Evolution of non-linear α 2-dynamos and taylor's constraint

A key non-linear mechanism in a strong-field geodynamo is that a finite amplitude magnetic field drives a flow through the Lorentz force in the momentum equation and this flow feeds back on the field-generation process in the magnetic induction equation, equilibrating the field. We make use of a simpler non-linear?α?²-dynamo to investigate this mechanism in a rapidly rotating fluid spherical shell. Neglecting inertia, we use a pseudo-spectral time-stepping procedure to solve the induction equation and the momentum equation with no-slip velocity boundary conditions for a finitely conducting inner core and an insulating mantle. We present calculations for Ekman numbers (E) in the range 2.5× 10^?3 to 5.0× 10^?5, for?α?=α ₀cos?θ?sin?π?(r?r_i ) (which vanishes on both inner and outer boundaries). Solutions are steady except at lower E and higher values of?α?₀. Then they are periodic with a reversing field and a characteristic rapid increase then equally rapid decrease in magnetic energy. We have investigated the mechanism for this and shown the influence of Taylor's constraint. We comment on the application of our findings to numerical hydrodynamic dynamos.     

Breaking wave‐induced response and instability of seabed around caisson breakwater

Breaking‐wave‐induced dynamic response and instability of seabed around a caisson breakwater are investigated. A seabed‐rubble‐breakwater system is modeled using finite elements. The impact response of the porous seabed and rubble foundation is assumed to be governed by the coupled Biot equations, and three possible formulations are considered with respect to the inclusion of inertial terms. The response is presented in terms of shear stress and pore pressure distributions at three locations underneath the breakwater. The effect of seabed and wave parameters and the inertial terms on the impact response is investigated through parametric studies. Analyses show that usually partly dynamic formulation yields the largest response amplitudes as compared to the fully dynamic formulation, which is the most complete form. The instability of seabed and rubble mound as a result of instantaneous liquefaction is also studied. Breaking wave‐induced pressures in some cases are found to cause liquefaction in the rubble and the seabed. The effect of some parameters on the instability is found to be significant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Study of Permeability Changes Due to Cold Fluid Circulation in Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs

Reservoir behavior due to injection and circulation of cold fluid is studied with a shear displacement model based on the distributed dislocation technique, in a poro‐thermoelastic environment. The approach is applied to a selected volume of Soultz geothermal reservoir at a depth range of 3600 to 3700 m. Permeability enhancement and geothermal potential of Soultz geothermal reservoir are assessed over a stimulation period of 3 months and a fluid circulation period of 14 years. This study—by shedding light onto another source of uncertainty—points toward a special role for the fracture surface asperities in predicting the shear dilation of fractures. It was also observed that thermal stress has a significant impact on changing the reservoir stress field. The effect of thermal stresses on reservoir behavior is more evident over longer circulation term as the rock matrix temperature is significantly lowered. Change in the fracture permeability due to the thermal stresses can also lead to the short circuiting between the injection and production wells which in turn decreases the produced fluid temperature significantly. The effect of thermal stress persists during the whole circulation period as it has significant impact on the continuous increase in the flow rate due to improved permeability over the circulation period. In the current study, taking into account the thermal stress resulted in a decrease of about 7 °C in predicted produced fluid temperature after 14 years of cold fluid circulation; a difference which notably influences the potential prediction of an enhanced geothermal system.     

Pore pressure in ocean‐floor sands under random waves

Abstract

The wave‐induced cyclic shear stresses in ocean‐floor sands may cause a progressive buildup of pore water pressure, leading to instability of the bed. This instability may constitute an important consideration in the analysis and design of various offshore engineering facilities. This paper presents a general procedure for the analysis of pore water pressure in the ocean‐floor sands under the action of random waves. Using a simple linear model for the generation of pore water pressure and incorporating the effect of its simultaneous dissipation, a formulation for the expected damage associated with buildup of pore pressure is developed in a stochastic framework. Numerical results of an example analysis are also presented.     

Development of regionalized joint probability approach to flood estimation: a case study for Eastern New South Wales,Australia

