Simulation of wave propagation over a submerged bar using the VOF method with a two-equation k– turbulence modeling

A two-equation k– turbulence model is used in this paper to simulate the propagation of cnoidal waves over a submerged bar, where the free surface is handled by the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. Using a VOF partial-cell variable and a donor–acceptor method, the model is capable of treating irregular boundaries, including arbitrary bottom topography and internal obstacles, where the no-slip condition is satisfied. The model also allows the viscous sublayer to be modeled by a wall function approximation implemented in the grid nodes that are immediately adjacent to a wall boundary. The numerical model applied to the propagation of cnoidal waves over a submerged bar can produce results that are in general agreement with some laboratory measurements. Some remarks arising from the comparison between the computational and experimental results are presented.     

Seismic response control of a building complex utilizing passive friction damper: experimental investigation

Multi‐storey main buildings constructed with a low‐rise podium structure possess some architectural merits but the setback features of such a building complex may lead to seismic response enlargement of the main buildings. This paper explores the possibility of using passive friction dampers to connect the podium structure to the main buildings to prevent their seismic response enlargement without violating the architectural features. A series of shaking table tests were carried out on one 3‐storey and one 12‐storey building models in fully‐separated, rigidly connected, and friction damper‐linked configurations. Four sets of seismic ground motions were selected as inputs to the shaking table. The control competence of two buildings linked with friction damper was evaluated by comparison of their responses with those from fully‐separated and rigidly connected cases. Experimental results showed that unfavourable seismic response amplification did occur in the building complex in the rigidly connected case. By contrast, friction damper showed effectiveness in reducing absolute acceleration and interstorey drift responses of both buildings if friction force level was appropriately applied. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of Distributional Forms for Compositional Data and Associated Distributional Tests

A variety of approaches to the testing of distributional forms for compositional data has appeared in the literature, all based on logratio or Box–Cox transformation techniques and to a degree dependent on the divisor chosen in the formation of ratios for these transformations. This paper, recognizing the special algebraic–geometric structure of the standard simplex sample space for compositional problems, the use of the fundamental simplicial singular value decomposition, and an associated power-perturbation characterization of compositional variability, attempts to provide a definitive approach to such distributional testing problems. Our main consideration is the characterization and testing of additive logistic–normal form, but we also indicate possible applications to logistic skew normal forms once a full range of multivariate tests emerges. The testing strategy is illustrated with both simulated data and applications to some real geological compositional data sets.     

Comparing shear-wave velocity profiles inverted from multichannel surface wave with borehole measurements

Recent field tests illustrate the accuracy and consistency of calculating near-surface shear (S)-wave velocities using multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). S-wave velocity profiles (S-wave velocity vs. depth) derived from MASW compared favorably to direct borehole measurements at sites in Kansas, British Columbia, and Wyoming. Effects of changing the total number of recording channels, sampling interval, source offset, and receiver spacing on the inverted S-wave velocity were studied at a test site in Lawrence, Kansas. On the average, the difference between MASW calculated V_s and borehole measured V_s in eight wells along the Fraser River in Vancouver, Canada was less than 15%. One of the eight wells was a blind test well with the calculated overall difference between MASW and borehole measurements less than 9%. No systematic differences were observed in derived V_s values from any of the eight test sites. Surface wave analysis performed on surface data from Wyoming provided S-wave velocities in near-surface materials. Velocity profiles from MASW were confirmed by measurements based on suspension log analysis.     

On the chemical mass-balance in estuaries

A general model is presented for mixing processes between river and ocean water in which are established criteria for the identification of any non-conservative behavior of the dissolved constituents involved. A review of previous data shows that in no case has removal of silica been demonstrated unambiguously in estuarine regimes. New data for iron which show highly non-conservative behavior are used in an example of the application of the model.     

