Estimating the hydrodynamic forces on a mini TLP with computational fluid dynamics and design-code techniques

This paper reports on the prediction of the hydrodynamic forces on a full-scale mini Tension Leg Platform (TLP) of the type typically deployed for deep-sea operation. Two alternative prediction techniques were used: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), which is based on the solution of the fundamental equations that govern turbulent fluid flow; and ‘engineering’ calculations based on force coefficients derived from a design code that is in routine use in the Offshore Industry. The results from these two techniques were compared with each other and with experimental data obtained from wind-tunnel and towing-tank tests on a 1–70 scale model. It was found that the two techniques, while yielding very similar predictions for the front TLP members, give substantially different predictions for the aft members — a result that is consistent with the presence of significant interference effects that are captured only by the CFD. The design code yielded the highest value for the global drag coefficient, followed very closely by the towing-tank result. The wind-tunnel tests produced the lowest value for this parameter. The CFD predictions, which were the first to be obtained in this study, fall in the mid-range of the experimental values. These and other results are discussed in the context of the use of CFD in practical design applications.     

Elastoplastic medium for foundation settlements and monotonic soil–structure interaction under combined loadings

Foundation settlements and soil–structure interaction are important problems to structural and geotechnical engineers. This study introduces a novel elastoplastic three‐degree‐of‐freedom medium which models foundations settlements under combined loadings. A soil–structure interaction problem can then be solved by replacing the soil mass with this three‐degree‐of‐freedom elastoplastic medium, thus reducing significantly the size of the problem. The model was developed by extending the classical plasticity concepts to the force‐deformation level. Its ability to predict foundation deformations was evaluated using finite element solutions of a typical shallow foundation problem and was found reasonably accurate while producing significant time savings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regression method for estimating rainfall recharge at unconfined sandy aquifers with an equatorial climate

A reliable estimate of rainfall recharge is essential for groundwater system managements. This study develops a method based on regression equations for estimating rainfall recharge at unconfined sandy aquifers with an equatorial climate. The developed method (GR-I method) is generally efficient for estimating long-term regional recharge, as the computational procedures could be formulated and executed easily using Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet. More importantly, its application could be extended to sand textures different from the sand texture used in developing the regression equations. To evaluate its reliability, the method was applied to estimate monthly gross recharge percentages at the Changi reclaimed land. When ignoring the effect of rainfall clusters, the GR-I method was found to underestimate the monthly gross recharge percentages for those months with high monthly rainfall depths. By integrating the effect of rainfall clusters, the GR-I method yields reliable estimates of monthly gross recharge percentages. By including daily potential evaporation as an additional input variable, the Extended GR-I method was found to be not superior to the GR-I method, implying that soil moisture availability is the major governing factor for actual soil evaporation in the highly porous sand medium, instead of atmospheric demand represented by the potential evaporation rate. Using the GR-I method, the mean annual net recharge percentage of the study site was found to fall between 56·9 and 69·9%, which corresponds to a net recharge depth of 1073·8–1745·8 mm. Although the developed method provides a good alternative to other widely used methods, its recharge estimates still needs to be collaborated with estimates from other methods, as multiple techniques are highly recommended in any groundwater recharge estimations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vertical uplift capacity of two interfering horizontal anchors in sand using an upper bound limit analysis

The vertical uplift resistance of two interfering rigid rough strip anchors embedded horizontally in sand at shallow depths has been examined. The analysis is performed by using an upper bound theorem of limit analysis in combination with finite elements and linear programming. It is specified that both the anchors are loaded to failure simultaneously at the same magnitude of the failure load. For different clear spacing (S) between the anchors, the magnitude of the efficiency factor (ξ_γ) is determined. On account of interference, the magnitude of ξ_γ is found to reduce continuously with a decrease in the spacing between the anchors. The results from the numerical analysis were found to compare reasonably well with the available theoretical data from the literature.     

蒙城地震台地电阻率数字化与模拟观测资料的对比分析

通过对蒙城地震台地电阻率数字化和模拟的标定资料、地电阻率观测数据、资料的年周期变化、以及数、模观测系统的系统差别等几个方面进行对比分析,为蒙城台多年的模拟与数字化资料综合使用以及数字化仪器替代模拟仪器观测提供依据.     

1961~2000年中国区域气温较差分析

利用1961~2000年的观测资料,分别对中国不同区域的月、季和年平均气温日较差,以及月较差、季较差和年较差的变化趋势进行了分析。研究表明,月平均日较差以及季平均日较差均有显著的下降趋势,其中春夏两季的变化趋势最为明显,冬季次之,秋季下降趋势最弱;年平均日较差也显示了较强的下降趋势。月较差显著减小趋势主要发生在冬末和春季;季较差以夏季的变化最显著,其他几个季节都没有明显的下降趋势;但是年较差有很显著的减小。从地域上看,月、季和年平均日较差以东北和新疆的下降趋势最显著,最弱的是华北地区。总体上看,月、季平均日较差北方较南方的下降趋势明显。月较差的减小趋势在北方比南方显著;季较差的下降趋势主要表现在夏季,又以内蒙古到西南一带以及华北地区最显著;年较差东部比西部的下降趋势显著。     

地震作用下水平层状岩质边坡累积损伤与破坏模式研究

研究边坡在反复地震作用下的累积损伤对于库区岩质边坡的长期稳定性分析具有重要意义。结合振动台试验与理论分析方法,对水平层状岩质边坡在反复地震作用下的累积损伤与破坏模式进行了深入研究。结果表明:采用混凝土疲劳裂纹扩展的双K准则可以很好地解释边坡的累积损伤曲线的变化趋势,完整的累积损伤演化曲线表现出初始损伤、细观裂纹扩展、宏观裂缝扩展3个阶段;分别采用三次多项式和幂指数建立了微小地震和强震作用下边坡岩体累积损伤演化模型并取得了良好的拟合效果,微小地震作用下边坡岩体累积损伤曲线表现出初期略微下降、中期线性增长、后期平缓增长的正"S"型的3段式特征,强震作用下边坡岩体累积损伤相比微震作用下有较为快速的增长,且在边坡破坏前增速加快。频发微震作用下,水平层状岩质边坡在坡体上部形成阶梯型破坏面并向坡面出露,在坡体下部形成平直的剪切破坏面,坡体最终的破坏面呈阶梯状。     

复杂环境中大规模桩筏基础的优化设计方法研究

变刚度优化设计对于复杂环境中的大规模桩筏基础始终是一个重要难题。基于有限元分析提出一种两阶段优化设计方法,该方法首先根据传统均匀布桩方案的桩顶应力分布对群桩进行分区,然后依据每个子区域桩顶应力之间的关系确定基桩数量调整系数,最后通过调整桩间距来改变各子区域的基桩数量,从而实现变刚度优化设计。运用该方法对多层土体中承担非均匀上部结构荷载的大规模桩筏基础进行变刚度优化设计,计算结果表明优化设计后筏板的差异沉降、平均整体弯矩和群桩顶部的差异应力均显著降低。该方法计算简单,应用范围广,且不受复杂土层条件、非均匀上部结构荷载以及桩基础规模大小形状的限制。