Dynamic response of cylindrical structures considering coupled soil-structure interaction under seismic loading

This paper attempts to develop a mathematical model for estimating the seismic response of a cylindrical shaped nuclear reactor building resting in an elastic halfspace considering foundation compliance. Most of the research carried out on this topic has either been carried out by resorting to finite element method (FEM) which makes the computational cost expensive or based on the simplifying assumption of assuming the cylindrical structure as a multi degree lumped mass stick model with soil coupled as boundary springs. In the present paper an analytical model has been developed in which the deformation of the cylindrical body (including its shear deformation characteristics) has been taken into cognizance and then coupling with foundation stiffness a comprehensive solution has been sought based on Galerkin’s weighted residual technique. The results are finally compared with FEM to check the reliability of the same. The results are found to be in good agreement with the detailed finite element analysis.     

Effect of potassium on soil conservation and productivity of maize/cowpea based crop rotations in the north-west Indian Himalayas

Plots under conservation tillage may require higher amount of potassium (K) application for augmenting productivity due to its stratification in upper soil layers, thereby reducing K supplying capacity in a medium or long-term period. To test this hypothesis, a field experiment was performed in 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 to study the effect of K and several crop rotations on yield, water productivity, carbon sequestration, grain quality, soil K status and economic benefits derived in maize (Zea mays L)/cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.) based cropping system under minimum tillage (MT). All crops recorded higher grain yield with a higher dose of K (120 kg K₂O ha^-1) than recommended K (40 kg K₂O ha^-1). The five years’ average yield data showed that higher K application (120 kg K₂O ha^-1) produced 16.4% (P<0.05) more maize equivalent yield. Cowpea based rotation yielded 14.2% (P<0.05) higher production than maize based rotation. The maximum enhancement was found in cowpea-mustard rotation. Relationship between yield and sustainable indices revealed that only agronomic efficiency of fertilizer input was significantly correlated with yield. Similarly, higher doses of K application not only increased the water use efficiency (WUE) of all crops, but also reduced runoff and soil loss by 16.5% and 15.8% under maize and 23.3% and 19.7% under cowpea cover, respectively. This study also revealed that on an average 16.5% of left over carbon input contributed to soil organic carbon (SOC). Here, cowpea based rotation with the higher K application increased carbon sequestration in soil. Potassium fertilization also significantly improved the nutritional value of harvested grain by increasing the protein content for maize (by 9.5%) and cowpea (by 10.6%). The oil content in mustard increased by 5.0% and 6.0% after maize and cowpea, respectively. Net return also increased with the application of the higher K than recommended K and the trend was similar to yield. Hence, the present study demonstrated the potential yield and profit gains along with resource conservation in the Indian Himalayas due to annual additions of higher amount of K than the recommended dose. The impact of high K application was maximum in the cowpea-mustard rotation.     

A gas dynamic model of the rotating solar atmosphere

A model is presented of a solar atmosphere which is heated by the periodic passage of shock waves. The outer atmosphere rotates and is assumed not to affect the strength of the shock waves. This constant shock strength hypothesis is used as the basis of the model of the outer solar atmosphere. From the model it is concluded that the chromospheric temperature rise and flow Mach number are slightly affected by the rotation of the atmosphere.     

Heat transfer in unsteady MHD couette flow of an electrically conducting,viscous, incompressible rarefied gas

An analytical study is performed to examine the heat transfer characteristics on the flow of a viscous, incompressible rarefied gas in a parallel plate channel under the action of transverse magnetic field when (i) suction velocity normal to the plate is constant, (ii) the second plate oscillates in time about a constant non-zero mean, (iii) fluid is subjected to a constant heat source of absorption type. Apprximate solutions for velocity, temperature, phase, and amplitude of skin-friction and rate of heat transfer are evaluated. Mean temperature profiles, phase and amplitude of rate of heat transfer at both plates are discussed graphically followed by a quantitative discussion. Mean rate of heat transfer is tabulated in Table I.     

