MRCON: COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ESTIMATING SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION AND UNSATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY

Abstract. MRCON is an interactive computer program designed to approximate soil moisture retention ( Θ-Ψ ) and/or unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K- Θ ) for soils. MRCON, which is written in BASIC, uses empirical methods obtained from the literature to calculate K- Θ and a modified method to calculate Θ-Ψ . Input data for the program consist of a saturated moisture content and a minimum of three values of Θ-Ψ . A measured value of saturated hydraulic conductivity can be used as input to better approximate the K -Θ curves to field conditions.     

Detection of Cyclic Patterns Using Wavelets: An Example Study in the Ormskirk Sandstone, Irish Sea

This study shows how wavelet analysis can be used on well log and drill core data to identify cyclicity in sedimentary sequences. Three possible methods for determining wavelength were investigated: the Morlet wavelet, the Fourier transform, and the semivariogram. When applied to several hypothetical signals similar to those observed in petrophysical measurements in hydrocarbon reservoirs, all three methods could identify the presence of cyclicity. Only the wavelet scalogram, however, gave a clear indication of when the cyclic element was present and where frequency changes occurred in the signal. To illustrate the wavelet analysis, we processed well log and core data from a well in the Ormskirk Sandstone and determined the wavelet coefficients for each zone and the wavelengths of the strongest cyclicities. The cyclicities observed corresponded well with sedimentary features of the formation (e.g., channels and channel sets). Also, ratios of the cyclicity wavelengths corresponded with ratios of the Milankovitch precession, obliquity, and eccentricity periods. This result is in agreement with other investigators, who have proposed that Milankovitch-driven climate changes exercised an important control on Ormskirk Sandstone deposition.     

Cutting management of riparian vegetation by using hydrodynamic model simulations

This study numerically investigates effects of cutting riparian vegetation on flow characteristics by using a two-dimensional numerical model. The numerical model is based on depth-averaging the time- and volume-averaged Navier–Stokes equation with turbulent effects determined by the standard k–ε turbulence model. Drag forces exerted by the flow on vegetation are considered by adding source terms into momentum equations. In a rectangular channel and compound channel with vegetation along one side, numerical predictions show are in good agreement with those of previous studies. Five cutting scenarios, including the original, cutting along the main channel side, cutting along the bank side, alternative cutting, and reducing vegetative density, are analyzed in this study. The influences of the cutting scenarios on hydrodynamic behaviors are evaluated via numerical simulations. Simulation results suggest that cutting along the main channel side is the most effective scenario for reducing water depth and flow velocities.     

Spatial polarization and dynamic pathways of Foreign Direct Investment in China 1990–2009

The spatial and sectoral distribution of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China has changed dramatically in the past two decades. FDI was largely concentrated in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and other Southern Coastal provinces in early stages and shifted to the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and the Bohai Economic Rim (BER) sequentially in later stages. It created unique and dynamic paths of the spatial evolution of FDI in China. Although many provinces have received relatively more FDI since the late 2000s, Guangdong and Jiangsu are still the two major recipients of FDI in China, demonstrating and over-arching polarization process. Furthermore, most FDI in China has been in the manufacturing sector, making China well-known as the “World Factory of Manufacturing”. This paper analyses the most recent trends, characteristics and patterns of FDI in China. It portrays the factors that determined the investment location and the dynamic pathways of different kinds of FDI. This paper also foresees the possible changes in spatial and sectoral distribution of FDI in the near future and provides policy suggestions for both China and other developing countries in seeking new FDI inflows and transforming their industrial structures and economies in this particular phase of globalization.     

Approach to complete limit equilibrium analysis for rock wedges — the method of “artificial supports”

SummaryApproach to Complete Limit Equilibrium Analysis for Rock Wedges — The Method of Artificial Supports Since the movement of rock wedges or blocks is the primary phenomenon in rock mass failure, it is convenient to use limit equilibrium approaches for stability analysis. In spite of their wide use, limit equilibrium analysis is often restricted due to: 1) the usual procedural simplifications (regarding geometry, force application, failure modes), and 2) basic deficiencies of the limit equilibrium approach (the fundamentally indeterminate rigid body problem requires assumptions regarding the force reactions). The method of artificial supports intends to circumvent or reduce many of these restrictions. In particular, the problem of unknown force distribution on the supporting plane is reduced by specifically considering and optimizing a variety of reactions on these planes. All sliding modes of failure — i. e., translational, free and restrained rotational sliding — can be correctly modelled. Particularly significant is the result that the usual assumption oftranslational sliding can be incorrect andunsafe, if forces other than the weight are significant. The methodologies employed in the artificial support model can be extended to all modes of failure, i. e., lifting off and toppling in addition to the previously mentioned sliding modes; this is demonstrated with a procedure for a complete stability analysis for a 2-joint wedge.

