Identification of tsunami deposits considering the tsunami waveform: An example of subaqueous tsunami deposits in Holocene shallow bay on southern Boso Peninsula, Central Japan

This study proposes a tsunami depositional model based on observations of emerged Holocene tsunami deposits in outcrops located in eastern Japan. The model is also applicable to the identification of other deposits, such as those laid down by storms. The tsunami deposits described were formed in a small bay of 10–20-m water depth, and are mainly composed of sand and gravel. They show various sedimentary structures, including hummocky cross-stratification (HCS) and inverse and normal grading. Although, individually, the sedimentary structures are similar to those commonly found in storm deposits, the combination of vertical stacking in the tsunami deposits makes a unique pattern. This vertical stacking of internal structures is due to the waveform of the source tsunamis, reflecting: 1) extremely long wavelengths and wave period, and 2) temporal changes of wave sizes from the beginning to end of the tsunamis.

The tsunami deposits display many sub-layers with scoured and graded structures. Each sub-layer, especially in sandy facies, is characterized by HCS and inverse and normal grading that are the result of deposition from prolonged high-energy sediment flows. The vertical stack of sub-layers shows incremental deposition from the repeated sediment flows. Mud drapes cover the sub-layers and indicate the existence of flow-velocity stagnant stages between each sediment flow. Current reversals within the sub-layers indicate the repeated occurrence of the up- and return-flows.

The tsunami deposits are vertically divided into four depositional units, Tna to Tnd in ascending order, reflecting the temporal change of wave sizes in the tsunami wave trains. Unit Tna is relatively fine-grained and indicative of small tsunami waves during the early stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnb is a protruding coarse-grained and thickest-stratified division and is the result of a relatively large wave group during the middle stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnc is a fine alternation of thin sand sheets and mud drapes, deposited from waning waves during the later stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnd is deposited during the final stage of the tsunami and is composed mainly of suspension fallout. Cyclic build up of these sub-layers and depositional units cannot be explained by storm waves with short wave periods of several to ten seconds common in small bays.     

Sediment transport patterns at Trafalgar offshore windfarm

A simple analytical model of wave propagation has been developed in order to study the potential sediment transport patterns due to the action of currents and waves in the neighborhood of cylindrical structures as well inside a group of these structures. The attention is focused on the study of Trafalgar offshore windfarm, a case in which it has been necessary to analyze the flow trough porous structures in order to model fish growing-cages planned to be installed at each aerogenerator structure. The results are obtained by averaging over one period of wave in order to evaluate the net potential sediment transport. The analysis of the results reveals how the processes of wave diffraction and reflection give rise to periodic patterns of sediment transport around and between the structures.     

北部湾三维潮流场数值研究(英文)

本文对北部湾三维潮波进行了数值研究,并将所得结果与现有观测资料作了比较。通过比较发现两者相当一致。文中还绘制了M_2和K_1分潮的同潮图,并对其作了讨论。可以断定,北部湾的日潮优势是由日潮共振所引起的。M_2和K_1分潮流的水平分布表明,强流区位于它们各自的蜕化无潮点附近。还讨论了分潮流的铅直结构,可以看出这种结构十分接近实际分潮流场的特征。     

Deterministic sliding block methods for estimating seismic displacements of earth structures

A review and quantitative comparison of existing deterministic sliding block methods for predicting permanent displacements of earth structures subjected to seismic loading is presented. The reviewed sliding block methods are divided into two main groups based on the characteristic earthquake parameters referenced in each method. One group uses the maximum horizontal ground acceleration and velocity, and the other uses the maximum horizontal ground acceleration and the predominant period of the acceleration spectrum. Displacement functions published by previous authors are reformulated to give common non-dimensionalized displacement functions of the critical acceleration ratio which are then used to compare the different methods for the estimate of permanent seismic displacement of soil structures. The results show that despite the fact that the different methods were formulated using a wide range of earthquake records and different characteristic seismic parameters, permanent displacement values predicted using these methods fall within a reasonably narrow band. Selected acceleration data from three recent earthquakes that occurred in California are used to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the reviewed displacement methods for practical applications.     

