Nonlinear fluid flow through three-dimensional rough fracture networks:Insights from 3D-printing,CT-scanning,and high-resolution numerical simulations

Nonlinear flow behavior of fluids through three-dimensional(3D)discrete fracture networks(DFNs)considering effects of fracture number,surface roughness and fracture aperture was experimentally and numerically investigated.Three physical models of DFNs were 3D-printed and then computed tomography(CT)-scanned to obtain the specific geometry of fractures.The validity of numerically simulating the fluid flow through DFNs was verified via comparison with flow tests on the 3D-printed models.A parametric study was then implemented to establish quantitative relations between the coefficients/parameters in Forchheimer’s law and geometrical parameters.The results showed that the 3D-printing technique can well reproduce the geometry of single fractures with less precision when preparing complex fracture networks,numerical modeling precision of which can be improved via CT-scanning as evidenced by the well fitted results between fluid flow tests and numerical simulations using CT-scanned digital models.Streamlines in DFNs become increasingly tortuous as the fracture number and roughness increase,resulting in stronger inertial effects and greater curvatures of hydraulic pressure-low rate relations,which can be well characterized by the Forchheimer’s law.The critical hydraulic gradient for the onset of nonlinear flow decreases with the increasing aperture,fracture number and roughness,following a power function.The increases in fracture aperture and number provide more paths for fluid flow,increasing both the viscous and inertial permeabilities.The value of the inertial permeability is approximately four orders of magnitude greater than the viscous permeability,following a power function with an exponent a of 3,and a proportional coefficient b mathematically correlated with the geometrical parameters.

Experimental analysis for the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows

Debris flow is one of the major secondary mountain hazards following the earthquake. This study explores the dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows based on the strength reduction of soils through static and dynamic triaxial tests. A series of static and dynamic triaxial tests were conducted on samples in the lab. The samples were prepared according to different grain size distribution, degree of saturation and earthquake magnitudes. The relations of dynamic shear strength, degree of saturation, and number of cycles are summarized through analyzing experimental results. The findings show that the gravelly soil with a wide and continuous gradation has a critical degree of saturation of approximately 87%, above which debris flows will be triggered by rainfall, while the debris flow will be triggered at a critical degree of saturation of about 73% under the effect of rainfall and earthquake(M>6.5). Debris flow initiation is developed in the humidification process, and the earthquake provides energy for triggering debris flows. Debris flows are more likely to be triggered at the relatively low saturation under dynamic loading than under static loading. The resistance of debris flow triggering relies more on internal frication angle than soil cohesion under the effect of rainfall and earthquake. The conclusions provide an experimental analysis method for dynamic initiation mechanism of debris flows.

Fast determination of meso-level mechanical parameters of PFC models

To solve the problems of blindness and inefficiency existing in the determination of meso-level mechanical parameters of particle flow code (PFC) models, we firstly designed and numerically carried out orthogonal tests on rock samples to investigate the correlations between macro-and meso-level mechanical parameters of rock-like bonded granular materials. Then based on the artificial intelligent technology, the intelligent prediction systems for nine meso-level mechanical parameters of PFC models were obtained by creating, training and testing the prediction models with the set of data got from the orthogonal tests. Lastly the prediction systems were used to predict the meso-level mechanical parameters of one kind of sandy mudstone, and according to the predicted results the macroscopic properties of the rock were obtained by numerical tests. The maximum relative error between the numerical test results and real rock properties is 3.28% which satisfies the precision requirement in engineering. It shows that this paper provides a fast and accurate method for the determination of meso-level mechanical parameters of PFC models.

Comparison between FAC Analysis Result Using ToSPACE &CHECWORKS Programs and Experimental Result

