A friction damped base isolation system with fail-safe characteristics

An experimental study of a Coulomb friction damped aseismic base isolation system with fail-safe characteristics is described in this paper. The base isolation system utilized commercially made natural rubber bearings and a skid system which comes into operation at preset-levels of relative horizontal displacement between the structure and the foundation. The fail-safe skid provides hysteretic damping and prevents failure of the isolation system in the event of displacements larger than those assumed in the original design. The isolation system can be designed for an earthquake which can be reasonably expected within the lifetime of the structure; in the event of an earthquake of unanticipated intensity the failsafe system will prevent collapse of the structure. The testing of the system involved an 80,000lb model, approximately 1/3 scale to a real structure mounted on the 20′ × 20′ shaking table at EERC and subject to a variety of earthquake inputs. The results show that the hysteretic effect of the fail-safe system does not greatly increase the accelerations experienced by the structure but considerably reduces the relative displacements at the isolation bearings. The action of the fail-safe system was tested by using an earthquake input that produced a resonant response in the isolated mode of the model. The stability limit of the isolation system was exceeded and the bearings failed but complete failure of the isolation system and thus collapse of the model was prevented by the fail-safe system. The implementation of the system in full scale structures poses no technical or construction problems. An equivalent linearization technique was developed for this system for design purposes using response spectra. The accuracy of this approach was verified by comparison with the experimental results.     

Integrated navigation systems for precise positioning in the deep ocean

For navigation in deep ocean the most important navaids are self contained dead reckoning systems (DRS) such as classical DRS with log and compass or Doppler‐DRS or inertial navigation system (INS) and the external radio navaids LORAN, Omega and Navy Navigation Satellite System (NNSS). These navaids cannot satisfy the requirements for precise surveying if they are used in the conventional manner. Accuracy can be increased by integration of the DRS with the external navaids by a computer which estimates best values of position, velocity, etc. from all available data. The DRS is used as reference system and the external navaids are used for control measurements. The measurements are compared with the same quantities computed from the positions, which are indicated of the DRS. The differences between the measured and the computed values are described by error models of the integrated navaids and processed by a filter to estimate best values of the errors of the DRS and to make corresponding corrections. The principles of least square filtering are described in detail for integrated Inertial/LORAN‐C and Inertial/Omega navigation.     

Response of the suspended sediment transport system to continental shelf dynamics

Surface currents influenced by a wind-driven upwelling event in San Pedro Bay moved total suspended matter (TSM) confined to the inner shelf on 19 April 1978 seaward, so that by 27 April surface TSM had increased over the outer shelf. Near-bottom concentrations of TSM also increased across the shelf during this time. This is explained by sediment resuspended by large surface waves being advected from the inner shelf seaward by the mean flow after this flow had turned from southeasterly to southerly when upwelling ceased on 26 April. These complex shelf dynamics contribute to the off-shelf transport of mud to the slope and deep basins.     

Time–space continuity of daily maps of fractional snow cover and albedo from MODIS

Using reflectance values from the seven MODIS “land” bands with 250 or 500 m resolution, along with a corresponding cloud product, we estimate the fraction of each 500 m pixel that snow covers, along with the albedo of that snow. The daily products have data gaps and errors because of cloud cover and sensor viewing geometry. Rather than make users interpolate and filter these patchy daily maps without completely understanding the retrieval algorithm and instrument properties, we use the daily time series to improve the estimate of the measured snow properties for a particular day. We use a combination of noise filtering, snow/cloud discrimination, and interpolation and smoothing to produce our best estimate of the daily snow cover and albedo. We consider two modes: one is the “predictive” mode, whereby we estimate the snow-covered area and albedo on that day using only the data up to that day; the other is the “retrospective” mode, whereby we reconstruct the history of the snow properties for a previous period.     

