An Innovative Approach to Predicting Scour Depth Around Foundations Under Combined Waves and Currents in Large-Scale Tests Based on Small-Scale Tests

This study presents an innovative theoretical approach to predicting the scour depth around a foundation in large-scale model tests based on small-scale model tests under combined waves and currents.In the present approach,the hydrodynamic parameters were designed based on the Froude similitude criteria.To avoid the cohesive behavior,we scaled the sediment size based on the settling velocity similarity,i.e.,the suspended load similarity.Then,a series of different scale model tests was conducted to obtain the scour depth around the pile in combined waves and currents.The fitting formula of scour depth from the small-scale model tests was used to predict the results of large-scale tests.The accuracy of the present approach was validated by comparing the prediction values with experimental data of large-scale tests.Moreover,the correctness and accuracy of the present approach for foundations with complex shapes,e.g.,the tripod foundation,was further checked.The results indicated that the fitting line from small-scale model tests slightly overestimated the experimental data of large-scale model tests,and the errors can be accepted.In general,the present approach was applied to predict the maximum or equilibrium scour depth of the large-scale model tests around single piles and tripods.

Predicting excavation damage zone depths in brittle rocks

During the construction of an underground excavation, damage occurs in the surrounding rock mass due in large part to stress changes. While the predicted damage extent impacts profile selection and support design, the depth of damage is a critical aspect for the design of permeability sensitive excavations, such as a deep geological repository(DGR) for nuclear waste. Review of literature regarding the depth of excavation damage zones(EDZs) indicates three zones are common and typically related to stress induced damage. Based on past developments related to brittle damage prediction using continuum modelling, the depth of the EDZs has been examined numerically. One method to capture stress induced damage in conventional engineering software is the damage initiation and spalling limit(DISL) approach. The variability of depths predicted using the DISL approach has been evaluated and guidelines are suggested for determining the depth of the EDZs around circular excavations in brittle rock masses. Of the inputs evaluated, it was found that the tensile strength produces the greatest variation in the depth of the EDZs. The results were evaluated statistically to determine the best fit relation between the model inputs and the depth of the EDZs. The best correlation and least variation were found for the outer EDZ and the highly damaged zone(HDZ) showed the greatest variation. Predictive equations for different EDZs have been suggested and the maximum numerical EDZ depths, represented by the 68% prediction interval, agreed well with the empirical evidence. This suggests that the numerical limits can be used for preliminary depth prediction of the EDZs in brittle rock for circular excavations.

Calculation and Analysis of TVMS Considering Profile Shifts and Surface Wear Evolution Process of Spur Gear

Profile shift is a highly effective technique for optimizing the performance of spur gear transmission systems.However,tooth surface wear is inevitable during gear meshing due to inadequate lubrication and long-term operation.Both profile shift and tooth surface wear(TSW)can impact the meshing characteristics by altering the involute tooth profile.In this study,a tooth stiffness model of spur gears that incorporates profile shift,TSW,tooth deformation,tooth contact deformation,fillet-foundation deformation,and gear body structure coupling is established.This model efficiently and accurately determines the time-varying mesh stiffness(TVMS).Additionally,an improved wear depth prediction method for spur gears is developed,which takes into consideration the mutually prime teeth numbers and more accurately reflects actual gear meshing conditions.Results show that consideration of the mutual prime of teeth numbers will have a certain impact on the TSW process.Furthermore,the finite element method(FEM)is employed to accurately verify the values of TVMS and load sharing ratio(LSR)of profile-shifted gears and worn gears.This study quantitatively analyzes the effect of profile shift on the surface wear process,which suggests that gear profile shift can partially alleviate the negative effects of TSW.The contribution of this study provides valuable insights into the design and maintenance of spur gear systems.

Relationships between Soil Depth and Terrain Attributes in a Semi Arid Hilly Region in Western Iran

Soil depth generally varies in mountainous regions in rather complex ways.Conventional soil survey methods for evaluating the soil depth in mountainous and hilly regions require a lot of time,effort and consequently relatively large budget to perform.This study was conducted to explore the relationships between soil depth and topographic attributes in a hilly region in western Iran.For this,one hundred sampling points were selected using randomly stratified methodology,and considering all geomorphic surfaces including summit,shoulder,backslope,footslope and toeslope;and soil depth was actually measured.Eleven primary and secondary topographic attributes were derived from the digital elevation model(DEM) at the study area.The result of multiple linear regression indicated that slope,wetness index,catchment area and sediment transport index,which were included in the model,could explain about 76 % of total variability in soil depth at the selected site.This proposed approach may be applicable to other hilly regions in the semi-arid areas at a larger scale.

Local scour at offshore windfarm monopile foundations: A review

In this article,current research findings of local scour at offshore windfarm monopile foundations are presented.The scour mechanisms and scour depth prediction formulas under different hydrodynamic conditions are summarized,including the current-only condition,wave-only condition,combined wave-current condition,and complex dynamic condition.Furthermore,this article analyzes the influencing factors on the basis of classical equations for predicting the equilibrium scour depth under specific conditions.The weakness of existing researches and future prospects are also discussed.It is suggested that future research shall focus on physical experiments under unsteady tidal currents or other complex loadings.The computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method and artificial intelligence technique are suggested being adopted to study the scour at offshore windfarm foundations.

Spatial distribution modeling of subsurface bedrock using a developed automated intelligence deep learning procedure:A case study in Sweden

Due to associated uncertainties,modelling the spatial distribution of depth to bedrock(DTB) is an important and challenging concern in many geo-engineering applications.The association between DTB,the safety and economy of design structures implies that generating more precise predictive models can be of vital interest.In the present study,the challenge of applying an optimally predictive threedimensional(3D) spatial DTB model for an area in Stockholm,Sweden was addressed using an automated intelligent computing design procedure.The process was developed and programmed in both C++and Python to track their performance in specified tasks and also to cover a wide variety of diffe rent internal characteristics and libraries.In comparison to the ordinary Kriging(OK) geostatistical tool,the superiority of the developed automated intelligence system was demonstrated through the analysis of confusion matrices and the ranked accuracies of different statistical errors.The re sults showed that in the absence of measured data,the intelligence models as a flexible and efficient alternative approach can account for associated uncertainties,thus creating more accurate spatial 3D models and providing an appropriate prediction at any point in the subsurface of the study area.