Asymmetrical breakwater gap wave diffraction using finite and infinite elements

An experimental technique and configuration has been developed by the author to simulate and measure (using short range photogrammetric techniques) the wave heights of waves diffracting into a model basin of infinite extent. The finite and infinite element program “WAVE” developed in the Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Swansea, Wales, has been modified to run on the UNIVAC 1100 at the University of Cape Town. The program is used to model the experimental configuration being tested mathematically. Two configurations, namely a symmetrical and an asymmetrical breakwater gap configuration, are analysed both experimentally and numerically. It is concluded that there is a good correlation between the finite element and experimental results and that the “WAVE” program is a very useful tool for the prediction of wave heights in large harbour basins.     

MAP MAKING FOR PROFIT AND PLEASURE

Some of the economic and operational aspects of mapping are discussed, including the conditions that may offer air survey a competitive advantage over other methods. The financing of national mapping programmes around the world is increasingly market oriented, driven by the need to provide the end users with information that they can turn into sustainable economic growth and social progress. Despite these economic pressures, map makers seem to find their work more enjoyable and rewarding than most professionals.     

Statistical parameterization of inverse problems

Image restoration, computerized tomography, and other similar problems are considered as a unified class of stochastic inverse problems. The conventional approach to these problems that proceeds from some integral or functional equations suffers from three main shortcomings: (i) subjectivity, (ii) inability to account for the inner (radiational) noise, and (iii) inability to include the fundamental concept of the natural limit of solution accuracy. A general approach is developed, the Statistical Parameterization of Inverse Problems (SPIPR), that takes into account both the inner and external random noise and gives an explicit form of the above-mentioned natural limit. Applications of the SPIPR to various problems show that the maximum likelihood method as the concrete way to obtain an object estimate has practically limiting efficiency.Two new fields of applications of the SPIPR are outlined along with the image restoration problem: the elimination of blurring due to atmosphere turbulence and reconstruction of an object structure in the computerized tomography. The expressions for the main distribution function in all these problems are found. The corresponding real examples and model cases are considered as well.     

The extent of temporal smearing in surface-temperature histories derived from borehole temperature measurements

The ability of borehole temperature data to resolve past climatic events is investigated using Backus-Gilbert inversion methods. Two experimental approaches are considered: (1) the data consist of a single borehole temperature profile, and (2) the data consist of climatically-induced temperature transients measured within a borehole during a monitoring experiment. The sensitivity of the data's resolving power to the vertical distribution of the measurements, temperature measurement errors, the inclusion of a local meteorological record, and the duration of a monitoring experiment, are investigated. The results can be used to help interpret existing surface temperature histories derived from borehole temperature data and to optimize future experiments for the detection of climatic signals.     

Simulating methane emission from a Chinese rice field as influenced by fertilizer and water level

Natural and agricultural wetlands are considered to be the major sources of global atmospheric methane (CH₄). A one‐dimensional model was developed to simulate methane emission and used to examine the influence of various physical processes on the rate of methane emission. Three processes involved in the methane emission are implemented in the model: production, reoxidation and transport. Three transport pathways were considered: diffusion across water–air or soil–air interfaces, ebullition and diffusion through plants. These pathways are influenced by soil properties, plant growth, water‐table conditions, temperature and external inputs (e.g. fertilizer). The model was used to examine the seasonal variation of the methane emission at a rice field in Hunan, China, which was observed during a field experiment for consecutive (early and late) rice seasons in 1992. The observed seasonal variations of methane emission, and role of plants in transporting methane to the atmosphere, are captured by the model simulation. Further model applications were conducted to simulate effects of fertilizer and water‐level condition on the methane emission. The results indicate that unfermented organic fertilizer produces a higher methane emission rate than mineral fertilizer. The simulations with treatments of a deep‐water covering and constant moisture reduced the methane emission. The rice field study provides a framework for further development of the model towards simulations based on spatially distributed variables (e.g. water table, soil temperature and vegetation) at a regional scale. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tensile stresses around boreholes due to transient fluid flow

We present solutions for the effective stress induced by gas flow through a porous solid into a borehole resulting from sudden pressure reduction. Tensile effective stress that exceeds the strength of the solid will lead to borehole failure. This has applications to the intentional creation of cavities, relevant to the efficient recovery of coalbed methane, and the avoidance of borehole stability problems in conventional gas production.