Coupled three-dimensional discrete element–finite difference simulation of dynamic compaction

Discrete element method has been widely adopted to simulate processes that are challenging to continuum-based approaches. However, its computational efficiency can be greatly compromised when large number of particles are required to model regions of less interest to researchers. Due to this, the application of DEM to boundary value problems has been limited. This paper introduces a three-dimensional discrete element–finite difference coupling method, in which the discrete–continuum interactions are modeled in local coordinate systems where the force and displacement compatibilities between the coupled subdomains are considered. The method is validated using a model dynamic compaction test on sand. The comparison between the numerical and physical test results shows that the coupling method can effectively simulate the dynamic compaction process. The responses of the DEM model show that dynamic stress propagation (compaction mechanism) and tamper penetration (bearing capacity mechanism) play very different roles in soil deformations. Under impact loading, the soil undergoes a transient weakening process induced by dynamic stress propagation, which makes the soil easier to densify under bearing capacity mechanism. The distribution of tamping energy between the two mechanisms can influence the compaction efficiency, and allocating higher compaction energy to bearing capacity mechanism could improve the efficiency of dynamic compaction.

     

China’s national carbon emissions trading scheme: lessons from the pilot emission trading schemes,academic literature,and known policy details

Upon completion, China’s national emissions trading scheme (C-ETS) will be the largest carbon market in the world. Recent research has evaluated China’s seven pilot ETSs launched from 2013 on, and academic literature on design aspects of the C-ETS abounds. Yet little is known about the specific details of the upcoming C-ETS. This article combines currently understood details of China’s national carbon market with lessons learned in the pilot schemes as well as from the academic literature. Our review follows the taxonomy of Emissions Trading in Practice: A Handbook on Design and Implementation (Partnership for Market Readiness & International Carbon Action Partnership. (2016). Retrieved from www.worldbank.org): The 10 categories are: scope, cap, distribution of allowances, use of offsets, temporal flexibility, price predictability, compliance and oversight, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, linking, implementation and improvements.

Key policy insights

• Accurate emissions data is paramount for both design and implementation, and its availability dictates the scope of the C-ETS.

• The stakeholder consultative process is critical for effective design, and China is able to build on its extensive experience through the pilot ETSs.

• Current policies and positions on intensity targets and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits constrain the market design of the C-ETS.

• Most critical is the nature of the cap. The currently discussed rate-based cap with ex post adjustment is risky. Instead, an absolute, mass-based emissions cap coupled with the conditional use of permits would allow China to maintain flexibility in the carbon market while ensuring a limit on CO₂ emissions.

     

百色气候变化特征及城市适应策略建议

利用气候观测数据分析表明,近60a来,百色出现了与全球气候变化背景一致的增暖变化,主要变化特征有:气温明显升高,年降水日数减少,冬季降水量增多,年日照时数减少;高温和干旱频率高,20世纪90年代以来暴雨日数偏多。与广西平均气候变化状况相比,百色的气候变化程度风险低于广西平均水平。预估到本世纪中期,百色气温仍将缓慢升高,干旱和强降水的强度可能加剧。建议科学规划,统筹协调,科学评估城市气候承载力,开展城市适应气候变化风险管理,提升生态气候环境监测及自然灾害预警应急能力,建设生态气候宜居城市。     

DYYZ-Ⅱ型自动气象站测温故障排除方法与思路

文章通过DYYZ-Ⅱ型自动气象站出现的一次气温、地温数据缺测故障,分析了DYYZ-Ⅱ型自动气象站出现测温故障时的故障排除过程与排除思路,为保障技术人员在处理此类故障时提供了方法和依据。     

500kN 足尺磁流变液阻尼器设计的关键技术

对我们制作的、目前出力居世界前列的500kN足尺MR阻尼器设计的关键技术、阻尼器的性能试验及力学模型的参数识别进行了研究。在对磁流变液材料的最大屈服剪应力、抗沉降稳定性以及磁滞响应时间等关键性能试验分析的基础上,确认该磁流变液的抗沉降稳定性和其他两项性能指标满足MR阻尼器的设计与工程应用要求。同时,对此500kN足尺MR阻尼器设计的关键技术,包括内置式碟型弹簧蓄能器、磁场防漏设计以及引线保护等进行了介绍;并通过对此MR阻尼器性能的试验,依据阻尼最小二乘法,对MR阻尼器采用的修正的B ingham模型的参数进行了识别,得到了与试验结果吻合的MR阻尼器的力学模型。通过研究可知,高性能磁流变液材料的制备以及MR阻尼器设计的关键技术是大吨位足尺MR阻尼器成功的关键。     

Application of saddlepoint approximation in reliability analysis of dynamic systems

The application of the saddlepoint approximation to reliability analysis of dynamic systems is investigated. The failure event in reliability problems is formulated as the exceedance of a single performance variable over a prescribed threshold level. The saddlepoint approximation technique provides a choice to estimate the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the performance variable. The failure probability is obtained as the value of the complement CDF at a specif ied threshold. The method requires computing the saddlepoint from a simple algebraic equation that depends on the cumulant generating function (CGF) of the performance variable. A method for calculating the saddlepoint using random samples of the performance variable is presented. The applicable region of the saddlepoint approximation is discussed in detail. A 10-story shear building model with white noise excitation illustrates the accuracy and effi ciency of the proposed methodology.     

