Quantification of changes in current intensities induced by wave overtopping around low-crested structures

The phenomenon of overtopping is traditionally studied for well-emerged harbour structures and often focuses on safety and stability. In this paper laboratory tests are presented and analysed to sharpen the hypothesis that overtopping is capable of changing the horizontal circulation pattern around low-crested structures. A unique data set from laboratory experiments was acquired in the wave basin at Delft University of Technology. The experiments were performed using an emerged impermeable low-crested structure (three freeboards and three different wave conditions for each freeboard) and yielded nine different combinations of set-up and overtopping driving forces. Using this information it was possible to quantify the changes in cross-shore and longshore velocity induced by the overtopping and the set-up changes under the different freeboard and wave conditions described. It is found that overtopping enhances the outgoing flows (longshore velocities parallel to the structure) away from the lee side of the structure and dampens the water level gradient driven flow towards the structure.     

Shear behaviour of subgrade soil with reference to varying initial shear stress and plasticity index

Acta Geotechnica - The influence of stress anisotropy (K) (i.e. the ratio between effective horizontal and vertical stresses) on the shear behaviour of soils has received significant attention in...     

iGeoTrans – a novel iOS application for GPS positioning in geosciences

The iGeoTrans is an iOS application designed for navigation purposes for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This application uses Global Positioning System (GPS), Assisted GPS system, GLONASS, Wi-Fi and Cellular Network for positioning. The iGeoTrans has included datum transformations and map projections that enable users to convert the collected data between different coordinate systems for almost all areas in the world. In addition, other features are also included such as distance, area measurements, and GPS results could be exported to the AutoCad dxf format for GIS softwares. The average horizontal and vertical root mean square errors (RMSEs) for the static test are around 4.11 and 3.51?m, respectively. The horizontal RMSE for the dynamic outdoor test is around 2.72?m. The iGeoTrans application can be used to support surveying, mapping and geosciences fieldworks for any area in the world.     

Identification of anthropogenic radionuclides in the Song Hong (Red) and Song Da (Black) river basins of Vietnam

The concentration and distribution of U were measured in zircon samples separated from the streambed sediments collected at different sites along the rivers of northern Vietnam using semiconductor alpha spectrometry and alpha- and fission-track autoradiography. Based on the absolute U content and distribution, we distinguished two groups of zircon grains of different origin. Group 1 zircons have relatively low and uniform U contents ranging from 280 to 440 μg/g. Group 2 zircons are characterized by heterogeneous U distribution and U contents ranging from 490 to 2040μg/g. The determination of absolute alpha activity values and alpha spectrometric characteristics for a number of group 2 zircon grains indicated the presence of relatively short-lived alpha-emitters. These radionuclides are probably ²¹⁰Po, ²³²U, ²³⁶Pu, ²⁴¹Am, and ²⁴³Am, and all of them can originate exclusively from anthropogenic sources. A comparison of the observed alpha activity values for group 2 zircons with those of group 1 zircons and zircons separated from the suspended colloids in river water samples provided conclusive evidence for traces of anthropogenic radioactive contamination in the Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Thac Ba, Viet Tri, and Hanoi streams flowing in the Song Hong (Red) and Song Da (Black) river basins of northern Vietnam and sourced in the southern regions of the neighboring state.