Finite Element Modeling of Swelling Soil Pressures Using Joint/Interface Elements

There could be some discontinuities in a soil media such as layers, earth structures, cracks, and fissures so that estimation of stresses and deformations in these types of soil masses are somewhat different from continuous masses. The discontinuities in a soil mass could be considered as a special link between two blocks. Transmitted swelling pressures affected by the soil properties of the backfill especially at the interface between the backfill and retaining wall. In order to estimate the transmitted swelling pressure distribution behind a retaining wall, using with interface element, a new finite element model and a code (SWELPRES) have been developed. To evaluate the effect of backfill characteristics and interface element from the transmitted lateral swelling pressures, four cases of thickness of backfills with or without interface elements are investigated.     

Monitoring Large-Scale Tests for Nuclear Waste Disposal

Two large-scale “in situ” demonstration experiments and their instrumentation are described. The first test (FEBEX Experiment) involves the hydration of a compacted bentonite barrier under the combined effect of an inner source of heat and an outer water flow from the confining saturated granite rock. In the second case, the progressive de-saturation of Opalinus clay induced by maintained ventilation of an unlined tunnel is analyzed. The paper shows the performance of different sensors (capacitive cells, psychrometers, TDR’s) and a comparison of fill behaviour with modelling results. The long term performance of some instruments could also be evaluated specially in the case of FEBEX test. Capacitive sensors provide relative humidity data during long transient periods characterised by very large variations of suction within the bentonite.     

Hydrometeorologische Ergebnisse aus Abflußmessungen im Bereich des Hintereisferners (Ötztaler Alpen) in den Jahren 1957 bis 1959

Zusammenfassung Während der Internationalen Geophysikalischen Jahre 1957 bis 1959 wurde an einer Pegelmeßstelle bei 2287 m Höhe der Abfluß vom Hintereis- und Kesselwandferner registriert. Im vorliegenden Arbeitsbericht sollen spezifischen Merkmale des Abflusses aus dem zu 58% vergleitscherten Einzugsgebiet 26,6 km²) im Zusammenhang mit den meteorologischen Beidingungen dargestellt werden.Der Jahresabfluß betrug im Haushaltsjahr 1957/58 1848 mm und im Haushaltsjahr 1958/59 1770 mm; bedingt durch den stark negative massenhaushat der Gletscher was die Gletscherspende mit 24% bzw. 20% des Jahresabflusses außergewöhnlich hoch. Der winterabfluß (Oktober bis März) betrug nur 5% bzw. 10% des Jahresabflusses; die drei Sommermonate Juli bis September Lieferten dagegen 76% bzw. 72%. Der größte Monatsabfluß wurde im August 1958 mit 575 mm, im Juli 1959 mit 559 mm registriert.Die Häufigkeitsverteilung der Tagesabflußmengen für das Jahr 1957/58 ließ eine Andauer des Niedrigwassers mit Tages-Mittelwerten kleiner als 18,8 l/s km² (0,5 m³/s) von 217 Tagen (Oktober bis Mai, 59% des Jahres) erkennen. Größere Tagesabflüsse als 225 l/s km² (6,0 m³/s) kamen nur im Juli und August vor. Als Maximum wurden Abflußwerte bis zu 640 l/s km² Gletscherfläche im Tagesmittel erreicht, entsprechen 55m Abflußhöhe von den Schnee- und Eisflächen. Der exponentielle Abfall der Abflußganglinie vom Herbst zum Minimum im Frühjahr deutet an, daß es sich bei Winterwasser vorwiegend um das verzögerte Abfließen von in den Gletschern zurückgehaltenem Schmelzwasser aus der vorangegangenen Ablationsperiode handelt. Das Ansteigen der Wasserführung nach dem Beiginn der Schneeschmelze im Frühjahr erfolgt wegen des Wiedergefrierens von Schmelzwasser und wegen des Retentionsvermögens der Schneedecke mit einiger Verzörgerung.Die unperiodischen Schwankungen im Abflußgang stehen in engem Zusammenhang mit Wettervorgängen, wobei Schneeniederschlägen die Größte Bedeutung zukommt, weil die hohe Albedo einer Neuschneedecke die Ablation auf den Gletschern tagelang fast völlig unterbrechen kann. Aus zweistündigen Mittelwerten wurde für die Monate Juni bis September der mittlere Tagesgang der Wasserführung ermittelt. Die Ursache für das frühere Eintreten des taglichen Abflußmaximums im Spätsommer durfte verminderte Abflußverzögerung sein. Die Beziehung zwischen den Abflußwerten der Pegel Steg-Hospiz und Vent läßt einen Jahresgang erkennen.

