Analysis of Bridge Inspection Technology for Highway Reconstruction and Expansion

This article focuses on bridge testing technologies in highway construction and expansion projects.It provides an overview of the inspection process for bridges in highway reconstruction and expansion projects,the main inspections,and strategies for improving the quality of inspections.Relevant units should conduct bridge inspections using appearance inspections,special inspections,and bearing capacity assessments in highway reconstruction and expansion projects.To effectively improve testing quality,relevant units should also focus on establishing and improving testing standards,strengthening material testing,and improving the overall quality of the testing personnel.This research aims to enhance the quality of highway reconstruction and expansion projects by supporting the sensible application of bridge inspection technology.

Design Method for Road Reconstruction and Expansion

This article analyzes the method for designing routes in road reconstruction and expansion projects,using an actual engineering project as an example.This includes an overview of a specific road reconstruction and expansion project,an analysis of the preexisting road,the basic principles of the design road project,and an analysis of the design methods and steps.This study aims to offer some guidance for road reconstruction and expansion design.

Settlement Control Standards of Construction and Expansion for Mountainous Highway Roadbeds

This article analyzes the differential settlement of new and old roadbeds after widening and its characteristics based on a highway reconstruction and expansion project case study.The research proposes a subgrade settlement control standard that states that the maximum differential settlement value should be less than 5 cm when the embankment fill height exceeds 20 m.Similarly,the maximum differential settlement value should be less than 10 cm when the embankment fill height does not exceed 20 m.The findings of the study can provide a useful reference for the design of roadbed widening in highway reconstruction and expansion projects.

Analysis and Comparison of Slope-cutting Widening Schemes in Highway Reconstruction and Expansion Project Based on MIDAS Software

In this paper,the geological condition of the right-side slope of the K114+694–K115+162 section of Yong-tai-wen Expressway is investigated and analyzed with the results showing that the strength of rock mass is the main contributor to the stability of the slope.Then,two widening schemes are proposed,which are the steep slope with strong support and the gentle slope with general support schemes.The static/slope module of MIDAS GTS finite element analysis software and the strength reduction method were used to compare the two schemes.The results show that the steep slope with a strong support scheme has obvious advantages in land requisition,environmental protection,and safety and is more suitable for reconstructing and expanding the highway slope.

Analysis and Research on Interchange and Expansion options of Expressway

China's road network consists of numerous older expressways experiencing high traffic volumes and severe congestion,necessitating urgent reconstruction and expansion efforts.This study discusses the reconstruction and expansion project of the Yinkun Expressway's Chongqing High-tech Zone to Rongchang District section,with a detailed exploration of the entire design process.Through a comprehensive analysis,the strengths and weaknesses of different plans are examined,so as to determine the optimal plan.The design chosen saves costs while effectively addressing traffic demands.Additionally,the study summarizes the valuable design insights gained from this interchange transformation,aiming to provide valuable reference for similar interchange projects in the future.

Dynamic Similarity of Six Bar Ball Tensegrity Structure in Compression and Expansion Processes

Tensegrity structures have identical members in an orientation that have correlated dynamics under external force.To study this interdependent dynamics in different members in compression and expansion processes,it is vital to analyze the dynamics of the whole structure.In this study,six bar tensegrity structure was studied under compression and expansion,and interdependent movement of different members of the structure in both processes was obtained.First,the relationship between external force and members force densities was analytically developed based on the assumption that each bar moves with the same distance when an external force is applied on the six bar tensegrity ball structure along one plane that either compresses or expands the structure.Then,two individual simulations were carried out to analyze the movement of each bar in compression and expansion under the effect of external force,and elongation in all strings was studied in both processes.Finally,comparative dynamic study of different members in compression and expansion of the structure with the effect of external force was performed,which were categorized according to dynamic symmetry.

Holocene initiation and expansion of the southern margins of northern peatlands triggered by the East Asian summer monsoon recession

Northern peatlands represent one of the largest biospheric carbon reservoirs in the world.Their southern margins act as new carbon reservoirs,which can greatly influence the global carbon dynamics.However,the Holocene initiation,expansion and climate sensitivity of these peatlands remain intensely debated.Here we used a compilation of basal peat ages across six isolated peatlands at the southern margins of northern peatlands to address these issues.We found that the earliest initiation event of these peatlands occurred after the Younger Dryas(YD,12,800–11,700 years ago)period.The second initiation event and rapid expansion occurred since 5 ka cal.BP.The recession of East Asian summer monsoon(EASM)during the YD period and at around 5 ka cal.BP likely played a major role in controlling the initiation and expansion of these peatlands.The rapid expansion of these peatlands possibly contributed to the significant increases in atmospheric methane concentrations during the late Holocene because of the minerotrophic fens status and rapid expansion of them.These ecological processes are different from northern peatlands,indicating the special carbon sink and source implications of these peatlands in the global carbon cycle.

