A new active gyrostabiliser system for ride control of marine vehicles

A new gyroscopic method of active ride control on marine vehicles is presented. Gyroscopic stabilisation is selected because it acts entirely within the hull of the vessel while not requiring sufficient movable weight to generate control moments. The new approach is capable of generating greater stabilising moments than existing gyroscopic systems. Physical experiments, using a modulation theory approach, on a ship model practically demonstrate that the specified system is capable of providing levels of ride control comparable with existing systems. Theoretical estimates of the system on full-scale vessels demonstrate its practical feasibility for application on small and medium sized vessels.     

L'ı̂le de la Dominique, à l'origine des avalanches de débris les plus volumineuses de l'arc des Petites AntillesThe Island of Dominica,site for the generation of the most voluminous debris avalanches in the Lesser Antilles Arc

Results from recent fieldwork and the Aguadomar marine survey in the Lesser Antilles clearly indicate that the volcanic field of southern Dominica has experienced three major edifice collapse events. This led to formation of the most voluminous debris avalanches known in the Caribbean Arc. Submarine hummocky morphology with plurikilometric megablocks is characteristic of debris avalanche deposits. We propose that steep slopes on the western Caribbean side of the island and intense hydrothermal alteration lead to recurrent large-scale edifice collapses. Therefore islands in the Lesser Antilles face a non-negligible risk from generation of tsunamis associated with potential future edifice collapse. To cite this article: A. Le Friant et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 235–243.     

Centrifuge modelling of slope stabilisation using a discrete pile row

Discrete pile rows are an established technique for improving the stability of infrastructure slopes. However, the impact of pile spacing along the row is not clearly understood from a current design perspective in terms of the ultimate interaction capacity. A series of geotechnical centrifuge model tests were undertaken with the upper layer of a slope tending to fail and interact with a discrete pile row. The results were interpreted to clarify the effects of pile row interaction with the slope, and verify results from other recent numerical studies.     

Incipient motion of cohesionless sediments on riverbanks with ground water injection

This study investigates the influence of ground water injection on the initial movement of non-cohesive sediment particles on a riverbank slope analytically and experimentally.By including the hydrauli...     

Thermal and settlement analyses under a riverbank over permafrost

Thermal regime evolution and settlement behavior of a riverbank over ice-rich permafrost in 20 years were estimated by numerical simulation and layerwise summation calculation. The results show that the permafrost under the riverbank will undergo a thawing process at a dramatically rate under the conditions of practical geology and construction structure, which is responsible for a remarkable settlement. The cases on different conditions of concrete hydration, backfilled soil temperature, seepage and mean annual ground temperature were also discussed, suggesting that these factors have the capability in improving the riverbank performance, among them seepage may be of the most importance.     

Semi-two-dimensional numerical model for river morphological change prediction: theory and concepts

This paper presents a new numerical model for river morphological predictions. This tool predicts vertical and lateral cross-section variations for alluvial rivers, which is an important task in predicting the associated hazard zone after a flood event. The Model for the HYdraulics of SEdiments in Rivers, version 1.0 (MHYSER 1.0) is a semi-two-dimensional model using the stream tubes concept to achieve lateral variations of velocity, flow stresses, and sediment transport rates. Each stream tube has the same conveyance as the other ones. In MHYSER 1.0, the uncoupled approach is used to solve the set of conservation equations. After the backwater calculation, the river is divided into a finite number of stream tubes of equal conveyances. The sediment routing and bed adjustments calculations are accomplished separately along each stream tube taking into account lateral mass exchanges. The determination of depth and width adjustments is based on the minimum stream power theory. Moreover, MHYSER 1.0 offers two options to treat riverbank stability. The first one is based on the angle of repose. The bank slope should not be allowed to increase beyond a certain critical value supplied to MHYSER 1.0. The second one is based on the modified Bishop’s method to determine a safety factor evaluating the potential risk of a landslide along the river bank.     

Influence of groundnut shell ash on strength and durability properties of clay

Groundnut shell ash, cement and their combinations are used as soil stabilizers in various percentages to improve the strength of locally available highly compressible clay soil. The effect of stabilizer in improving the strength of the soil is evaluated through change in consistency limits, compaction characteristics, undrained cohesion and modulus of elasticity. The durability characteristics of stabilised soil were studied based on the improvement of undrained shear strength for various days of curing by increasing the percentage of cement. Stabilised soil showed satisfactory improvement in strength and consistent durability characters. Groundnut shell ash and cement increased the optimum moisture content. There was a slight decrease in the dry density and modulus of elasticity of soil. These can be used as a viable economic alternative in construction of roads and for stabilising soil acting as bearing medium. The use of groundnut shell ash, an agricultural waste, helps in waste management and promotes sustainable development of local construction industry.     

Riverbank stability assessment under flooding conditions in the Red River of Hanoi,Vietnam

The literature contains limited information on variations in the factors of safety (FOS) of riverbank stability associated with river water level (RWL) fluctuations. This paper analyses a case study on the portion of the Red River flowing through Hanoi using the finite element method and extending the mechanics of saturated and unsaturated soils to understand how the riverbank’s FOS varies with RWL fluctuations. The results show that hydrostatic force is one of the key parameters influencing the FOS when the soil’s hydraulic conductivity is less than 10⁻⁶ m/s. However, the pore-water pressure and rate of RWL change are the key parameters influencing the FOS when the hydraulic conductivity is greater than 10⁻⁶ m/s. The study also indicates that a surcharge of 50 kPa or higher significantly weakens the riverbank stability and influences the FOS when the RWL rises. The construction of residential or other structures without taking special protection measures within 50 m of the lateral riverbank should be avoided for safety reasons.     

Heating effect on swelling behaviour of expansive soils

To minimise potential structural damage to the overlying structures, foundation sites that contain expansive soils need treatment. One of the numerous improvement techniques currently available is thermal stabilisation. In an attempt to enhance the knowledge base on this subject matter, this paper presents the results of a study on the swelling behaviour of two heated expansive soils. The test specimens were heated in a programmable furnace at desired heating rates to desired temperatures. Swelling tests were performed to determine both the amount and rate of swelling. Based on the test results, the effect of heating on swelling behaviour was evaluated and the mechanism of swelling are discussed using the principles of physical chemistry and clay mineralogy. Meanwhile, the engineering significance of the research findings in terms of practical applications of thermal stabilisation are discussed. The findings of this study would provide a database useful for the design of structures that involve cohesive foundation soils using a holistic system approach.     

Hydraulic modeling of riverbank filtration systems with curved boundaries using analytic elements and series solutions

A new analytic solution approach is presented for the modeling of steady flow to pumping wells near rivers in strip aquifers; all boundaries of the river and strip aquifer may be curved. The river penetrates the aquifer only partially and has a leaky stream bed. The water level in the river may vary spatially. Flow in the aquifer below the river is semi-confined while flow in the aquifer adjacent to the river is confined or unconfined and may be subject to areal recharge. Analytic solutions are obtained through superposition of analytic elements and Fourier series. Boundary conditions are specified at collocation points along the boundaries. The number of collocation points is larger than the number of coefficients in the Fourier series and a solution is obtained in the least squares sense. The solution is analytic while boundary conditions are met approximately. Very accurate solutions are obtained when enough terms are used in the series. Several examples are presented for domains with straight and curved boundaries, including a well pumping near a meandering river with a varying water level. The area of the river bottom where water infiltrates into the aquifer is delineated and the fraction of river water in the well water is computed for several cases.