塑性岩体与逆冲构造变形关系讨论——库车坳陷西部实例分析

在冲断构造分析过程中 ,常常把塑性岩体仅仅作为滑脱层看待 ,忽略了一些地区塑性变形与冲断构造变形的复合作用。根据露头、钻井、地震等资料 ,应用平衡剖面等技术对库车坳陷西部的构造变形进行了恢复分析 ,发现库车坳陷西部的下第三系盐、膏、泥等塑性体受重力和构造应力联合作用发生了复杂的变形。以往单纯用冲断构造模式分析其成因机制 ,没能科学地反映中生界与新生界之间的变形缩短量的差异 ,通过塑性体的底辟变形和滑脱变形依存关系的剖析 ,能够恢复库车坳陷西部构造演化过程 ,进而为油气勘探提供指导。     

Polychaete/amphipod ratio as an indicator of environmental impact related to offshore oil and gas production along the Norwegian continental shelf

Benthic faunal data is regularly collected worldwide to assess the ecological quality of marine environments. Recently, there has been renewed interest in developing biological indices able to identify environmental status and potential anthropogenic impacts. In this paper we evaluate the performance of a general polychaete/amphipod ratio along the Norwegian continental shelf as an environmental indicator for offshore oil and gas impacts. Two main trends are apparent: first, a contamination gradient is discernible from where production takes place compared to stations 10,000 m away. Second, the quality of the marine environment has improved over time. These results are consistent with monitoring reports employing a combination of uni- and multi-variate statistics. Thus, we consider this ratio as a relatively simple, useful and potentially cost-effective complement to other more demanding assessment techniques. Because of its strong theoretical basis, it may also be useful for detecting ecological change as a result of other activities.     

台风"云娜"的热动力结构模拟试验研究

对2004年8月登陆我国的台风"云娜"的热动力结构及其演变进行了数值模拟。试验从大尺度环境场、台风中尺度动力和热力场三维结构、台风云雨特征等多角度,对模拟结果与实际观测进行了对比。结果表明,模式不仅较准确地再现了台风登陆前24h移动和演变的全过程,在移向、移速和登陆时间、地点上与实况十分接近,而且对台风系统中尺度结构、云雨特征的模拟与分析场及卫星观测也有较好的一致性。采用的模拟工具是新开发的双重嵌套AREM模式,该模式是静力模式,但对台风仍有较强的模拟能力。此外,本试验无任何人为台风模型的嵌入是其中的一个特点,从而增加了试验的可信度。     

定量测量降水量的回波结构自适应算法研究

为提高临近预报中对流性降水估测的准确性,分析了统计法估算降水的局限性。依据降水物理机制和降水回波结构,研究雷达反射率因子定量测量降水量(QPE-Qualitative Precipitation Estimate)的自适应算法,旨在减少由于雨滴谱变化导致的Z-I关系不稳定所引起的降水量测量误差。同时考虑组合反射率因子RC和垂直液态水含量VIL两个参量对降水的影响,建立适于城市区域的动态自适应的Z-I关系,改进对强降水严重低估的问题。     

饱和软土压缩曲线的“反常”现象

饱和软土压缩试验时,经常出现压缩曲线“反常”、压缩系数“倒大”的现象。它是土的原始结构发生破坏前后的不同压缩性的客观反映。饱和软土的结构力很微弱,唯质量好的原状土才能见到这种“反常”。应从成孔、取样、测试及资料整理等多个环节保证其工程意义。     

Structural monitoring of offshore platforms using impulse and relaxation response

Monitoring offshore platforms, long span bridges, high rise buildings, TV towers and other similar structures is essential for ensuring their safety in service. Continuous monitoring assumes even greater significance in the case of offshore platforms, which are highly susceptible to damage due to the corrosive environment and the continuous action of waves. Also, since a major part of the structure is under water and covered by marine growth, even a trained diver cannot easily detect damage in the structure. In the present work, vibration criterion is adopted for structural monitoring of jacket platforms. Artificial excitation of these structures is not always practicable and ambient excitation due to wind and waves may not be sufficient for collecting the required vibration data. Alternate methods can be adopted for the same purpose, for example, the application of an impact or a sudden relaxation of an applied force for exciting the structure. For jacket platforms, impact can be applied by gently pushing the structure at the fender while relaxation can be accomplished by pulling the structure and then suddenly releasing it using a tug or a supply vessel in both cases. The present study is an experimental investigation on a laboratory model of a jacket platform, for exploring the feasibility of adapting vibration responses due to impulse and relaxation, for structural monitoring. Effects of damage in six members of the platform as well as changes in deck masses were studied. A finite element model of the structure was used to analyze all the cases for comparison of the results as well as system identification. A data acquisition and analysis procedure for obtaining the response signatures of the platform due to the impulse and relaxation procedure was also developed for possible adoption in on-line monitoring of offshore platforms. From the study, it has been concluded that both impulse and relaxation responses are useful tools for monitoring offshore jacket platforms. The present work forms the basis for the development of an automated, on-line monitoring system for offshore platforms, using neural networks.