准噶尔盆地南缘中-新生界碎屑成份特征与构造期次

准噶尔盆地南缘晚侏罗世-早白垩世早期、晚白垩世及晚新生代发育的近源粗碎屑沉积显示构造活动的存在。野外剖面及镜下碎屑成份统计表明:砾岩的砾石成份、砂岩碎屑成份的物源属性主要是再旋回造山带和晚古生代的岩浆弧,但盆地南缘东段与西段的岩屑组成及物源属性存在较大的差异。其中,沉积岩岩屑在晚侏罗世—早白垩世早期、晚白垩世和晚新生代发生了相应的增加,显示盆缘沉积岩物源的隆升—剥蚀作用和构造活动的相对活跃。砂岩碎屑特征、重矿物相对含量及重矿物组合特征证明盆地南缘东、西两段的物源属性存在较大差异,特别是不稳定重矿物的增加显示晚侏罗世-早白垩世早期、晚白垩世和晚新生代为构造相对活跃的构造环境。综合中-新生界沉积碎屑特征及差异分析,准噶尔盆地南缘中-新生代盆山格局发生了3次较大的转变过程,分别对应于上述3个时期。中-新生代3次构造活动对含油气系统形成具有重要控制作用,构造活动期次与油气藏形成、调整的期次也有良好的对应关系。     

中国滑雪场可达性及市场潜力测度

利用可达性分析方法与潜力模型对中国滑雪场空间分布格局与市场潜力进行了系统分析,全面认识了滑雪场在交通可达性方面的优劣势,并针对不同区域提出了相应的发展或改进方向.研究表明:中国滑雪场距离城市中心的平均最短旅行时间为1.24 h,南方可达性普遍较差,北方同一城市内部差异较大.全国各城市到达某一滑雪场的最短时间呈圈层式分布...     

The conservation patterns of grassland ecosystem in response to the forage-livestock balance in North China

Being a key ecological security barrier and production base for grassland animal husbandry in China,the balance between grassland forage supply and livestock-carrying pressure in North China directly affects grassland degradation and restoration,thereby impacting grassland ecosystem services.This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal variation in grassland vegetation coverage,forage supply,and the balance between grassland forage supply and livestock-carrying pressure from 2000 to 2015 in North China.We then discuss the spatial pattern of grassland ecological conservation under the impacts of grassland degradation and restoration,and livestock-carrying pressure.Over the last 16 years,the total grassland area in North China decreased by about 16,000 km2,with vegetation coverage degraded by 6.7％ of the grasslands but significantly restored by another 5.4％ of grasslands.The provisioning of forage by natural grassland mainly increased over time,with an annual growth rate of approximately 0.3 kg/ha,but livestock-carrying pressure also increased continuously.The livestock-carrying pressure index without any supplementary feeding reached as high as 3.8.Apart from the potential livestock-carrying capacity in northeastern Inner Mongolia and the central Tibetan Plateau,most regions in North China are currently overloaded.Considering the actual supplementary feeding during the cold season,the livestock-carrying pressure index is about 3.1,with the livestock-carrying pressure mitigated in central and eastern Inner Mongolia.Assuming full supplementary feeding in the cold season,livestock-carrying pressure index will fall to 1.9,with the livestock-carrying pressure alleviated significantly in Inner Mongolia and on the Tibetan Plateau.Finally,we propose different conservation and development strategies to balance grassland ecological conservation and animal husbandry production in different regions of protected areas,pastoral areas,farming-pastoral ecotone,and farming areas,according to the grassland ecological protection patterns.     

Evidence for the 8,200 a <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">b</Emphasis>.<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">p</Emphasis>. cooling event in the middle Okinawa Trough

Based on new and existing data on oxygen isotopes, alkenone-surface seawater temperature trends, planktonic foraminifers, lithology, and clay mineral composition of piston cores, a distinct cooling event has been identified around 8,200 cal a b.p. in the middle Okinawa Trough, northwest Pacific. This corresponds to the 8,200 a b.p. cooling event recorded in many places of the Northern Hemisphere. During this event, the local temperature decreased by 1°C, and the δ¹⁸O value increased by 0.6‰. A strengthened Asian winter monsoon is the most probable cause for this event, which thus adds further credibility to the contention that we are dealing here with a global phenomenon.