Improved dynamic correction method in seismic analysis of both classically and non‐classically damped structures

A step‐by‐step approximate procedure taking into consideration high‐frequency modes, usually neglected in the modal analysis of both classically and non‐classically damped structures, is presented. This procedure can be considered as an extension of traditional modal correction methods, like the mode‐acceleration method and the dynamic correction method, which are very effective for structural systems subjected to forcing functions described by analytical laws. The proposed procedure, herein called improved dynamic correction method, requires two steps. In the first step, the number of differential equations of motion are reduced and consequently solved by using the first few undamped mode‐shapes. In the second step, the errors due to modal truncation are reduced by correcting the dynamic response and solving a new set of differential equations, formally similar to the original differential equations of motion. The difference between the two groups of differential equations lies in the forcing vector, which is evaluated in such a way as to correct the effects of modal truncation on applied loads. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of Geomagnetic Hazard to Power Systems in Canada

This paper presents an assessment ofgeomagnetic hazard on the five largest power systemsin Canada. From east to west these are: Nova ScotiaPower, Hydro-Quebec, Ontario Hydro West System, Manitoba Hydro, and the northern B.C. Hydro system. The aim of this study was to determine howfrequently, and where in a system, largegeomagnetically induced currents (GIC) could beexpected. To do this, an analysis was made of thespectral characteristics of the magnetic fieldvariations that cause GIC, and a review was made ofpublished magnetotelluric soundings in order todetermine conductivity models for different parts ofthe country. The magnetic field spectra and theconductivity information were then used to determinethe electric fields produced during geomagneticdisturbances. A relation was determined betweenelectric field magnitudes and the magnetic activityindex, Kp so that statistics for Kp could be used todetermine the occurrence rates of large electricfields. Power system models were used to determinethe GIC produced by the `1-year' and `10-year'electric fields experienced by each power system.     

Delivery of upper-basin sediment to the lower neuse river,North Carolina,U.S.A.

Extensive storage of upper-basin Piedmont sediment and apparent low sediment supply to streams in lower-basin Coastal Plain areas generates questions as to the source of alluvium in lower reaches of rivers of the U.S. Atlantic drainage. This was investigated on the Neuse River, North Carolina, using a mineralogical indicator of sediment source areas. The utility of mica flakes for discriminating between Piedmont and non-Piedmont sources of sediment in the lower Coastal Plain reaches of the Neuse was established on the basis of an examination of the U.S. National Soils Database and of 26 soil surveys of the North Carolina Coastal Plain. From the Neuse River estuary to 48 km upstream there are no mica flakes in floodplain soils or in river bank and channel shelf sediments. Mica flakes become more common upstream. This suggests that a very small proportion of the sediment eroded in the Piedmont portion of the watershed is delivered to the river mouth. The small amounts which presumably do reach the lower Coastal Plain are so diluted by Coastal Plain-derived alluvium that no Piedmont origin can be discerned. This demonstrates a dominantly Coastal Plain source and underscores the importance of storage and discontinuous transport in fluvial sediment systems. More importantly, results suggest that upper- and lower-basin sediment dynamics are not only non-linearly related, but may be virtually decoupled.     

On the Development of Meso-Scale Heavy Rain Parcels in China

Heavy rains occur in China frequently, which often bring us floods and serious disasters in the summer half-year. The meso-scale heavy rain parcels (MHRP) in the mid-latitude are usually developed in following cases:I.By the approaching, meeting and / or overlapping of different weather systems, when two or more different rainfall systems are getting to conjugate, some MHRPs could be developed, such as: 1) a new cold/warm front or squall line approaches an old front or squall, even when the old one is somewhat decrepit; 2) at the places where two or more synoptic systems with different characteristics are meeting together, such as the meeting of tropical cyclone with the cold airs coming from the mid- and / or high-latitudes, or the low latitude vortex meeting with the westerly trough; 3) at the intersections of some different weather systems, such as the intersection of drylines, squall lines or fronts moving from different directions; and 4) by the overlapping of rainfall parcels produced continuously     

Quantitative analysis of springs

Growing demand for groundwater resources and stringent environmental concerns has led to large groundwater investigations, including characterization of aquifer systems that are hydraulically connected to springs. A pumping test is one of the most reliable means of quantifying hydraulic characteristics and the response of natural springs to pumping because it yields results that, in general, are representative of a larger area than are results from a single point observation. Recharge to the aquifer sustaining discharge from springs must be evaluated prior to the utilization of springs. The spring hydrograph is analyzed, as the shape of a hydrograph is a reflection of the response of the aquifer to recharge. The form and rate of recession provide significant information on the storage, lithological composition, and structural characteristics of the aquifer system sustaining the spring. Water tracing techniques have been developed and used over a period of centuries to delineate catchment boundaries, estimate groundwater flow velocities, determine areas of recharge, and identify sources of pollution of spring water.     

