Numerical solution of the dispersion equation using a variable dispersion coefficient: method and applications

ABSTRACT

The study presented herein forms part of a wider research project on dispersion prediction in open channel flows which include laboratory, field and numerical investigations. In this paper, a numerical model which uses finite elements in space and finite differences in time for the solution of the convective-dispersion equation is developed and verified. In the model, the dispersion coefficient is considered as a function of time (or distance) during the initial period. It is represented by a modified Fickian type model which has been calibrated by the authors using laboratory data. The numerical model has been used to predict concentration profiles of tracer studies carried out in the laboratory as well as in the field.     

Accelerated initial stiffness schemes for elastoplasticity

Iterative methods for the solution of non‐linear finite element equations are generally based on variants of the Newton–Raphson method. When they are stable, full Newton–Raphson schemes usually converge rapidly but may be expensive for some types of problems (for example, when the tangent stiffness matrix is unsymmetric). Initial stiffness schemes, on the other hand, are extremely robust but may require large numbers of iterations for cases where the plastic zone is extensive. In most geomechanics applications it is generally preferable to use a tangent stiffness scheme, but there are situations in which initial stiffness schemes are very useful. These situations include problems where a nonassociated flow rule is used or where the zone of plastic yielding is highly localized. This paper surveys the performance of several single‐parameter techniques for accelerating the convergence of the initial stiffness scheme. Some simple but effective modifications to these procedures are also proposed. In particular, a modified version of Thomas' acceleration scheme is developed which has a good rate of convergence. Previously published results on the performance of various acceleration algorithms for initial stiffness iteration are rare and have been restricted to relatively simple yield criteria and simple problems. In this study, detailed numerical results are presented for the expansion of a thick cylinder, the collapse of a rigid strip footing, and the failure of a vertical cut. These analyses use the Mohr–Coulomb and Tresca yield criteria which are popular in soil mechanics. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemical characteristics and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age of the Lanhualing granite in Ningguo,Anhui ProvinceEI北大核心CSCD

The Lanhualing tungsten-molybdenum deposit is a skarn-type deposit located in Ningguo county, Anhui province. This deposit is mainly hosted in the Yinzhubu Formation and the Yanwashan Formation of Ordovician, and genetically related to the Lanhualing granite. The Lanhualing granite belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series with high alkali (Na2O+K2O=4.00%-7.03%), SiO2 (67.87%-74.92%) and MgO (0.62%-1.23%) contents. The granitic rocks show right-dipping chondrite normalized REE patterns with weak δEu anomalies. The granitic rocks are relatively enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE). The ore-bearing granite was dated at 148.17±0.94 Ma by LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb method. The late Yanshanian is the main tungsten mineralization epoch in the South Anhui-north Jiangxi area; and indeed, the Dongyuan, Zhuxi, Yangchuling, Dahutang and other large and super-large tungsten deposits were formed in this period. Geochemical Characteristics of the Lanhualing granite indicate a crustal source but with mantle input under tectonic regime of compression thickening. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.     

The Quaternary Lancaster Sound trough‐mouth fan,NW Baffin Bay

The development of the Lancaster Sound Trough Mouth Fan (TMF) and glacial history in Arctic Canada were studied using a high‐resolution seismic profile across the entire fan and two piston cores. Stacked tills separated by erosion surfaces on the shelf pass seaward through till deltas into thick transparent glacigenic debris flow (GDF) deposits on the slope, separated by thin, well‐stratified glaciomarine layers. An age model was built by ties to the Ocean Drilling Program Site 645. The deepest GDF on the seismic profile was indicative of the onset of shelf‐crossing glaciation in the Early Pleistocene. The transition of the growth of Lancaster Sound TMF from an aggradational sequence (unit M) to an aggradational–progradational sequence (unit F) occurred at the Middle Pleistocene transition in glacial cyclicity. In the most recent glacial cycle, GDF sheets were deposited during Heinrich events 4 and 2 according to the correlation of the main detrital carbonate beds in two piston cores. The outmost till wedge reflects the maximum advance of the grounding glacier, far seaward of previously proposed Last Glacial Maximum ice extent. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical current along balloon rigging line inside thunderstorms

We have designed a new instrument to measure the current flowing along balloon rigging line during flights through thunderstorms. This instrument was tested in a high voltage facility and used to collect line current data during one balloon flight into a thunderstorm. Using these data, worst-case calculations are made; as such, we claim that they are the upper limits of any alteration (to the measured electric field or particle charge) that may occur, and the real number is likely much less. It is postulated the rigging-line current could have two separate effects on the measured electric field: (1) reduction of the field due to emission of corona ions, and (2) enhancement of the field due to the insertion of a long thin ‘conductor.' Even with current as high as 1 μA (the largest measured was around 50–100 nA), these two effects were found to be about −1% and +1%, respectively. Also, the calculated worst-case alteration to charged precipitation measurements is about 0.1 pC. Thus, with proper efforts to make the rigging line as poor a conductor as possible, it seems that we are justified in stating that these effects are negligible.     

The Application of Telemetry to Large-Scale Horizontal Anisotropic Permeability Determinations by Surface Tiltmeter Survey

An advanced two-way radio link (transceiver units) and data logging system have provided a powerful means of real-time series data collection and analysis. The application of this telemetry system to surface tiltmeter surveys provides significant cost savings for testing and analysis of deep, large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability and heterogeneity determinations.
The determination of horizontal anisotropic properties requires one pumping well and eight to 10 tiltmeter monitoring stations. The validity of the depth of the test may reach 4,000 feet below land surface. With the addition of one partially penetrating observation well, the entire three-dimensional anisotropic permeability can be determined. With the addition of a fully penetrating well, the storage coefficient can be determined as well as leakage property (including vertical permeability of the confining layers). An example test case was analyzed for horizontal anisotropic permeability with remarkable success despite relatively unfavorable detection conditions.
A thorough understanding of the geology overlying the aquifer system must be made in order to assess the applicability of the surface tiltmeter survey to large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability determinations.     

Managing migration in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Regulation,extra‐legal relation and extortion

One major aim of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) integration programme, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is to foster regional ‘community’ for sharing resources, people and financial flows. This ‘community’ is the target of both economic growth and poverty reduction. The emphasis on ‘community’ in the ADB's mushrooming quantity of documents raises important questions about what kinds of people are included, in what roles and with what kinds of support and protection. This paper explores these questions in relation to the political economy of regulating ethnic migrants from Myanmar working in Thailand. This paper argues that extra‐legal relations between migrants and state/para‐state agents constitute a crucial part of regulation. In transferring the regulation of migration to the national scale, the ADB inadvertently reinforces national differences between Thais and cross‐border people. Additionally, the complicated and fluctuating implementation of national regulations in both countries leaves migrants subject to violence and extortion from state and quasi‐state agents in Thailand. This paper shows that the dynamics of global capitalism require ‘deportable labour’ supplied by ethnic migrants who are included in the GMS community as the most invisible, vulnerable and exploited members.