An evaluation of solar radiation pressure strategies for the GPS constellation

The subtle effects of different Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite force models are becoming apparent now that mature processing strategies are reaching new levels of accuracy and precision. For this paper, we tested several approaches to solar radiation pressure (SRP) modeling that are commonly used by International GNSS Service (IGS) analysis centers. These include the GPS Solar Pressure Model (GSPM; Bar-Sever and Kuang in The Interplanetary Network Progress Report 42-160, 2005) and variants of the so-called DYB model (Springer et al. in Adv Space Res 23:673–676, 1999). Our results show that currently observed differences between GPS orbit solutions from the various IGS analysis centers are in large part explained by differences between their respective approaches to modeling SRP. DYB-based strategies typically generate orbit solutions that have the smallest differences with respect to the IGS final combined solution, largely because the DYB approach is most commonly used by the contributing analysis centers. However, various internal and external metrics, including ambiguity resolution statistics and satellite laser ranging observations, support continued use of the GSPM-based approach for precise orbit determination of the GPS constellation, at least when using the GIPSY-OASIS software.     

Mercury in Thana Creek,Bombay Harbour

Mercury content of the water column estimated along Thana Creek/Bombay Harbour gave a standing stock of about 77 kg in excess of the expected background. Mercury concentration in sediment from 23 locations which varied from 0.17 to 8.21 ppm (dry weight) with marked increase from the harbour to the creek region suggests substantial mercury input in the head region. Chemical extraction by hydrogen peroxide indicated that more than 70% of mercury was leachable and probably organically bound. The mercury enriched layer in the sediment cores was about 10–25 cm in the creek region and 0–8 cm in the harbour area. The data has been used to calculate an excess of 14 tonnes of mercury over the natural background. Analysis of a few zooplankton and benthic samples from the creek region gave indication of bioaccumulation of mercury.     

Earthquake analysis with generalized plasticity model for saturated soils

A plasticity based constitutive model for anisotropic behaviour of soils is implemented in a finite element procedure based on the generalized Biot theory for the dynamic non-linear response of porous materials. The model represents a version in the hierarchical approach of constitutive modelling and allows for inelastic response during loading, unloading and reloading. The procedure has been verified previously with respect to closed-form solutions for wave propagation in porous media. In this paper, it is used to predict the behaviour of a realistic structure-saturated porous soil system subjected to earthquake loading. Both linear and non-linear analyses have been performed. It has been found that the predicted responses from the two analyses are significantly different; for example, in comparison with the linear analysis the non-linear response shows increased magnitudes and zones of concentration of pore water pressures, increased magnitudes of horizontal displacements, decreased magnitudes of vertical displacements and increased magnitudes of shear stresses.     

Fundamental yet simplified model for liquefaction instability

A fundamental procedure is proposed for the identification of liquefaction in saturated soils based on the instability in the material's microstructure. The disturbed state concept (DSC) provides a unified constitutive model for the characterization of entire stress–strain behaviour under cyclic loading, and the values of disturbance at threshold states in the deforming microstructure provides the basis for the identification of liquefaction. The procedure is verified with respect to laboratory behaviour of two sands, saturated Ottawa and Reid Bedford. A mathematical analysis of the DSC constitutive matrix is also performed. Procedures for the application of the DSC for simplified analysis and design, and in finite element procedures are presented. It is believed that the proposed model can provide a fundamental yet simplified procedure for liquefaction analysis, and as a result, it is considered to be an improvement over the available empirical and energy-based procedures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A hierarchical approach for constitutive modelling of geologic materials

A hierarchical concept is proposed for the development of constitutive models to account for various factors that influence behaviour of (geologic) materials. It permits evolution of models of progressively higher grades from the basic model representing isotropic hardening with associative behaviour. Factors such as non-associativeness and induced anisotropy due to friction and cyclic loading, and softening are introduced as corrections or perturbations to the basic model. The influence of these factors is captured through non-associativeness manifested by deviation from normality of the plastic strain increments to the yield surface, F. Details of four models: isotropic hardening with associative behaviour, isotropic hardening with non-associative behavioural anisotropic hardening and strain-softening with a damage variable are presented. They are verified with respect to laboratory multiaxial test data under various paths of loading, unloading and reloading for typical soils, rock and concrete. The proposed concept is general, yet sufficiently simplified in terms of physical understanding, number of constants and their physical meanings, determination of the constants and implementation.     