A number of piping components in the secondary system of nuclear power plants (NPPs) have been exposed to aging mechanisms such as FAC (Flow-Accelerated Corrosion), cavitation, flashing, LDIE (Liquid Droplet Impingement Erosion), and SPE (Solid Particle Erosion). Those mechanisms may lead to thinning, leaking, or the rupture of components. Due to the pipe ruptures caused by wall thinning of Surry Unit 2 in 1986 and Mihama Unit 3 in 2004, pipe wall thinning management has emerged as one of the most important issues in the nuclear industry. To manage the wall thinning of pipes caused by FAC and erosion, KEPCO-E & C has developed ToSPACE program. It can predict both FAC & erosion phenomena, and also be utilized in the pipe wall thinning management works such as susceptibility analysis, UT (Ultrasonic Test) data evaluation as well as establishment of long-term inspection plan. Even though the ToSPACE can predict the five aging mechanisms mentioned above, only the FAC prediction result using ToSPACE was compared herein with the experimental result using FACTS (Flow Accelerated Corrosion Test System) to verify the ToSPACE’s capability. In addition, the FAC prediction result using ToSPACE was also compared with that of CHECWORKS that is widely used all over the world.

Can baseline ML Flow test results predict leprosy reactions? An investigation in a cohort of patients enrolled in the uniform multidrug therapy clinical trial for leprosy patients in Brazil

Background:The predictive value of the serology to detection of IgM against the Mycobacterium leprae-derived phenolic glycolipid-I/PGL-I to identify leprosy patients who are at higher risk of developing reactions remains controversial.Whether baseline results of the ML Flow test can predict leprosy reactions was investigated among a cohort of patients enrolled in The Clinical Trial for Uniform Multidrug Therapy for Leprosy Patients in Brazil(U-MDT/CT-BR).Methods:This was a descriptive study focusing on the main clinical manifestations of leprosy patients enrolled in the U-MDT/CT-BR from March 2007 to February 2012 at two Brazilian leprosy reference centers.For research purposes,753 leprosy patients were categorized according to a modified Ridley-Jopling(R&J)classification and according to the development of leprosy reactions(reversal reaction/RR and erythema nodosum leprosum/ENL),and whether they had a positive or negative bacillary index/BI.Results:More than half of the patients(55.5%)reported leprosy reaction:18.3%(138/753)had a RR and 5.4%(41/753)had ENL.Leprosy reactions were more frequent in the first year following diagnosis,as seen in 27%(205/753)of patients,while 19%(142/753)developed reactions during subsequent follow-up.Similar frequencies of leprosy reactions and other clinical manifestations were observed in paucibacillary(PB)and multibacillary(MB)leprosy patients treated with U-MDT and regular MDT(R-MDT)(P=0.43 and P=0.61,respectively).Compared with PB patients,leprosy reactions were significantly more frequent in MB patients with a high BI,and more patients developed RR than ENL.However,RR and neuritis were also reported in patients with a negative BI.At baseline,the highest rate of ML Flow positivity was observed in patients with a positive BI,especially those who developed ENL,followed by patients who had neuritis and RR.Among reaction-free patients,81.9%were ML Flow positive,however,the differences were not statistically significant compared to reactional patients(P=0.45).Conclusions:MB and PB patients treated with R-MDT and U-MDT showed similar frequencies of RR and other clinical manifestations.Positive ML Flow tests were associated with MB leprosy and BI positivity.However,ML Flow test results at baseline showed limited sensitivity and specificity for predicting the development of leprosy reactions.

NON-LCL AND TRACER TEST FOR GROUNDWATER FLOW IN A SINGLE FRACTURE

The validity of Local Cubic Law （LCL） is an important issue to study groundwater flow and transport in fractured media. According to laboratory simulaion tests, the average velocity with a lower gradient in a single fracture is calculated by the LCL, which is compared with the measured average velocity. Then dye tracer test is designed and completed. The evidence for non-LCL, is drawn from the results of the simulation tests and the dye tracer tests. Then the Reynolds number of groundwater is calculated, the critical value of Re for laminar flow is discussed in a single fracture under different conditions. The motion types for groundwater flow have been discussed.

A numerical test method of California bearing ratio on graded crushed rocks using particle flow modeling

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of graded crushed rocks （GCRs） and to optimize the relevant design, a numerical test method based on the particle flow modeling technique PFC2D is developed for the California bearing ratio （CBR） test on GGRs. The effects of different testing conditions and micro-mechanical parameters used in the model on the CBR numerical results have been systematically studied. The reliability of the numerical technique is verified. The numerical results suggest that the influences of the loading rate and Poisson＇s ratio on the CBR numerical test results are not significant. As such, a loading rate of 1.0-3.0 mm/min, a piston diameter of 5 cm, a specimen height of 15 cm and a specimen diameter of 15 cm are adopted for the CBR numerical test. The numerical results reveal that the GBR values increase with the friction coefficient at the contact and shear modulus of the rocks, while the influence of Poisson＇s ratio on the GBR values is insignificant. The close agreement between the CBR numerical results and experimental results suggests that the numerical simulation of the CBR values is promising to help assess the mechanical properties of GGRs and to optimize the grading design. Be- sides, the numerical study can provide useful insights on the mesoscopic mechanism.

