Nonlocal density wave theory for gravitational instability of protoplanetary disks without sharp boundaries

The stability of a self‐gravitating infinitesimally thin gaseous disk rotating around a central mass is studied. Our global linear analysis concerns marginal stability, i.e. it yields the critical temperature for the onset of instability for any given ratio of the disk mass to the central mass. Both axisymmetric and low‐m nonaxisymmetric excitations are analysed. When the fractional disk mass increases, the symmetry character of the instability changes from rings (m = 0) to one‐armed trailing spirals (m = 1). The distribution of the surface density along the spiral arms is not uniform, but describes a sequence of maxima that might be identified with forming planets. The number of the mass concentrations decreases with increasing fractional disk mass. We also obtain solutions in the form of global nonaxisymmetric vortices, which are, however, never excited.     

面向河套区域农业的气象地理信息系统研究

针对河套区域农业气象服务需求,基于GIS技术成果,提出区域农业的气象地理信息系统设计构想,运用WEBGIS技术和B/S结构,完成该气象地理信息系统服务内容的设计,实现对区域农业气象服务的多源气象数据的采集、编辑、存储、分析、可视化查询,为区域农业发展提供多方位的高效信息服务。     

The role of salinity in fluvio-deltaic morphodynamics: A long-term modelling study

Salinity difference between terrestrial river discharge and oceanic tidal water plays a role in modifying the local flow field and, as a consequence, estuarine morphodynamics. Although widely recognized, recent numerical studies exploring the long-term morphological evolution of river-influenced estuaries with two-dimensional, depth-averaged models have mostly neglected salinity. Using a three-dimensional morphodynamic model, we aim to gain more insight into the effect of salinity on the morphodynamics of fluvio-deltaic systems. Model results indicate that the resultant estuarine morphology established after 600 years differs remarkably when a salinity gradient is included. A fan-shaped river-mouth delta exhibits less seaward expansion and is cut through by narrower channels when salinity is included. The inclusion of salinity tends to generate estuarine circulation, which favours landward sediment transport and hence limits the growth of the delta while enhancing the development of intertidal areas. The formation of deltaic channel–shoal patterns resulting from morphodynamic evolution tends to strengthen salinity stratification, which is characterized by an increased gradient Richardson number. The direction of the depth-averaged residual sediment transport over a tide may be opposite to the direction of residual velocity, indicating the significant influence of baroclinic effects on the net sediment transport direction (and hence morphological change). The effect of salinity on morphological evolution becomes less profound when the strength of tidal or fluvial forcing is dominant over the other. The effects of sediment type and flocculation, which are particularly important when salinity gradients are present, are also discussed. Overall, this study highlights that neglecting salinity to simulate long-term estuarine morphodynamics requires more careful justification, particularly when the environment is characterized by fine sediment types (favouring suspended transport), and relatively large river discharge and estuarine depth (favouring baroclinic effects). © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating functional connectivity in a small agricultural catchment under contrasting flood events by using UAV

Concentrated erosion, a major feature of land degradation, represents a serious problem for soil and water resources management and a threat to ecosystems. Understanding the internal mechanisms (de-)coupling sediment pathways can improve the management and resilience of catchments. In this study, concentrated erosion and deposition forms were mapped accurately through field and aerial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) campaigns, in order to assess the evolution of connectivity pathways over a series of three contrasted and consecutive flood events occurring between October 2016 and January 2017 (return period ranging from 0.5 to 25 years) in a small Mediterranean agricultural catchment (Can Revull, Mallorca, Spain; 1.4 km²). In addition, a morphometric index of connectivity (IC) was used to identify the potential trajectories of different concentrated erosion forms and deposition areas. IC predictions were calibrated by identifying the optimal critical thresholds, i.e. those most consistent with field observations after each of the events studied. The results found that the index performed well in predicting the occurrence and the length/area of the different type of landforms, giving kappa (κ) coefficients of variation ranging between 0.21 and 0.92 and linear correlations R² between 0.33 and 0.72. The type of landform affected the correspondence of IC predictions and field observations, with lower thresholds the greater the magnitude of their associated geomorphic processes. Rainfall magnitude proved to be a very important factor controlling the development of erosion and deposition landforms, with large differences in length/area between the contrasted events. The evolution of the observed trajectories revealed feedback dynamics between the structural and functional connectivity of the catchment, in which morphological changes determined the spatial distribution of the processes’ activity in the successive events and vice versa. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel bidirectional pendulum tuned mass damper using variable homogeneous friction to achieve amplitude-independent control

