Application of advanced system identification technique to extract roll damping from model tests in order to accurately predict roll motions

In this paper our previously developed advanced system identification technique [1] has been applied to extract the frequency dependent roll damping from a series of model tests run in irregular (random) waves. It is shown that this methodology accurately models the roll damping which can then be used to produce accurate predictions of the ships roll motion. These roll motion predictions are not only more accurate than the potential flow predictions but more accurate than potential flow models corrected using either empirical prediction methods [2] and even those corrected using roll damping obtained from free decay sallying experiments. This methodology has the potential to significantly improve roll motion prediction during full scale at sea trails of vessels in order to dramatically improve safety of critical operations such as helicopter landing or ship to ship cargo transfer.     

Appraisal of storm beach buffer width for cyclonic waves

The loss of beach sand from berm and dune due to high waves and surge is a universal phenomenon associated with sporadic storm activities. To protect the development in a coastal hazard zone, hard structures or coastal setback have been established in many countries around the world. In this paper, the requirement of a storm beach buffer, being a lesser extent landward comparing with the coastal setback to ensure the safety of infrastructures, is numerically assessed using the SBEACH model for three categories of wave conditions in terms of storm return period, median sand grain size, berm width, and design water level. Two of the key outputs from the numerical calculations, berm retreat and bar formation offshore, are then analysed, as well as beach profile change. After having performed a series of numerical studies on selected large wave tank (LWT) test results with monochromatic waves using SBEACH, we may conclude that: (1) Berm erosion increases and submerged bar develops further offshore as the storm return period increases for beach with a specific sand grain size, or as the sand grain reduces on a beach under the action of identical wave condition; (2) Higher storm waves yield a large bar to form quicker and subsequently cause wave breaking on the bar crest, which can reduce the wave energy and limit the extent of the eroding berm; (3) A larger buffer width is required for a beach comprising small sand grain, in order to effectively absorb storm wave energy; and (4) Empirical relationships can be tentatively proposed to estimate the storm beach buffer width, from the input of wave conditions and sediment grain size. These results would benefit a beach nourishment project for shore protection or design of a recreational beach.     

Determination of Ocean Wave Period from Altimeter Data Using Wave-Age Concept

This study makes use of the concept of wave age in estimating ocean wave period from space borne altimeter measurements of backscattering coefficient and significant wave height. Introduction of wave age allowed better accounting of the difference between swells and wind waves. Using two years (1998 and 1999) data of TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter and ocean data buoy observations in the Indian Ocean, coefficients were generated for wave period, which were subsequently tested against data for the years 2000 and 2001. The results showed the wave period accuracy to be of the order of 0.6 sec (against 1.3 sec obtained with the semiempirical approach, reported earlier).     

泥河湾盆地洞沟剖面的光谱光度时间序列

泥河湾盆地东部的洞沟剖面出露一套以湖相为主的地层,其顶部覆盖了末次间冰期古土壤与末次冰期黄土。测量了该剖面的光谱光度和磁化率,结果显示,亮度(L*)随深度的变化趋势基本与色度a*、色度b*相反,即低亮度值对应高色度值。砂层的亮度值相对低,而质量磁化率高。亮度记录可以与洛川黄土剖面的磁化率记录对比,即亮度低值段可与磁化率高值段对比,这可能源于两者都受东亚季风的控制。对比后获得了30个时间控制点,在此基础上,建立了洞沟剖面测量参数的时间序列。谱分析表明,各参数的时间序列显示了主要的米兰科维奇周期,这显示泥河湾古湖沉积物对古气候的周期性变化敏感。     

杭州湾海域50年一遇波浪数值模拟研究

杭州湾外围海域岛礁众多,波浪传播机制复杂。为了了解该海域的波浪分布特征,采用MIKE 21 SW模块建立了杭州湾海域波浪数值模型,利用实测波浪资料对模型进行了验证,结果表明该模型适用于模拟杭州湾海域的波浪传播。利用1970—2002年嵊山海洋站实测极值波浪资料推算50年一遇波浪要素,将其作为模型边界条件,对杭州湾海域50年一遇的设计波浪进行了模拟,并对该海域的波浪传播特征进行了分析。结果表明,杭州湾内波高较之外海明显减小,外围众多岛礁起到了很好的遮挡保护作用。     