Transverse seismic response analysis of offshore pipelines in proximity to the sea-bed

Both harmonic and seismic responses of several idealized offshore oil pipelines in proximity to the sea-bed have been studied in this paper by using a digital computer algorithm. In this, spatial discretization was based on finite elements, with nodal lumped masses, while a step-by-step explicit forward integration scheme was implemented for processing in the time domain. A study of the basic system parameters shows that pipe response to a horizontal transverse ground excitation is mainly affected by the clearance between the pipe and the sea-bed, pipe geometry and its end-restraints. Results also show that the overall effect of non-linear pressure drag is not substantial. Relevant fluid dynamic aspects affecting system response as well as possible effects of marine growth on pipe surface and structural/chemical degradation of the pipe coating are also discussed.     

Nonequilibrium carbon ionization states and the extragalactic far-UV background with HeII absorption

Using nonequilibrium calculations of the ionic states and the recently calculated extragalactic ultraviolet background radiation with absorption by intergalactic HeII we determine the ratios of CIII to CIV expected at z∼2–3, as functions of metallicity, gas density and temperature. We constrain the spectrum of the extragalactic ultraviolet background radiation by fitting the observed abundance ratios carbon ions at these redshifts with those expected from different models of the background radiation. Our analysis of the observed ratios shows that ‘delayed reionization’ models, which assume a large fraction of HeII at z∼3, is not favored by data. Our results suggest that HeII reionization was inhomogeneous, consistent with the predictions from recent simulations.     

Hydrogeomorphic classification and aquifer disposition in the Markanda river basin,Northwestern India — Hydrogeological approach

The regional hydrogeological aspects of the Markanda river basin in the Himalayan foothills, NW India have been attempted. The basin has been hydro-geomorphologically analyzed as ridge, piedmont zone, alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel. Groundwater prospect in the alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel areas were found to be promising. Water table contour maps of the basin revealed that groundwater flows from northeast to southwest. Groundwater permeability is low in the northern part and is high towards the southern part of the basin. The areas of recharge were identified in the northern part of the basin, while the areas of discharge were identified in the central and lower parts of the basin. Hydrogeologic transects across and along the basin indicate that aquifer horizons are made up of fine sand, medium sand and gravelly sand. These aquifer layers are laterally extensive but limited in thickness. They occur as multistoried sand bodies with pinch and swell behavior. The overall study gives an understanding of the present regional hydrogeological scenario of the Markanda basin. Such detailed integrated approach would help to locate productive groundwater areas before installing a new tubewell in the region. Also, it would help in planning future groundwater management of the region.     

Monitoring the Impact of Simulated Deep-sea Mining in Central Indian Basin

Monitoring of deep-sea disturbances, naturai or man-made, has gained significance due to the associated sediment transport and for the ensuing alterations in environmental conditions. During the Indian Deep-sea Environment Experiment (INDEX), resuspension of deep-sea sediment in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) resulted in an increase and lateral movement of suspended particles, vertical mixing of sediments, changes in sedimentological, biochemical, and geochemical conditions and an overall reduction in benthic biomass. Monitoring the conditions 44 months after the experiment has shown a partial recovery of the benthic ecosystem, with indications of restoration and recolonization.     

Key features associated with the early and late South China summer monsoon onset

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Here we investigate the key features of early and late South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset. To carry out the investigation, we select five extreme...     

Alongshore Sediment Transport Near Tidal Inlets of Chilika Lagoon; East Coast of India

ABSTRACT

Chilika, a lagoon along the east coast of India, is undergoing transformation due to frequent shoreline change near inlet(s). Shoreline change near inlet includes change in position and shape of inlet, inlet channel length, and spit growth/erosion. These variable features of lagoon inlet(s) critically depend on alongshore sediment transport (LST) and discharge (water and sediment) from the lagoon to the sea. The LST and the processes responsible for sand spit growth/erosion, considered as important attributes of inlet stability, are the subject matter of the present investigation and hence the study assumes importance. The study includes integration of observational and modeling framework. Observations include nearshore wave, bathymetry, beach profile, shoreline and sediment grain size of spits while numerical modeling includes simulation of the wave using MIKE 21 Spectral Wave model and LST simulation using LITtoral DRIFT. The results indicate that the predominant wave directions as S and SSE, which induces round the year south to north alongshore transport with significant seasonal variation in magnitude. The estimated LST closely matches with previous studies near Chilika inlet and for other locations along the Odisha coast. Besides temporal variability, the study reveals spatial variability in alongshore transport near Chilika inlet and considers it as one of the important attributes along with northward spit growth for inlet migration/closure/opening.