Implementation of configuration dependent stiffness proportional damping for the dynamics of rigid multi-block systems

The distinct element method (DEM) has been used successfully for the dynamic analysis of rigid block systems. One of many difficulties associated with DEM is modeling of damping. In this paper, new procedures are proposed for the damping modeling and its numerical implementation in distinct element analysis of rigid multi-block systems. The stiffness proportional damping is constructed for the prescribed damping ratio, based on the non-zero fundamental frequency effective during the time interval while the boundary conditions remain essentially constant. At this time interval, the fundamental frequency can be estimated without complete eigenvalue analysis. The damping coefficients will vary while the damping ratio remains the same throughout the entire analysis. A new numerical procedure is developed to prevent unnecessary energy loss that can occur during the separation phases. These procedures were implemented in the development of the distinct element method for the dynamic analyses of piled multi-block systems. The analysis results for the single-block and two-block systems were in a good agreement with the analytic predictions. Applications to the seismic analyses of piled fourblock systems revealed that the new procedures can make a significant difference and may lead to much-improved results.     

An evaluation of the role played by remote sensing technology following the World Trade Center attack

Remote sensing technology has been widely recognized for contributing to emergency response efforts after the World Trade Center attack on September 11th, 2001. The need to coordinate activities in the midst of a dense, yet relatively small area, made the combination of imagery and mapped data strategically useful. This paper reviews the role played by aerial photography, satellite imagery, and LIDAR data at Ground Zero. It examines how emergency managers utilized these datasets, and identifies significant problems that were encountered. It goes on to explore additional ways in which imagery could have been used, while presenting recommendations for more effective use in future disasters and Homeland Security applications. To plan adequately for future events, it was important to capture knowledge from individuals who responded to the World Trade Center attack. In recognition, interviews with key emergency management and geographic information system (GIS) personnel provide the basis of this paper. Successful techniques should not be forgotten, or serious problems dismissed. Although widely used after September 11th, it is important to recognize that with better planning, remote sensing and GIS could have played an even greater role. Together with a data acquisition timeline, an expanded discussion of these issues is available in the MCEER/NSF report “Emergency Response in the Wake of the World Trade Center Attack; The Remote Sensing Perspective” (Huyck and Adams, 2002)     

Special Solutions in a Simplified Restricted Three-Body Problem with Gravitational Radiation Taken into Account

The distinctive feature of the relativistic restricted three-body problem within the c ^–5 order of accuracy (2 post-Newtonian approximation) is the presence of the gravitational radiation. To simplify the problem the motion of the massive binary components is assumed to be quasi-circular. In terms of time these orbits have linearly changing radii and quadratically changing phase angles. By substituting this motion into the Newtonian-like equations of motion one gets the quasi-Newtonian restricted quasi-circular three-body problem sufficient to take into account the main indirect perturbations caused by the binary radiation terms. Such problem admits the Lagrange-like quasi-libration solutions and rather simple quasi-circular orbits lying at large distance from the binary.     

Stochasticity of planetary orbits in double star systems. II

Cosmogonical theories as well as recent observations allow us to expect the existence of numerous exo-planets, including in binaries. Then arises the dynamical problem of stability for planetary orbits in double star systems. Modern computations have shown that many such stable orbits do exist, among which we consider orbits around one component of the binary (called S-type orbits). Within the framework of the elliptic plane restricted three-body problem, the phase space of initial conditions for fictitious S-type planetary orbits is systematically explored, and limits for stability had been previously established for four nearby binaries which components are nearly of solar type. Among stable orbits, found up to distance of their sun of the order of half the binarys periastron distance, nearly-circular ones exist for the three binaries (among the four) having a not too high orbital eccentricity. In the first part of the present paper, we compare these previous results with orbits around a 16 Cyg B-like binarys component with varied eccentricities, and we confirm the existence of stable nearly-circular S-type planetary orbits but for very high binarys eccentricity. It is well-known that chaos may destroy this stability after a very long time (several millions years or more). In a first paper, we had shown that a stable planetary orbit, although chaotic, could keep its stability for more than a billion years (confined chaos). Then, in the second part of the present paper, we investigate the chaotic behaviour of two sets of planetary orbits among the stable ones found around 16 Cyg B-like components in the first part, one set of strongly stable orbits and the other near the limit of stability. Our results show that the stability of the first set is not destroyed when the binarys eccentricity increases even to very high values (0.95), but that the stability of the second set is destroyed as soon as the eccentricity reaches the value 0.8.