Formation of voids in the Universe within the Lemaître–Tolman model

We develop models of void formation starting from a small initial fluctuation at recombination and growing to a realistic present-day density profile in agreement with observations of voids. The model construction is an extension of previously developed algorithms for finding a Lemaître–Tolman metric that evolves between two profiles of either density or velocity specified at two times. Of the four profiles of concern (those of density and velocity at recombination and at the present day), two can be specified and the other two follow from the derived model.
We find that, in order to reproduce the present-day void density profiles, the initial velocity profile is more important than the initial density profile.
Extrapolation of current cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations to the scales relevant to protovoids is very uncertain. Even so, we find that it is very difficult to make both the initial density and velocity fluctuation amplitudes small enough and still obtain a realistic void by today.     

Semiregular variables in the solar neighbourhood

Period–luminosity sequences have been shown to exist among the semiregular variables (SRVs) in the Magellanic Clouds, the bulge of the Milky Way galaxy and elsewhere. Using modern-period and revised Hipparcos parallax data, this paper demonstrates that they also appear among the M giant SRVs of the solar neighbourhood. Their distribution in the   K , log  P   diagram resembles that of Bulge stars more closely than those in the Magellanic Clouds. The prevalence of mass-loss among local M-type SRVs and its dependence on period and spectral subtype are also discussed.   K −[12]  , a measure of circumstellar dust emission, increases clearly with V amplitude, M giant subtype and  log  P   .     

Accounting for soil parameter uncertainty in a physically based and distributed approach for rainfall‐triggered landslides

In this study we propose a probabilistic approach for coupled distributed hydrological‐hillslope stability models that accounts for soil parameters uncertainty at basin scale. The geotechnical and soil retention curve parameters are treated as random variables across the basin and theoretical probability distributions of the Factor of Safety (FS) are estimated. The derived distributions are used to obtain the spatio‐temporal dynamics of probability of failure, in terms of parameters uncertainty, conditioned to soil moisture dynamics. The framework has been implemented in the tRIBS‐VEGGIE (Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)‐based Real‐time Integrated Basin Simulator‐VEGetation Generator for Interactive Evolution)‐Landslide model and applied to a basin in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (Puerto Rico) where shallow landslides are common. In particular, the methodology was used to evaluate how the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation, whose variability is significant over the basin, affect the distribution of probability of failure, through event scale analyses. Results indicate that hyetographs where heavy precipitation is near the end of the event lead to the most critical conditions in terms of probability of failure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高温下岩石损伤本构模型及其验证

为完善高温条件下的岩石损伤本构模型及参数确定方法,基于有效应力理论,引入Weibull分布函数,在微元体强度服从Hoek-brown准则的条件下,考虑残存强度影响,对损伤变量修正,引入损伤修正系数,建立了能够反映高温作用下的岩石损伤特征统计本构模型。考虑岩石损伤过程中的损伤阈值因素,对本构模型采用分段函数的形式。通过试验,获取常规力学参数,依据本构模型参数求解过程,确定本构模型参数值,并拟合模型参数值与温度之间的关系。对模型理论曲线进行验证。结果表明：提出的高温岩石统计损伤本构模型理论曲线与试验曲线具有较好地相似性,更加贴近试验曲线,体现了本构模型的合理性。同时模型理论曲线与岩石三轴试验曲线具有较高的吻合度,说明本构模型能够反映出岩石的全应力− 应变曲线特征,能够体现出模型的适用性。模型为岩石强度的估算和岩石热损伤软化问题提供了参考。     

定量表征河流砂颗粒的形状——在西藏帕隆藏布的尝试

河流搬运体系中,颗粒的形状属性可以反映其来源、搬运、沉积的过程。长期以来沉积学界缺乏相对统一的定量的、多维的颗粒形状参数。本研究以西藏雅鲁藏布江支流帕隆藏布为例,运用图像分析、软件分析等计算机辅助技术,对8个天然河流砂样品中的2276个颗粒开展碎屑成分鉴定和形状参数量化等工作。重点评估了11个颗粒形状参数,通过因子分析等统计方法提取并定义了3个形状信号,包括圆形度因子、规则度因子和平滑度因子。这些参数可用于表征颗粒宏观形状上接近圆形的程度、中观尺度上轮廓规则的程度及轮廓平滑的程度。挖掘天然河流砂的重要形状特征后,进一步探索了这些形状参数与颗粒成分、粒度的关系。本研究成果为解释河流系统中颗粒的形状信号、理解颗粒自身微观属性和外部物理过程等提供重要借鉴。     

考虑扰动影响的土体小应变硬化模型参数试验研究及其在基坑工程中的应用

天然结构性土体容易受到各类施工扰动,导致土体物理力学性质改变,进而影响工程稳定、变形以及邻近环境。针对宁波两种典型土体,分别对原状土和轻、重扰动土以及重塑土开展了三轴试验及一维压缩试验,分析了扰动度对小应变硬化模型(HS-small model,简称HSS模型)主要参数的影响规律,并将其应用于宁波某基坑工程,利用Plaxis3D分析了考虑周边土体扰动影响的坑后土体水平位移变化。研究结果表明,扰动会使土体的强度及刚度参数降低。对于淤泥质黏土,轻扰动试样的参考切线模量E_oed^ref 、参考割线模量E₅₀^ref及参考加卸载模量E_ur^ref值分别降低14%、10%、2%,重扰动试样三参数分别降低43%、14%、15%,粉质黏土三参数也呈现相似降低趋势。在考虑土体扰动影响的情况下,基坑周边两个测斜孔的最大水平位移值分别增大13%、15%,更加接近实测值。研究结果可为小应变硬化模型的参数取值以及考虑扰动影响的基坑工程分析计算提供指导。