Structural and fluid evolution of Saraburi Group sedimentary carbonates,central Thailand: A tectonically driven fluid system

A stable isotopic study, focused on calcite cements, vein-fill calcite and various bioclasts was conducted on variably deformed and thrusted Lower and Middle Permian carbonates of the Saraburi Group. Samples were collected in quarry faces across 3 areas in the Saraburi–Lopburi region of central Thailand. Stable isotope crossplots (carbon and oxygen), using texture-aware isotope samples, defined variable, but related, fluid-cement histories, which are tied to regional burial and then orogenic overprints driven by the Indosinian (Triassic) orogeny. This was followed by telogenetic overprints, driven by late Cenozoic uplift. The studied carbonates were deposited along the western margin of the Indochina Block, where they were deposited as isolated calcareous algal, sponge and fusilinid-rimmed platforms on highs bound by extensional faults. The platform areas passed laterally and vertically into more siliciclastic dominated sequences, deposited in somewhat deeper waters within probable fault-bound lows. Regional post-depositional mesogenetic fluid-rock re-equilibration of the isotope values in ongoing calcite precipitates occurred until the matrix permeability was occluded via compaction and pressure solution. This regional burial regime was followed by collision of the Indochina and Sibumasu blocks during the Indosinian (Triassic) blocks, which drove a set of structurally focused (thrust-plane related) increasingly warmer set of fluids through the studied sequences. The final diagenetic overprint seen in the isotopic values of the latest calcite cements occurs in a telogenetic (uplift) setting driven by Cenozoic tectonics and isostatic uplift. Integration of isotope data with its structural setting establishes a clear separation in fluid events related to two time-separate tectonic episodes; its fluid chemistry defines the Permo-Triassic closure of the Paleotethys and its subsequent reactivation during the Tertiary collision of India and Asia. The C–O covariant plot fields in the Permian carbonates of central Thailand are so distinct that it is possible to use their signatures to separate burial from meteoric cements in drill cuttings and hence recognise equivalent subsurface unconformities and likely zone of porosity development in possible “buried hill plays in Thailand.     

中国南方二叠纪古海洋锶同位素演化

本文以贵州罗甸沫阳二叠系剖面为研究对象，通过对海相碳酸盐岩的锶同位素组成变化的研究，探讨了中国南方二叠纪古海洋锶同位素组成特点、演化及其地质意义。     

地震周期的存在及形成机制讨论

根据1900～2000年中国大陆、台湾及全球地层记录及前人的研究，论证了地层周期存在的可能性及形成机制。作者认为，是太阳活动、月球运动轨道及各行星运动轨道的周期性变化，通过磁力及万有引力改变地球内部物质的分布，从而引起地球自转速度的周期性变化，最终致使地展出现周期性的活跃期及平静期。     

The comparison of altimeter retrieval algorithms of the wind speed and the wave period

With the launch of altimeter,much effort has been made to develop algorithms on the wind speed and the wave period.By using a large data set of collocated altimeter and buoy measurements,the typical wind speed and wave period algorithms are validated.Based on theoretical argument and the concept of wave age,a semi-empirical algorithm for the wave period is also proposed,which has the wave-period dimension,and explicitly demonstrates the relationships between the wave period and the other variables.It is found that Ku and C band data should be applied simultaneously in order to improve either wind speed or wave period algorithms.The dual-band algorithms proposed by Chen et al.(2002) for the wind speed and Quilfen et al.(2004) for the wave period perform best in terms of a root mean square error in the practical applications.     

Interannual variability in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda,Majidae)

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is an important commercial species in Europe and supports intensive fisheries in the NE Atlantic. A field survey was performed to assess long‐term and consecutive interannual (2005–2010) variation of the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of M. brachydactyla. Larval biochemical profiles differed significantly among years, with pronounced differences being recorded in 2010. Differences among batches of newly hatched larvae were mainly explained by the contribution of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser degree, by protein and lipid content. The use of different nutrition indices is discussed. The biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae from M. brachydactyla was highly variable, even though surveyed broodstock was obtained from the same local population and was always sampled during the same season. The unpredictable biochemical profiles of newly hatched larvae may condition their survival and recruitment. This largely overlooked aspect of larval variability should be considered in future fisheries management strategies and captive production of marine organisms that still rely on wild seeds.