Passive tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are widely used in controlling structural vibrations. Although their principle is well established, the search for improved arrangements is still under way. This effort has recently produced an innovative paradigm of bidirectional pendulum TMD (BTMD) that, moving along a specially designed three-dimensional (3D) surface, can simultaneously control two in-plane orthogonal structural modes. In existing versions of BTMDs, energy dissipation is provided either by ordinary horizontal viscous dampers or by an original arrangement of vertical friction dampers. In this paper, a new paradigm is proposed, in which energy dissipation comes from the tangential friction arising along the pendulum surface out of an optimal spatially variable friction coefficient pattern. Within this paradigm, if the friction coefficient is taken proportional to the modulus of the pendulum surface gradient, the dissipation model results nonlinear homogeneous in the small-displacement domain, and the performance of the absorber, herein called the homogeneous tangential friction BTMD (HT-BTMD), results independent from the excitation level. The present work introduces this concept, derives the analytical model of the HT-BTMD, establishes a method for its optimal design, and numerically verifies its seismic effectiveness in comparison with viscously damped devices. The validity and feasibility of the concept are demonstrated through experimental tests on a small-scale lab prototype, which also show the efficacy of a stepwise approximation of the homogeneous friction pattern. The new device proves a competing alternative to existing BTMDs, and homogeneous tangential friction proves a promising new paradigm to provide pendular systems with amplitude-independent structural damping.     

整体平差方法在CCD天体测量中的应用

回顾了基于底片重叠观测的整体平差方法的发展历史和应用概况，分析了该方法应用于底片资料处理没有取得预期效果的原因，介绍了小视场CCD重叠观测的整体平差研究进展．分析与实测资料归算表明，整体平差方法可以在CCD资料处理中充分发挥作用，在保证长焦距、小底片比例尺的同时，通过对CCD重叠观测的整体平差(相当于扩大观测视场)，可覆盖更多的参考星，进而达到改善局部参考架、提高归算结果精度的目的。     

Use of sparse iterative methods for the resolution of three-dimensional soil/structure interaction problems

In this paper we present a study of the performance of sparse iterative solvers regarding the resolution of three-dimensional and non-linear problems encountered in soil/structure interaction. It is composed of two parts. In the first one, we present briefly iterative methods and preconditioners used in this study, then we analyse their performance on three soil/structure interaction problems: a shallow foundation under a vertical loading, a single pile subjected to a lateral loading and the construction of a lined tunnel in a soft soil. Tests are performed assuming an elastic–perfectly plastic constitutive law for the soil material with a non-associated Mohr–Coulomb flow rule. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of supplemental viscous damping on seismic response of asymmetric-plan systems

Coupling between lateral and torsional motions may lead to much larger edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems compared to systems with a symmetric plan. Supplemental viscous damping has been found to be effective in reducing deformations in the symmetric-plan system. This investigation examined how supplemental damping affects the edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems. First, the parameters that characterize supplemental viscous damping and its plan-wise distribution were identified, and then the effects of these parameters on edge deformations were investigated. It was found that supplemental damping reduces edge deformations and that reductions by a factor of up three are feasible with proper selection of system parameters. Furthermore, viscous damping may be used to reduce edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems to levels equal to or smaller than those in the corresponding symmetric-plan system. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimated mass and stiffness matrices of shear building from modal test data

A method that estimates mass and stiffness matrices of shear building from modal test data is presented in this paper. The method depends on only measurable points that are less in number than the total structural degrees of freedom, and on the first two orders of structural mode measured. So it is applicable to most of the general test. Based on this method modal data of unmeasurable points are estimated, then global mass and stiffness matrices of structure are obtained by using the first two orders of modal data. Taking advantage of iteration the optimum global mass and stiffness matrices are gained. Finally, an example is studied in this paper. Its result shows that this method is reliable. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling road surface sediment production using a vector geographic information system

Field investigations indicate that unpaved roads are the largest sediment source on St John, US Virgin Islands. Cross-sectional measurements of eroded road surfaces were used to establish an empirical relationship to predict annual road surface erosion as a function of road gradient and contributing drainage area. A model (ROADMOD) for estimating and mapping average annual sediment production from a road network was developed by combining this empirical relationship with a series of network algorithms to analyse road data stored in a vector geographic information system. ROADMOD was used to estimate road surface erosion in two St John catchments with very different road densities but similar land cover, topography and soils. Unpaved roads were found to increase sediment production in the more densely roaded catchment by a factor of three to eight, and in the less-roaded catchment by a factor of 1·3–2·0. Turbidity measurements in the receiving bays of these two catchments are consistent with model predictions and observed sediment delivery processes. Although this model was developed specifically for St John, it can easily be adapted to other locations by substituting a locally derived predictive equation for road erosion. Model assumptions, limitations and potential improvements are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.