Review of validation of the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method

Over the last decade, researchers in the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) community have dedicated a great deal of effort to document the accuracy of the method by performing validation studies. This paper contains a summary of more than 100 published and unpublished validation studies which comprise the body of DDA validation information to which the authors have access. The studies are grouped into three general categories: (a) validation with respect to analytical solutions, (b) validation with respect to results of other numerical techniques, and (c) validation with respect to laboratory and field data. Three general techniques for validation are described: qualitative assessment visually examining runtime behaviour of simulations, semi‐quantitative assessment comparing numerical results of simulations, and quantitative where numerical simulation results are evaluated in detail with respect to similar analytical, laboratory or field results. We find that for many of the problems addressed by the papers in this review, DDA performs more than adequately for engineering analysis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A time‐discontinuous Galerkin method for the dynamical analysis of porous media

We present a time‐discontinuous Galerkin method (DGT) for the dynamic analysis of fully saturated porous media. The numerical method consists of a finite element discretization in space and time. The discrete basis functions are continuous in space and discontinuous in time. The continuity across the time interval is weakly enforced by a flux function. Two applications and several numerical investigations confirm the quality of the proposed space–time finite element scheme. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of Forchheimer equation coefficients a and b

This study focuses on the determination of the Forchheimer equation coefficients a and b for non‐Darcian flow in porous media. Original theoretical equations are evaluated and empirical relations are proposed based on an investigation of available data in the literature. The validity of these equations is checked using existing experimental data, and their accuracy versus existing approaches is studied. On the basis of this analysis, some insight into the physical background of the phenomenon is also provided. The dependence of the coefficients a and b on the Reynolds number is also detected, and potential future research areas, e.g. investigation of inertial effects for consolidated porous media, are pointed out. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accurate Analytical Calculation of Effects of Rorations of the Central Planet on a Staellite's Orbit

Satellite orbital perturbations due to many rotations of the planet-fixed reference frame are calculated by a general analytical method. For the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) the effects of the Earth irregular rotation, precession, nutation, and polar motion are considered. Gravity coefficients of the Earth potential expansion are expressed in an inertial Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) as functions of the set of standard constant coefficients derived in the ITRF and of the rotation angles between the CRF and ITRF. The analytical motion theory uses time dependent gravity coefficients, and the Lagrange motion equations are integrated in the CRF, as it is done by numerical methods. Comparison of the proposed analytical method with a numerical one is presented. Motion of the ETALON-1 geodetic satellite perturbed by the geopotential (36*36) and by the full effects of the Earth irregular rotation, precession, nutation and polar motion is predicted. The r.m.s. difference between the satellite's coordinates calculated by both methods over a year interval is 2 cm. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Toward objective rockfall trajectory simulation using a stochastic impact model

The accuracy of rockfall trajectory simulations depends to a large extent on the calculation of the rebound of falling boulders on different parts of a slope where rockfalls could occur. The models commonly used for rebound calculation are based on restitution coefficients, which can only be calibrated subjectively in the field. To come up with a robust and objective procedure for rebound calculation, a stochastic impact model associated with an objective field data collection method was developed and tested in this study. The aims of this work were to assess the adequacy of this approach and to evaluate the minimum amount of field data required to obtain simulation results with a satisfactory level of predictability. To achieve these objectives, the rebound calculation procedure developed was integrated into a three-dimensional rockfall simulation model, and the simulated results were compared with those obtained from field rockfall experiments. For rocky slopes, the simulations satisfactorily predict the experimental results. This approach is advantageous because it combines precise modelling of the mechanisms involved in the rebound and of their related variability with an objective field data collection procedure which basically only requires collecting the mean size of soil rocks. The approach proposed in this study therefore constitutes an excellent basis for the objective probabilistic assessment of rockfall hazard.     

Field determination of the spatial variation of resistance to flow along a steep Alpine stream

Accurate field data have been collected along the Febbraro River (central Italian Alps) during quasi‐steady, low‐flow conditions to investigate the spatial variations of hydraulic and geomorphologic quantities potentially affecting resistance to flow. Detailed uncertainty analysis and weighted least‐squares fitting of simple power function relationships to field‐derived data are carried out to identify possible interdependencies between observed variables. Mean flow velocity is found to depend on water‐surface slope, bed material particle size, and upstream drainage area, whereas its dependence on hydraulic depth appears less susceptible to quantification. Upstream drainage area is found to explain the variations of hydraulic depth, water‐surface slope, Gauckler–Strickler conductance coefficient, and (although less significantly) flow discharge. Specifically, a highly significant positive dependence of the Gauckler–Strickler conductance coefficient on the upstream drainage area is found to exist, although anomalies in the variations of hydraulic depth and flow discharge are observed along the stream. The combined use of uncertainty analysis, hydraulic equations, and geomorphological relationships allows a possible characterization of resistance to flow along a steep Alpine stream and, perhaps more importantly, provides useful guidelines for future investigative efforts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A statistical methodology for assessing the long‐term effects of antecedent drought conditions on stream runoff: applications to the Piedmont Province,southeastern United States

A method was developed to investigate the long‐term (months‐to‐years) effects (both magnitude and duration) of antecedent rainfall upon subsequent runoff coefficients (RCs) or runoff/rainfall ratios. The method was applied to a four‐state region (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia) within the southeastern Piedmont Province of the United States and incorporated a 59‐year data set of 19 United States Geological Survey stream gages and 57 National Climatic Data Center rain gages. The method was designed to facilitate statistical comparisons [Mann–Whitney rank sum tests] between various groups of normalized runoff coefficients (NRCs) representing 6–36 month periods which differed in terms of antecedent rainfall conditions. The results of this study show that under all subsequent rainfall conditions, with the exception of excess rainfall, a 1‐year period of antecedent drought lowered NRCs for at least 1 year following the drought. The principal finding of this study is that a year‐long drought period within the southeastern Piedmont Province lowers NRCs by ～25% during the following year when rainfall returns to normal. In most cases, RCs are significantly lower during the second year following a drought than they would be when anteceded by normal rainfall; however, the effects of drought wane during this period. This is a statistical and regional method that can be modified to other study areas; however, it cannot be used to predict storm‐event rainfall–runoff relationships for any specific basin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于DDA方法的膨胀土边坡稳定性研究

非连续变形分析方法（DDA）是近年来发展起来的数值计算方法,其以新颖的思想、先进的数值技术,得到了学术界的认可和广泛关注。针对宁明高速公路膨胀土路堑边坡破坏的特点,建立地质模型和计算模型,编制了二维DDA程序,对DDA理论模型进行了推广和发展,将非饱和土的本构模型引入程序。对非连续变形分析方法中的控制参数设置进行了探讨,应用DDA程序模拟了膨胀土边坡破坏特征。程序计算结果与工程实际情况比较吻合,验证了程序的合理性和有效性,分析成果可为设计、施工提供参考依据。     

基于小波变换和局部相关系数改进IHS变换的图像融合方法

为得到分辨率高、光谱畸变小的融合图像,该文根据图像处理理论和小波变换的时频局部 特性,采用Quickbird数据,对多光谱波段经IHS变换的I分量和全波段图像分别进 行小波分解,用全波段图像经小波分解得到的高频系数替换I分量小波分解的高频系数, 替换时根据图像的地物光谱特性引入局部相关系数进行有选择的高频替换.经过IHS反变换得到空间分辨率高且没有光谱畸变的融合图像.