Probabilistic determination of critical wave height for a multi-degree of freedom capsize model

In this paper a statistical methodology is extended to the nonlinear multi-degree of freedom vessel capsize problem in random seas. It is demonstrated that the study of transient motions, through analysis of the erosion of the vessel's safe basin mapped in the space of initial conditions [Soliman, M.S. Thompson, J., 1991. Transient and steady state analysis of capsize phenomena. Applied Ocean Research 13, 2], leads to significantly less conservative and potentially more accurate predictions of ultimate dynamic stability. The work presented herein pairs this approach with a statistical framework to yield feasible stability criteria.     

The experimental and theoretical evaluation of a twin-flap wave-energy absorbing device

A series of model experiments with a twin-flap wave-energy absorbing device is described, and the results compared with numerical predictions based on theoretical work reported by Srokosz and Evans (1979). Measurements were made of absorption efficiency, flap motion responses, and total flap forces (mooring forces), all with the supporting structure held fixed, with normal wave encounter. Both 2-D and finite-length flap experiments were conducted.Generally, fair agreement was obtained between theory and experiments with regard to efficiency vs wavenumber and applied damping coefficient was generally matched by apparent from these experiments. Maximum efficiencies approaching 100% (as predicted analytically) were confirmed by experiments. Further, the predicted behavior of curves of efficiency vs wave number and applied damping coefficient was generally matched by experimental results.Results for flap motion responses and forces showed good agreement with theory.Some basic conclusions are drawn with regard to practical design and economic considerations for a twin-flap power generating system.     

Hull component interaction and scaling for TLP hydrodynamic coefficients

The purpose of this paper is to validate a new method that can be used by offshore platform designers to estimate the added mass and hydrodynamic damping coefficients of potential Tension Leg Platform hull configurations. These coefficients are critical to the determination of the platform response particularly to high frequency motions in heave caused by sum-frequency wave forcing i.e. “springing”. Previous research has developed the means by which offshore platform designers can extrapolate anticipated full-scale hydrodynamic coefficients based on the response of individual model scale component shapes. The work presented here further evaluates the component scaling laws for a single vertical cylinder and quantifies the effects due to hydrodynamic interaction. Hydrodynamic interaction effects are established through a direct comparison between the superposition of individual hull component coefficients and those evaluated directly from complete hull configuration models. The basis of this comparison is established by the experimental evaluation of the hydrodynamic coefficients for individual hull components as well as partial and complete platform models. The results indicate that hydrodynamic interaction effects between components are small in heave, and validate component scaling and superposition as an effective means for added mass and damping coefficient estimation of prototype platforms. It is found that the dependency of damping ratio with KC for a TLP is almost identical to that of a single column, thus offering a scaling methodology for prototype damping ratio values.     

Ring current simulation in connection with interplanetary space conditions

A ring current model has been obtained which permits calculations ofD_st variations on the Earth's surface during magnetic storms. The changes in D_st are described by the equation

$\text{d}\text{d}\text{t}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{= F(EM)?}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{tau;}$

where $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{= D}{}_{\mathrm{st}}\text{-bp}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{+~tc}$; p = mnv² is solar wind pressure; F(EM) is the function, controlled by the electromagnetic parameters of interplanetary medium, of injection into ring current ; τ is the constant of ring current decay. $\text{C}\text{= C}\text{u}\text{τ?=18}\text{nT}$, where C is the level of the D_st-variation field measurements; ? is the injection function characterizing the quasisteady-state injection of energy into the ring-current region. The constant Ç is determined from the condition that the change of the ring current energy from magnetic storm commencement to end should equal the difference between the injected and dissipated energy throughout the storm. The values of the factors b and τ were found by the method of minimizing the sum of the quadratic deviations of the calculated D_st from the values observed throughout the storm : b = 0.23 nT/(eV cm^?3)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}, τ = 8.2 h at D_st? ? 55 nT and τ = 5.8 h at -120 ? D_st ? — 55 nT. The injection function F(EM) is of the form F(EM) = d(E_y? A) at the values of the azimuthal component of the solar wind electric field E_y ? A, and F(EM) =0 at A?E_y.d = ? 1.2 × 10^?3 Ts^?1 (mV/m)^?1 and A = ? 0.9 mV m^?1 . Thus, the injection to ring current is possible at the northward B_z component of the IMF.     

Archaean to Proterozoic Crustal Evolution in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt (South Africa-Botswana): Constraints from Combined U-Pb and Lu-Hf Isotope Analyses of Zircon