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Summary During the International Geophysical Years 1957–1959 the run-off from Hintereisferner and Kesselwandferner was recorded by a stream gauge installed at an altitude of 2287 m. a. s. 1. The annual run-off in relation to mass budget and precipitation has already been reported in [10, 11]. In the present report characteristic features of run-off from a catchment area (26.6 km²) glaciated to 58 per cent shall be discussed with regard to the meteorological conditions.In the budget years 1957/58 and 1958/59 the yearly run-off was 1848 mm and 1770 mm, respectively. Owing to the strongly negative mass budget of the glaciers the glacier quota of 24 per cent and of 20 per cent, respectively, of the annual run-off was exceptionally high. Winter run-off (October to March) amounting to 5 per cent and to 10 per cent, respectively, of the yearly run-off was only small while July to September supplied 76 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. The maximum monthly run-off was recorded in August 1958 with 575 mm, and in July 1959 with 559 mm.The frequency distribution of the daily run-off in 1957/58 showed a period of low run-off during 217 days (October to May, 59 per cent of the year) with daily means below 18.8 l/s km² (0.5 m³/s). Daily run-off exceeding 225 l/s km² (6.0 m³/s) occurred only in July and August. Daily means exceeding 338 l/s km² (9.0 m³/s) were recorded only three times in July. The maximum daily means of run-off were up to 640 l/s km² of glacier surface which corresponds to 55 mm of run-off from the snow and ice surfaces. The highest two hourly mean value was 950 l/s km² of the glacier surface. The exponential decrease of the run-off curve from fall to the minimum in spring indicates that winter water consists mainly of the delayed run-off of melt water stored in the glaciers during the preceding ablation period. Owing to the refreezing of the melt water and to the storage capacity of the snow cover run-off is somewhat delayed after the snow melt has set in.The aperiodic variations in the run-off are closely related to weather conditions. Snow falls are of primary importance as the high albedo of a fresh snow cover may interrupt ablation on glaciers almost completely for days. The mean daily variation of run-off was determined from two-hourly mean values for the period June to September. The early occurrence of the daily run-off. The relation between the run-off values recorded at the water gauges Steg-Hospiz and Vent indicates and annual variation.