Combined blasting for protection of gob-side roadway with thick and hard roof

The deformation control of surrounding rock in gobside roadway with thick and hard roof poses a significant challenge to the safety and efficiency of coal mining.To address this issue,a novel approach combining directional and non-directional blasting techniques,known as combined blasting,was proposed.This study focuses on the experimental investigation of the proposed method in the 122108 working face in Caojiatan Coal Mine as the engineering background.The initial phase of the study involves physical model experiments to reveal the underlying mechanisms of combined blasting for protecting gob-side roadway with thick and hard roof.The results demonstrate that this approach effectively accelerates the collapse of thick and hard roofs,enhances the fragmentation and expansion coefficient of gangue,facilitates the filling of the goaf with gangue,and provides support to the overlying strata,thus reducing the subsidence of the overlying strata above the goaf.Additionally,the method involves cutting the main roof into shorter beams to decrease the stress and disrupt stress transmission pathways.Subsequent numerical simulations were conducted to corroborate the findings of the physical model experiments,thus validating the accuracy of the experimental results.Furthermore,field engineering experiments were performed,affirming the efficacy of the combined blasting method in mitigating the deformation of surrounding rock and achieving the desired protection of the gob-side roadway.

Impacts of Excessive Soaking on N, P, and K in Substrates Plots and Seedling Growth

[Objective] The aim was to study on impacts of excessive soaking N, P, and K insubstrate plots of and seedling growth. [Method] Substrate was designed to add additional 1/2 water after saturation and expansion. Disposable excessive soak- ing and regression relation of nutrition infusion of substrate plots were studied by design of 13 time gradient. Plant nutrition absorption and growth effects after sub- strate plots immersed by water were investigated by growing tomato. [Result] Con- centration and time of the three nutrition immersed in water had the regression equation of each, as follows： N=-2E-05t2＋0.016 lt＋2.0553, P=0.002 2t＋2.248 5 and K=0.004 7t＋0.875 8. With nutrition loss of the three, however, loss amount was al- most same with variance analysis of regression equation, which may result from its volatilization. Regression equations of P and K were： P=0.125 7t-0.117, and K=0.022 5t.1514, which led to adverse impact on plant absorption of N and K above ground, whose equations were N=20.64e-4E-0.4t, and K=E-06t2-0.011 3t＋29.055. Meanwhile, un- der the condition, sound seedling index was not impacted a lot by excessive immer- sion. [Conclusion] This study has provided theoretical reference for guidance of sub- strate plot soaking method, cultivation and regulation, and breeding, as well as agri- cultural production.

Spatial Structure and Land Use Control in Extended Metropolitan Region of Zhujiang River Delta,China

The Zhujiang (Pearl) River Delta is one of the most developed Extended Metropolitan Regions (EMR) in China.With the rapid urbanization,the agglomeration of population and industries has emerged,which has led to dramatic changes of spatial structure and land use in this region.With data of high resolution TM remote sensing images and Google Earth maps,this paper identified and analyzed the spatial pattern of the Zhujiang River Delta EMR using Envy and ArcGIS tools.It was found that 1) the industrial land uses were expanding substantially,particularly on the bank sides of the Zhujiang River estuary;2) large-scale housing developments were concentrated in the fringe of metropolitan areas such as those of Guangzhou and Shenzhen;3) a regional transportation network with the spatial pattern of ″1 circle +2 pieces + 3 axes″ had significantly affected the location choice of manufacture enterprises.At the same time,both highly specialized land use and severely mixed land use patterns were identified.As a consequence of the latter,land use efficiency of the whole EMR areas was reduced.Moreover,ecologic and environmental problems were severe.Based on the above analysis,suggestions were given from the viewpoint of spatial safety,land use efficiency,and the reorganization of spatial structure in the Zhujiang River Delta EMR.

Characteristics and changes of the Himalayas glacial area in China during 1990-2015