Field study on influence of root characteristics on soil suction distribution in slopes vegetated with Cynodon dactylon and Schefflera heptaphylla

Vegetation evapotranspiration (ET) induced soil water suction reduces hydraulic conductivity and increases shear strength of slopes. Several field studies have been conducted to investigate suction distribution in vegetated slopes. However, these studies were conducted on natural slopes, which are prone to heterogeneity in vegetation and soil conditions. Moreover, studies quantifying the effect of different vegetation species, root characteristics (root depth and root area index) and transpiration reduction function (T_rf) on suction in slopes under natural variation are rare. This study investigated the suction distribution and root characteristics in recompacted slopes vegetated with two different species, i.e. Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) and Schefflera heptaphylla (ivy tree). Bare slope served as a control. Suction distributions during different seasons and rainfall events were monitored. It is found that during the dry season, slope vegetated with young Schefflera heptaphylla seedlings have substantially higher suction within the root zone compared with bare slope and slope vegetated with Cynodon dactylon. This is because Schefflera heptaphylla has a higher root biomass, T_rf and ET than Cynodon dactylon. It was also found that suctions within root zones of vegetated slopes and bare slope were completely destroyed under rainfall events corresponding to 2 years and 20 years return period. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Velocity attenuation of debris flows and a new momentum-based load model for rigid barriers

Effective design of mitigation measures against debris flow hazards remains a challenging geotechnical problem. At present, a pseudo-static approach is commonly used for the calculation of impact load acting on a rigid debris-resisting barrier. The impact load is normally calculated based on the maximum velocity observed in the transportation zone under free-field conditions without considering debris-barrier interaction. In reality, the impact load acting on a barrier varies with the change of debris momentum flux but this is seldom considered in barrier design. To provide a scientific basis for assessing debris momentum flux during impact, this paper presents results from a study of debris-barrier interaction using physical flume modelling. This study showed that, following the first stage of impact, the accumulated debris behind a barrier formed a stationary zone and caused the remaining debris to slow down in a run-up process. In the experiments, the peak debris momentum was 30 % lower compared to that observed under free-field conditions. A new momentum-based model was developed to take into account attenuation of momentum flux for predicting debris impact load on rigid barriers. The new rationalised model was assessed using data from the notable Yu Tung Road debris flow in Hong Kong. The assessment showed that the design bending moment at the base of the barrier wall could be reduced more than 30 % using the proposed model, compared with the current design approach. The adoption of the proposed model could offer a new opportunity for practitioners to optimise the design of rigid barriers.     

Dynamic response of flexible rockfall barriers under different loading geometries

Flexible steel barriers are commonly constructed on steep hillsides to mitigate rockfall. The evaluation of the dynamic response of proprietary flexible barriers is conventionally performed using full-scale field tests by dropping a weight onto the barriers in accordance with the European test standard ETAG 27. The weight typically has a spherical or polyhedral shape and cannot reproduce more complex rockfall scenarios encountered in the field. A rigid slab may load a barrier over a larger area and its effect has not been investigated. In this study, a calibrated three-dimensional finite-element model was developed to study the performance of vertically and horizontally orientated rockfall barriers under concentrated areal impact loads. A new bilinear force-displacement model was incorporated into the model to simulate the behavior of the energy-dissipating devices on the barriers. The effect of different weight geometries was studied by considering impacts by a rigid single spherical boulder and a rigid slab. Results reveal that areal loading induced by a rigid slab increases the loading on the barrier foundation by up to 40 % in both horizontally and vertically positioned barriers when compared to a concentrated load scenario with a single boulder. This indicates that barriers tested under the current test standard does not give the worst-case scenario in terms of foundation loads, and barrier designers should take into account the possible effect of increased foundation loads by reinforcing the barrier posts and/or increasing their spacing.     

Inclusion of higher modes in the analysis of non-classically damped systems

A time-integration procedure for dynamic analysis of non-classically damped systems, in which high-frequency modes play a significant role, is suggested. This procedure is an extension of Clough and Mojtahedi's¹ method. Clough and Mojtahedi suggested integration of the transformed coupled equations of motion where the transformation is done using a truncated set of undamped mode-shapes. The proposed extension consists in adding the response of all the higher modes through a quasistatic analysis. Approximations involved in using such a procedure are examined. Numerical results presented indicate that the proposed extension leads to a significant improvement over Clough and Mojtahedi's method.     

Frame transformation of spherical-harmonic coefficients of differential particle intensity

We present a general second-order-correct frame transformation on spherical-harmonic coefficients of differential particle intensity. The transformation, valid for relativistic particles as well, provides a clear view of the Compton-Getting effect. It shows explicitly how each transformed harmonic coefficient depends on a subset of the original harmonic coefficients. The general expression for the first-order Compton-Getting vector anisotropy is derived and interpreted. In addition, we show how the new transformation allows one to simplify a current procedure for determining the directional intensity in a comoving frame. This involves the directional particle data measured on a spacecraft.