Current-induced scour beneath initially elevated subsea pipelines

When a subsea pipeline is laid on an uneven seabed, certain sections may have an initial elevation with respect to the far-field seabed, e_o, and thus potentially affecting the on-bottom stability of the pipeline. This paper focuses on quantifying the effects of the upstream dimensionless seabed shear stress, θ_∞, and Reynolds number, Re, on: (1) the maximum dimensionless seabed shear stress beneath the pipe, θ_max, to be compared to the critical shear stress in order to determine whether scour would occur and progress towards an equilibrium state; and, (2) the dimensionless equilibrium scour depth beneath the pipe, S_eq/D. Using a 2-D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach along with the k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model, a parametric study involving 243 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations was conducted. The simulation results were used to develop a closed-form equation for the prediction of θ_max. Subsequently, experimental measurements of S_eq/D have been compiled from published literature, to develop a new closed-form equation for the prediction of S_eq/D with a high correlation to the experimental data. In summary, we present two closed-form equations for the prediction of θ_max and S_eq/D for pipelines with an initial e_o/D, which are applicable for both clear-water and live-bed conditions. The effects of θ_∞ and Re have been included, albeit Re having a small influence as compared to the other parameters.     

Effects of wave directionality on extreme response for a long end-anchored floating bridge

Reliable design codes are of great importance when constructing new civil engineering concepts such as floating bridges. Previously only a scarce number of floating bridges have been built in rough wave conditions and only limited knowledge of the extreme environmental conditions and the associated extreme response exists. To form a better design basis an increased understanding of the sensitivity in the structural response towards changes in short-crested sea parameters is needed. Furthermore, acquiring the necessary accuracy in simulated extreme response is often a computationally expensive endeavour and the number of simulations needed is often based on experience. The present study investigates the wave-induced short-term extreme response of a simplified end-anchored floating bridge concept for several wave environments with a return period of 100 years. The study includes convergence of the coefficient of variation for the extreme response for different realization lengths as well as number of realizations. The sensitivity in the structural response towards different main wave directions and spreading exponents is investigated and includes both transverse and vertical displacement response spectra and extreme Von Mises stress in the bridge girder cross-section. The extreme response is based on an accuracy of 2% in the coefficient of variation equivalent to 40 3-h realizations and a low sensitivity in the response is found for natural occurring spreading exponents and for main wave directions within 15° from beam sea.     

A stochastic method for the prediction of icebreaker bow extreme stresses

It is well established that the ship-ice interaction process is quite complex and associated ice loads on the icebreaker hull is a stochastic process. Obviously, novel accurate statistical methods and models should be developed and applied to estimate extreme bow stresses.This paper studies icebreaker bow stresses based on measured distribution of ice thickness in the Arctic Ocean on the way to and from the North Pole. Since the vessel route was carefully selected searching for easier ice conditions, the Arctic Ocean crossing was not a straight linear but a meandering path. Thus, the specific ship route data was biased with respect to general ice statistics in the region, but true with respect to the route specific ice data encountered by a ship navigating in that region. Therefore the route specific ice thickness data is directly needed for ship design and navigation analysis. It is assumed that captains are competent and knowledgeable, and therefore will select a route that provides the most favourable ice conditions.This paper contributes to study of the newest Chinese self-designed polar icebreaker, serving the purpose of enhancing icebreaker operational reliability. Finite Element Method software package ANSYS/LS-DYNA has been employed to simulate bow stress pattern for a particular icebreaker operating in the Arctic Ocean. Extreme bow stresses were estimated using Naess-Gaidai method. The latter is a first application of Naess-Gaidai method to a distribution with lower bound. Thus this paper aims at introducing an efficient method of estimating route-specific icebreaker extreme bow stresses.     

A study of coral reef resilience and implications of adaptive management and rehabilitation in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

The Province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, is located in the western South China Sea and boasts a shoreline of 385 km and many islands. Previous studies have indicated the extreme diversity and abundance of coral reefs in its waters as compared with other coastal provinces of Vietnam. A study on the resilience of coral reefs against increased surface water temperature and anthropogenic impact is conducted at 19 reef sites in 2015. At each site, a series of parameters (e.g., coral covers, genus diversity, and coral recruitment, substratum heterogeneity, depth, water exchange level, and sediment deposit and water temperature) are measured quantitatively or semi-quantitatively. The measured data are rated based on the relationship between the parameter values and coral susceptibility; the consideration that reef health reflects the biological capability to adapt to environmental changes and the recruitment potential if bleached; and positive or negative influences of physical factors in the mitigation of thermal stress and protecting corals from bleaching. A cumulative analysis enables researchers to divide the studied reefs into four categories based on varying levels of reef health to support resilience, recovery, and vulnerability in the case of increased water temperature. Relevant management interventions for each category and other supporting activities are suggested to enhance management effectiveness and to plan the rehabilitation of coral reefs for biodiversity conservation and touristic development, taking into account the involvement of related stakeholders.     

