Estimating flow resistance in steep slope rills

Recent research recognized that the slope of 18% can be used to distinguish between the ‘gentle slope’ case and that of ‘steep slope’ for the detected differences in hydraulic variables (flow depth, velocity, Reynolds number, Froude number) and those representatives of sediment transport (flow transport capacity, actual sediment load). In this paper, using previous measurements carried out in mobile bed rills and flume experiments characterized by steep slopes (i.e., slope greater than or equal to 18%), a theoretical rill flow resistance equation to estimate the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is tested. The main aim is to deduce a relationship between the velocity profile parameter Γ, the channel slope, the Reynolds number, the Froude number and the textural classes using a data base characterized by a wide range of hydraulic conditions, plot or flume slope (18%–84%) and textural classes (clay ranging from 3% to 71%). The obtained relationship is also tested using 47 experimental runs carried out in the present investigation with mobile bed rills incised in a 18%—sloping plot with a clay loam soil and literature data. The analysis demonstrated that: (1) the soil texture affects the estimate of the Γ parameter and the theoretical flow resistance law (Equation 25), (2) the proposed Equation (25) fits well the independent measurements of the testing data base, (3) the estimate of the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is affected by the soil particle detachability and transportability and (4) the Darcy-Weisbach friction factor is linearly related to the rill slope.     

Time-space variation of volcano-seismic events at La Fossa (Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy): new insights into seismic sources in a hydrothermal system

We investigated the relationship between volcano-seismic events, recorded at La Fossa crater of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) during 2004-2006, and the dynamics of the hydrothermal system. During the period of study, three episodes of increasing numbers of volcano-seismic events took place at the same time as geothermal and geochemical anomalies were observed. These geothermal and geochemical anomalies have been interpreted as resulting from an increasing deep magmatic component of the hydrothermal fluids. Three classes of seismic events (long period, high frequency and monochromatic events), characterised by different spectral content and various similarity of the waveforms, have been recognised. These events, clustered mainly below La Fossa crater area at depths of 0.5–1.1 km b.s.l., were space-distributed according to the classes. Based on their features, we can infer that such events at Vulcano are related to two different source mechanisms: (1) fracturing processes of rocks and (2) resonance of cracks (or conduits) filled with hydrothermal fluid. In the light of these source mechanisms, the increase in the number of events, at the same time as geochemical and geothermal anomalies were observed, was interpreted as the result of an increasing magmatic component of the hydrothermal fluids, implying an increase of their flux. Indeed, such variation caused an increase of both the pore pressure within the rocks of the volcanic system and the amount of ascending fluids. Increased pore pressures gave rise to fracturing processes, while the increased fluid flux favoured resonance and vibration processes in cracks and conduits. Finally, a gradual temporal variation of the waveform of the hybrid events (one of the subclasses of long period events) was observed, likely caused by heating and drying of the hydrothermal system.     

Net sediment transport in tidal basins: quantifying the tidal barotropic mechanisms in a unified framework

Net sediment transport in tidal basins is a subtle imbalance between large fluxes produced by the flood/ebb alternation. The imbalance arises from several mechanisms of suspended transport. Lag effects and tidal asymmetries are regarded as dominant, but defined in different frames of reference (Lagrangian and Eulerian, respectively). A quantitative ranking of their effectiveness is therefore missing. Furthermore, although wind waves are recognized as crucial for tidal flats’ morphodynamics, a systematic analysis of the interaction with tidal mechanisms has not been carried out so far. We review the tide-induced barotropic mechanisms and discuss the shortcomings of their current classification for numerical process-based models. Hence, we conceive a unified Eulerian framework accounting for wave-induced resuspension. A new methodology is proposed to decompose the sediment fluxes accordingly, which is applicable without needing (semi-) analytical approximations. The approach is tested with a one-dimensional model of the Vlie basin, Wadden Sea (The Netherlands). Results show that lag-driven transport is dominant for the finer fractions (silt and mud). In absence of waves, net sediment fluxes are landward and spatial (advective) lag effects are dominant. In presence of waves, sediment can be exported from the tidal flats and temporal (local) lag effects are dominant. Conversely, sand transport is dominated by the asymmetry of peak ebb/flood velocities. We show that the direction of lag-driven transport can be estimated by the gradient of hydrodynamic energy. In agreement with previous studies, our results support the conceptualization of tidal flats’ equilibrium as a simplified balance between tidal mechanisms and wave resuspension.     

