Material selection for the gas containment system of a compressed natural gas carrier fleet

In this work, the possible exploitation of fiber-reinforced composites in the context of maritime transportation of compressed natural gas (CNG) is investigated. In addition to a more conventional steel configuration, two different fiber materials, carbon and glass, are considered as construction materials for pressure vessels (PVs) to be stored on board ships, with thickness optimized by FEM analysis.The considered scenario is represented by the transportation of CNG from an offshore well to a terminal on shore. Fleets of ships carrying CNG in pressure vessels manufactured with the investigated materials are generated by means of a ship synthesis model (SSM) software and compared on the basis of technical and economical indicators.The choice of the construction material influences considerably the weight of the PVs, which represent a major item of total ship weight and reflects directly on the general transport performances in terms of resistance, seakeeping and reliability in the service. On the other hand, capital as well as operating expenditures are considerably affected by the choice. When exploring the design space, the ship synthesis model is able, at a preliminary stage of the design, to account for the various technical and economical aspects, their implications and relationships. Results are presented of computations carried out in a specific case, identified by the annual gas production and other characteristics of the well terminal and a cruising route for the ships. The comparison is carried out on the basis of the cost per transported unit of gas and of the percentage of success in the transportation process. The computations show that the choice of the PV material has a key influence on the results in terms of optimal number, dimensions and speed of the ships.     

Variations in elastic thickness and flexure of the Maracaibo block

We estimate the lateral variations of the elastic thickness of the Maracaibo block with a 3D numerical approach by using centered finite differences. The calculation is based on solving the fourth-order partial differential equation that governs the bending of a thin plate fixed on its boundaries (zero displacement) with variable thickness (or elastic thickness for this particular case). An initial plate-load model is built and is iteratively modified to fit the general basement configuration and gravity data. The final result is an elastic thickness map that covers the Maracaibo block and the surrounding sections of the South American plate. It shows that the elastic thickness ranges from 30 km to 18 km with a mean value of 23.6 km and a mode of 26 km. The largest elastic thickness values are associated with the location of the Santa Marta Mountains and the Barinas Apure Basin, while the smallest ones with the Mérida Andes-Maracaibo Basin flexural system. The current basement configuration within the Maracaibo basin, formed as a result of its geodynamic evolution, has affected the mechanical properties of the Maracaibo block near the current Mérida Andes position. The load of the Perijá Range is compensated by a complex stress tensor, and that of the Santa Marta Mountains does not have an isostatic root as it is held by a relatively strong lithosphere.     

GPS精密卫星钟差估计研究

随着精密单点定位技术的发展,对于精确的卫星坐标以及卫星钟差改正精度的要求越来越高,精密卫星星历以及精密卫星钟差的求解成为制约精密单点定位技术发展的瓶颈。本文基于修复周跳的载波相位观测值与相位平滑伪距观测值,采用无电离层延迟星间单差精密卫星钟差估计模型,在先估计出整周模糊度后,进行了精密卫星钟差的估计,并采用与IGS事后精密钟差作二次差的方法进行精度分析,这对于提高精密单点定位精度具有一定的意义。     

基于性别差异的城市旅游电子地图的设计

城市旅游电子地图是人们出行旅游必备的信息指南。为了设计满足不同性别的旅游用户的需求的城市旅游电子地图,本文分析了基于性别差异用户的认知特点,以及性别差异对旅游电子地图编绘的影响。重点提出了基于性别差异的城市旅游电子地图的内容设计、符号设计和语音功能设计。最后,本文探讨了城市旅游电子地图的编制原则,主要包括内容设计原则、界面设计原则和符号设计原则。基于用户性别进行地图设计的研究思想可以更好地为广大用户提供更加全面翔实的旅游信息和服务。     

Bounding surface model for soil resistance to cyclic lateral pile displacements with arbitrary direction

The development of a two-surface elastic–plastic bounding surface P–Y model for cyclic lateral pile motions is described. The kinematic-hardening model is applicable to the analysis of pile foundations subjected to loading with arbitrary azimuths relative to the pile axis. The model realistically captures the hysteretic energy damping associated with dynamic loading of subsea foundations through physically correct plastic mechanisms and provides results consistent with those observed in physical tests including cyclic loading. Its performance is demonstrated in element states of stress and in pile foundation analyses. The development based on the incremental theory of plasticity results in more robust solutions than may be obtained using alternative elastic, variable moduli and deformation plasticity formulations.     

