Numerical simulation of percussive drilling

This paper presents a novel dynamical model to analyze the long‐term response of a percussive drilling system. This departs from existing approaches that usually consider a single activation and bit/rock interaction cycle for the analysis of the process performance. The proposed model integrates the axial dynamics of an elastic piston and an elastic drill bit, a motion‐dependent pressure law to drive the piston, and a generalized bit/rock interaction law representative of the dynamic indentation taking place at the bit/rock interface. It applies to down‐the‐hole percussive drilling as well as top‐hole, with minor modifications. The model does not account for the angular motion or the hole cleaning, however. The model is first formulated mathematically; then, a finite‐dimensional approximation is proposed for computations. Numerical analyses of the model response, for a low‐size down‐the‐hole percussive system, follow. The period‐1 stationary response for the reference configuration is studied in detail, and parametric analyses assessing the influence on the rate of penetration of the bit/rock interaction parameters, the feed force, and the percussive activation parameters are conducted. These analyses reveal that the multiscale nature of the process is well captured by the model and recover expected trends for the influence of the parameters. They also suggest that a significant increase of the penetration rate can be achieved by increasing the percussive frequency. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesozooplankton biomass and grazing responses to Cyclone Opal, a subtropical mesoscale eddy

As part of E-Flux III cruise studies in March 2005, plankton net collections were made to assess the effects of a cyclonic cold-core eddy (Cyclone Opal) on the biomass and grazing of mesozooplankton. Mesozooplankton biomass in the central region of Cyclone Opal, an area of uplifted nutricline and a subsurface diatom bloom, averaged 0.80±0.24 and 1.51±0.59 g DW m⁻², for day and night tows, respectively. These biomass estimates were about 80% higher than control (OUT) stations, with increases more or less proportionately distributed among size classes from 0.2 to >5 mm. Though elevated relative to surrounding waters south of the Hawaiian Islands (Hawai’i lee), total biomass and size distribution in Cyclone Opal were almost exactly the same as contemporary measurements made at Stn. ALOHA, 100 km north of the islands, by the HOT (Hawaii Ocean Time-series) Program. Mesozooplankton biomass and community composition at the OUT stations were also similar to ALOHA values from 1994 to 1996, preceding a recent decadal increase. These comparisons may therefore provide insight into production characteristics or biomass gradients associated with decadal changes at Stn. ALOHA. Gut fluorescence estimates were higher in Opal than in ambient waters, translating to grazing impacts of 0.11±0.02 d⁻¹ (IN) versus 0.03±0.01 d⁻¹ (OUT). Over the depth-integrated euphotic zone, mesozooplankton accounted for 30% of the combined grazing losses of phytoplankton to micro- and meso-herbivores in Opal, as compared to 13% at control stations. Estimates of active export flux by migrating zooplankton averaged 0.81 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹ in Cyclone Opal and 0.37 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹ at OUT stations, 53% and 24%, respectively, of the carbon export measured by passive sediment traps. Migrants also exported 0.18 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ (117% of trap N flux) in Cyclone Opal compared to 0.08 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ (51% of trap flux) at control stations. Overall, the food-web importance of mesozooplankton increased in Cyclone Opal both in absolute and relative terms. Diel migrants provided evidence for enhanced export flux in the eddy that was missed by sediment trap and ²³⁴Th techniques, and migrant-mediated flux was the major export term in the observed bloom-perturbation response and N mass balance of the eddy.     

Trophic ecology of Pomatoschistus microps within an intertidal bay (Roscoff,France), investigated through gut content and stable isotope analyses

The diet of Pomatoschistus microps has been studied using both gut content and stable isotope analyses. In the Roscoff Aber Bay (Brittany, France), this fish is commonly found on sandy muddy intertidal flats. Gut content analyses were also interpreted using trophic indices. Owing to the large diversity of prey consumed, these indices emphasised the opportunistic feeding behaviour of P. microps. Here, this species fed mainly on endofauna with meiofauna being of high relative importance. The main biotic components of its trophic habitat, characterized by δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, provided evidence of a major trophic pathway based on drift Enteromorpha sp. Trophic positions estimated by both diet analyses and isotopic analyses led to similar results. In this bay, P. microps is a first‐order predator with a low degree of omnivory. Despite a preferential consumption of the amphipod Corophium arenarium, we assumed that this goby behaves as a generalist feeding on a uniform variety of endofauna taxa.     

