Three dimensional simulation of fluid flow in X‐ray CT images of porous media

A numerical scheme is developed in order to simulate fluid flow in three dimensional (3‐D) microstructures. The governing equations for steady incompressible flow are solved using the semi‐implicit method for pressure‐linked equations (SIMPLE) finite difference scheme within a non‐staggered grid system that represents the 3‐D microstructure. This system allows solving the governing equations using only one computational cell. The numerical scheme is verified through simulating fluid flow in idealized 3‐D microstructures with known closed form solutions for permeability. The numerical factors affecting the solution in terms of convergence and accuracy are also discussed. These factors include the resolution of the analysed microstructure and the truncation criterion. Fluid flow in 2‐D X‐ray computed tomography (CT) images of real porous media microstructure is also simulated using this numerical model. These real microstructures include field cores of asphalt mixes, laboratory linear kneading compactor (LKC) specimens, and laboratory Superpave gyratory compactor (SGC) specimens. The numerical results for the permeability of the real microstructures are compared with the results from closed form solutions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliability assessment of granular filters in embankment dams

Empirical criteria have been used successfully to design filters of most embankment large dam projects throughout the world. However, these empirical rules are only applicable to a particular range of soils tested in laboratory and do not take into account the variability of the base material and filter particle sizes. In addition, it is widely accepted that the safety of fill dams is mainly dependent on the reliability of their filter performance. The work herein presented consists in a new general method for assessing the probability of fulfilling any empirical filter design criteria accounting for base and filter heterogeneity by means of first‐order reliability methods (FORM), so that reliability indexes and probabilities of fulfilling any particular criteria are obtained. This method will allow engineers to estimate the safety of existing filters in terms of probability of fulfilling their design criteria and might also be used as a decision tool on sampling needs and material size tolerances during construction. In addition, sensitivity analysis makes possible to analyse how reliabilities are influenced by different sources of input data. Finally, in case of a portfolio risk assessment, this method will allow engineers to compare the safety of several existing dams in order to prioritize safety investments and it is expected to be a very useful tool to evaluate probabilities of failure due to internal erosion. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of spatial variation characteristics on contouring of design storm depth

The ordinary kriging method, a geostatistical interpolation technique, was applied for developing contour maps of design storm depth in northern Taiwan using intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) data. Results of variogram modelling on design storm depths indicate that the design storms can be categorized into two distinct storm types: (i) storms of short duration and high spatial variation and (ii) storms of long duration and less spatial variation. For storms of the first category, the influence range of rainfall depth decreases when the recurrence interval increases, owing to the increasing degree of their spatial independence. However, for storms of the second category, the influence range of rainfall depth does not change significantly and has an average of approximately 72 km. For very extreme events, such as events of short duration and long recurrence interval, we do not recommend usage of the established design storm contours, because most of the interstation distances exceed the influence ranges. Our study concludes that the influence range of the design storm depth is dependent on the design duration and recurrence interval and is a key factor in developing design storm contours. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

WEKU – a GIS-Supported stochastic model of groundwater residence times in upper aquifers for the supraregional groundwater management

 The supraregional GIS-supported stochastical model, WEKU, for the determination of groundwater residence times in the upper aquifers of large groundwater provinces is presented. Using a two-dimensional analytical model of groundwater flow, groundwater residence times are determined within two extreme cases. In the first case, maximal groundwater residence times are calculated, representing the part of groundwater, that is drained by the main surface water of a groundwater catchment area. In the second case, minimal groundwater residence times for drainage into the nearest surface water are determined. Using explicit distribution functions of the input parameters, mean values as well as potential ranges of variations of the groundwater residence times are derived. The WEKU model has been used for the determination of groundwater residence times throughout Germany. The model results – mean values and deviations of the groundwater velocity and the maximal and minimal groundwater residence times in the upper aquifers – are presented by general maps and discussed in detail. It is shown that the groundwater residence times in the upper aquifer vary regionally, differentiated between less than 1 year and more than 2000 years. Using this information, the time scales can be specified, until measures to remediate polluted groundwater resources may lead to a substantial groundwater quality improvement in the different groundwater provinces of Germany. With respect to its supraregional scale of application, the WEKU model may serve as a useful tool for the supraregional groundwater management on a state, federal or international level. Received: 15 August 1995 · Accepted: 15 October 1995     

