A time-dependent baroclinic model on NEC bifurcation

As it is well-known, the North Equatorial Current (NEC) bifurcates into the Kuroshio flowing northward and the equatorward Mindanao Current, which is well depicted by Munk’s theory in 1950 in terms of its climatology. However, Munk’s theory is unable to tell the NEC bifurcation variability with time. In the present paper, a time-dependent baroclinic model forced by wind, in which temporal and baroclinic terms are added to Munk’s equation, is proposed to examine the seasonal variability of the NEC bifurcation latitude. An analytical solution is obtained, with which the seasonal variability can be well described: NEC bifurcation reaches its northernmost position in December and its southernmost position in June with a range of about 1° in latitude, consistent with previous results with observations. The present solution will degenerate to Munk’s one in the case of steady and barotropic state.     

The Sequence-of-Bifurcations Approach towards Understanding Turbulent Fluid Flow

The sequence-of-bifurcations approach for the analysis of transitionsfrom simple to complex forms of fluid flow is described.Formulated for fluid systemswith external conditions that are homogeneous in two spatial dimensionsand in time,this approach determines bifurcations through theirsymmetry breaking properties.Solutions that are periodic in the homogeneous dimensionsand in time are generatedin this way. While the secondary solution induced by theinstability of the basichomogeneous state generically assumes the form of rolls orstripes, higher bifurcationsintroduce solutions exhibiting structures specific for thephysical system underconsideration. These structures often persist in the formof coherent structures inthe turbulent state of the system. Examples from the caseof thermal convection in alayer heated from below are used to illustrate thesequence-of-bifurcations approach.     

顺层边坡岩体结构的非完善屈曲性态研究

视顺层边坡岩体自重的法向分量为结构的初始缺陷,应用初始后屈曲理论和尖点突变模型探讨了缺陷结构在临界状态下的屈曲性态,建立了边坡岩体结构的平衡稳定模态幅值方程,给出了边坡岩体结构分叉点附近的邻域及其稳定性判据。研究结果表明,表征结构初始缺陷的修正项与尖点突变模型中的剖分因子之间具有确定的关系;与理想化完善结构不同的是,顺层边坡岩体结构屈曲的临界值远大于其分叉点处的载荷值,是由其突变模型的分叉集确定的;只有考虑了边坡的实际缺陷,才可得出边坡岩体结构在真正临界意义上的临界值。     

An experimental study of discharge partitioning and flow structure at symmetrical bifurcations

Recent research has examined the factors controlling the geometrical configuration of bifurcations, determined the range of stability conditions for a number of bifurcation types and assessed the impact of perturbations on bifurcation evolution. However, the flow division process and the parameters that influence flow and sediment partitioning are still poorly characterized. To identify and isolate these parameters, three‐dimensional velocities were measured at 11 cross‐sections in a fixed‐walled experimental bifurcation. Water surface gradients were controlled, and systematically varied, using a weir in each distributary. As may be expected, the steepest distributary conveyed the most discharge (was dominant) while the mildest distributary conveyed the least discharge (was subordinate). A zone of water surface super‐elevation was co‐located with the bifurcation in symmetric cases or displaced into the subordinate branch in asymmetric cases. Downstream of a relatively acute‐angled bifurcation, primary velocity cores were near to the water surface and against the inner banks, with near‐bed zones of lower primary velocity at the outer banks. Downstream of an obtuse‐angled bifurcation, velocity cores were initially at the outer banks, with near‐bed zones of lower velocities at the inner banks, but patterns soon reverted to match the acute‐angled case. A single secondary flow cell was generated in each distributary, with water flowing inwards at the water surface and outwards at the bed. Circulation was relatively enhanced within the subordinate branch, which may help explain why subordinate distributaries remain open, may play a role in determining the size of commonly‐observed topographic features, and may thus exert some control on the stability of asymmetric bifurcations. Further, because larger values of circulation result from larger gradient disadvantages, the length of confluence–diffluence units in braided rivers or between diffluences within delta distributary networks may vary depending upon flow structures inherited from upstream and whether, and how, they are fed by dominant or subordinate distributaries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post-sedimentary Transformation of Lateral Moraines-the Tributary Tongue Basins of the Kvíárj(o)kull(Iceland)

The Kvíárj(o)kull.a southern outlet glacier of the Vatnaj(o)kull,is confined in the mountain foreland by lateral moraines measuring a height of up to 150 m.Each of the lateral moraines shows consjderable breaches with deviations of the main moraine ridges.The paper discusses the possible origins of these modifications of the lateral moraines as result of:1)ice overlappings during glacier advances and subsequent breaches of the lateraltongue triggered by the preglacial relief conditions and the prehistorical moraine landscape leading to affiux conditions,3)drainage of ice-marginal glacier lakes and 4.volcanic activities,such as lava flows and volcanic-induced j(o)kulhlaups. A historic-genetic model of the formation of the lateral moraines is presented considering the breaches in the lateral moraines as result from glacier bifurcations and therefore as former tributary tongue basins.Such breaches in the lateral moraines are also common landscape features at glaciers outside of Iceland and are from wider importance for the paleoreconstruction of former glacier stages.The knowledge of their development is essential for an adequate relative age classification of individual moraine ridges.In regard to the origin of the debris the resedimentation of prehistoric till deposits by younger glacier advances plays a role in the formation of the lateral moraines apart from englacial and supraglacial sediment transfer processes.     