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ZusammenfassungEin Weg zur vollständigen Gleichgewichtsberechnung für Felskörper — Die Methode der Künstlichen Auflager Da die Bewegung von Einzelblöcken das primäre Phänomen bei Felsstürzen ist, eignen sich Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtungen besonders gut für Stabilitätsuntersuchungen. Vor allem wegen der üblichen Vereinfachungen (Geometrie, Kräfteansätze, Versagensmechanismen) und grundlegender Unzulänglichkeiten (das grundsätzlich statisch unbestimmte Starrkörperproblem erfordert Annahmen bezüglich der Auflagerkräfte) sind solche Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtungen oft nur beschränkt anwendbar, obwohl sie häufig angewendet werden. Es wird versucht, mit der Methode der künstlichen Auflager viele dieser Einschränkungen zu umgehen. Vor allem wird das Problem der unbekannten Spannungsverteilung in den Auflageflächen dadurch reduziert, daß mögliche Kombinationen solcher Reaktionen in die Rechnung einbezogen und optimiert werden. Alle Gleitbewegungen, seien es Translationen oder freie bzw. beschränkte Rotationen auf den Auflageflächen, können korrekt behandelt werden. Besondere Bedeutung kommt aber der Tatsache zu, daß die übliche Annahme einer translatorischen Gleitung falsch ist bzw. daß man damit auf der unsicheren Seite liegt, wenn außer dem Eigengewicht noch andere Kräfte einwirken.Die Überlegungen, die der Modellvorstellung der künstlichen Auflager zugrunde gelegt wurden, können auf alle Instabilitätsfälle ausgedehnt werden, also auch auf Abheben und Kippen zusätzlich zu den vorhin genannten Gleitbewegungen; dies wird am Beispiel einer Rechenprozedur für eine vollständige Stabilitätsuntersuchung eines Gleitkeils gezeigt.

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RésuméTentative visant à compléter l'analyse par équilibre limite — la méthode des supports artificiels Le fait que le déplacement de blocs est le principal phénomène d'instabilité en massif rocheux suggère l'utilisation de méthodes d'équilibre limite à l'étude de sa stabilité. Bien qu'elles soient fréquemment utilisées, les analyses par équilibre limite sont souvent restreintes par suite 1) de simplifications opérationnelles (concernant la géométrie, les forces et les modes d'instabilité), et 2) des insuffisances fondamentales de cette approche (le problème des corps indéformables est en essence statiquement indéterminé et réclame en conséquence l'adoption d'hypothèses sur la teneur des réactions).L'intention de la méthode des supports artificiels est de réduire ou éviter plusieures de ces restrictions. En particulier le problème de la distribution inconnue des forces sur le plan d'assise est résolu en considérant et optimisant un certain nombre de réactions entre corps rigide et le plan de base. Tous les modes d'instabilité au glissement — à savoir translation, rotation restreinte et rotation libre — peuvent être correctement représentés. Spécialement digne d'intérêt est à cet égard le résultat concernant l'habituelle hypothèse de glissement en translation, puisque celui-ci peut s'avérer incorrect et exhiber des facteurs de sécurité supérieurs, par rapport à un glissement en rotation, lorsque des forces autres que le poids sont à considérer.La méthodologie servant de base à la méthode des supports artificiels peut être étendue à tous modes d'instabilité, à savoir: le soulèvement et le renversement venant compléter ceux précités; ceci est illustré par le développement d'une procédure d'analyse complète d'un bloc monolithique découpé par deux fissures.

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With 13 Figures     

Drawing metro maps in concentric circles: A designer-in-the-loop approach with visual examples

This article presents a proof-of-concept designer-in-the-loop schematic map drawing tool, based on the marriage of two approaches—manual and automated, which provides the technical interactivity of drawing tools between the user and the computer. We focus on concentric circle maps as opposed to the commonly used orthogonal mode representation, which is suggested by previous studies that it could promote better network learning. In comparison with existing methods, the proposed method is more compatible with the framework of effective map design from psychological and aesthetic perspectives, and a range of options can be provided in conjunction with users' preferences. We evaluated our approach on a set of iterations with case studies of Hong Kong metro with a group of three co-authors from the fields of geography, transport engineering, and education.     

Optimal design and impact analysis of urban traffic regulations under ambient uncertainty

Decision-making in traffic regulations is challenging with uncertainty in the environment. In this research we extend probabilistic engineering design concepts to policy decision-making for urban traffic with variability from field data. City traffic is simulated using user equilibrium and cellular automata. A cellular automata (CA) model is developed by combing existing CA models with tailored rules for local traffic behaviors in Tainan, Taiwan. Both passenger sedans and motorcycles are considered with the possibility of passing between different types of vehicles. The tailpipe emissions from all mobile sources are modeled as Gaussian dispersion with finite line sources. Speed limits of all roads are selected as independent policy design variables, resulting in a problem with 50 dimensions. We first study the impacts of a particular policy-setting on traffic behaviors and on the environment under various sources of uncertainties. The genetic algorithm, combined with probabilistic analysis, is then used to obtain the optimal regulations with the minimal cost to the environment in compliance to the current ambient air quality standards.