Response of single benthic metrics and multi-metric methods to anthropogenic pressure gradients, in five distinct European coastal and transitional ecosystems

In recent times many benthic indices have been proposed to assess the ecological quality of marine waters worldwide. In this study we compared single metrics and multi-metric methods to assess coastal and transitional benthic status along human pressure gradients in five distinct environments across Europe: Varna bay and lake (Bulgaria), Lesina lagoon (Italy), Mondego estuary (Portugal), Basque coast (Spain) and Oslofjord (Norway). Hence, 13 single metrics (abundance, number of taxa, and several diversity and sensitivity indices) and eight of the most common indices used within the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) for benthic assessment were selected: index of size spectra (ISS), Benthic assessment tool (BAT), Norwegian quality index (NQI), Multivariate AMBI (M-AMBI), Benthic quality index (BQI), (Benthic ecosystem quality index (BEQI), Benthic index based on taxonomic sufficiency (BITS), and infaunal quality index (IQI). Within each system, sampling sites were ordered in an increasing pressure gradient according to a preliminary classification based on professional judgement. The different indices are largely consistent in their response to pressure gradient, except in some particular cases (i.e. BITS, in all cases, or ISS when a low number of individuals is present). Inconsistencies between indicator responses were most pronounced in transitional waters (i.e. IQI, BEQI), highlighting the difficulties of the generic application of indicators to all marine, estuarine and lagoonal environments. However, some of the single (i.e. ecological groups approach, diversity, richness) and multi-metric methods (i.e. BAT, M-AMBI, NQI) were able to detect such gradients both in transitional and coastal environments, being these multi-metric methods more consistent in the detection than single indices. This study highlights the importance of survey design and good reference conditions for some indicators. The agreement observed between different methodologies and their ability to detect quality trends across distinct environments constitutes a promising result for the implementation of the WFD’s monitoring plans. Moreover, these results have management implications, regarding the dangers of misclassification, uncertainty in the assessment, use of conflicting indices, and testing and validation of indices.     

Rapid macrofaunal colonization of water-based drill cuttings on different sediments

A field experiment was conducted to investigate how water-based drill cuttings and sediment type influence colonization of soft bottom communities. Bottom frames with trays containing defaunated sediments were placed at the seabed for 6 months to study colonization of macrofauna. Two different sediments (coarse and fine) were used, and 6 or 24 mm layer of water-based drill cuttings were added on top of these sediments. Some of the sediments were controls with no additions. In the end of the experiment, the oxygen availability in sediment porewater and macrofaunal abundance were reduced in treatments with 24 mm drill cuttings compared to controls. Tube-building annelids were particularly sensitive to drill cuttings. However, these responses were only minor, and notably, the drill cuttings initiated a weaker faunal response than sediment type and site of the bottom frame. Sediments capped with water-based drill cuttings thus showed a rapid colonization of macrofaunal communities.     

ADAPTATION TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE *

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is expected to double by A.D. 2050, raising global temperatures 2 to 3°C. A model for climatic deviations is presented, based upon paleoclimatic experience 5,000 to 8,000 years ago, when midlatitude temperatures were 1.5 to 2.5°C higher. The economic prognosis includes a United States barely able to meet its own agricultural needs and a substantial overall reduction of world food supplies. The revolutionary implications for contemporary sociopolitical alignments suggest an urgent need for long-range planning and more, historically oriented research.     

Die Schichtung der Troposphäre über dem Tropischen Ostafrika

Zusammenfassung Dem gleichförmigen Klima der Tropen entspricht ein gleichförmiger Aufbau der unteren Troposphäre. Demnach sind hier für ganze Jahreszeiten ziemlich einheitliche Typen der Grundschicht nachzuweisen. Aerologische Beobachtungen im tropischen Ostafrika weisen auf eine Höhenlage der Peplopause von 3–4 km in der Trockenzeit hin. Die tägliche Schwankung ist gering. Die Tageswinde an der Ostküste des Victoriasees nehmen nur einen Teil der Grundschicht ein. In der äquatorialen Küstenzone ist eine Höhenlage der Peplopause bei 2 bis 21/2 km Höhe zu erwarten, im Bereiche des SE-Passates sinkt sie auf 1200–1400 m ab. Ähnliche Lagen der Peplopause gelten für die Somaliküste.

