Near-optimal control of a wave energy device in irregular waves with deterministic-model driven incident wave prediction

This paper investigates wave-by-wave control of a wave energy converter using incident wave prediction based on up-wave surface elevation measurement. The goal of control is to approach the hydrodynamically optimum velocity leading to optimum power absorption. This work aims to study the gains in energy conversion from a deterministic wave propagation model that accounts for a range of group velocities in deriving the prediction. The up-wave measurement distance is assumed to be small enough to allow a deterministic propagation model, and further, both wave propagation and device response are assumed to be linear. For deep water conditions and long-crested waves, the propagation process is also described using an impulse response function (e.g. [1]). Approximate low and high frequency limits for realistic band-limited spectra are used to compute the corresponding group velocity limits. The prediction time into the future is based on the device impulse response function needed for the evaluation of the control force. The up-wave distance and the duration of measurement are then determined using the group velocity limits above.A 2-body axisymmetric heaving device is considered, for which power capture is through the relative heave oscillation between the two co-axial bodies. The power take-off is assumed to be linear and ideal as well as capable of applying the necessary resistive and reactive load components on the relative heave oscillation. The predicted wave profile is used along with device impulse response functions to compute the actuator force components at each instant. Calculations are carried out in irregular waves generated using a number of uni-modal wave spectra over a range of energy periods and significant wave heights. Results are compared with previous studies based on the use of instantaneous up-wave wave-profile measurements, both without and with oscillation constraints imposed. Considerable improvements in power capture are observed with the present approach over the range of wave conditions studied.     

Development of a spatial decision support system for monitoring earthquake-induced landslides based on aerial photographs and the finite element method

The evaluation of slope stability is essential for the management of landslide hazards. The integration of spatial information and geomechanical modeling facilitates the understanding and evaluation of landslide hazards. In this study, we use a spatial decision support system (SDSS)—incorporating aerial photographic data, GIS techniques, field investigations, and finite element geomechanical modeling—to analyze the mechanisms of the Hungtaiping landslide, which was induced by the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake. The analysis clarifies the slide mechanisms that cannot be revealed either by examining aerial photographic or underground exploration data alone. The finite element modeling calibrated using digital aerial photographic data shows that the landslide results from the deformation and slides of the thick colluvium. Surficial displacements in the twenties of meters are attributed to the slide between the colluvium and the bedrock as well as the shear deformation and slides within the colluvium. The landslide SDSS can help determine model parameters, evaluate slide mechanisms and remediation measures, and predict slope behavior for a subsequent earthquake event.     

张溪滑坡--台风诱发滑坡成因分析

14号台风“云娜”造成我国东部沿海地区发生多处滑坡地质灾害,张溪滑坡便是其中个案。通过对张溪滑坡成因进行分析,得出了张溪滑坡是在一定厚度覆盖层、特定地形条件、植被条件下,台风风力加载作用及暴雨的淘蚀、软化、增重等一系列过程共同作用下滑动失稳的滑坡。它与暴雨型滑坡的形成机理有显著不同,这一分析成果对类似滑坡的研究和防治具有一定的意义。     

中国西藏金沙江白格滑坡的地质成因分析

2018年10月11日发生的金沙江白格滑坡是中国西藏继2000年易贡滑坡以来社会影响最大的滑坡事件。许多学者对该滑坡的形成条件、稳定性和监测预警等进行了研究报道,但对滑坡的地质成因研究比较薄弱。本文在区域地质分析、现场调查测绘和综合研究的基础上,重点从断裂作用控制斜坡岩体结构、水与蚀变软岩夹层作用促进结构面弱化、卸荷作用控制滑坡规模和失稳方式等方面,提出了金沙江构造缝合带混杂岩体岸坡在持续重力作用下的失稳机理,对金沙江沿岸滑坡隐患早期识别和风险防控具有一定指导意义。     

Modeling an irrigation ditch opens up the world. Hydrology and hydraulics of an ancient irrigation system in Peru

Ancient Peruvian irrigation systems have been studied extensively, but much remains unknown about technical and hydrological aspects of these irrigation systems. The Pampa de Chaparrí irrigation system in Peru is used as an example to show how modeling approaches for hydrological and hydraulic features of irrigation can yield results to improve our understanding of irrigation in the area. Analysis focuses on water availability compared demand, the way available water may have been applied to crops and whether the water needed could be delivered through the canal system. Results suggest that on the Pampa some 2500 hectares may have been cultivated within certain security limits for acceptable yields. The rhythm with which the irrigation requirement was applied to crops most likely influenced yields and thus food security. Furthermore, the influence of groundwater on crop growth may have been considerable. The hydraulic behavior of the irrigation system suggests that it should not be taken for granted that theoretically required water flows could actually be diverted and/or distributed to water users. The many questions coming out of the results define important items for a joint research agenda of archeologists and irrigation scientists.     

