Effects of rainfall on oil droplet size and the dispersion of spilled oil with application to Douglas Channel,British Columbia,Canada

Raindrops falling on the sea surface produce turbulence. The present study examined the influence of rain-induced turbulence on oil droplet size and dispersion of oil spills in Douglas Channel in British Columbia, Canada using hourly atmospheric data in 2011–2013. We examined three types of oils: a light oil (Cold Lake Diluent - CLD), and two heavy oils (Cold Lake Blend - CLB and Access Western Blend - AWB). We found that the turbulent energy dissipation rate produced by rainfalls is comparable to what is produced by wind-induced wave breaking in our study area. With the use of chemical dispersants, our results indicate that a heavy rainfall (rain rate > 20 mm h^? 1) can produce the maximum droplet size of 300 μm for light oil and 1000 μm for heavy oils, and it can disperse the light oil with fraction of 22–45% and the heavy oils of 8–13%, respectively. Heavy rainfalls could be a factor for the fate of oil spills in Douglas Channel, especially for a spill of light oil and the use of chemical dispersants.     

Limnology of the neotropical high elevation shallow lake Yahuarcocha (Ecuador) and challenges for managing eutrophication using biomanipulation

Temperate and tropical shallow lakes differ in several fundamental aspects with respect to management of eutrophication. High altitude tropical shallow lakes are a special case, showing similarities with temperate and tropical lakes. We studied the ecology of the eutrophic high-altitude tropical lake Yahuarcocha in the Ecuadorian Andes and evaluated the potential of biomanipulation to control eutrophication. With a toxin-producing Cylindrospermopsis bloom, low Secchi depth and low submerged macrophyte cover, Yahuarcocha is clearly in a turbid ecosystem state. Relatively low nutrient concentrations should theoretically allow for a shift to a clear water state through biomanipulation. Top-down control of phytoplankton by zooplankton, however, is complicated by the (1) absence of predatory fish, (2) fish community dominated by small poecelid species, (3) lack of a refuge for zooplankton from fish predation within the macrophytes, and (4) persistent, grazing resistant bloom of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis. In these aspects, lake Yahuarcocha is more similar to tropical shallow lakes, probably because water temperature is high relative to the mean air temperature and because of the absence of a cold season. The fish and macrophyte communities consisted almost entirely of exotic species. The exotic fish species probably stabilized the turbid state in the lake.     

Cyclic behavior and failure mechanism of self‐centering energy dissipation braces with pre‐pressed combination disc springs

A new type of bracing system composed of friction energy dissipation devices for energy dissipation, pre‐pressed combination disc springs for self‐centering and tube members as guiding elements is developed and experimentally studied in this paper. The mechanics of this system are explained, the equations governing its hysteretic responses are outlined and large‐scale validation tests of two braces with different types of disc springs are conducted under the condition of low cyclic reversed loading. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed bracing system exhibits a stable and repeatable flag‐shaped hysteretic response with an excellent self‐centering capability and effective energy dissipation throughout the loading protocol. Furthermore, the maximum bearing force and stiffness are predicted well by the equations governing its mechanical behavior. Fatigue and destructive test results demonstrate that the proposed bracing system can maintain stable energy dissipation and self‐centering capabilities under large deformation cyclic loading even when the tube members exceed the elastic limit and that a larger bearing capacity is achieved by the system that has disc springs without a bearing surface. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of Structure‐from‐Motion photogrammetry to river restoration

Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM) photogrammetry is now used widely to study a range of earth surface processes and landforms, and is fast becoming a core tool in fluvial geomorphology. SfM photogrammetry allows extraction of topographic information and orthophotos from aerial imagery. However, one field where it is not yet widely used is that of river restoration. The characterisation of physical habitat conditions pre‐ and post‐restoration is critical for assessing project success, and SfM can be used easily and effectively for this purpose. In this paper we outline a workflow model for the application of SfM photogrammetry to collect topographic data, develop surface models and assess geomorphic change resulting from river restoration actions. We illustrate the application of the model to a river restoration project in the NW of England, to show how SfM techniques have been used to assess whether the project is achieving its geomorphic objectives. We outline the details of each stage of the workflow, which extend from preliminary decision‐making related to the establishment of a ground control network, through fish‐eye lens camera testing and calibration, to final image analysis for the creation of facies maps, the extraction of point clouds, and the development of digital elevation models (DEMs) and channel roughness maps. The workflow enabled us to confidently identify geomorphic changes occurring in the river channel over time, as well as assess spatial variation in erosion and aggradation. Critical to the assessment of change was the high number of ground control points and the application of a minimum level of detection threshold used to assess uncertainties in the topographic models. We suggest that these two things are especially important for river restoration applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于传力路径的平面不规则RC框架结构减震设计

针对平面不规则RC框架结构,从构件安全层次出发提出基于传力路径的减震设计方法。首先根据广义结构刚度法的基本原理计算结构中所有构件的重要性系数,再假定消能支撑的截面参数,取每层最重要的构件位置布置支撑,经支撑在最不利地震组合下的轴力验算后确定支撑的最终设计参数和数量,然后考虑远场、近场有脉冲以及近场无脉冲地震动从双向输入对结构响应的影响,对减震前、后结构分别进行动力时程分析。分析结果表明,利用此方法优化布置支撑能为结构中重要构件提供有效保护,且在小、中、大震下消能支撑均能运作良好,使整体结构响应得到很好地控制。     