Interplanetary magnetic field and geomagnetic Dst variations

The interplanetary magnetic field has been shown to influence the ring current field represented by Dst. Explorer 28 hourly magnetic field observations have been used with the hourly Dst values. The moderate geomagnetic storms of 60 and quiet-time fluctuations of 10–30 are correlated with the North to South change of the interplanetary field component perpendicular to the ecliptic. This change in the interplanetary field occurs one to three hours earlier than the corresponding change in the Dst field.     

Derivation and application of new equations for radiation stress and volume flux

In this paper, new expressions of radiation stress and volume flux for long waves have been analytically derived by inclusion of higher-order surface elevations up to the sixth-order. To quantify these expressions, surface elevations along a beach are first simulated using the fully nonlinear Boussinesq-type model COULWAVE. Then, based on the large amount of numerical data, new equations for radiation stress and volume flux are statistically formulated. The research unveils the essential roles of the Ursell parameter, Irribarren number and wave steepness described by the local wave height, wave length and bottom slope. The study shows the importance of nonlinear wave properties in wave-induced currents and mean water levels (set-up/down). The higher-order formulations produce lower values for radiation stress and volume flux than calculated from the lower-order and linear waves. Case studies suggest that the new formulations produce an accurate estimation for mean water level. However, improvement on the computed current profiles is marginal for some cases. This implies that the accurate prediction of the current profile would require more than just the proposed improvement of the radiation stress and volume flux.     

A Numerical Case Study of the Implications of Secondary Circulations to the Interpretation of Eddy-Covariance Measurements Over Small Lakes

The CASES-99 experimental data are used to analyze turbulence behaviour under a range of stable conditions using an adaptive method based on Hilbert spectral analysis. The characteristic scales of intrinsic mode functions vary between different stratifications. The second-order Hilbert marginal spectra display clear separation between fine-scale turbulence and large-scale motions. After removing the large-scale motions, the statistical characteristics of the reconstructed signals confirm the distinction of different stratifications in the fine-scale range. The correlation coefficient analyses reveal that the Hilbert spectral analysis method separates turbulence from large-scale motions in the stable boundary layer.     

High-resolution observations of Hα emission line from R Aquarii

We have obtained H emission line profiles from R Aquarii, a Mira variable surrounded by a complex nebulosity, using a very high-resolution Fabry-Pérot spectrometer. A new feature that was seen in our observations is the fact that the line profile shows a splitting which we interpret as due to two expanding shells surrounding the star with velocities of 5 km s^–1 and 15 km s^–1. The expansion velocities show an acceleration outwards due perhaps to the radiation pressure caused momentum transfer. Possible periodic variation of radial velocity derived from observations is discussed.     

Induced anisotropy during plastic straining

The restrictions imposed by the form-invariance principle on the structure of the elasto-plastic constitutive law for small strains are examined. It is shown that the yield and plastic potential functions may depend on the joint invariants of the stress and plastic strain tensors in addition to their dependence on the direct invariants of these tensors and additional scalar hardening parameters such as the plastic work; inclusion of the joint invariants as parameters in the constitutive functions allows for induced anisotropy during plastic deformation. It is demonstrated that the physical meaning of the joint invariants is related to the deviation of the principal directions of the stress tensor from those of the plastic strain tensor. It is also shown that only three cases of anisotropy (orthorhombic, transverse and isotropy) are possible in the types of material models discussed herein. The model proposed in this paper does not imply coaxiality between the principal directions of the stress and, plastic strain increment tensors; however, implications of the assumption of coaxiality on the structure of the constitutive equations is investigated. It is shown that coaxiality does not necessarily imply isotropy, but no deviations from coaxiality can be expected in isotropic materials.