Kinematic modelling of shear band localization using discrete finite elements

Modelling shear band is an important problem in analysing failure of earth structures in soil mechanics. Shear banding is the result of localization of deformation in soil masses. Most finite element schemes are unable to model discrete shear band formation and propagation due to the difficulties in modelling strain and displacement discontinuities. In this paper, a framework to generate shear band elements automatically and continuously is developed. The propagating shear band is modelled using discrete shear band elements by splitting the original finite element mesh. The location or orientation of the shear band is not predetermined in the original finite element mesh. Based on the elasto‐perfect plasticity with an associated flow rule, empirical bifurcation and location criteria are proposed which make band propagation as realistic as possible. Using the Mohr–Coulomb material model, various results from numerical simulations of biaxial tests and passive earth pressure problems have shown that the proposed framework is able to display actual patterns of shear banding in geomaterials. In the numerical examples, the occurrence of multiple shear bands in biaxial test and in the passive earth pressure problem is confirmed by field and laboratory observations. The effects of mesh density and mesh alignment on the shear band patterns and limit loads are also investigated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

考虑损伤效应的岩石类材料局部化特性分析

在各向同性损伤条件下,考虑岩石损伤过程中的刚度降低和体积扩容,通过理论推导建立了岩石发生分叉失稳时的最大硬化模量和临界局部化方向,探讨了局部化方向角对于岩石的损伤程度和初始泊松比的依赖关系,并对平面应力与平面应变两种条件下单轴拉伸试件的分叉特性进行了对比分析。研究表明,岩石的初始泊松比与损伤程度越大,局部化方向角越大;尽管平面应力与平面应变条件下单轴拉伸问题的局部化方向角具有相似的变化趋势,但平面应力条件下的局部化方向角低于平面应变条件下同样情况下的局部化方向角。     

Micro‐inertia origin of instabilities in granular materials

Within the framework of the second‐order work theory, the onset of instabilities is explored numerically in loose granular materials through three‐dimensional DEM simulations. Stress controlled directional analysis are performed in Rendulic's plane, and a particular attention is paid to transient evolutions at the microscale. Thanks to a micromechanical analysis, the onset and development of transient mechanical instabilities is explored. It is shown that these instabilities result from the unjamming and bending of a few force chains associated with a local burst of kinetic energy. This burst of kinetic energy propagates to the whole sample and provokes a generalized unjamming of force chains. As force chains buckle, a phase transition from a quasi‐static to an inertial regime is observed. At the macroscopic scale, this results in a transient softening and a loss of controllability. After the collapse of existing force chains, the development of plastic strain is eventually stopped as new stable force chains are built.     

南海北部次表层盐度的变化及其与北赤道流分叉点的关系

吕宋海峡是南海与外界水交换的重要通道,黑潮作为北太平洋最强的1支西边界流,在经过吕宋海峡时会对南海北部的环流和环境产生重要影响。本文用1991—2011年期间CTD断面实测资料和高度计资料,提取23.0~25.5 kg/m³等密度面之间的盐度极大值,研究了南海北部不同年月盐度极大值变化、黑潮入侵方式与强弱,以及盐度极大值变化与北赤道流分叉点南北移动的关系,结果表明:(1)黑潮入侵南海方式多样,既有分支形式,也有弯曲、流套形式。(2)不同年月间,黑潮入侵南海的强弱存在较大差别,120°E断面的次表层盐度极大值的变动可超过0.3。(3)北赤道流分叉点位置的南北变动对黑潮入侵南海的强弱具有重要影响:北赤道流分叉点位置偏北,黑潮入侵南海较强;北赤道流分叉点位置偏南,则黑潮入侵相对较弱。     

Splitting rivers at their seams: bifurcations and avulsion

River bifurcations are critical but poorly understood elements of many geomorphological systems. They are integral elements of alluvial fans, braided rivers, fluvial lowland plains, and deltas and control the partitioning of water and sediment through these systems. Bifurcations are commonly unstable but their lifespan varies greatly. In braided rivers bars and channels migrate, split and merge at annual or shorter timescales, thereby creating and abandoning bifurcations. This behaviour has been studied mainly by geomorphologists and fluid dynamicists. Bifurcations also exist during avulsion, the process of a river changing course on a floodplain or in a delta, which may take 10²–10³ years and has been studied mainly by sedimentologists. This review synthesizes our current understanding of bifurcations and brings together insights from different research communities and different environmental settings. We consider the causes and initiation of bifurcations and avulsion, the physical mechanisms controlling bifurcation and avulsion evolution, mathematical and numerical modelling of these processes, and the possibility of stable bifurcations. We end the review with some open questions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.