Explicit integration of a porosity‐dependent hydro‐mechanical model for unsaturated soils

An adaptive substepping explicit integration scheme is developed for a porosity‐dependent hydro‐mechanical model for unsaturated soils. The model is referred to as the modified σ –Θ model in this paper, which features the employment of the subloading surface plasticity and the stress–saturation approach. On numerical aspects, convex/nonconvex subloading surfaces in the σ –Θ space may result in incorrect loading–unloading decisions during the integration. A new loading–unloading decision method is developed here to solve the problem and then embedded into the explicit integration scheme for the modified σ –Θ model. In addition, to enhance the accuracy of the explicit integration, local errors from both hydraulic and mechanical components are included in the error control for each substep. A drift correction method is also developed to ensure the state point lies on the subloading surface in the σ –Θ space within a set error level. The performance of the loading–unloading decision method for the modified σ –Θ model is discussed through comparing it with the conventional loading–unloading decision method. The importance of involving the hydraulic component in the error control is also demonstrated. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed adaptive substepping explicit integration scheme for the modified p–Θ model are also studied via several numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of FY-2C Cloud Drift Winds in a Mesoscale Numerical Model

Statistical tests and error analysis of cloud drift winds(CDWs) from the FY-2C satellite were made by using radiosonde observations.According to the error characteristics of the CDW,a bias correction using the thermal wind theory was applied in the data quality control.The CDW data were then assimilated into the GRAPES-meso model via the GRAPES-3DVar.A torrential rain event that occurred in northwestern China during 1-2 July 2005 was simulated.The results indicate that the CDW data were mainly distribute...     

Response of seismically isolated structures to rocking‐type excitations

In this paper, the origin of rocking‐type excitations and their effects on the response of base isolated structures are studied. In particular, the role of kinematic interaction in the determination of the rocking excitation is highlighted. The cases of surface foundations subjected to horizontally propagating waves, as well as of embedded foundations under vertically incident shear waves are examined. The validity of the kinematic interaction based on the rigid base mat assumption is discussed. It is shown that, in the case of classical horizontal isolation, rocking input may amplify significantly the response of the lower non‐isolated modes. The examination of full three‐dimensional isolation and active and semi‐active control methods demonstrates the efficacy of these methods to improve the performance of seismically isolated structures subjected to rocking excitations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三峡水库汛期控制水位及运用条件

随着长江上游梯级水库的陆续建成投运，三峡水库的水文情势和功能需求与设计条件相比发生了显著变化，仍维持固定的汛限水位运行已不能适应新形势需求。本文通过辨析三峡水库设计阶段汛限水位的设置条件，挖掘流域洪水特性和洪水遭遇规律，论证三峡水库汛期运行水位动态控制的可行性。结果表明：① 三峡水库设计推求的汛限水位145 m的适用条件是应对流域性大洪水，而流域性洪水发生概率小且特征明显，可以通过水文水情分析提前预判。② 根据流域洪水类型、洪水分期和遭遇规律，预判发生区域性大洪水时，三峡水库6月初至梅雨期结束汛限水位按145 m设置，从梅雨期结束后逐渐提高水位，8月20日后过渡到155 m。③ 在考虑上游水库群联合调度和气象水文预报的配合下，正常年份三峡水库汛期运行水位可在155 m上下浮动，并考虑提前蓄水。④ 三峡水库汛期运行水位动态控制，不会增加防洪风险和库区淤积风险，对中下游江湖关系和水文情势有利，可显著提高发电、航运、生态保护和供水等综合利用效益。     

Correlation between geochemical environments and controlling factors in the metallation of porphyrins

Experimental study on metallation of tetrapyrroles in biphasic systems showed that complexation with metal cations of the first transition series is a feasible under chemical environments similar to the naturally occurring ones. The metal transport from the aqueous media to the organic, which is a novel approach using naturally occurring fatty acids hydroxy aromatic compounds and thiols, is demonstrated. Selectivity between Ni²⁺ and VO²⁺ complexation is achieved under sulfurous rich conditions. The kinetic implications are discussed in view of their geoenvironmental applicability.     

ON SOME KEY SEDIMENTATION PROBLEMS OF THREE GORGES PROJECT (TGP)

I. INTRODUCTIONThe Three Gorges Project (TGP) being planned is to be located on the Yangtze River at Sandouplug, 44 km upstream of Yichang (Fig. l). A scheme studied in the feasibility stage has the crest ofthe dam placed at 185 m with a maximums height o…     

Distribution and migration of pesticide residues in mosquito control impoundments St. Lucie County, Florida, USA

This project was designed to: (1) document the distribution and migration of organochlorine pesticide residues within marsh substrates of 18 St. Lucie County mosquito control impoundments located along the Indian River Lagoon estuary, and (2) evaluate the impact of water management techniques on residue mobility. Our results indicate that detectible concentrations of organochlorine compounds, applied between the late 1940s and early 1950s, are present in 16 of the 18 St. Lucie County mosquito control impoundments. These compounds are primarily restricted to the surficial, organic-rich wetland sediment, which, based upon geotechnical analysis, was exposed to the atmosphere at a time when the impoundments were subjected to pesticide treatment. Contaminated sediments are present below the surficial, organic-rich layer, suggesting that some vertical migration of pesticides has occurred. It is unlikely that leaching associated with the downward percolation of impounded water was responsible for this migration as pesticide residues were never detected within thein situ pore waters. An alternative explanation is that biological processes (e.g., rooting, burrowing) facilitated the downward flux of organochlorine compounds into sediment horizons not subjected to direct treatment. Eighty-eight surface water samples obtained from two impoundments subjected to contrasting water management techniques were analyzed for pesticide content. None of the surficial water samples collected in association with these impoundments contained detectible concentrations of organochlorine compounds. These samples were unfiltered and contained as much as 25 mg/1 of particulate organic matter. This suggests that the currently preferred management technique (RIM), which is designed to maintain water quality, limit mosquito production, and provide for ecological continuity, does not hydraulically mobilize pesticide residues into the Indian River Lagoon estuary.     

A comprehensive approach to drought and desertification in Northern Nigeria

Drought has been a recurring feature of the arid and semi-arid areas of Nigeria. This paper reviews the extent, severity, and consequences of drought and desertification in Nigeria with particular emphasis on the northern part of the country. The haphazard manner in which these environmental hazards have been tackled is examined and a systematic approach for the formulation of a national policy is proposed. It is recommended that a detailed formulation and implementation of the proposed policy plan is imperative to mitigate the often devastating impacts of drought and desertification in the very prone areas of Nigeria. Until such is done, some areas of Nigeria will always be vulnerable to the whims of an inevitable climatic hazard of drought and associated land degradation in the form of desertification.     

Some aspects of the spatial characteristics of drought in northern Nigeria

A long-period instrumental data set (1916–1987) of monthly growing season (April–October) rainfall totals for 34 stations in northern Nigeria is used to quantify drought following the method of H. N. Bhalme and D. A. Mooley. It is established that there are remarkable seasonal changes in the patterns of wetness and dryness over the region with no consistent recurrent spatial patterns in the moisture anomalies. In general, large-scale droughts only rarely cover the region as a whole, and there are distinct spatial differences dominating the wet and dry years. The length and severity of drought varies from sub-area to sub-area with very low interannual persistence. Although discrete areas do catch the brunt of drought on a year-by-year basis, drought occurrence in the region is largely sporadic in its spatial distribution. The rather noisy spatial characteristics of drought in northern Nigeria suggests that the seasonal shift in the Intertropical Discontinuity (ITD) is not likely the most important causal mechanism of drought in the region.