief holes in the area. In the other drainage gallery, no significant change in the pore water was recorded. In the transformer cavern, the recorded pore water pressures were within 20 kPa.     

Effect of mining on geochemistry of groundwater in Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields: Raniganj Basin, India

Lack of proper reclamation strategy and indiscriminate mining of various economic resources, particularly coal from Permo-carboniferous Gondwana coalfields affects the groundwater quality of the concerned regions. Leaching from mine-tailings along with seasonal fluctuation of water table caused a significant change in groundwater geochemistry of Raniganj coalfield area. Gondwana sequences, developed in intracratonic rift basin, are characterized by numerous longitudinal and cross faults. This results in the formation of many small aquifer systems which may be interconnected laterally as well as vertically providing the conduit for homogenization of aquifers. Although the predominance of major cations (Ca>Na>Mg>K) and anions (HCO₃>Cl>SO₄>NO₃) remain same irrespective of season, the dominance of Na and SO₄ have significantly increased in post-monsoon season. The types of groundwater in pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons are CaMgCl and CaHCO₃ respectively. Leaching of SO₄ from surface sources (mine tailings) has increased TDS in post-monsoon. Base exchange (direct and reverse) reactions have taken place between aquifer materials and groundwater.     

Effect of raindrop size distribution variability in dual-frequency radar rain retrieval algorithms assessed from disdrometer measurements

The effect of natural variation of raindrop size distribution (DSD)on the retrieval of rainfall rate from the dual-frequency (13.6/35.5 GHz,as will be in the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission) Precipitation Radar (DPR) measurements is studied by utilizing a large set of disdrometer-measured DSD data through a simple simulation framework. A DPR inversion technique(DPR-IT) that focuses on the retrieval of DSD information from the non-Rayleigh backscattering characteristic of the hydrometeors and a conventional DPR technique(DPR-CT) that focuses on the independent retrieval of rainfall rate from the attenuation measurement are considered in this analysis. The preliminary results show that at different rainfall rate regions these methods have different responses to the DSD variability. For instance, it appears that DPR-IT suffers relatively less from the DSD variability in the regions of weak to moderate rainfall rate (/spl bsol/ mm /spl middot/ h/sup -1/),while in the strong rainfall rate (>/spl sim/10 mm /spl middot/ h/sup -1/) region the DPR-CT generally has less sensitivity to DSD variations than the DPR-IT.     

Ground Vibration due to Blasting in Limestone Quarries

A database of ground vibration due to blasting at 27 limestone quarries, located in various parts of India, has been created. The database contains peak particle velocity (PPV), frequency, other vibration related and blast design parameters. Regression analysis of the data is carried out to derive site constants of the USBM predictor equation for individual quarries. It is found that these site constants are correlated with each other. By combining all the data, a generalised predictor equation is developed to assess and control ground vibration. In addition, mean zone of attenuation has been delineated using the predictor equations of the individual quarries. The dominant frequency of ground vibration with respect to distance and the possibility of modifying it by changing delay intervals in production blasts are also examined.     

Experimental validation of soil–structure interaction of offshore wind turbines

Estimating the natural frequencies of a wind turbine system consisting rotor, nacelle, tower, foundation and surrounding soil is one of the important design considerations. This paper experimentally investigates the behaviour of a model wind turbine supported on a particular type of foundation called a monopile. Monopile is a single large diameter (2.5–4 m) long slender column inserted deep into the ground. This can be thought of as an extension of the wind turbine tower. In particular, the role of soil/foundation in the dynamics of wind turbines has been investigated. Analytical methods are developed incorporating the rotational and translation flexibility of the foundation. Novel experimental techniques have been developed to obtain the parameters necessary for the analytical model. The analytical model is validated using a finite element approach and experimental measurements. In total, results from 17 test cases is reported in the paper. Experimental results show that the natural frequencies and the damping factors of the wind turbine tower change significantly with the type of soil/foundation. Analytical results for the natural frequencies agree reasonably well to the experimental results and finite element results.