Modelling of the behavior of marine oil spills: applications based on random walk techniques

A numerical model has been developed to simulate the transport and fate of oil spilled at sea. The model combines the transport and fate processes of spilled oil with the random walk technique. Oil movement under the influence of tidal currents, wind driven currents, and turbulent eddies is simulated by the PLUME RW dispersion model developed by HR Wallingford. The weathering processes in the model represent physical and chemical changes of soil slicks with time, and comprise mechanical spreading, dispersion, evaporation and emulsification. Shoreline stranding is determined approximately using a capacity method for different shoreline types. This paper presents details of the model, and describe the results of various sensitivity tests. The model is suitable for oil spill contingency planning.

Arc-length technique for nonlinear finite element analysis

Nonlinear solution of reinforced concrete structures, particularly complete load-deflection response, requires tracing of the equilibrium path and proper treatment of the limit and bifurcation points. In this regard, ordinary solution techniques lead to instability near the limit points and also have problems in case of snap-through and snap-back. Thus they fail to predict the complete load-displacement response. The arc-length method serves the purpose well in principle, received wide acceptance in finite element analysis, and has been used extensively. However modifications to the basic idea are vital to meet the particular needs of the analysis. This paper reviews some of the recent developments of the method in the last two decades, with particular emphasis on nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures.

A Genetic Algorithm Based Approach to Pipe Routing Design

To solve the problem of low efficiency in pipe routing design, an improved genetic algorithm based approach is proposed. To present this approach, the paper mainly describes a generation method of nodes considering the safety distance of pipes and the directional constraints at terminals, the definition of a double coding technique, the collision detection method, the concept of energy and the definition of fitness functions. The similarity detection is introduced to prevent close breeding in the crossover operator, the selection pressure is controlled according to the evolution situation and a heuristic mutation method is used to boost the evolution. Simulation case shows that this approach is more practical and can satisfy different design requirements by changing algorithm parameters.

Changes in segment coordination variability and the impacts of the lower limb across running mileages in half marathons:Implications for running injuries

Background:Segment coordination variability(CV)is a movement pattern associated with running-related injuries.It can also be adversely affected by a prolonged run.However,research on this topic is currently limited.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a prolonged run on segment CV and vertical loading rates during a treadmill half marathon.Methods:Fifteen healthy runners ran a half marathon on an instrumental treadmill in a biomechanical laboratory.Synchronized kinematic and kinetic data were collected every 2 km(from 2 km until 20 km),and the data were processed by musculoskeletal modeling.Segment CVs were computed from the angle-angle plots of selected pelvis-thigh,thigh-shank,and shank-rearfoot couplings using a modified vector coding technique.The loading rate of vertical ground reaction force was also calculated.A one-way MANOVA with repeated measures was performed on each of the outcome variables to examine the main effect of running mileage.Results:Significant effects of running mileage were found on segment CVs(p≤0.010)but not on loading rate(p=0.881).Notably,during the early stance phase,the CV of pelvis frontal thigh frontal was significantly increased at 20 km compared with the CV at 8 km(g=0.59,p=0.022).The CV of shank transverse vs.rearfoot frontal decreased from 2 km to 8 km(g=0.30,p=0.020)but then significantly increased at both 18 km(g=0.05,p<0.001)and 20 km(g=0.36,p<0.001).Conclusion:At the early stance,runners maintained stable CVs on the sagittal plane,which could explain the unchanged loading rate throughout the half marathon.However,increased CVs on the frontal/transverse plane may be an early sign of fatigue and indicative of possible injury risk.Further studies are necessary for conclusive statements in this regard.

APROVECHO’S SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION:A FOCUS ON NATURAL BUILDING

Aprovecho is a non-profit research and education center dedicated to living,learning,organizing and educating to inspire a sustainable culture.Located on a forty acre land trust in the Coast Range outside of Cottage Grove,Oregon,Aprovecho’s campus features a living demonstration of sustainable human settlement,organized around five core areas:food,shelter,water,forests,and energy.Aprovecho offers educational opportunities in all five of its core areas,including shelter through the Natural Building program.The Aprovecho Natural Building program trains students in the use of locally-sourced,non-toxic building materials for the construction of energy-efficient,affordable,healthy homes that work within natural communities and that enrich local economies.

Average stress-average strain tension-stiffening relationships based on provisions of design codes

This research was aimed at deriving average stress-average strain tension-stiffening relationships in accordance with the provisions of design codes for reinforced concrete （RC） members. Using a proposed inverse technique, the tension-stiffening relationships were derived from moment-curvature diagrams of RC beams calculated by different code methods, namely Eurocode 2, AC1318, and the Chinese standard GB 50010-2002. The derived tension-stiffening laws were applied in a numerical study using the nonlinear finite element software ATENA. The curvatures calculated by ATENA and the code methods were in good agreement.