Influence of connection typology on seismic response of MR‐Frames with and without ‘set‐backs’

The work presented is aimed at the investigation of the influence of beam‐to‐column connections on the seismic response of MR‐Frames, with and without ‘set‐backs’, designed according to the Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control. The investigated connection typologies are four partial strength connections whose structural details have been designed to obtain the same flexural resistance. The first three joints are designed by means of hierarchy criteria based on the component approach and are characterized by different location of the weakest joint component, leading to different values of joint rotational stiffness and plastic rotation supply and affecting the shape of the hysteresis loops governing the dissipative capacity. The last typology is a beam‐to‐column connection equipped with friction pads devoted to the dissipation of the earthquake input energy, thus preventing the connection damage. An appropriate modelling is needed to accurately represent both strength and deformation characteristics, especially with reference to partial‐strength connections where the dissipation of the earthquake input energy occurs. To this aim, beam‐to‐column joints are modelled by means of rotational inelastic springs located at the ends of the beams whose moment‐rotation curve is characterized by a cyclic behaviour which accounts for stiffness and strength degradation and pinching phenomena. The parameters characterizing the cyclic hysteretic behaviour have been calibrated on the base of experimental results aiming to the best fitting. Successively, the prediction of the structural response of MR‐Frames, both regular frames and frames with set‐backs, equipped with such connections has been carried out by means of both push‐over and Incremental Dynamic Analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow resistance equation for rills

In this paper, a new flow resistance equation for rill flow was deduced applying dimensional analysis and self‐similarity theory. At first, the incomplete self‐similarity hypothesis was used for establishing the flow velocity distribution whose integration gives the theoretical expression of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor. Then the deduced theoretical resistance equation was tested by some measurements of flow velocity, water depth, cross section area, wetted perimeter, and bed slope carried out in 106 reaches of some rills shaped on an experimental plot. A relationship between the velocity profile, the channel slope, and the flow Froude number was also established. The analysis showed that the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated by the proposed theoretical approach based on a power–velocity profile.     

Comparing Beerkan infiltration tests with rainfall simulation experiments for hydraulic characterization of a sandy‐loam soil

Saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, K _s , data collected by ponding infiltrometer methods and usual experimental procedures could be unusable for interpreting field hydrological processes and particularly rainfall infiltration. The K _s values determined by an infiltrometer experiment carried out by applying water at a relatively large distance from the soil surface could however be more appropriate to explain surface runoff generation phenomena during intense rainfall events. In this study, a link between rainfall simulation and ponding infiltrometer experiments was established for a sandy‐loam soil. The height of water pouring for the infiltrometer run was chosen, establishing a similarity between the gravitational potential energy of the applied water, E _p , and the rainfall kinetic energy, E _k . To test the soundness of this procedure, the soil was sampled with the Beerkan estimation of soil transfer parameters procedure of soil hydraulic characterization and two heights of water pouring (0.03 m, i.e., usual procedure, and 0.34 m, yielding E _p  = E _k ). Then, a comparison between experimental steady‐state infiltration rates, i _sR , measured with rainfall simulation experiments determining runoff production and K _s values for the two water pouring heights was carried out in order to discriminate between theoretically possible (i _sR  ≥ K _s ) and impossible (i _sR  < K _s ) situations. Physically possible K _s values were only obtained by applying water at a relatively large distance from the soil surface, because i _sR was equal to 20.0 mm h^?1 and K _s values were 146.2–163.9 and 15.2–18.7 mm h^?1 for a height of water pouring of 0.03 and 0.34 m, respectively. This result suggested the consistency between Beerkan runs with a high height of water pouring and rainfall simulator experiments. Soil compaction and mechanical aggregate breakdown were the most plausible physical mechanisms determining reduction of K _s with height. This study demonstrated that the height from which water is poured onto the soil surface is a key parameter in infiltrometer experiments and can be adapted to mimic the effect of high intensity rain on soil hydraulic properties.     