基于高分辨率影像的九寨沟7.0级地震道路震害评估

2017年8月8日九寨沟7.0级地震引发贯通重灾区的S301省道、Z120县道多处损坏,给应急救援和灾后重建带来较大困难。利用高分辨率无人机和卫星影像可以对道路震害情况进行评估。本文首先对道路震害进行破坏类型和破坏等级的划分,针对不同分辨率影像所表现的道路破坏特征,建立各破坏等级、各损坏类型的解译标志,并完成灾区遥感图像覆盖范围内主要道路震害的研判与评估。经统计分析,研究区域共出现110处明显破坏,其中,68处为部分损坏,42处为完全损毁,道路整体破坏严重。     

前板可旋转的双垂板结构水动力特性的理论研究

振荡水柱波能转换装置的最大转换效率往往受到腔内水柱共振机制的直接影响。通过对装置的基本结构进行简化,提出了一种前墙可绕固定轴旋转的双垂板式结构系统,旨在通过前墙的旋转运动进一步加剧水柱的振荡,从而对腔内水柱的共振机制进行调节和控制。基于线性波理论,采用匹配特征函数展开法对波浪与双垂板结构的相互作用进行理论研究,针对流场在结构物尖角附近的奇异性特征,将公共界面上的速度分布基于切比雪夫多项式近似展开,并应用区域间的速度与压力连续条件进行求解。通过分析结构的几何参数对反射透射系数、平均波面高程、前墙旋转振幅以及前墙与水面间相位差的影响,深究其共振机理,为振荡水柱波能转换装置的效率优化机制提供理论依据。结果表明,在所研究的波浪频率范围内,前墙的自由旋转运动会加剧板间的平均波面高程,应用于波浪能转换装置中能进一步拓宽高效频率带宽。     

基于长时间序列ERA-Interim再分析资料的广东沿海波浪能资源分布特征分析

波浪能的开发利用作为海洋可再生能源发展的重要组成部分,持续受到社会和学界的广泛关注。广东省波浪能资源的开发利用具有得天独厚的优势,但其发展水平还处于探索阶段,亟须进一步加强。本文利用长达40年(1979—2018年)的ERA-Interim再分析波浪资料,从总体分布特征上分析了广东沿海波浪能资源及其长期变化趋势。粤东-珠江口-粤西沿岸一线,波浪能资源呈现"低-高-低-高-低"的分布特征,具有显著的季节变化特征;长期变化趋势上呈现显著的逐年线性递增特征,递增速率为0.054 3 kW/(m·a),其中1979—1994年变化较为快速,2001—2018年变化较为平缓。     

改性粘土辅助沉水植物修复技术维持清水稳态的原位研究

在富营养湖泊治理实践中,修复沉水植被被认为是改善水质的长效措施,而壳聚糖改性粘土是短期快速改善水质的有效手段.本研究利用改性粘土辅助沉水植被修复,旨在探索改善水质的长效方案.2011年5-11月在太湖梅梁湾开展了四组不同处理(对照、水草、水草+粘土、粘土)围隔实验,在水草(盖度13.0%)和水草+粘土(盖度52.3%)围隔中不同程度重建了苦草群落.实验期内每3 d一次的水质监测表明,粘土处理可显著改善水质,水体总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、正磷酸盐(PO34--P)和叶绿素a(Chl.a)含量分别比对照下降了20.7%、74.6%、31.0%和80.4%,透明度(SD)升高了90.4%;粘土辅助植被修复改善水质效果最长稳,水体TN、TP、PO34--P和Chl.a含量分别比对照下降了36.2%、64.0%、28.6%和71.1%,SD升高了76.4%;低盖度苦草群落单独处理对水质改善效果不显著.在三种处理中,粘土辅助植被修复改善底质效果最好,使间隙水的TN、TP、PO34--P、NH4+-N分别比实验前下降了15.6%、61.7%、55.8%和82.8%.本研究表明改性粘土辅助沉水植被修复可作为重富营养水体中水质改善的整合技术,但其长期生态效应仍需谨慎评估.     

Seismic performance of buildings retrofitted with nonlinear viscous dampers and adjacent reaction towers

An effective strategy of seismic retrofitting consists of installing nonlinear viscous dampers between the existing building, with insufficient lateral resistance, and some auxiliary towers, specially designed and erected as reaction structures. This allows improving the seismic performance of the existing building without any major alteration to its structural and nonstructural elements, which makes this approach particularly appealing for buildings with heritage value. In this paper, the nonlinear governing equations of the coupled lateral‐torsional seismic motion are derived from first principles for the general case of a multistory building connected at various locations in plan and in elevation to an arbitrary number of multistory towers. This formulation is then used to assess the performance of the proposed retrofitting strategy for a real case study, namely, a 5‐story student hall of residence in the city of Messina, Italy. The results of extensive time‐history analyses highlight the key design considerations associated with the stiffness of the reaction towers and the mechanical parameters of the nonlinear viscous dampers, confirming the validity of this approach.