Novel ractopamine–protein carrier conjugation and its application to the lateral flow strip test for ractopamine detection in animal feed

In this work,a novel conjugate of ractopamine and bovine serum albumin(RAC–BSA)has been developed via the Mannich reaction,with a mole coupling ratio for RAC–BSA of 9:1.The proposed conjugation method provides a simple and one-step method with the use of fewer reagents compared with other conjugation methods for competitive immunoassays.RAC–BSA conjugation was used to fabricate a competitive lateral flow strip test for RAC detection in animal feed.For sample preparation,RAC was spiked in swine feed purchased from the local markets in Thailand,and methanol and running buffer at a volume ratio of 10:90 was used as extraction buffer.The procedures for sample preparation were completed within 25 min.Under optimal conditions,the limit of detection(LOD),assessed by the naked eye within 5 min,was found to be 1 ng/g.A semi-quantitative analysis was also conducted using a smart phone and computer software,with a linearity of 0.075–0.750 ng/g,calculated LOD of 0.10 ng/g,calculated limit of quantitation of 0.33 ng/g,and good correlation of 0.992.The recoveries were found in the range of 96.4%–103.7%with a relative standard deviation of 2.5%–3.6%for intra-and inter-assays.Comparison of the results obtained by the strip test with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay had a good agreement in terms of accuracy.Furthermore,this strip test exhibited highly specific RAC detection without cross reactivity with related compounds.Therefore,the RAC–BSA conjugation via the Mannich reaction can be accepted as a one-step and easy conjugation method and applied to the competitive lateral flow strip test.

Development of the detonation-driven expansion tube for orbital speed experiments

The hypersonic flow at orbital speeds is a fundamental issue for the ground tests of aerospace crafts.The detonation-driven high-enthalpy expansion tube(JF16 expansion tube)was developed to investigate re-entry physics.A forward detonation cavity(FDC)driver was applied in the JF16 expansion tube to create stable driving flows.The sound speed ratio of the detonated to test gas was examined to minimize the magnitude of test flow perturbations.The acceleration section length,incident shock decay and diaphragms thickness were investigated in detail to obtain optimal operation parameters.Flow visualization was also carried out with schlieren system to demonstrate the test flow stability and the effective test duration.Experimental data showed that the test flow with a velocity of 8.3 km/s and a total enthalpy up to 40 MJ/kg can be generated successfully and the test duration lasts for more than 50μs.

Dual-readout test strips platform for portable and highly sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase in human serum samples

In this work,a very simple dual-readout lateral flow test strip(LFTS)platform was developed for sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)based on a portable device.In this assay,quantum dots(QDs)conjugated with bovine serum albumin(QDs-BSA)were chosen as fluorescence signal labels.In the absence of ALP,MnO_(2)nanosheets aggregate on the test line and exhibit an obvious brown color,which can be observed by naked eyes to realize semi-qualitative analysis.Meanwhile,fluorescence intensity of QDs-BSA can also be effectively quenched by MnO_(2)nanosheets due to inner-filter effect.Correspondingly,in the presence of ALP,ALP can catalyze the hydrolysis of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate(AAP)to generate L-ascorbic acid(AA),which can reduce MnO_(2)into Mn^(2+),accompanying with the obvious fluorescence recovery of the QDs.By simply monitoring the change of colorimetric and fluorescent signal on the test line,trace amount of ALP can be quantitatively detected.Under the optimal conditions,measurable evaluation of ALP was reached in a linear range from 1 U/L to 20 U/L with a detection limit of 0.7 U/L based on fluorescence signal.Furthermore,this colorimetric/fluorescent dual-readout assay was successfully applied to monitor ALP in human serum samples,showing its great potential as a point of care biosensor for clinical diagnosis.