Current and Future Applications of 3-D Global Earth-Ionosphere Models Based on the Full-Vector Maxwell’s Equations FDTD Method

Advances in computing technologies in recent decades have provided a means of generating and performing highly sophisticated computational simulations of electromagnetic phenomena. In particular, just after the turn of the twenty-first century, improvements to computing infrastructures provided for the first time the opportunity to conduct advanced, high-resolution three-dimensional full-vector Maxwell’s equations investigations of electromagnetic propagation throughout the global Earth-ionosphere spherical volume. These models, based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, are capable of including such details as the Earth’s topography and bathymetry, as well as arbitrary horizontal/vertical geometrical and electrical inhomogeneities and anisotropies of the ionosphere, lithosphere, and oceans. Studies at this level of detail simply are not achievable using analytical methods. The goal of this paper is to provide an historical overview and future prospectus of global FDTD computational research for both natural and man-made electromagnetic phenomena around the world. Current and future applications of global FDTD models relating to lightning sources and radiation, Schumann resonances, hypothesized earthquake precursors, remote sensing, and space weather are discussed.

Comparison of alternative upscaled model formulations for simulating DNAPL source dissolution and biodecay

This paper compares the performance of analytical and numerical approaches for modeling DNAPL dissolution with biodecay. A solution derived from a 1-D advective transport formulation (“Parker” model) is shown to agree very closely with high resolution numerical solutions. A simple lumped source mass balance solution in which with decay is assumed proportional to DNAPL mass (“Falta1” model) over- or underpredicts aqueous phase biodecay depending on the magnitude of the exponential factor governing the relationship between dissolution rate and DNAPL mass. A modification of the Falta model that assumes decay proportional to the source exit concentration is capable of accurately simulating source behavior with strong aqueous phase biodecay if model parameters are appropriately selected or calibrated (“Falta2” model). However, parameters in the lumped models exhibit complex interdependencies that cannot be quantified without consideration of transport processes within the source zone. Combining the Falta2 solution with relationships derived from the Parker model was found to resolve these limitations and track the numerical model results. A method is presented to generalize the analytical solutions to enable simulation of partial mass removal with changes in source parameters over time due to various remedial actions. The algorithm is verified by comparison with numerical simulation results. An example application is presented that demonstrates the interactions of partial mass removal, enhanced biodecay, enhanced mass transfer and source zone flow reduction applied at various time periods on contaminant flux reduction. Increasing errors that arise in numerical solutions with coarse discretization and high decay rates are shown to be controlled by using an adjusted decay coefficient derived from the Parker analytical solution.     

Accelerator mass spectrometry of the actinides

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is presently the most sensitive technique for the measurement of actinides with half-lives greater than about 5000 years. Here, the principles and methodology of heavy-element AMS as applied to ^{239,240,242,244}Pu and ²³⁶U are described, and the ways in which these have been implemented in various laboratories around the world are detailed. Actual or potential applications of the method in the areas of environmental science, biomedicine, and nuclear safeguards are reviewed.     

裂隙网络模拟与REV尺度研究

研究了利用平面四边形模拟节理岩体三维裂隙网络的方法。在生成裂隙网络时,同时考虑结构面几何参数和力学参数的随机性。利用裂隙网络研究了确定岩体REV尺度的指标。在此基础上,编制了岩体裂隙网络模拟程序、裂隙网络图形输出程序和岩体REV尺度指标分析程序。通过算例分析,验证了研究成果及程序的合理性,并得出了岩体REV尺度约为各组裂隙中最大迹长期望值3~4倍的结论。研究成果为后续计算岩体等效力学参数奠定了基础。     

考虑岩体开挖卸荷边坡岩体质量评价

正确评价开挖后岩体质量并对其进行分类,对研究岩石边坡开挖卸荷后的稳定性有十分重要的意义。以某水电站坝肩高边坡开挖工程为背景,运用卸荷岩体力学的理论与方法,对坝肩边坡开挖岩体进行三维有限元分析。根据边坡岩体开挖后应力应变场的动态变化情况,确定岩体开挖卸荷后质量损伤劣化程度,并根据岩体开挖卸荷后的力学参数,采用RMR法对开挖后的边坡岩体质量进行评价。结果表明,边坡岩体RMR值随开挖后卸荷量的增大基本呈线性递减趋势,进而考虑开挖卸荷影响因素,修正了RMR法中的评价参数,为以后用该法评价开挖后的岩体质量提供参考。     