A combined set of U–Pb and Lu–Hf in situ laser ablationICP-(MC)-MS zircon analyses were obtained from orthogneissesand granitoids in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, whichcomprises the Beit Bridge and Mahalapye complexes. The resultsindicate that by combining the two isotope systems primary magmaticzircon domains can be distinguished from those formed duringlater metamorphic events, even if the distinct zircon domainsunderwent multiple Pb loss and the texture–age relationships,as obtained by cathodoluminescence images and U–Pb analyses,are ambiguous. Furthermore, the applied technique allows distinctionof zircon grains formed in juvenile magmas from those generatedby melting of older continental crust or affected by substantialcrustal contamination. The combined U–Pb and Lu–Hfdata reveal that the Sand River gneiss suite of the Beit BridgeComplex was emplaced at 3283 ± 8 Ma and formed from meltingof an older Archaean crust, which was derived from a depletedmantle source at around 3·65 Ga. The hafnium model age(T_DM^Hf) is significantly older than those obtained from zirconsfrom numerous Neoarchaean granitoids of the Beit Bridge Complex,comprising the Singelele gneiss (2647 ± 12 Ma), the Bulaigranite (2612 ± 7 Ma), the Regina gneiss (2649 ±9 Ma) and two samples of the Zanzibar gneiss (2613 ±6 Ma). These granitoids show initial Hf(t) values between +0·5 and –7·1, which correspond to initialT_DM^Hf between 3·46 and 3·01 Ga. These variableT_DM^Hf_initial and Hf(t)_initial values are interpreted to be theresult of different mixtures of reworked 3·65 Ga Palaeoarchaeancrust with juvenile magmas extracted from the depleted mantleduring the Neoarchaean at 2·65 Ga. This conclusion issupported by results obtained from the Mahalapye Complex, whichwas affected by migmatization and granite intrusions duringthe Palaeoproterozoic at 2·02–2·06 Ga. TheMokgware granite (2019 ± 9 Ma) contains zircon xenocrystswith Pb–Pb ages of 2·52–2·65 Ga and2·93 Ga and hafnium model ages of 3·0–3·4Ga, indicating that this granite is derived from remelting ofArchaean crust. In contrast, uniform T_DM^Hf_initial ages of 2·61–2·67Ga obtained from a diorite gneiss (2061 ± 6 Ma) of theMahalapye Complex indicate that its protolith may have beenformed from remelting of a Neoarchaean juvenile crust. VariableHf(t)_initial values from –3·7 to +6·3 ofzircon cores (2711 ± 11 Ma) in an adjacent leucosomealso support a model of mixing of juvenile mantle derived matterwith older crust in the Neoarchaean. KEY WORDS: Archaean; Palaeoproterozoic; Limpopo Belt; zircon, U–Pb dating; Lu–Hf isotopes; LA-ICP-MS     

About the relationship between auroral electrojets and ring currents

The relationship between the storm-time ring current and the auroral electrojets is investigated using IMAGE magnetometer data, D_St and H-SYM, and solar wind data. Statistical results as well as the investigation of single events show that the auroral electrojets occur also during nonstorm conditions without storm-time ring current development and even during the storm recovery phase of increasing D_St. A close correlation between electrojet intensity and ring current intensity was not found. Though the eastward electrojet moves equatorward during the storm main phase there is no unequivocal relationship between the movement of the westward electrojet and the ring current development. All these results suggest that the auroral electrojets and the ring current develop more or less independently of each other.     

Generating extreme ship responses using non-uniform phase distributions

Modified Gaussian phase distributions are used to generate short time series containing a specific extreme value of a ship response. The corresponding incident wave train is calculated via linear systems theory. Sample response and wave time series are compared to the expected time series as calculated by probabilistic analysis. The average of the sample response time series compares favorably to the expected time series, but the average of the sample wave trains does not, in general, match the expected wave train. These comparisons show the danger in estimating extreme ship responses considering only extreme waves. A sample analysis for a Great Lakes bulk carrier is included for illustration.     

Comparative geometric and radiometric evaluation of mobile phone and still video cameras

This paper examines the potential of mobile phones to be used as front-end sensors for photogrammetric procedures and applications. For this purpose, two mobile phone cameras (Sony Ericsson K750i and Nokia N93) were calibrated over an indoor 3D testfield, using a self-calibrating bundle adjustment. Geometric accuracy tests were carried out in order to evaluate their metric performances and to compare the results with respect to two off-the-shelf digital still video cameras (Sony DSC W100 and Sony DSC F828). The geometric accuracy evaluation comprised an absolute accuracy test, JPEG test and temporal stability test. The radiometric capabilities of all cameras (except that the DSC W100 was replaced with a DSC T100 camera) were also evaluated and compared by carrying out modulation transfer function (MTF) analysis, image noise analysis and an operating range test. Substantial systematic errors were diagnosed in some systems. However, with proper calibration it is believed that these devices can be used for many photogrammetric tasks.     

Vibration control of cable-stayed bridges—part 1: modeling issues

The objective of the research presented here is to increase the understanding of how the complexities associated with modeling cable-stayed bridges, such as non-linear behaviour and the participation of highly coupled, high-order vibration modes in the overall dynamic response, affect the overall effectiveness of active control schemes. The 316-degree-of-freedom analytical model studied here is based on the Jindo Bridge located in South Korea. Computational considerations associated with control analyses require the size of the model to be significantly reduced, without loss of the important vibration characteristics and complexities. Three separate reduced-order modelling techniques for creating effective control models are studied here: the IRS method, the internal balancing method, and a modal reduction method. These methods are studied and compared on their ability to capture the complex dynamic response of cable-stayed bridges subjected to multiple-support excitation and their ability to create viable and computationally sound state-space models for control analyses. Results show that the modal reduction technique, because of the ability to select only those modes causing the largest force and displacement response, is most effective for control applications. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.