Predictive instantaneous optimal control of elastic structures during earthquakes

A predictive instantaneous optimal control (PIOC) algorithm is proposed for controlling the seismic responses of elastic structures. This algorithm compensates for the time delay that happens in practical control applications by predicting the structural response over a period that equals the time delay, and by substituting the predicted response in the instantaneous optimal control (IOC) algorithm. The unique feature of this proposed PIOC algorithm is that it is simple and at the same time compensates for the time delay very effectively. Numerical examples of single degree of freedom structures are presented to compare the performance of PIOC and IOC systems for various time delay magnitudes. Results show that a time delay always causes degradation of control efficiency, but PIOC can greatly reduce this degradation compared to IOC. The effects of the structure's natural periods and the choice of control gains on the degradation induced by the time delay are also analyzed. Results show that shorter natural periods and larger control gains are both more sensitive and more serious to the degradation of control efficiency. Finally, a practical application of PIOC is performed on a six‐story moment‐resisting steel frame. It is demonstrated that PIOC contributes significantly to maintain stability in multiple degree of freedom structures, and at the same time PIOC has a satisfactory control performance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The importance of plant root characteristics in controlling concentrated flow erosion rates

While it has been demonstrated in numerous studies that the aboveground characteristics of the vegetation are of particular importance with respect to soil erosion control, this study argues the importance of separating the influence of vegetation on soil erosion rates into two parts: the impact of leaves and stems (aboveground biomass) and the influence of roots (belowground biomass). Although both plant parameters form inseparable constituents of the total plant organism, most studies attribute the impact of vegetation on soil erosion rates mainly to the characteristics of the aboveground biomass. This triggers the question whether the belowground biomass is of no or negligible importance with respect to soil erosion by concentrated flow. This study tried to answer this question by comparing cross‐sectional areas of concentrated flow channels (rills and ephemeral gullies) in the Belgian Loess Belt for different cereal and grass plant densities. The results of these measurements highlighted the fact that both an increase in shoot density as well as an increase in root density resulted in an exponential decrease of concentrated flow erosion rates. Since protection of the soil surface in the early plant growth stages is crucial with respect to the reduction of water erosion rates, increasing the plant root density in the topsoil could be a viable erosion control strategy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal distribution of linear control intensity over the frequency range

In this paper, a control strategy for structural systems is proposed and developed in the frequency domain. The algorithm is substantially based on a linear derivative feedback and a convolution of the control parameter, whose distribution in the frequency field is chosen in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of an ad hoc formulated constrained optimum problem, with the response data monitored until the instant of control action application. Some numerical testing is carried out by referring to given recorded accelerograms, showing a good performance of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of the inelastic response of base isolated buildings

This article presents a numeric comparative study of the inelastic structural response of base isolated buildings. The comparative study includes the following isolation systems: laminated rubber bearings, New Zealand one, pure friction and the frictional pendulum ones. The study is based on obtaining non‐linear response spectra for various design parameters using six earthquake records. Usually the base isolation of a new building seeks to maintain the structure in the linear elastic range. The response of old weak buildings or the response of new ones subjected to extreme earthquakes may not be, necessarily, in the aforementioned ideal elastic range. Consequently, it is important to characterize the response of isolated buildings responding inelastically. A conclusion from this research is that the isolators affect significantly the structural response of weak systems. Rubber isolators seem slightly less sensitive to plastification that may occur in the structure compared to friction isolators. Ductility demands in the structure are affected significantly by friction and neoprene protected systems, in particular sliding ones where larger demands are obtained. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

停止开采深层地下水 修复与改善生态环境

沧州市水资源短缺，深层地下水严重超采，已形成大面积区域地下水位降落漏斗，地面沉降已达2m，生态环境严重恶化．为保障经济社会的可持续发展，要积极引调地表水，开发利用地下咸水，加强雨洪控制利用，逐步替代最后终止深层地下水的开采。从根本上修复和改善生态环境。     

防汛信息共享与元数据应用研究

分析了FGDC、CEN／TC287等元数据标准，讨论了基于GIS的防汛信息共享与元数据的应用，设计了防汛信息元数据库，实现了元数据支持下的防汛信息共享。     

地形图扫描数字化精度分析

本文分析了地形图扫描数字化的误差来源，讨论了误差控制方法及质量控制指标，探讨了成果数据相对于地形原图的位置精度，具有一定实用价值。     

时频测控技术的发展

目前，在所有的物理量中时间与频率标准的物理实现具有最高的准确度和稳定度，它们的发展不但在计量技术中，而且在几乎整个高科技领域中起着十分重要的作用。这方面的发展一直受到发达国家的高度重视。根据近年来与国外同行的技术交流和了解的情况，对时频测控技术的发展和影响等作了介绍。     

黑土的水土流失及其保育治理

黑土因其肥沃而闻名，但其退化和水土流失问题往往易被忽略。虽然在人类影响下的现代环境过程开始较晚，但黑土区的环境已发生了较大的变化。对黑土水土流失的现状进行了评价，指出了黑土保育治理的必要性与紧迫性，提出了治理保育措施。     

Recent Precipitation Trends in Hungary in the Context of Larger Scale Climatic Changes

The time series of monthly precipitation totals from 14 Hungarian observing stations (1901–1998) were analysed to reveal the long term changes in precipitation characteristics occurred in the 20th century. A particular attention was given to the changes in the recent decades and their links with the larger scale climatic and circulation changes over Europe and the Atlantic.The statistical significancesof systematic changes are controlled by linear trend analysis and the Mann–Kendall test. The long term fluctuations are illustrated applying a 15-point Gaussian filter on the time series. The Standardised Precipitation Index is used to evaluate the changes in the drought event frequency. The relationships with larger scale changes are mostly discussed relying on contemporary papers, and the Grosswetterlagen Catalogue is used as well.The annual precipitation total decreased by 15–20% in Hungary during the 20th century. The decline is substantial in both halves of the century, but the precipitation sums in the transition seasons declined in the first 50 years, and the winter precipitation decreased in the latest decades. The precipitation total of the period November–February declined significantly in the last 50 years. In the same time the mean winter value of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) increased, the positions of the main pressure patterns over the Atlantic are shifted northeastward, and lot of other coherent changes detected in the winter climate of the European–Atlantic region. The mean summer precipitation total has hardly changed, but the frequency of summer drought events increased. There are some signs of a shift of the Hungarian summer climate towards a Mediterranean like climate.