Debris flow initiation and sediment recharge in gullies

Landslides that enter gullied low-order drainages can either initiate debris flow or stop, depositing sediment in the channel. This process is one of the most common ways that debris flows initiate, but little attention to date has been paid to evaluating the factors that affect whether or not the initial landslide will become a debris flow or deposit sediment in the channel. Statistically significant parameters that determine whether slope failures become debris flows or act to recharge in-channel sediment are channel gradient, angle of entry of failure into the channel, initial failure volume, and the amount of in-channel stored sediment. Steeper channels, low angles of entry, lower volumes of in-channel sediment, and larger initial failures were more likely to result in debris flows. This study found that as the volume of in-channel stored sediment increased, the volume of initial failure required to initiate a debris flow also increased. This result calls into question the simple supply-limited model of cyclical debris recharge and debris flow in low-order gullied drainages and suggests a negative feedback mechanism between debris accumulation and debris flow susceptibility.     

基于地质灾害易发程度分区的滑坡预报模型

利用1980～2006年重庆市山体滑坡个例,根据重庆市国土资源局对重庆市地质灾害易发程度等级区划对滑坡个例进行了分类统计.结果表明,降水对不同滑坡危险等级区域的影响是不同的,越容易产生滑坡的区域其前期降水对其的潜在影响越大.根据前期不同量级降水诱发的滑坡发生概率,拟合出了不同地质易发分区的前期降水对滑坡的贡献率指数方程和山体滑坡有效降水量方程,在此基础上建立起了重庆市不同地质灾害易发程度灾害区内山体滑坡预报指标模型,为开展重庆市精细化山体滑坡气象条件等级预报打下良好的基础.     

Electromagnetic sounding of geothermal zones

Electromagnetic (EM) data provide a substantial contribution to the geophysical mapping and monitoring of geothermal reservoirs. This paper presents an up-to-date picture of the achievements of EM methods for geothermal exploration as they have emerged over the last few years. It has been proved that EM sounding of geothermal zones and distant monitoring macro-parameters of the reservoirs, fluid-filled faults and other elements of the geothermal system are possible provided that modern 3-D inversion is used along with techniques that reduce the effects of industrial and geological noise. In addition, geological and petrophysical data also need to be included in the analysis.     

Loss estimation in Istanbul based on deterministic earthquake scenarios of the Marmara Sea region (Turkey)

The rapid urban development in Istanbul has lead to an increase in the exposure levels of the urban vulnerability. Due to the steadily increasing population, with improper land-use planning, inappropriate construction techniques and inadequate infrastructure systems, associated with an existing high hazard level, Istanbul is one of the most risky cities in the Mediterranean region. Estimations of casualties and losses, expected for given earthquake scenarios, are necessary to develop sustainable rehabilitation programs and for improving preparedness. Deterministic hazard scenarios and time-dependent probabilistic hazard assessment were used as input to a GIS-based loss estimation model, to evaluate the earthquake risk for Istanbul.     

滑坡临滑预报的态矢量方法研究

态矢量是统计物理学中对连续场进行粗粒化描述的一种方法。将其引入滑坡预报中,通过将滑坡危险区划分为n个子区域,在各个时间窗内对一系列子区域的监测数据进行态矢量分析,将监测数据与降雨量态矢量的模等归一化后叠加,研究一段时间内滑坡位移态矢量的发展变化规律,并提出利用态矢量进行滑坡预报的新方法。以新滩滑坡为例,对累计水平位移进行态矢量分析,发现在滑坡前态矢量的模和态矢量增量的模均发生了明显突变,按态矢量曲线的变化规律,依据滑坡预警分级方法提出3级滑坡预警,最高预警级别预报的滑坡时间比实际滑坡时间提前2天。研究结果表明,态矢量的急剧突变是滑坡发生的前兆,可以用来进行滑坡的短期和临滑预报。