边坡岩体软弱夹层力学特性试验研究

采用自制试验装置,进行边坡岩体中的软弱夹层的力学特性试验。分析实测的剪应力-变形曲线发现,该曲线有明显的比例极限、屈服点和峰值点,表明在试件受力变形初期,剪切力-变形近似呈线性关系,剪切刚度为常量;随法向应力的增大,峰值剪应力呈线性增长,达到峰值强度之后,随剪切变形增大,抗剪强度变化不大,残余强度近似等于峰值强度,表明试样发生剪切破坏,其破坏类型呈“塑性”破坏型。软弱夹层的剪切变形可分为3个阶段,各个阶段的强度参数不同,对边坡工程来说,为保证其有足够的安全系数,建议软弱夹层强度参数取低值。根据试验结果得到的法向应力-压缩位移关系曲线近似呈双曲线型,当法向相对位移小于3.4 mm时与理论结果更为接近。     

阳江抽水蓄能电站岩体水压致裂综合测试与应用研究

阳江抽水蓄能电站的输水隧洞围岩承受最大静内水压力高达7.83MPa, 因此原地应力状态、围岩自身承载能力及高压透水性状等对工程的科学设计不可或缺。测量结果表明, 工程区现今地壳应力场的总体特征为:水平主应力为最大主应力, 最大水平主应力的优势方向为NW-NWW向; 厂房和高压岔管区围岩的最大主应力值一般为14.5±0.5MPa, 最小主应力值一般为9±0.5MPa; 围岩自身的抗载强度一般为10~14MPa; 在8~10MPa高压力作用下围岩基本不透水。洞室围岩物理力学参数的这些测试成果, 为工程的科学设计提供了可靠依据。      

浅谈中国后奥运时期选择性旅游的发展

大众旅游一直追求经济利益最大化给旅游接待地造成了严重的生态环境破坏,因此人们开始寻求新的旅游形式,选择性旅游应运而生。选择性旅游积极倡导真正意义上的生态旅游。该文研究的主要内容是中国在后奥运这样的特殊时期如何开展选择性旅游,选择性旅游一方面能尽量避免大众旅游所带来的生态环境破坏,另一方面能更好地适应各个国家不同旅游者到中国旅游求新求异的特点。通过对后奥运时期旅游趋势以及旅游市场的分析,中国在后奥运时期开展选择性旅游具有可行性。优先开展选择性旅游,可促进旅游的可持续性发展。     

MODELLING LONG‐TERM SUMMER AND WINTER BALANCES AND THE CLIMATE SENSITIVITY OF STORBREEN,NORWAY

Measurements of winter balance (b_w) and summer balance (b_s) have been carried out at Storbreen since 1949. Here we apply a simple mass balance model to study the climate sensitivity and to reconstruct the mass balance series priorto 1949. The model is calibrated and validated with data from an automatic weather station (AWS) operating in the ablation zone of Storbreen since 2001. Regression analysis revealed that b_w was best modelled using precipitation data southwest of the glacier. Results from the model compared well with reported mass balance values for the period 1949–2006, obtained correlations (r) for b_w and b_s varied between 0.83 and 0.87 depending on model set up. Reconstruction of the mass balance series for the period 1924/1925–1948/1949 suggested a cumulative mass deficit of c. 30 m w.e. mainly due to highly negative summer balances, but also lower b_wthan the average for 1949–2006. Calculated change in specific mass balance for a ±1°C change in air temperature was ±0.55 m w.e., whereas a ±10 % increase in precipitation represented a change of ±0.20 m w.e. Model results further indicated that for a 2°C warming, the ablation season will be extended by c. 30 days and that the period of ice melt at the AWS location will increase from c. 40 to c. 80 days.