Seismic protection of frame structures via semi-active control： modeling and implementation issues

Theoretical and practical issues concerning the multi-faceted task of mitigating the latero-torsional seismic response of a prototypal frame structure with asymmetric mass distribution are approached.Chevron braces with embedded magnetorheological dampers acting on the interstory drift are used to ensure additional energy dissipation.The semi-active control strategy employed to govern the modifi cation of the damper characteristics via feedback is based on the selection of optimal forces according to a H2/L...     

<Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar ages of the<Emphasis Type="Italic"> AD</Emphasis> 79 eruption of Vesuvius,Italy

The Italian volcano, Vesuvius, erupted explosively in AD 79. Sanidine from pumice collected at Casti Amanti in Pompeii and Villa Poppea in Oplontis yielded a weighted-mean ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 1925±66 years in 2004 (1σ uncertainty) from incremental-heating experiments of eight aliquants of sanidine. This is the calendar age of the eruption. Our results together with the work of Renne et al. (1997) and Renne and Min (1998) demonstrate the validity of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method to reconstruct the recent eruptive history of young, active volcanoes.     

Prediction of response spectra via real-time earthquake measurements

The development and implementation of an earthquake early warning system (EEWS), both in regional or on-site configurations can help to mitigate the losses due to the occurrence of moderate-to-large earthquakes in densely populated and/or industrialized areas. The capability of an EEWS to provide real-time estimates of source parameters (location and magnitude) can be used to take some countermeasures during the earthquake occurrence and before the arriving of the most destructive waves at the site of interest. However, some critical issues are peculiar of EEWS and need further investigation: (1) the uncertainties on earthquake magnitude and location estimates based on the measurements of some observed quantities in the very early portion of the recorded signals; (2) the selection of the most appropriate parameter to be used to predict the ground motion amplitude both in near- and far-source ranges; (3) the use of the estimates provided by the EEWS for structural engineering and risk mitigation applications.In the present study, the issues above are discussed using the Campania–Lucania region (Southern Apennines) in Italy, as test-site area. In this region a prototype system for earthquake early warning, and more generally for seismic alert management, is under development. The system is based on a dense, wide dynamic accelerometric network deployed in the area where the moderate-to-large earthquake causative fault systems are located.The uncertainty analysis is performed through a real-time probabilistic seismic hazard analysis by using two different approaches. The first is the Bayesian approach that implicitly integrate both the time evolving estimate of earthquake parameters, the probability density functions and the variability of ground motion propagation providing the most complete information. The second is a classical point estimate approach which does not account for the probability density function of the magnitude and only uses the average of the estimates performed at each seismic station.Both the approaches are applied to two main towns located in the area of interest, Napoli and Avellino, for which a missed and false alarm analysis is presented by means of a scenario earthquake: an M 7.0 seismic event located at the centre of the seismic network.Concerning the ground motion prediction, attention is focused on the response spectra as the most appropriate function to characterize the ground motion for earthquake engineering applications of EEWS.     

Magnetic record of El Niño Southern Oscillation in Late Pleistocene sediments from Mucubají lake (western Venezuela)

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an internal forcing of the climate system. This event has an actual frequency of 2 to 8 years. Evidence from a paleoclimate proxy database of gray scale (GS), in samples from Pallcacocha lake in Ecuador, indicates that the ENSO had a frequency of 35 to 75 years during the Late Pleistocene. In this work we explored the possible relationship between the ENSO proxies (GS) from Pallcacocha and magnetic parameters from sediments sampled at the Mucubají lake in Mérida, Venezuela (i.e. mass-specific magnetic susceptibility, magnetic remanence S ratio and susceptibilitynormalized saturation isothermal remanent magnetization). After applying a Lanczos bandpass filter to the rock magnetic and the GS data, in order to remove, as much as possible, frequencies associated to any periodic event other than ENSO, we found significant correlations between GS and magnetic parameters for the period between 12450 and 10560 cal. yrs BP. These relationships were obtained using an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), a hybrid algorithm that combines fuzzy logic with neural networks. The results show that the magnetic parameters obtained in Mucubají are able to explain 50.5% of the total variance of the ENSO proxy in a range of 35 to 75 years in Pallcacocha, which is roughly the same percentage of the total variance of the temperature in the Venezuelan Andes, explained by the ENSO at present times. In this way we have inferred a possible influence of the ENSO in the Venezuelan Andes during the Late Pleistocene.