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Summary Conformably to the uniformity of the tropics there exist in the lower troposphere uniform structural conditions. Therefore, nearly continuous types of ground layer are found to prevail throughout whole seasons. Upper air observations in the tropical parts of East Africa indicate that during the dry season the peplopause will occur at a level of 3 to 4 kms. Interdiurnal variability is slight. The day winds over the east coast of Victoria occupy only part of the ground layer. It is to be anticipated that in the equatorial coast zone the peplopause will occur at a level of 3 to 21/2 kms, and that in the region of the SE trade winds it will gradually subside to 1200 to 1400 meters. Similar conditions exist for the peplopause over the Somali Coast.

     

Spatial variability of water vapor turbulent transfer within the boundary layer

Although the physics of evaporation within the inner region of the boundary layer is believed to be well understood, observations of mass-energy exchange processes have been hindered by the limitations of point sensors. A combination of point sensors and active remote sensing, namely, water-Raman Lidar measurements, offers new opportunities to study relatively large areas at temporal and spatial scales previously unattainable. Results from experiments over uniform canopies both confirm some traditional theories and challenge some of the underlying assumptions concerning the homogeneity of the surface-atmosphere interface and the use of point sensors to characterize large areas.This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy. The authors would like to thank F. Archuleta, J. Archuleta, F. Barnes, W. Clements, K. Muller and W. Porch of LANL, R. Whitis of USDA, R. Jackson and P. Pinter of USDA-WCL, and L. Balick of EG&G for their invaluable time and support.     

Organic carbon deposition and phosphorus accumulation during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 in Tarfaya, Morocco

With a multi-proxy approach, an attempt was made to constrain productivity and bottom-water redox conditions and their effects on the phosphorus accumulation rate at the Mohammed Plage section on the Tarfaya coast, Morocco, during the Cenomanian-Turonian Anoxic Event (OAE 2). A distinct δ¹³C_org isotope excursion of +2.5‰ occurs close to the top of the section. The unusually abrupt shift of the isotope excursion and disappearance of several planktonic foraminiferal species (e.g. Rotalipora cushmani and Rotalipora greenhornensis) in this level suggests a hiatus of between 40–60 kyrs at the excursion onset. Nevertheless, it was possible to determine both the long-term environmental history as well as the processes that took place immediately prior to and during OAE 2. TOC% values increase gradually from the base of the section to the top (from 2.5% to 10%). This is interpreted as the consequence of a long-term eustatic sea-level rise and subsidence causing the encroachment of less oxic waters into the Tarfaya Basin. Similarly a reduction in the mineralogically constructed ‘detrital index’ can be explained by the decrease in the continental flux of terrigenous material due to a relative sea-level rise. A speciation of phosphorus in the upper part of the section, which spans the start and mid-stages of OAE 2, shows overall higher abundances of P_reactive mass accumulation rates before the isotope excursion onset and lower values during the plateau. Due to the probable short hiatus, the onset of the decrease in phosphorus content relative to the isotope excursion is uncertain, although the excursion plateau already contains lower concentrations. The C_org/P_total and V/Al ratios suggest that this reduction was mostly likely caused by a decrease in the available bottom oxygen content (probably as a result of higher productivity) and a corresponding fall in the phosphorus retention ability of the sediment. Productivity appears to have remained high during the isotope plateau possibly due to a combination of ocean-surface fertilisation via increased aridity (increased K/Al and Ti/Al ratios) and/or higher dissolved inorganic phosphorus content in the water column as a result of the decrease in sediment P retention. The evidence for decreased P-burial has been observed in many other palaeoenvironments during OAE 2. Tarfaya's unique upwelling paleosituation provides strong evidence that the nutrient recycling was a global phenomenon and therefore a critical factor in starting and sustaining OAE 2.