Recent applications of sliding block theory to geotechnical design

The sliding block theory was proposed by Newmark for determining the permanent displacement of embankments and dams under earthquake loading. This paper highlights recent applications of sliding block theory to different geotechnical structures. The equations to determine seismic factor of safety, yield acceleration and permanent displacement are given for rock block, soil slope, landfill cover, geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining wall, and composite breakwater. The presented equations for seismic stability degenerate to that of static stability in the absence of earthquake. The permanent displacement for various structures can be obtained from that of a horizontal sliding block through a correction factor. A simplified procedure is included for the permanent displacement under vertical acceleration. The sliding block approach is rational for design under high seismic load.     

A local stability analysis of astronomical disks

Abstract

A fifth-order dispersion relation describing the local stability of a differentially rotating flow against small perturbations is derived. Finite viscosity and conductivity and both vertical (parallel to the rotation axis) and radial gradients in density, temperature and pressure are included. A general form is assumed for the equation of state, although this is not exploited in the paper. A number of special cases are studied: with negligible viscosity and conductivity, it is shown that modes can often be separated into two high frequency (modified acoustic), two intermediate frequency (combined inertial and internal waves) and a low frequency mode. In convectively unstable situations the intermediate frequency modes may be replaced by a damped/growing pair of instablities. Various criteria for mode excitation are given. It is shown that viscosity always inhibits instability at very short wavelengths, while non-zero conductivity may destabilize the flow. At intermediate wavelengths viscosity could also play a destabilizing role. A parameter study of the effects of fluctuations in the conductivity shows that it could cause mode excitation under certain circumstances.     

Book review of TURBULENCE – AN INTRODUCTION FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS by P.A. Davidson,Oxford University Press, 2004, XIX + 657 pp., £90.00, $174.50 hardback (ISBN 0-19-852948-1), £35.00, $69.50 paperback (ISBN 0-19-852949-X).

Abstract

By T. G. Cowling. Adam Hilger Ltd, x + 136 pp. £10.00 (ISBN O 85274 300 9) July 1976.     

Estimation of Scalar Source/Sink Distributions in Plant Canopies Using Lagrangian Dispersion Analysis: Corrections for Atmospheric Stability and Comparison with a Multilayer Canopy Model

Source/sink distributions of heat, water vapour andCO₂ within a rice canopy were inferred using aninverse Lagrangian dispersion analysis and measuredmean profiles of temperature, specific humidity andCO₂ mixing ratio. Monin–Obukhov similarity theorywas used to account for the effects of atmosphericstability on _w(z), the standard deviation ofvertical velocity and _L(z), the Lagrangian timescale of the turbulence. Classical surface layer scaling was applied in the inertial sublayer (z > z_ruf)using the similarity parameter = (z - d)/L, where z is height above ground, d is the zero plane displacementheight for momentum, L is the Obukhov length,and z_ruf 2.3h_c, where h_c iscanopy height. A single length scale h_c, was usedfor the stability parameter 3 = h_c/L in the height range 0.25 < z/h_c < 2.5. This choice is justified by mixing layer theory, which shows that within the roughness sublayer there is one dominant turbulence length scaledetermined by the degree of inflection in the windprofile at the canopy top. In the absence of theoretical or experimental evidence for guidance,standard Monin–Obukhov similarity functions, with = h_c/L, were used to calculate the stabilitydependence of _w(z) and _L(z) in the roughness sublayer. For z/h_c < 0.25 the turbulence length and time scales are influenced by the presence of the lowersurface, and stability effects are minimal. With theseassumptions there was excellent agreement between eddycovariance flux measurements and deductions from theinverse Lagrangian analysis. Stability correctionswere particularly necessary for night time fluxes whenthe atmosphere was stably stratified.The inverse Lagrangian analysis provides a useful toolfor testing and refining multilayer canopy models usedto predict radiation absorption, energy partitioningand CO₂ exchanges within the canopy and at thesoil surface. Comparison of model predictions withsource strengths deduced from the inverse analysisgave good results. Observed discrepancies may be dueto incorrect specification of the turbulent timescales and vertical velocity fluctuations close to theground. Further investigation of turbulencecharacteristics within plant canopies is required toresolve these issues.     

基准稳定性检验的统一模式及其应用和扩展

控制网基准稳定性的检验方法很多,本文在现有方法基础上,给出了一般平差检验模型,这个模型特色是在原平差模型中附加了待检验基准的参数和基准稳定性约束方程;导出了适用于各种情形的基准稳定性检验的统一模式,由此可方便地导出有关基准稳定性检验的实用公式。最后讨论了其在变形分析中的应用和扩展,并给出了一系列检验公式。     

基于Mein-Larson入渗模型的凹形边坡稳定性分析

坡面形态对边坡表面应力状态影响显著,而应力状态与边坡稳定性密切相关。以往的降雨入渗模型仅考虑直线形态的边坡,并没有考虑边坡为曲线形态的情况。将Mein-Larson入渗模型与坡形函数相结合,推导降雨作用下凹形边坡的入渗函数,结合极限平衡分析方法,提出一种凹形边坡稳定性计算模型。同时根据坡形拟合与坡形简化的思路,将实际边坡分别当作成凹形边坡和直线边坡进行研究。研究结果表明：湿润锋入渗深度与降雨时间呈线性关系,湿润锋面在不同降雨时刻下均与坡面平行。将实际边坡当作凹形边坡进行分析时,其降雨入渗规律更符合实际情况;当降雨时间为10天时,浅层斜坡模型得到的计算结果为0.95,而本文计算模型与数值模拟得到的稳定性系数分别为1.004和1.003,相对误差不超过1%。因此与以往提出的计算模型相比,该模型不仅考虑了实际边坡的坡面形态,而且具有计算简便、可靠度较高等特点。     

三峡引水工程秦巴段输水隧洞稳定性分析

三峡引水工程秦巴段隧洞总长占线路总长的80%。为了分析隧洞施工及运营中可能发生的工程地质问题,在地质调查、地应力测量和岩石力学参数测试的基础上,利用Ansys有限元软件对引水工程北部不同深度、不同截面形态的隧洞围岩的应力重分布情况进行了模拟计算,得到了圆形隧洞、城门形隧洞和马蹄形隧洞围岩的应力分布结果。利用Hoek-Brown强度准则,得到了隧洞围岩的强度/应力比值,进而对不同深度、不同截面形态的隧洞围岩的稳定性进行了分析。初步认为:隧洞埋深小于1000m时,应优先考虑圆形隧洞和马蹄形隧洞;埋深大于1000m时,应优先考虑城门形隧洞。这项研究成果为引水工程深埋隧洞的设计提供了参考依据。     

一种新的守时型原子钟综合时间尺度方法研究

在这篇文章中, 提出了一种基于改进的指数平滑和Vondrak_Cepek联合平滑的氢铯综合时间尺度产生方法. 以最小误差方法为理论基础, 动态估计氢原子钟频率漂移参数, 提升氢原子钟钟差预测准确度; 基于改进的二次指数平滑产生氢原子钟组时间尺度、加权平均方法产生铯原子钟时间尺度, 同时设计Vondrak_Cepek滤波器以结合两类时间尺度长短期稳定度优势, 提升综合时间尺度性能. 实验结果表明, 所提方法产生的氢铯综合时间尺度时稳可达1.60x10^-15,天稳可达3x10^-15,优于ALGOS、AT1和Kalman滤波3种经典方法产生的时间尺度性能.