全球海洋与大气界面的熵通量估算

给出并讨论了海洋系统中由于热量交换、物质交换以及外力做功引起的熵通量的表达式;同时,根据新近调整的全球海 气界面的气候平均资料,估计了全球海洋与大气界面气候年平均的熵通量(熵流),这一熵通量主要取决于海 气界面的热量和物质交换的空间不均匀性。计算结果显示,由热量交换分量引起的熵通量对海洋系统的总熵通量起到主要的贡献作用,其值约为-555.6mW·(m2·K)-1;由海表风应力做功引起的熵通量相对较小,约为-0.09mW·(m2·K)-1;由物质交换引起的熵通量最小,仅为-0.02mW·(m2·K)-1。总的来说,海洋系统从外界获得的总熵通量为-555.7mW·(m2·K)-1,这也就意味着在气候平均定态下,海洋系统内部的熵产生在量值上等于系统的熵交换,即为555.7mW·(m2·K)-1。海洋系统的负熵流与其内部的各种不可逆过程引起的熵产生取得平衡,确保了全球海洋系统处于非平衡热力学定态,并维持着海洋系统中各种尺度的时 空有序现象的消长过程。     

基于复模态的有限元模型修正算法

针对地下结构地震响应分析中无限地基辐射阻尼问题，引入复模态情况下的具有非简化的堆积阻尼矩阵的阻尼模型，并针对具有集中质量阵的阻尼模型提出了合并与质量有关的阻尼和堆积阻尼的思想，并据此提出了一种修正此类有限元模型的两步法，首先从复模态参数中提取实模态参数，采用基于模态残余力的识别算法修正刚度矩阵，然后根据复模态参数和已得的刚度矩阵来识别阻尼模型中的刚度参与系数和质量阻尼堆积阻尼联合矩阵。     

带"人字"支撑的新型复合结构体系动力特征研究

探讨了一种新型复合结构——带“人字”支撑的梁柱体系的动力特征问题。在满足静力荷载作用下承载力要求的基础上，根据结构动力学原理，推导了该结构体系的动力特征方程，分析了复合结构体系的支撑截面和型式的变化对动力特征的影响，计算显示，增加支撑对提高结构的频率即抗侧刚度有明显作用，且随支撑截面尺寸增大，固有频率单调增加。支撑倾角在一定范围内变化时，对频率影响较大，而超过该范围时，其影响明显减小，由此说明“人字”支撑为较合理的支撑型式。结果表明，所研究的具有“人字”支撑的复合结构体系具有较高的抗侧能力。     

结构内设备的摩擦摆隔震响应分析

基于系统耦和振动微分方程，分析了结构内摩擦摆隔震设备的响应规律和隔震效果。计算结果表明，经过合理设计的摩擦摆系统能够显著控制设备的地震绝对加速度响应从而有效提高设备的抗震可靠度。     

运用改进系统建模法对南海气象数据的建模研究

在系统建模理论的基础上,运用改进的动态数据建模方法,对南海气象数据中的温度进行建模并验证了模型的适用性.根据模型推导出格林函数、逆函数和自协方差函数等,并讨论了南海气象数据中温度模型的稳定性、可逆性和合理性.对系统的频率特性和谱函数进行分析讨论,并给出建模过程中的一些图像.根据模型的适用性检验发现,对所研究的气象数据而言,ARMA(4, 3)模型是最合适的,具有平稳可逆性.所有的建模和分析过程在MATLAB上实现.实验结果表明这种建模方案简便易行,能够快速准确地确定系统的合理模型.     

基于GIS的孔隙水文地质层三维空间离散方法

针对自然界中孔隙水文地质层空间分布的不连续性与厚度分布的不均匀性,研究基于GIS的孔隙水文地质层三维空间离散实现的技术路线,提出基于GIS的孔隙水文地质层不规则六面体元的三维空间离散方法.该法不仅能最大限度地保证不规则六面体元中水文地质层类型的一元性,而且可充分利用GIS的空间分析与数据的自动提取功能,快速提取各个计算结点上空间位置坐标与各类计算参数,大大缩短水文地质模型空间离散与相关数据文件组织所需的时间,提高地下水三维有限差分数值模拟的时效性,具有较高的实用价值.