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Résumé Pendant les Années Géophysiques Internationales de 1957 à 1959 l'écoulement du Hintereisferner et du Kesselwandferner a été enregistré par un limnigraphe installé à une altitude 2287 m. Un rapport a déjà été présenté dans [10, 11] sur l'écoulement annuel en rapport avec le bilan hydrologique du bassin. Dans le présent rapoort il sera traité des caractères spécifiques de l'écoulement d'un bassin dont 58% sont recouverts par le glacier, les quels seront mis en rapport avec les conditions météorologiques.L'écoulement annuel au cours de l'année hydrologique 1957/58 a été de 1848 mm et dans l'année hydrologique 1958/59 de 1770 mm. L'eau libérée par la perte de substance glacière représente 24% pour 1957/58 et 20% pour 1958/59 de l'écoulement annuel. Les pourcentages extrêmement élevés doivent être attribués au bilan fortement négatif des glaciers. L'écoulement d'hiver (Octobre à Mars) représentant 5% pour l'année 1957/58 et 10% pour 1958/59 de l'écoulement annuel a été petit tandis que les trois mois d'été (Juillet–Septembre) fournissaient 76% (1957/58) et 72% (1958/59). L'écoulement mensuel le plus élevé a été enregistré en Aôut 1958 avec 575 mm, et, en Juillet 1959 avec 559 mm.La répartition des fréquences des écoulements journaliers pour l'année 1957/58 indique une période d'étiage de 217 jours (Octobre à Mai, 59% de l'année) avec valeurs journalières en dessous de 18.8 l/s km² (0.5 m³/s). Des écoulements dépassant 225 l/s km² (6.0 m³/s) n'ont été enregistrés qu'en Juillet et Aôut. Les moyennes journalières n'ont dépassé les 338 l/s km² (9.0 m³/s) que trois fois en Juillet. Les valeurs maximums des moyennes journalières d'écoulement se sont élevées à 640 l/s km² de la surface des glaciers, correspondant à 55 mm d'écoulement des surfaces de neige et de glace. La valeur maximum d'une moyenne de deux heures a été de 950 l/s km² de la surface des glaciers. La chute exponentielle de la courbe d'écoulement allant de l'automne au minimum enregistré au printemps indique que dans les cas d'étiage il s'agit de l'écoulement retardé des aux de fonte refenues dans les glaciers pendant la période d'ablation précédente. L'accroissement de l'écoulement après le comencement de la fonte de neige au printemps est retardé dans une certaine mesure par le regel des aux de fonte et la capacité de rétention de la couche de neige. Les variations apériodiques dans l'écoulement sont en relations étroites avec les conditions atmospheriques dont les chutes de neige sont de la plus grade importance car l'albédo élevé d'une couche de neige fraîche interrompt parfois et presque complétement l'ablation sur les glaciers pour des jours entiers.L'amplitude moyenne de la variation journalière de l'écoulement a été, pour les mois de Juin à Septembre, détérminée à la base des valeurs moyennes de deux heures. L'apparition précoce du maximum d'écoulement journalier en fin d'été est probablement due à la diminution du retardement de l'écoulement en cette période. La relation entre le valeurs d'écoulement des limnigraphes de Steg-Hospiz et de Vent met en évidence une variation annuelle.

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Die für diesen Bericht erforderliche weitere Bearbeitung der Abflußdaten und die Fertigstellung des Manuskriptes wurde dem Verfasser im Rahmen seiner Tätigkeit bei der Kommission für Glaziologie an der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften ermöglicht, wofür an dieser Stelle gedankt sei.     

Constraining the origin and evolution of confined turbidite systems: southern Cretan margin,Eastern Mediterranean Sea (34°30–36°N)

Bathymetric, 9.5-kHz long-range sidescan sonar (OKEAN), seismic reflection and sediment-core data are used in the analysis of two tectonic troughs south of Crete, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Here, up to 1.2 s two-way travel time (TWTT) of strata have accumulated since the Middle Miocene in association with extension in the South Aegean region. The study area comprises >100-km- long by >25-km-wide basins filled by sediments subdivided into two seismic units: (1) an upper Unit 1 deposited in sub-basins which follow the present-day configuration of the southern Cretan margin; (2) a basal Unit 2, more than 500 ms (TWTT) thick, accumulated in deeper half-graben/grabens distinct from the present-day depocentres. Both units overlap a locally stratified Unit 3 comprising the pre-Neogene core complex of Crete and Gavdos. In this work, the interpreted seismic units are correlated with the onshore stratigraphy, demonstrating that denudation processes occurring on Crete and Gavdos in response to major tectonic events have been responsible for high sedimentation rates along the proximal southern Cretan margin. Consequently, topographically confined sedimentary units have been deposited south of Crete in the last 12 Ma, including turbidites and other mass-flow deposits fed by evolving transverse and axial channel systems. Surface processes controlling facies distribution include the direct inflow of sediment from alluvial-fan systems and incising mountain rivers onto the Cretan slope, where significant sediment instability processes occur at present. In this setting, seismic profiles reveal eight different types of stratigraphic contacts on basin-margin highs, and basinal areas show evidence of halokinesis and/or fluid escape. The acquired data also show that significant changes to the margin’s configuration occurred in association with the post-Alpine tectonic and eustatic episodes affecting the Eastern Mediterranean.     

