Bias in the estimation of wave-induced fatigue damage of offshore structures

The most widely adopted approach for estimating the wave-induced fatigue damage of the tubular joints of offshore structures relies on a wave scatter diagram to characterise the wave environment. This paper shows that the commonly adopted approach to compiling the wave scatter diagram and the subsequent selection of characteristic individual wave height and period pairs for analysis purposes will almost invariably lead to bias in the estimation of fatigue lives. A statistical argument is developed to show the sources and nature of this bias. This is supported by fatigue calculations based on individual wave data collected in the northern North Sea. It is found that the current practice in most cases introduces a substantial conservative bias into estimated fatigue lives. An alternative procedure for producing wave scatter diagrams and selecting wave heights and periods for subsequent finite-element analysis is presented which should lead to unbiased (or at least much less biased) estimates of fatigue lives.     

Biomarker responses to pollution in two invertebrate species: Scrobicularia plana and Nereis diversicolor from the Cádiz bay (SW Spain)

The clam Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor were collected in several sites from a littoral enclosure in SW Spain. The aim of our study was to relate various biomarker responses in these species to a pollution gradient caused by untreated domestic discharges and to verify the adequacy of the selected species as sentinels in this habitat. The biomarkers selected were the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and DT-diaphorase (DT-D). In addition, the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the neurotoxicity marker acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured. Metallothionein levels were selected as biomarkers of heavy metals exposure in both species. The results suggest a different response in the water filtering organism (clam) and the sediment eater (polychaete), probably as a consequent of different pollution exposure and that samples from the “Caño Sancti-Petri” were exposed to biologically active compounds that altered some of their biochemical responses. AChE was the most sensitive biomarker in both species and N. diversicolor proved to be a more robust sentinel in this ecosystem.     

Biomarker responses to pollution in two invertebrate species: Scrobicularia plana and Nereis diversicolor from the Cádiz bay (SW Spain)

The clam Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor were collected in several sites from a littoral enclosure in SW Spain. The aim of our study was to relate various biomarker responses in these species to a pollution gradient caused by untreated domestic discharges and to verify the adequacy of the selected species as sentinels in this habitat. The biomarkers selected were the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and DT-diaphorase (DT-D). In addition, the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the neurotoxicity marker acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured. Metallothionein levels were selected as biomarkers of heavy metals exposure in both species. The results suggest a different response in the water filtering organism (clam) and the sediment eater (polychaete), probably as a consequent of different pollution exposure and that samples from the "Ca?o Sancti-Petri" were exposed to biologically active compounds that altered some of their biochemical responses. AChE was the most sensitive biomarker in both species and N. diversicolor proved to be a more robust sentinel in this ecosystem.     

Effect of sampling rate on wave height statistics

This paper examines the effects of digital processing, and therefore discretisation or sampling, of sea surface elevations that are, in reality, continuous. Using random linear wave theory, probability distributions for the measured (as opposed to actual) wave amplitudes and heights have been obtained which are conditional on the sampling rate. It is shown that with low sampling rates there are significant departures from the usual Rayleigh distribution. Rates of 1 Hz or less may lead to significant underestimation of the probability of very large waves. An analysis of full-scale measurements obtained from a platform in the North Sea supports these results.     

Perchloric acid: A possible sink for stratospheric chlorine

The possibility that chlorine may deplete stratospheric chlorine has received considerable attention recently. The only termination steps considered up to now involve HCl formation by chlorine atom attack on hydrogen-bearing molecules. We propose that an important removal mechanism for chlorine in the stratosphere may be the formation of HClO₄ via the sequence of steps Cl + O₂ + O₃ → ClO₃ + O₂ ClO₃ + OH → HClO₄. In addition to being produced as often as HCl, HClO₄ may be more stable to radical attack and thus a more efficient sink than HCl for stratospheric chlorine.     

Modelling liquefaction-induced building damage in earthquake loss estimation

The assessment of building damage caused by liquefaction-induced ground deformations requires the definition of building capacity and vulnerability as a function of the demand, as well as damage scales to describe the state of the damaged building. This paper presents a framework for resolving these issues within the context of earthquake loss estimations, where large variations in building stock and ground conditions must be considered. The principal modes of building response to both uniform and differential ground movements are discussed and the uncertainties in their evaluation are highlighted. A unified damage scale is proposed for use in both reconnaissance and assessment of all modes of building damage, including ‘rigid body’ response of structures on stiff foundations to uniform or differential ground movements. The interaction of ground shaking and liquefaction in the context of induced structural damage is also briefly considered. The paper raises important aspects of earthquake loss estimations in regions of liquefaction potential, which remain relatively poorly defined at present.