CG-6型重力仪零漂特性研究

对中国地震局地震研究所最新引进的4台CG-6型相对重力仪的零漂特性进行测试研究,结果表明,4台重力仪的静态零漂率、混合零漂率和动态零漂率均小于8 μGal/h,满足厂家给出的技术指标。在较长观测时间内,各台仪器的零漂均存在不同程度的非线性特征,因此在进行较长时间的野外观测以及后续数据处理中,不宜将零漂率作为常数进行解算和零漂改正。     

作物胁迫无人机遥感监测研究评述

作物胁迫是全球农业发展的一个重要制约因素,实现快速、大范围、实时的作物胁迫监测对于农业生产具有重要意义。传统的作物胁迫监测方式,如田间调查、理化检测和卫星遥感监测总是受到各种田间条件或大气条件的制约。随着无人机和各种轻量化传感器的快速发展,其凭借高频、迅捷等优势为各种作物胁迫监测提供了一套全新的解决方案。本文在介绍了目前主流的多种无人机和传感器的基础上,首先对目前无人机遥感用于作物监测的主要胁迫类型进行了梳理,然后重点阐述了基于光谱成像和热红外传感器进行作物胁迫无人机遥感监测的应用和技术方法,最后提出了作物胁迫无人机遥感监测尚需解决的关键问题,并展望了未来无人机遥感用于作物胁迫监测的前景。     

利用InSAR资料反演宁洱Ms6.4地震震源参数及库仑应力变化

首先利用ALOS PALSAR数据,通过D-InSAR技术获取2007-06-03云南宁洱MS6.4地震的同震形变场,然后基于Okada弹性半空间位错模型反演该地震的断层几何以及精细滑动分布,最后计算宁洱地震后周边断层的静态库仑应力变化。结果表明,形变主要集中在西盘,最大视线向形变量为51.6 cm;反演得到的震源位置为23.05°N、101.02°E,深度3 km,断层走向145°,倾向49.5°,平均滑动角153°,发震断层为NNW向普洱断裂,断层活动以右旋走滑为主,兼具逆冲分量;断层面最大滑动量为1.2 m,反演得到的震级为MW619。基于库仑应力场发现,磨黑断裂处于库仑应力增加区域,而2014年景谷地震位于负值区域。结合实地考察资料和反演结果表明,宁洱地震为浅源地震,但断层并未出露地表。     

青藏高原东南缘构造应力场重构

采用有限元方法,针对青藏高原东南缘建立更细致、更精确的三维有限元弹性模型。选取9种不同的应力边界条件,分别进行优化分析后处理,将对应台站形变模拟值与GPS实测值进行误差分析,最终选取最佳方案作为古构造应力场。结果表明,青藏高原东南缘4 Ma BP的古应力场主要起源于中国大陆周围板块的相互作用,特别是印度板块NNE向强烈碰撞作用,成为中国大陆尤其是西南部青藏高原地区构造应力场最主要的动力来源,控制各个块体相互作用的方式和运动格局。青藏高原东南缘古应力场主要包括几个力源：西北部青藏高原侧向挤压造成的WE向应力约105 MPa;西南部直接来自于印度板块的NE-WS向应力约70 MPa;南部NS向作用力33 MPa;东南部扬子块体侧向NW-SE阻挡力56 MPa;北东部受扬子块体强烈EW向阻挡力90 MPa。这些力源共同作用于青藏高原东南缘,形成现今复杂应力场。
     

基于剪切波速的深层砂土地震液化研究

阐述了剪切波速法判别饱和砂土液化的原理,结合武汉地区某工程实例,对场地内埋深超越"规范法"适用范围的砂层进行液化判别,确定场地的临界液化深度。通过与室内动三轴试验的对比得出,2种方法的液化判别结果及确定的临界液化深度均吻合较好,验证了以剪切波速为指标的液化评估方法的可行性。     

基于多源遥感数据的区域生态系统服务价值年际动态监测 ——以中原城市群为例

通过对多源遥感数据在生态系统服务价值（ESV）遥感模型中的尺度效应分析,选择满足最佳空间分辨率和长时间序列的遥感数据,对中原城市群区域2001~2013年的ESV实现了逐年逐像元水平的动态监测。结果表明：该区应用于遥感模型输入数据的最适空间分辨率为30~1 000 m,相对于30 m尺度,其他尺度估算结果的相对偏差均小于0.4%;结合年际动态监测的需求,选择了MODIS数据产品（空间分辨率500 m,时间尺度1 a）作为遥感模型的最佳数据源;研究区ESV总值在研究期内整体上呈显著增长趋势,增速约为8.6亿元/a,但在持续增长过程中经历了3次波动,且表现得越来越剧烈;在空间上,研究区ESV多年均值呈现出明显的不均衡性,表现为从西南向东部递减的趋势。研究表明此方法简单易行,初步实现了区域ESV年际动态监测遥感模型的准业务化运行。