Chondrules in CK carbonaceous chondrites and thermal history of the CV–CK parent body

CK chondrites are the only group of carbonaceous chondrites with petrologic types ranging from 3 to 6. It is commonly reported than ~15 vol% of CK4–6 samples are composed of chondrules. The modal abundance of chondrules estimated here for 18 CK3–6 (including five CK3s) ranges from zero (totally recrystallized) to 50.5%. Although almost all chemically re‐equilibrated with the host matrix, we recognized in CK3s and Tanezrouft (Tnz) 057 (CK4) up to 85% of chondrules as former type I chondrules. Mean diameters of chondrules range from 0.22 to 1.05 mm for Karoonda (CK4) and Tnz 057 (CK4), respectively. Up to ~60% of chondrules in CK3–4 are surrounded by igneous rims (from ~20 μm to 2 mm width). Zoned olivines were found in unequilibrated chondrules from DaG 431 (CK3‐an), NWA 4724 (CK3.8), NWA 4423 (CK3.9), and Tnz 057 (CK4). We modeled Fe/Mg interdiffusion profiles measured in zoned olivines to evaluate the peak metamorphic temperatures and time scales of the CK parent body metamorphism, and proposed a two‐stage diffusion process in order to account for the position of inflection points situated within chondrules. Time scales inferred from Fe/Mg interdiffusion in olivine from unequilibrated chondrules are on the order of tens to a hundred thousand years (from 50 to 70,000 years for peak metamorphic temperatures of 1140 and 920 K, respectively). These durations are longer than what is commonly accepted for shock metamorphism and shorter than what is required for nuclide decay. Using the concept of a continuous CV–CK metamorphic series, which is reinforced by this study, we estimated peak metamorphic temperatures <850 K for CV, 850–920 K for CK3, and 920–1140 K for CK4–6 chondrites considering a duration of 70,000 years.     

Relationships between southern Chilean varved lake sediments,precipitation and ENSO for the last 600 years

In this paper, the relationships between paleo-precipitation and the regional influence of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in South America are assessed from a high-resolution calendar varve-thickness record. Two short laminated sediment cores (53 and 61 cm length) from Lago Puyehue (40° S) are analysed by continuous varve measurements through the last 600 years. The calendar varve years are determined by the occurrence of graded planktonic-rich layers. The annual sediment accumulation rates are reconstructed by using the standard varve-counting methods on thin sections. The 1980–2000 varve-thickness record is interpreted in terms of climate through correlation with limnological and local monthly instrumental climate databases. The comparison between the standardized varve thickness with the instrumental records reveals a strong correlation (r = 0.75, р = 0.07) between the total varve thickness and the austral autumn/winter precipitation. We argue that strong austral winter winds and precipitation are the forcing factors for the seasonal turn-over and phytoplankton increase in the lake sediments. During strong El Nino events the precipitation and the winds decrease abnormally, hence reducing the thickness of the biogenic sediments deposited after the winter turn-over. Our results show one significant regional maximum peak of winter precipitation (>900 mm) in the mid 20th century and a significant period with lower winter precipitation (<400 mm) before the 15th century, i.e., the late Medieval Warm Period. The first peak in the mid 20th century is confirmed by the regional precipitation database. The influence of ENSO cycles over the last 600 years is assessed by spectral analysis in Fagel et al. (2007). The possible influence of the regional volcanism and/or the seismic activity on the local climate record is also discussed. This is the sixth in a series of eight papers published in this special issue dedicated to the 17,900 year multi-proxy lacustrine record of Lago Puyehue, Chilean Lake District. The papers in this special issue were collected by M. De Batist, N. Fagel, M. -F. Loutre and E. Chapron.     

Determination of polar motion by Doppler tracking of artificial satellite

Doppler tracking of artificial satellites has been applied to determine the pole components through an experiment called MEDOC. In addition to developing scientific aspects dealing with polar motion, it is proposed to promote new observational techniques and to investigate the possibility of operating an international permanent service. So far, nearly two years of bi-daily solutions have been derived. Each improvement of computational procedures, data processing and station component determination has contributed to better precision in the computed pole positions. MEDOC pole coordinate solutions show good agreement with DMA and BIH global solutions corrected for annual terms. Differences of the smoothed values are less than one meter for both components. The MEDOC experiment was initiated by the GRGS (Groupe de Recherches de Géodésie Spatiale) and took place in 1977 and 1978. The experiment as presently organized will continue up to 1980. Future improvements are still foreseen by increasing the number of observing sites and refinement of the force models, but already international involvement is taking place in the MEDOC experiment.     

Méthode de comparaison des régimes pluviaux en météorologie synoptique

Résumé On développe une méthode basée sur le dénombrement des jours de pluite communs à deux stations données et sur l'écart avec leur probabilité. Une formule simple définit l'indice de similitude de deux régimes pluviaux, indice qui peut varier de –1 à +1 et qui caractérise la plus ou moins grande similitude des distributions chronologiques de la pluie en deux endroits quelconques. L'application de la méthode conduit à établir une loi de décroissance de l'indice avec la distance séparant les stations comparées. Dans la région alpine cette loi présente une anomalie résultant de l'effet orographique.