Estimation of design flood in ungauged catchments is a common problem in hydrology. Methods commonly adopted for this task are limited to peak flow estimation, e.g. index flood, rational and regression‐based methods. To estimate complete design hydrograph, rainfall–runoff modelling is preferred. The currently recommended method in Australia known as Design Event Approach (DEA) has some serious limitations since it ignores the probabilistic nature of principal model inputs (such as temporal patterns (TP) and initial loss) except for design rainfall depth. A more holistic approach such as Joint Probability Approach (JPA)/Monte Carlo Simulation Technique (MCST) can overcome some of the limitations associated with the DEA. Although JPA/MCST has been investigated by many researchers, it has been proved to be difficult to apply since its routine application needs readily available regional design data such as stochastic rainfall duration, TP and losses, which are largely unavailable for Australian states. This paper presents regionalization of the model inputs/parameters to the JPA/MCST for eastern New South Wales (NSW) in Australia. This uses data from 86 pluviograph stations and six catchments from NSW to regionalize the input distributions for application with the JPA/MCST. The independent testing to three test catchments shows that the regionalized JPA/MCST generally outperforms the at‐site DEA. The developed regionalized JPA/MCST can be applied at any arbitrary location in eastern NSW. The method and design data developed here although primarily applicable to eastern NSW can be adapted to other Australian states and countries. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantifying uncertainty in rainfall–runoff models due to design losses using Monte Carlo simulation: a case study in New South Wales,Australia

With the potentially devastating consequences of flooding, it is crucial that uncertainties in the modelling process are quantified in flood simulations. In this paper, the impact of uncertainties in design losses on peak flow estimates is investigated. Simulations were carried out using a conceptual rainfall–runoff model called RORB in four catchments along the east coast of New South Wales, Australia. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate parameter uncertainty in design losses, associated with three loss models (initial loss–continuing loss, initial loss–proportional loss and soil water balance model). The results show that the uncertainty originating from each loss model differs and can be quite significant in some cases. The uncertainty in the initial loss–proportional loss model was found to be the highest, with estimates up to 2.2 times the peak flow, whilst the uncertainty in the soil water balance model was significantly less, with up to 60 % variability in peak flows for an annual exceedance probability of 0.02. Through applying Monte Carlo simulation a better understanding of the predicted flows is achieved, thus providing further support for planning and managing river systems.     

Selection of the best fit probability distribution in rainfall frequency analysis for Qatar

Natural Hazards - Design rainfall is widely used in urban infrastructure planning and design such as culverts and urban drainage systems. In design rainfall estimation, one of the primary steps is...     

Facies characterization of the Surma Group (Miocene) sediments from Jalalabad gas field,Sylhet trough,Bangladesh: Study from cores and wireline log

The Sylhet trough located on the north-eastern margin of present Bengal basin, contains ~22 km of Tertiary sediments and well known as a hydrocarbon producing province. A detailed facies characterization of the subsurface Miocene Surma Group sediments (especial emphasis on reservoirs sandstones) from Jalalabad gas field within the Sylhet trough has been done using core log analysis and wireline log (gamma ray) interpretation. Texture and sedimentary structures of the cores suggests that the nine individual lithofacies types which can be grouped together into three facies associations, namely, fine-grained facies associations (FFA), medium-grained facies association (MFA) and coarse-grained facies associations (CFA). Major changes in gamma ray log motifs and various bounding discontinuities indicate six para-sequence sets (basin wide) and twenty eight para-sequences (local environmental changes) within the depth range from 2200-2800 m. Detailed facies analysis of the cores and wireline log reveals that the interbedding facies within the associations in the Surma Group commonly develop small-scale fining-upward (FU) cycles, coarsening-upward (CU) and random intercalations (RD). The sediments of the Surma Group of the Jalalabad field have been interpreted as deposits of the shallow marine to tide-dominated deltaic depositional setting. The cyclic nature of sedimentation pattern of the Surma Group probably records an almost continuous existence of this prograding deltaic regime and a tectonic setting characterized by a mixture of prolonged basin subsidence and regional transgression coupled with sporadic regressive phases.     

Applicability of Wakeby distribution in flood frequency analysis: a case study for eastern Australia

Parametric method of flood frequency analysis (FFA) involves fitting of a probability distribution to the observed flood data at the site of interest. When record length at a given site is relatively longer and flood data exhibits skewness, a distribution having more than three parameters is often used in FFA such as log‐Pearson type 3 distribution. This paper examines the suitability of a five‐parameter Wakeby distribution for the annual maximum flood data in eastern Australia. We adopt a Monte Carlo simulation technique to select an appropriate plotting position formula and to derive a probability plot correlation coefficient (PPCC) test statistic for Wakeby distribution. The Weibull plotting position formula has been found to be the most appropriate for the Wakeby distribution. Regression equations for the PPCC tests statistics associated with the Wakeby distribution for different levels of significance have been derived. Furthermore, a power study to estimate the rejection rate associated with the derived PPCC test statistics has been undertaken. Finally, an application using annual maximum flood series data from 91 catchments in eastern Australia has been presented. Results show that the developed regression equations can be used with a high degree of confidence to test whether the Wakeby distribution fits the annual maximum flood series data at a given station. The methodology developed in this paper can be adapted to other probability distributions and to other study areas. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.