Aerodynamic characteristics of a hybrid trimaran model

Ultra fast marine vehicles can substantially benefit from aerodynamic unloading. The subject of this study is aerodynamics of a hybrid trimaran that comprises three wave-piercing planing hulls and a wing-shaped superstructure. This configuration is characterized by high efficiency and good seaworthiness at speeds about twice those of contemporary fast ferries and combat ships. Aerodynamic coefficients of the above-water structure of the hybrid trimaran were measured in a wind tunnel. A computer code based on the vortex lattice method is applied for modeling steady aerodynamics of this structure in a range of attack angles. The application of an interceptor at the pressure side of the wing is shown to produce significant increase in aerodynamic lift.     

Hull/mooring/riser coupled dynamic analysis and sensitivity study of a tanker-based FPSO

A computer program is developed for hull/mooring/riser coupled dynamic analysis of a tanker-based turret-moored FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) in waves, winds, and currents. In this computer program, the floating body is modeled as a rigid body with six degrees of freedom. The first- and second-order wave forces, added mass, and radiation damping at various yaw angles are calculated from the second-order diffraction/radiation panel program WAMIT. The wind and current forces for various yaw angles of FPSO are modeled following the empirical method suggested by OCIMF (Oil Company International Marine Forum).

The mooring/riser dynamics are modeled using a rod theory and finite element method (FEM), with the governing equations described in a generalized coordinate system. The dynamics of hull, mooring lines, and risers are solved simultaneously at each time step in a combined matrix for the specified connection condition. For illustration, semi-taut chain-steel wire-chain mooring lines and steel catenary risers are employed and their effects on global FPSO hull motions are investigated. To better understand the physics related to the motion characteristics of a turret-moored FPSO, the role of various hydrodynamic contributions is analyzed and assessed including the effects of hull and mooring/riser viscous damping, second-order difference-frequency wave-force quadratic transfer functions, and yaw-angle dependent wave forces and hydrodynamic coefficients. To see the effects of hull and mooring/riser coupling and mooring/riser damping more clearly, the case with no drag forces on those slender members is also investigated. The numerical results are compared with MARIN's wave basin experiments.     

A computational model of the digestive gland epithelial cell of marine mussels and its simulated responses to oil-derived aromatic hydrocarbons

This paper describes a computational model of digestive gland epithelial cells (digestive cells) of marine mussels. These cells are the major environmental interface for uptake of contaminants, particularly those associated with natural particulates that are filtered from seawater by mussels. Digestive cells show well characterised reactions to exposure to lipophilic xenobiotics, such as oil-derived aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs), which accumulate in these cells with minimal biotransformation. The simulation model is based on processes associated with the flux of carbon through the cell. Physiological parameters such as fluctuating food concentration, cell volume, respiration, secretion/excretion, storage of glycogen and lipid, protein/organelle turnover (autophagy/resynthesis) and export of carbon to other tissues of the mussel are all included in the model. The major response to AHs is induction of increased autophagy in these cells. Simulations indicate that the reactions to AHs and food deprivation correspond well with responses measured in vivo.     

Farm size comparison with analytical model of linear generator wave energy converters

Ocean wave energy is an emerging kind of renewable energy, and several energy conversion methods are available today. One solution is to connect a buoy to a linear generator. Such units are quite small (10–100 kW), and farm solutions are suggested to increase power production. This paper shows the results from small farm simulations where the translator motion is varied for the generators in the farm.Simulations with five and 10 units show that power fluctuations decrease with an increasing number of generators.     

Impact of lithology and soil properties on abandoned dryland terraces during the early stages of soil erosion by water in south‐east Spain

Soil erosion by water in abandoned dry terraces is one of the most important environmental problems in semiarid areas, enhancing biological degradation and reducing possible resources that can be obtained. However, little is known about the effects of the types of lithology and soil properties on the early stages of soil erosion. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to assess the effect of different lithologies (marls, limestones, and metamorphic—phyllites, schists, and greywackes—materials) and soil properties on the early stages of soil erosion by water in abandoned dry terraces, compared with similar terraces still in agricultural use. Soil analyses (texture, aggregate stability, and bulk density) and 22 rainfall simulations were carried out under dry conditions. During the experiments, local inclination, vegetation and stone cover, total organic matter, and antecedent soil moisture were also quantified. The results showed that the highest soil loss (41.41 g/m² in cultivated plots and 17.05 g/m² in the abandoned plots) and runoff (3.79 L/m² in the abandoned plot) occurred on marl substrata. Marls also showed the shallowest infiltration front (9 cm) and lowest infiltration rate (4.3 cm/min). Limestones and, especially, metamorphic areas, showed a lower degree of soil erosion, higher infiltration rates, and deeper infiltration fronts.     

Practical aspects of calibrating and selecting unit hydrograph-based models for continuous river flow simulation

Abstract

A continuous simulation rainfall-streamflow modelling approach that identifies unit hydrographs for total streamflow has been applied to an 11-year record from a national hydrometric monitoring network catchment in the UK. The model is of the parametrically parsimonious conceptual model (PPCM) type that can make efficient use of rainfall, streamflow and air temperature data readily available from established national and regional monitoring networks. A multiple split-sample model calibration and simulation analysis is presented that reveals some guiding principles for calibrating and applying PPCMs generally. The inadequacy of a one-dimensional objective function for calibrating best PPCMs is demonstrated. A two-dimensional objective function approach is superior but is shown to be unreliable in some cases, confirming the need for additional critical inspection of other model performance statistics, model parameters and time series plots as an integral part of the model calibration process. A strong tendency evident from the multiple split-sample analysis is that, for the catchment studied, models that fit relatively well in calibration mode perform relatively poorly in simulation mode.