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Summary A method of obtaining a synoptic view of the distribution of precipitation (rain- and snowfall) is developed. It is based on the number of days on which precipitation occurs at both of two places more or less distant from each other. A mathematical definition is given of an index of similarity, which latter varies between –1 and +1. These, limiting, figures signify in the case of –1 that precipitation is least likely to occur on any one day at both of two different places, in the case of +1 that it is most likely to occur, and that when the index of similarity is 0 no relation at all can be established for the likelihood of precipitation at both places on the same day. The index shows a sharp decline as the distance between places increases. In general it shows less relationship in regard to the simultaneous occurrence of rain-and snowfall between places lying on opposite sides of the Alps than between places on the same side, showing once more how the Alps act as a weather partition. The results, based on observations at 9 places in Switzerland and 8 in other European countries, are valid for the Temperate Zone; for other climatic regions they may be different.

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Zusammenfassung Von der Anzahl der gleichzeitigen Niederschlagstage an zwei Beobachtungsstationen und von der Abweichung ihrer Wahrscheinlichkeit ausgehend, wird eine Methode zum Vergleiche der Niederschlagstypen im synoptischen Sinne entwickelt. Der sogenannte Ähnlichkeitsindex, der zwischen –1 und +1 variieren kann, wird mathematisch definiert. Je nach dem Wert desselben ist die zeitliche Verteilung der Niederschlagstage an zwei Orten gleich (+1), indifferent (0) oder entgegengesetzt (–1). Bei der Anwendung der Methode tritt eine gesetzmäßige Abnahme des Index mit der Entfernung auf. Ein entgegengesetztes Verhalten des Ähnlichkeitsindex beiderseits der Alpen veranschaulicht die Rolle, welche die Alpen bekanntlich als Wetterscheide spielen.

     

Dose-dependent response of a benthic system to biodeposition from suspended blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) culture

This study reports the results of a field experiment using benthic mesocosms that examined dose-dependent effects of mussel biodeposition on the benthic environment. Mesocosms were placed in the natural sea bottom and subjected to one of eight levels of biodeposition (from 0 to 1400 mussels m^?2). Most analyses indicated non-linear (i.e., threshold) effects. Sediment characteristics changed significantly between 200 and 400 mussels m^?2 as did multivariate community structure. Community structure effects were characterised by changes in abundances of species that are very sensitive or tolerant to organic loading. The multivariate AZTI Marine Biotic Index (M-AMBI) indicated that the benthic status changed from High to Good in all mesocosms receiving biodeposits. Sediments acted as a sink for oxygen (O₂), but results suggest O₂ sediment demand was not sensitive enough to evaluate organic loading impacts. Results from this and improved experiments can be used to determine the environmental carrying capacity of sites for bivalve culture.     

FEM × DEM modelling of cohesive granular materials: Numerical homogenisation and multi-scale simulations

The article presents a multi-scale modelling approach of cohesive granular materials, its numerical implementation and its results. At microscopic level, Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to model dense grains packing. At the macroscopic level, the numerical solution is obtained by a Finite Element Method (FEM). In order to bridge the micro- and macro-scales, the concept of Representative Elementary Volume (REV) is applied, in which the average REV stress and the consistent tangent operators are obtained in each macroscopic integration point as the results of DEM’s simulation. In this way, the numerical constitutive law is determined through the detailed modelling of the microstructure, taking into account the nature of granular materials. We first elaborate the principle of the computation homogenisation (FEM × DEM), then demonstrate the features of our multiscale computation in terms of a biaxial compression test. Macroscopic strain location is observed and discussed.     

