Hydrodynamic coefficients of a monolithic circular offshore structure

Expressions for both the rectilinear and rotational inertial and damping coefficients for a circular monolithic tower of uniform radius are derived. The analysis matches the fluid velocity, derived from potential theory, with the structural velocity in sway. That is, the motions of the tower are assumed to be in a vertical plane. The analysis is then applied to a tower composed of (lumped-mass) elements, where the expressions for the added-mass and damping coefficients are shown to be functions of wave number. The added-mass is shown to be a product of two wave systems: a travelling wave system, which is responsible for the radiation damping, and a standing wave system, called the evanescent system, which is attached to the structure. The added-mass of the evanescent system is negative for small wave numbers, while that of the travelling waves is positive. The negative sign simply means that the inertial force of the evanescent waves is 180° out of phase with that of the travelling system. Furthermore, it is shown that the contributions of the two wave systems to the total added-mass of the structure counteract each other, resulting in a total added-mass which varies gradually with the wave number. Finally, the analysis is applied to an experiment, and results of the analysis and the experiment are found to agree rather well.     

Response of jointed arches to earthquake excitation

An efficient method for accurately modelling the gradual opening and closing of joints in two-dimensional slabs and arches has been devised. The method is used in computing the earthquake response of an arch which is a representative horizontal cross-section of a concrete arch dam. Responses of the arch with and without joints are compared to assess the effect of joint opening. An extension to three-dimensional arch dams is proposed.     

Waterjet-assisted rock cutting systems — the present state of the art

Summary A review of the benefits of assisting mechanical tools, notably drag bits, with moderate pressure waterjets suitably directed with respect to the bit is given. These benefits include reduced bit forces, especially the bit normal force, reduced bit wear, reduced dust make, and reduced incidence of frictional sparking. The research work that has been conducted to date to investigate this phenomenon has been empirical in nature. Experiments are described that extend the data bank of this empirical knowledge. In addition, experiments aimed at gaining a better understanding of the fundamentals of the rock fragmentation process with this hybrid cutting method are outlined.Results from the first of these experimental series are used to make recommendations as to the position of the jet with respect to the bit, the stand-off distance between the nozzle exit and the bit/rock interface, and the jet energy. In addition, preliminary findings are reported regarding the increase necessary in the jet energy when the bit velocity is increased. Results from the second test series are discussed in the context of rock fracture behaviour induced by mechanical bits acting alone. The likely influence of waterjets on these fracture processes is analysed. It is concluded that, in terms of the bit force reductions, a dominant influence of the jets when used in conjunction with sharp drag bits, is continuous removal of the rock debris that forms ahead of the advancing bit. The observed reductions in bit wear and incidence of frictional sparking are attributed to reduced heat loading of the bit during the cutting operation. Reductions in the dust make are attributed to effective wetting of the fine rock particles before they become entrained in the airstream.     

Challenges in urban water management in the United States

The growing intensity of use of water in the urban environment of the United States is posing significant challenges for its supply, utilization, and protection. The development of traditional water sources is becoming more difficult, and water suppliers are turning to conservation and reuse as alternatives. Price disincentives and better water use management are being utilized to attempt to deal with limited capacity for distribution of water in periods of high demand. Urban runoff presents significant localized flooding problems. Management of floods and floodplains is given focus under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, which has as its goal the deterrence of development in flood-prone areas. Water quality goals, being developed and pursued under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, are becoming more encompassing as the breadth of pollutants identified in the urban environment expands. Wastewater control strategies developed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 are expanding their emphasis upon nonpoint source pollution, as opposed to traditional emphasis upon point source pollution. Integrated management of the water resource will become increasingly necessary to adequately address water problems in the urban environment. State and local responsibilities for urban water management and control will likely increase.     

Expert judgment and climate forecasting: A methodological critique of “climate change to the year 2000”

The National Defense University's study of climate change to the year 2000 was based largely on the judgments of the members of two expert panels. Although the study has been widely distributed and apparently read by policy makers in the U.S. and abroad, the method of eliciting and analyzing expert judgment has not been critically reviewed. This paper uses the literature on judgment and subjective probability to evaluate the expert judgment methods used in the study.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

On the residence time of water in Narragansett Bay

For Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, newly calculated and archival data for the area, mean depth, total volume, mean salinity and fresh water input are presented. Estimates of the residence time of the water, derived from 22 sets of monthly mean values, were related to estimates of the fresh water input according to the empirical relationship T=41.8 e^?0.00435(FW), where T is the flushing time in days, and FW is the fresh water input in m³ per s; the r² value is 0.841. Adding estimates of the mean wind speed into a multiple regression increased the correlation coefficient only to 0.864. At the long-term mean rate of fresh water input (105 m³ per s) the flushing time is 26 days. At the lowest mean monthly input rate observed the flushing time was nearly 40 days, while at the highest mean monthly input rate in the data set (325 m³ per s) the flushing time was about 10 days. Known sources of random error appear sufficient to account for most of the deviations from the relationship. The evidence suggests that variation in the flushing time is largely determined by variation in the fresh water input.     

On the chondrite—achondrite transition: mineralogy and chemistry of Yamato 74160 (LL7)

We report on the petrology, mineralogic properties and contents of major elements and trace elements Ag, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl, U and Zn (determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis) in Yamato 74160, interpreted as an LL7 chondrite. All properties are consistent with this meteorite having been recrystallized and partially melted locally once at temperatures well above 1090°C under conditions such that some minerals (e.g. plagioclase, euhedral pyroxene, tetrataenite) grew from melt pockets and siderophilic and chalcophilic elements were lost by extraction into eutectic melt that drained away. Inhomogeneous plagioclase compositions and mobile element loss suggest shock as the most likely heat source. Yamato 74160, while inferentially chondritic, is a larval achondrite: even higher temperatures and longer times would have been required to cause the separations necessary to transform it to an identifiable achondrite type.