In recent decades,the continuously changed glaciers in the Himalayas not only affected process of atmospheric flow and water cycle in the plateau but also increased the frequency of secondary disasters,such as ice collapse and outburst floods.Therefore,the monitoring of Himalayas glacial change is of great significance in the aspects of climate change and disaster prevention and reduction.The Himalayas glacier outlines in China were extracted by ratio threshold and visual interpretation based on the Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI data and glacier catalogue data.Based on the ASTER GDEM data,the distribution and change characteristics at different altitudes were studied,and the surface moraine was identified to study the influence of glacial area variations.In addition,Glaciers were divided into marine and continental glaciers in this study,and the distribution and changes of the two types of glaciers were analyzed.Also,a comprehensive analysis of a long time series was performed.The results showed that:(1)From 1990 to 2015,the glaciers in the study area showed an overall trend of melting;the annual melting speed gradually accelerated from 0.48%/a to 0.75%/a.The total melting glacial area was 828.16 km,and the melting rate of the glaciers in the western section was the highest,at 0.63%.(2)The total area of continental glaciers was larger than that of marine glaciers,and its reduction was relatively larger,too.(3)The average size of debris-covered glaciers was 10 times that of debris-free glaciers,but their rate of change(8.1%)was 1/2 of that of debrisfree glaciers(17.8%).(4)The number of glaciers gradually decreased as the size of glaciers increased.The glaciers with grades of>50 km,0.5~1 km,and 1~2 kmhad large change rates,which were 20.1%,19.1%,and 18.5%,respectively.In summary,the Himalayas glaciers in China were melting at an accelerated rate and their numbers were gradually decreasing from 1990 to 2015.The location,type,elevation,size and debris cover of a glacier are all important factors influencing glacier change.It has been found that the lower the elevation or the smaller the size of the glacier,the greater the likelihood of glacier ablation,and the debris can inhibit the melting of glaciers to a certain extent.

Experimental investigation of tubing collar's influence on hydrodynamic behavior of annular duct flow

Tubing collars’influence on hydrodynamic behavior of annular duct flow has been investigated using Particle Image Velocity(PIV)technology.PIV has become an efficient method for complex transient flows visualization.A water flow loop with two replaceable variable cross-sections(VCS),75-90 mm and 90-110 mm,in a 129 mm inner diameter(ID)pipe was used.The whole field of the variable cross-section annulus(VCSA)was visualized,including forward-facing step(FFS),narrow annulus(NA),and backwardfacing step(BFS)flow.The VCSA ratio and Reynolds(Re)number influence on streamline distribution,velocity distribution,and turbulence intensity were discussed.Results showed that the recirculation is easier to form in BFS than FFS flow under the same condition.The VCSA ratio affects the formation of recirculation zones and the location of the reattachment point.Reynolds number mainly affects BFS flow by influencing the main velocity component-axial velocity.The turbulence intensity is relatively high in BFS than FFS flow and is larger at y/h>1.0 than y/h<1.0.Furthermore,the streamwise cohere nt structures reveal that the first two modes are predominant and represent the main characteristics of the flow by proper orthogonal decomposition(POD)method.

Development of a global high-resolution marine dynamic environmental forecasting system

A project entitled‘Development of a Global High-resolution Marine Dynamic Environmental Forecasting System’has been funded by‘The Program on Marine Environmental Safety Guarantee’of The National Key Research and Development Program of China.This project will accomplish its objectives through basic theoretical research,model development and expansion,and system establishment and application,with a focus on four key issues separated into nine tasks.A series of research achievements have already been obtained,including datasets,observations,theories,and model results.

Thermodynamics in the Evolution of the Dark Universe

We present a model of the universe based on the theory that space consists of energy quanta. We use the thermodynamics of an ideal gas to elucidate the composition, accelerated expansion, and the nature of dark energy and dark matter without an Inflation stage. From wave-particle duality, the space quanta can be treated as an ideal gas. The universe started from an atomic size volume at very high temperature and pressure. Upon expansion and cooling, phase transitions occurred to form fundamental particles, and matter. These nucleate and grew into stars, galaxies, and clusters due to gravity. From cooling data, a thermodynamic phase diagram of cosmic composition was constructed which yielded a correlation between dark energy and the energy of space. Using Friedmann’s equations, our model fits well the Williamson Microwave Anisotropy Platform (WMAP) data on cosmic composition with an equation of state parameter, w = -0.7. The dominance of dark energy started at 7.25 × 109 years, in good agreement with Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) measurements. The expansion of space can be attributed to a scalar space field. Dark Matter is identified as a plasma form of matter similar to that which existed before recombination and during the reionization epoch. The expansion of the universe was adiabatic and decelerating during the first 7 billion years after the Big Bang;it accelerated thereafter. A negative pressure for Dark Energy is required to sustain it;this is consistent with the theory of General Relativity and energy conservation. We propose a mechanism for the acceleration as due to the consolidation of matter to form Black Holes and other massive compact objects. The resulting reduction in gravitational potential energy feeds back energy for the acceleration. It is not due to a repulsive form of gravity. Our Quantum Space model fits well the observed behavior of the universe and resolves the outstanding questions in Inflationary Big Bang Theory.