Mechanisms controlling the temporal variation of the sea ice edge in the Southern Ocean

This paper examines the mechanism controlling the short time-scale variation of sea ice cover over the Southern Ocean. Sea ice concentration and ice velocity datasets derived from images of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) are employed to reveal this mechanism. The contribution of both dynamic and thermodynamic processes to the change in ice edge location is examined by comparing the meridional velocity of ice edge displacement and sea ice drift. In the winter expansion phase, the thermodynamic process of new ice production off the ice edge plays an important role in daily advances of ice cover, whereas daily retreats are mostly due to southward ice drift. On the other hand, both advance and retreat of ice edges in the spring contraction phase are mostly caused by the dynamic process of the ice drift. Based on the above mechanism and the linear relation between the degree of ice production at the ice edge and northward wind speed, the seasonal advance of ice cover can be roughly reproduced using the meridional velocity of ice drift at the ice edge.     

The Levant Slumps and the Phoenician Structures: collapse features along the continental margin of the southeastern Mediterranean Sea

Two distinct series of slumps deform the upper part of the sedimentary sequence along the continental margin of the Levant. One series is found along the base of the continental slope, where it overlies the disrupted eastern edge of the Messinian evaporites. The second series of slumps transects the continental margin from the shelf break to the Levant Basin. It seemed that the two series were triggered by two unrelated, though contemporaneous, processes. The shore-parallel slumps were initiated by basinwards flow of the Messinian salt, that carried along the overlying Plio-Quaternary sediments. Seawater that percolated along the detachment faults dissolved the underlying salt to form distinctly disrupted structures. The slope-normal slumps are located on top of large canyons that cut into the pre-Messinian sedimentary rocks. A layer of salt is found in the canyons, and the Plio-Quaternary sediments were deposited on that layer. The slumps are bounded by large, NW-trending faults where post-Messinian faulted offset was measured. We presume that the flow of the salt in the canyons also drives the slope-normal slumps. Thus thin-skinned halokynetic processes generated the composite post-Tortonian structural patterns of the Levant margin. The Phoenician Structures are a prime example of the collapse of a distal continental margin due to the dissolution of a massive salt layer.     

Fractal Dimension and Fractals in Ocean Engineering

- This paper discusses the application of fractal dimension and fractals in ocean engineering. To handle some ocean environment problems, the existing fractal method, in which the fractal dimension is a constant, can be used. For some complicated problems in ocean engineering, this paper presents the concept of the variable dimension fractals (D = f(r)), i. e., the fractal dimension D is the function of characteristic scale r instead of a constant. By using variable dimension fractals, several deformation and stress states of offshore structures are described.     

三疣梭子蟹全人工工厂化育苗技术

2000年笔者在日照市水产研究所利用1450m^3水进行梭子蟹全人工工厂化育苗生产，共出Ⅱ-Ⅲ期幼蟹512．7万只，创造了出苗量为3500只／m^3，总产值为150多万元的直接经济效益，同时对幼体培育的密度进行了初步试验，结果表明：从Z1至M期幼体培育密度10－15万／m^3为宜，M期以后密度以0．8－1．5万／m^3为宜。     

Mixed layer variability in Northern Arabian Sea as detected by an Argo float

Seasonal evolution of surface mixed layer in the Northern Arabian Sea (NAS) between 17° N–20.5° N and 59° E-69° E was observed by using Argo float daily data for about 9 months, from April 2002 through December 2002. Results showed that during April - May mixed layer shoaled due to light winds, clear sky and intense solar insolation. Sea surface temperature (SST) rose by 2.3 °C and ocean gained an average of 99.8 Wm⁻². Mixed layer reached maximum depth of about 71 m during June - September owing to strong winds and cloudy skies. Ocean gained abnormally low ∼18 Wm⁻² and SST dropped by 3.4 °C. During the inter monsoon period, October, mixed layer shoaled and maintained a depth of 20 to 30 m. November - December was accompanied by moderate winds, dropping of SST by 1.5 °C and ocean lost an average of 52.5 Wm⁻². Mixed layer deepened gradually reaching a maximum of 62 m in December. Analysis of surface fluxes and winds suggested that winds and fluxes are the dominating factors causing deepening of mixed layer during summer and winter monsoon periods respectively. Relatively high correlation between MLD, net heat flux and wind speed revealed that short term variability of MLD coincided well with short term variability of surface forcing.