Correction factors for SSI effects predicted by simplified models: 2D versus 3D rectangular embedded foundations

The effects of soil‐structure interaction (SSI) are often studied using two‐dimensional (2D) or axisymmetric three‐dimensional (3D) models to avoid the high cost of the more realistic, fully 3D models, which require 2 to 3 orders of magnitude more computer time and storage. This paper analyzes the error and presents correction factors for system frequency, system damping, and peak amplitude of structural response computed using impedances for linear in‐plane 2D models with rectangular foundations, embedded in uniform or layered half‐space. They are computed by comparison with results for 3D rectangular foundations with the same vertical cross‐section and different aspect ratios. The structure is represented by a single degree‐of‐freedom oscillator. Correction factors are presented for a range of the model parameters. The results show that in‐plane 2D approximations overestimate the SSI effects, exaggerating the frequency shift, the radiation damping, and the reduction of the peak amplitude. The errors are larger for stiffer, taller, and heavier structures, deeper foundations, and deeper soil layer. For example, for a stiff structure like Millikan library (NS response; length‐to‐width ratio ≈ 1), the error is 6.5% in system frequency, 44% in system damping, and 140% in peak amplitude. The antiplane 2D approximation has an opposite effect on system frequency and the same effect on system damping and peak relative response. Linear response analysis of a case study shows that the NEHRP‐2015 provisions for reduction of base shear force due to SSI may be unsafe for some structures. The presented correction factor diagrams can be used in practical design and other applications.     

Evolution of river-routing schemes in macro-scale models and their potential for watershed management

Macro-scale river-routing schemes first emerged to channel runoff generated as a by-product from land surface models to oceans. In the past decade, as discharge of major rivers was identified as a suitable parameter to test the performance of the macro-scale land surface models, river-routing received significant attention, with development of multiple schemes. As resolution improves, the possibility of river-routing schemes connecting the global models with watershed issues has emerged as an option. Yet, even as results from these schemes become easily available, a comprehensive overview of their scope and limitation when considering regional or watershed-centric applications is lacking. To address this gap, 18 published river-routing schemes are compared by examining their structure, rationale and limitations. Due to the diverse nature of scheme implementations, a direct comparison of performance is not yet possible. However, features and studies geared towards watershed-scale applications are highlighted. Issues of global to local integration are discussed.     

单巢类轮虫有性生殖的研究进展与展望

作为轮虫动物门的主体,单巢类轮虫是淡水浮游动物的重要组成部分.它们通常作为一类主要的初级消费者在淡水生态系统中起着重要作用,因而深入了解它们在自然水体中的种群动态及其决定机制对淡水生态系统理论与应用研究都有重要意义.作为一类具有典型周期性孤雌生殖生活史的动物,有性生殖的发生和进化策略对其种群动态和进化都有重要影响,因而单巢类轮虫有性生殖的机理和进化研究一直是轮虫学研究领域的一个核心内容.本文就当前单巢类轮虫有性生殖的主要研究进展,包括其发生机理、信息素、理论模型、影响因素和相关实证研究等进行了系统综述;特别就单巢类轮虫有性生殖策略的三个理论模型:"bang-bang"模型、中等有性生殖比率模型和非延迟的有性生殖模型进行了详细论述.此外,本文还对影响单巢类有性生殖的内外源因素进行了总结,主要的外源因素包括食物的浓度及种类、温度、盐度和特殊的细菌等,而主要的内源性因素则包括母体年龄、食物浓度诱导的跨代母系效应、延迟的有性生殖和其他一些潜在的母系效应因素等.其中,因为延迟的有性生殖现象广泛存在且可能是轮虫物种共存或克隆共存现象的一种潜在解释,所以就此现象的理论模型、机理和实证研究等方面进行了深入讨论.另外,本文还简要讨论性比率资源分配与单巢类轮虫有性生殖的关系.最后,对未来几个可能的热点方向简单评述,以期为国内轮虫学和相关方面的研究提供帮助.     

Finite element analysis of damage and failure of reinforced concrete members under earthquake loading

This paper presents a three‐dimensional analysis framework, based on the explicit finite element method, for the simulation of reinforced concrete components under cyclic static and dynamic loading. A recently developed triaxial constitutive model for concrete is combined with a material model for reinforcing steel which can account for rupture due to low‐cycle fatigue. The reinforcing bars are represented with geometrically nonlinear beam elements to account for buckling of the reinforcement. The strain penetration effect is also accounted for in the models. The modeling scheme is used in a commercial finite element program and validated with the results of experimental static and dynamic tests on reinforced concrete columns and walls. The analyses are supplemented with a parametric study to investigate the impact of several modeling assumptions on the obtained results.     