Luftelektrische Tagesgänge und Massenaustausch im Hochgebirge der Alpen

Zusammenfassung Es wird über die Ergebnisse luftelektrischer Untersuchungen auf dem Jungfraujoch (Schweiz) und ihre Deutung berichtet. Während zweier Meßperioden von je mehrwöchiger Dauer wurden das luftelektrische Potentialgefälle und der vertikale Leitungsstrom registriert; bearbeitet sind zunächst die Tagesgänge an klaren Tagen mit Hochdruckwetter. Die Tagesvariationen der drei luftelektrischen Elemente: Potentialgefälle, Vertikalstrom und Leitfähigkeit zeigen, daß auf dem Jungfraujoch im Sommer und im Herbst zwei ganz verschiedene Typen des luftelektrischen Verhaltens zu erkennen sind: Im Sommer herrscht auch an dieser Höhenstation der von den Tieflandstationen bekannte Typ vor, bei dem das Potentialgefälle angenähert invers zur Leitfähigkeit und zum Vertikalstrom verläuft. Im Herbst dagegen verlaufen Potentialgefälle und Vertikalstrom im wesentlichen gleichsinnig bei gegensinniger, aber schwächer ausgeprägter Tagesvariation der Leitfähigkeit. Im Sommer herrscht also auch in Jungfrauhöhe in den Alpen derkontinentale Typ, während sich im Herbst die Verhältnisse demozeanischen Typ annähern. Eine genauere Analyse ergibt, daß im Sommer die Tagesvariation desSäulenwiderstandes (columnar resistance) über dem Jungfraujoch in enger Korrelation zum örtlichen Widerstand der Luft an der Meßstelle (Reziprokwert der Leitfähigkeit) steht, während dies im Herbst nicht mehr der Fall ist.Zur Deutung dieser Feststellungen ist folgendes anzunehmen: Im Hochsommer wirkt die Tagesschwankung des vertikalen Massenaustausches aerosolverändernd bis in die Höhe des Alpenkammes, erkennbar daran, daß die Steuerung der luftelektrischen Tagesvariationen im wesentlichen von den unteren Schichten her erfolgt. Im Herbst dagegen ist dieser Einfluß in Kammhöhe der Alpen nahezu geschwunden; die Austauschvariation dringt nicht mehr bis in diese Höhen vor. Die verbleibenden Variationen der Leitfähigkeit deuten auf advektiven Luftaustausch hin. Das Verhalten des Dampfdruckes auf dem Jungfraujoch im Sommer und Herbst stützt diese Deutung.

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Summary The present paper gives an account of researches on atmospheric electricity carried out at Jungfraujoch (Switzerland). During two periods of several weeks each the potential gradient and the vertical air-earth current have been recorded. In the first place the diurnal variations on fine days at high pressure weather situation are elaborated. The daily variations of the three elements: potential gradient, vertical current, and conductivity, show that in summer and autumn two different types of the conditions of atmospheric electricity can be discerned: In summer the well-known type of the lowland stations is predominating also at this high altitude station, the type where the potential gradient is very nearly inverse to conductivity and vertical current. In autumn on the contrary the potential gradient and the vertical current are essentially parallel since the conductivity shows a slight diurnal variation in contrary sense. Thus, in summer prevails at the altitude of Jungfraujoch in the Alps thecontinental type, whilst in autumn the conditions approach to theoceanic type. It results from a rigorous analysis that in summer the diurnal variation of thecolumnar resistance on Jungfraujoch is in close correlation to the local air resistance (the reciprocal figure of conductivity) at the measuring point, whereas in autumn this is no longer the case.To explain these results we must assume as follows: In midsummer the diurnal variation of vertical mass exchange produces alterations of the aerosol up to the altitude of the crest of the Alps, which is perceptible from the fact that diurnal variations of atmospheric electricity start essentially from the lower layers. In autumn this influence has almost disappeared in the summit altitude of the Alps, as the daily variation of exchange does not advance to this altitude. The remaining variations of the conductivity point at an advective exchange of air. The behaviour of vapour pressure in summer and autumn at Jungfraujoch gives support to this interpretation.

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Résumé L'article traite des résultats de recherches d'électricité atmosphérique au Jungfraujoch (Suisse) et de leur interprétation. Deux périodes de mesures de plusieurs semaines chacune ont été consacrées à l'enregistrement du gradient de potentiel et du courant vertical. On décrit tout d'abord la variation diurne lors des jours sereins de temps anticyclonique. On distingue an Jungfraujoch en été et en automne respectivement deux types très différents de la marche diurne du gradient de potentiel, du courant vertical et de la conductibilité. En été le type bien connu des stations de plaine pour lequel le gradient de potentiel varie à peu près inversement à la conductibilité et au courant vertical s'observe aussi au Jungfraujoch. Par contre en automne le gradient de potentiel et le courant vertical varient en général dans le même sens, tandis que la conductibilité varie, elle, en sens contraire, bien que faiblement. Il y a donc à l'altitude du Jungfraujoch en été le «type continental», alors qu'en automne les conditions se rapprochent du «type océanique». Une analyse plus détaillée montre qu'en été la variation diurne de la «résistance tubulaire» (columnar resistance) au-dessus du Jungfraujoch est en liaison étroite avec la résistance locale de l'air au point de mesure (inverse de la conductibilité), tandis qu'en automne ce n'est plus le cas.Pour interpréter ces résultats il faut admettre ce qui suit: En été la variation diurne de l'échange vertical turbulent modifie les aérosols jusqu'au niveau de la crête alpine, ce que l'on reconnaît au fait que les variations diurnes des phénomènes d'électricité atmosphérique sont largement conditionnés par les couches basses. En automne par contre cet effet a disparu sur les Alpes, car la variation de l'échange turbulent n'a plus d'influence à ce niveau. La variation de la conductibilité qui subsiste suggère un échange d'air par advection. L'allure de la pression de vapeur d'eau au Jungfraujoch en été et en automne confirme cette hypothèse.

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Mit 11 Textabbildungen.