BEAK-SHAPED GRAIN 1/TRIANGULAR HULL 1,a DUF640 gene,is associated with grain shape,size and weight in rice

Grain shape and size both determine grain weight and therefore crop yield. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling grain shape and size are still largely unknown. Here, we isolated a rice mutant, beak-shaped grain1 （bsgl）, which produced beak-shaped grains of decreased width, thickness and weight with a loosely interlocked lemma and palea that were unable to close tightly. Starch granules were also irregularly packaged in the bsgl grains. Consistent with the lemma and palea shapes, the outer parenchyma cell layers of these bsgl tissues developed fewer cells with decreased size. Map-based cloning revealed that BSG1 encoded a DUF640 domain protein, TRIANGULAR HULL 1, of unknown function. Quantitative PCR and GUS fusion reporter assays showed that BSG1 was expressed mainly in the young panicle and elongating stem. The BSG1 mutation affected the expression of genes potentially involved in the cell cycle and GW2, an important regulator of grain size in rice. Our results suggest that BSG1 determines grain shape and size probably by modifying cell division and expansion in the grain hull.

The Expansion Postponement in Pure Type Systems

The expansion postponement problem in Pure Type Systems is an open problem raised by R. Pollack in 1992. In this paper, the author presents a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for this problem and a set of sufficient conditions for it. The author also gives some properties for pure type systems without the expansion rule.

Impacts of Early Pleistocene glacial vicariance among refugial lineages and Mid-Late Pleistocene interglacial dispersal and expansion on forging population genetic structure of the giant clam Tridacna squamosa(Bivalvia:Cardiidae:Tridacninae)across the Red Sea and Indo-West Pacific oceans

This study aims at identifying the microevolutionary processes responsible for the onset of the remarkable phylogeographic structure already recorded for the endangered giant clam Tridacna squamosa across its distribution range.For this purpose,the evolutionary,biogeographic and demographic histories of the species were comprehensively reconstructed in a mitochondrial dataset comprising nearly the whole available published cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene sequences of T.squamosa.Relatively higher level of genetic diversification was unveiled within T.squamosa,in comparison to earlier macro-geographic investigations,whereby five mitochondrial clusters were delineated.The resulting divergent gene pools in the Red Sea,western Indian Ocean,Indo-Malay Archipelago and western Pacific were found to be driven by Early Pleistocene glacial vicariance events among refugial lineages.Accentuated genetic diversification of the species across the Indo-Malay Archipelago was successively triggered by historical dispersal event during the Mid-Pleistocene MIS19c interglacial.This latter historical event might have also enabled genetically distinct giant clams from the Indo-Malay Archipelago to subsequently colonize the western Pacific,accounting for the genetic diversity hotspot detected within this region(comprising three divergent mitochondrial clusters).Late Pleistocene demographic expansion of T.squamosa,during the Last Interglacial period,could have contributed to forging spatial distribution of the so far delineated genetic entities across the Indo-Western Pacific.Overall,being resilient to major climate shifts during the Pleistocene through adaptation and consequent diversification,T.squamosa could be used as a model species to track the impact of climate change on genetic variability and structure of marine species.In particular,the new information,provided in this investigation,may help with understanding and/or predicting the consequences of ongoing global warming on genetic polymorphism of endangered coral reef species among which Tridacna sp.are listed as ecologically important.

Spatio-temporal framework of tectonic uplift stages of the Tibetan Plateau in Cenozoic

Four intensive uplift periods, i.e., 60–35, 25–17 and 12–8 Ma (but 18–13 Ma in the Himalayas of the southern Tibet), and since about 5 Ma, can be determined on the Tibetan Plateau by synthetical analysis of low-temperature thermo-chronology data, sedimentary deposit records, and structural deformation records of different areas. The strong tectonic uplift periods in different areas on the Tibetan Plateau are penecontemporaneous, except for the Himalayan area of the southern Tibet, where a rapid uplift and exhumation period, controlled by the activity of the South Tibetan Detachment System faults, occurred during 18–13 Ma. These strong uplift and exhumation periods correspond well to intensive deformation activity periods, suggesting tectonically-controlled uplift and exhumation. The deposit records, such as the distribution of coarse clastic sediments, the distribution of tectonically-controlled basins, stratigraphic discontinuousness or unconformity, and fault-controlled geomorphologic evolution, also match well with the strong uplift and exhumation periods. Expanding processes of the plateau are also discussed.

Simulation of Compressible Two-Phase Flows Using a Void Ratio Transport Equation

A compressible and multiphase flows solver has been developed for the study of liquid/gas flows involving shock waves and strong expansion waves leading to cavitation.This solver has a structure similar to those of the one-fluid Euler solvers,differing from them by the presence of a void ratio transport-equation.The model and the system of equations to be simulated are presented.Results are displayed for shock and expansion tube problems,shock-bubble interaction and underwater explosion.Close agreement with reference solutions,obtained from explicit finite volume approaches,is demonstrated.Different numerical methods are additionally displayed to provide comparable and improved computational efficiency to the model and the system of equations.The overall procedure is therefore very well suited for use in general two-phase fluid flow simulations.