恶劣环境下GPS/BDS混合双差模糊度固定性能分析

针对在恶劣观测环境下每个GNSS系统只观测到较少的几颗卫星,采用标准双差模型很难实现整周模糊度固定的问题,该文对GPS/BDS系统间混合双差模型进行研究,利用该模型计算出GPS/BDS系统偏差。在此基础上,利用实验分别对模拟和真实恶劣观测环境下的模糊度固定性能进行分析,实验结果表明,恶劣环境下GPS/BDS系统间混合双差模型表现良好,相较于经典的双差模型可将模糊度固定平均所需时间分别缩短43%和33%,模糊度固定成功率分别提高107%和31%。     

Time-domain simulation of berthing problem between FPSO and shuttle tanker in waves

A time-domain simulation method based on potential flow model has been developed to investigate the berthing problem between two floating bodies in wave. The boundary value problem is formulated with respect to an earth-fixed coordinate system because the relative positions of the two vessels continuously change during the berthing operation. The classical finite element method is used to solve the Laplace equation in the fluid domain with moving boundary. The linearized free-surface boundary conditions are integrated in time by applying 4th-order Adams–Bashforth–Moulton method. A simple re-mesh algorithm with local and global mesh systems is introduced to update mesh by considering large horizontal movement of the berthing vessel. The developed numerical method is used to investigate the berthing problem between a FPSO and shuttle tanker in waves. The focus is on the wave-induced motion response during the berthing process. The characteristics of the motion responses in berthing operation are examined with various wave frequencies, berthing speeds and wave headings.     

Incremental elastoplastic FEM for simulating the deformation process of suction caissons subjected to cyclic loads in soft clays

This paper presents an incremental elastoplastic finite element method (FEM) to simulate the undrained deformation process of suction caisson foundations subjected to cyclic loads in soft clays. The method is developed by encoding the total-stress-based bounding surface model proposed by the authors in the ABAQUS software package. According to the model characteristics, elastoplastic stress states associated with the incremental strains of each iteration are determined using the sub-incremental explicit Euler algorithm, and the state parameters describing the cyclic accumulative rates of strains are updated by setting state variables during the calculations. The radial fallback method is also proposed to modify the stress states outside the bounding surface to the surface during determination of the elastoplastic stress states. The stress reversals of soil elements are judged by the angle between the incremental deviatoric stress and the exterior normal vector at the image stress point on the bounding surface to update the mapping centre and state variables during cyclic loading. To assess the general validity of the method, the reduced scale model tests and centrifuge tests of suction caissons subjected to cyclic loads are simulated using the method. Predictions are in relative good agreement with test results. Compared with the limit equilibrium and quasi-static methods, the method can not only determine the cyclic bearing capacity, but can also analyse the deformation process and the failure mechanisms of suction caisson under cyclic loads in soft clays.     

中国城市流动人口户籍迁移意愿的空间格局及影响因素——基于2012年全国流动人口动态监测调查数据

基于2012年全国流动人口动态监测调查数据和相关统计年鉴数据,对中国地级以上城市流动人口的户籍迁移意愿、空间格局及影响因素进行了系统分析。研究发现,中国城市流动人口户籍迁移意愿的整体水平并不高;等级高、规模大的城市流动人口的户籍迁移意愿高,而等级低、规模小的城市流动人口的户籍迁移意愿低;沿海城市群流动人口的户籍迁移意愿高,其他城市流动人口的户籍迁移意愿低,但内陆部分省会城市和交通区位与资源禀赋较好的中小城市也已经形成了一批流动人口的户籍迁移意愿高值区。中国城市流动人口户籍迁移意愿的空间分布特征受到流入城市和流动人口自身双重力量的影响,流入城市因素的正向影响作用大于流动人口自身因素。其中,流入城市的社会、经济发展水平和流动人口在流入城市的社会融合程度是核心要素,对城市流动人口户籍迁移意愿的提升具有正向的促进作用,而流动人口过于集中在次级劳动力市场的就业特征和较高的家庭财富与收入对户籍迁移意愿的提升却具有显著的抑制作用。最后,提出了相关政策启示。