Improved evaluation of inelastic displacement demands for short‐period masonry structures

This work discusses the simplified estimation of earthquake‐induced nonlinear displacement demands as required by nonlinear static procedures, with particular attention on short‐period masonry structures. The study focuses on systems with fundamental periods between 0.1 and 0.5 s, for which inelastic amplification of the elastic displacement demand is more pronounced; hysteretic force‐displacement relationships characteristic of masonry structures are adopted, because these structures are more commonly found within the considered period range. Referring to the results of nonlinear dynamic analyses of single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillators, some limitations of the Eurocode 8 and Italian Building Code formulations are first discussed, then an improved equation is calibrated that relates inelastic and elastic displacement demands. Numerical values of the equation parameters are obtained, considering the amount of hysteretic energy dissipation associated with various damage mechanisms observed in masonry structures. Safety factors are also calculated to determine several percentiles of the displacement demand. It is shown that the proposed equation can be extended to more dissipative systems. Finally, the same formulation is adapted to the estimation of seismic displacements when elastic analysis procedures are employed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A probabilistic model for sediment entrainment:The role of bed irregularity

A generalized probabilistic model is developed in this study to predict sediment entrainment under the incipient motion, rolling, and pickup modes. A novelty of the proposed model is that it incorporates in its formulation the probability density function of the bed shear stress, instead of the near-bed velocity fluctuations, to account for the effects of both flow turbulence and bed surface irregularity on sediment entrainment. The proposed model incorporates in its formulation the collective effects of three para-meters describing bed surface irregularity, namely the relative roughness, the volumetric fraction and relative position of sediment particles within the active layer. Another key feature of the model is that it provides a criterion for estimating the lift and drag coefficients jointly based on the recognition that lift and drag forces acting on sediment particles are interdependent and vary with particle protrusion and packing density. The model was validated using laboratory data of both fine and coarse sediment and was compared with previously published models. The study results show that all the examined models perform adequately for the fine sediment data, where the sediment particles have more uniform gra-dation and relative roughness is not a factor. The proposed model was particularly suited for the coarse sediment data, where the increased bed irregularity was captured by the new parameters introduced in the model formulation. As a result, the proposed model yielded smaller prediction errors and physically acceptable values for the lift coefficient compared to the other models in case of the coarse sediment data.     

Correcting bias in rainfall inputs to a semi-distributed hydrological model using downstream flow simulation errors

The focus of this study is on bias correcting semi-distributed rainfall inputs into a hydrological model applied in the Okavango River basin in southern Africa, where there are very few local observations and heavy reliance is placed on global rainfall datasets. While the hydrological model, before rainfall bias correction, is able to represent the broad characteristics of the sub-basin streamflow responses, as demonstrated by good agreement between observed and simulated flow duration curves, there are many years where the annual volumes are over- or underestimated. The long records of observed flow at downstream stations are successfully used to bias correct the rainfall inputs to the upstream sub-basins using an analysis of their individual contributions to downstream flow and their annual rainfall–runoff response ratios. The results show improved simulations for the relatively shorter observation periods at the upstream gauging stations.     

Linking the recruitment and survivorship of a freshwater stream-specialist fish species to flow metrics in Mediterranean climate temporary streams

Novel modelling was utilised in the present study to reveal significant relationships between the abundance of the Australian freshwater stream-specialist fish Galaxias olidus and metrics defining flow regimes across a region dominated by temporary streams. It was revealed that increases in total abundance were linked to metrics (both 1- and 3-year periods) that indicate greater water availability and the persistence of water in pools across the year, namely the average duration of zero-flow days over the low-flow season (negatively) and total duration of bankfull flows across the year (positively). The analysis identified 3-year metrics as being more important to the abundance of 0+ fish rather than annual ones. Taken together, these findings describing the flow requirements of a stream specialist will help to guide implementation of environmental flows, but will also highlight the need for continued exploration of flow–ecology relationships.     

Development of spatial regression models for predicting summer river temperatures from landscape characteristics: Implications for land and fisheries management

There is increasing demand for models that can accurately predict river temperature at the large spatial scales appropriate to river management. This paper combined summer water temperature data from a strategically designed, quality controlled network of 25 sites, with recently developed flexible spatial regression models, to understand and predict river temperature across a 3,000 km² river catchment. Minimum, mean and maximum temperatures were modelled as a function of nine potential landscape covariates that represented proxies for heat and water exchange processes. Generalised additive models were used to allow for flexible responses. Spatial structure in the river network data (local spatial variation) was accounted for by including river network smoothers. Minimum and mean temperatures decreased with increasing elevation, riparian woodland and channel gradient. Maximum temperatures increased with channel width. There was greater between‐river and between‐reach variability in all temperature metrics in lower‐order rivers indicating that increased monitoring effort should be focussed at these smaller scales. The combination of strategic network design and recently developed spatial statistical approaches employed in this study have not been used in previous studies of river temperature. The resulting catchment scale temperature models provide a valuable quantitative tool for understanding and predicting river temperature variability at the catchment scales relevant to land use planning and fisheries management and provide a template for future studies.