Meso-scale modeling of chloride diffusion in concrete with consideration of effects of time and temperature

A meso-scale truss network model was developed to predict chloride diffusion in concrete. The model regards concrete as a three-phase composite of mortar matrix, coarse aggregates, and the interfacial transition zone （ITZ） between the mortar matrix and the aggregates. The diffusion coefficient of chloride in the mortar and the ITZ can be analytically determined with only the water-to-cement ratio and volume fraction of fine aggregates. Fick＇s second law of diffusion was used as the governing equation for chloride diffusion in a homogenous medium （e.g., mortar）; it was discretized and applied to the truss network model. The solution procedure of the truss network model based on the diffusion law and the meso-scale composite structure of concrete is outlined. Additionally, the dependence of the diffusion coefficient of chloride in the mortar and the ITZ on exposure duration and temperature is taken into account to illustrate their effect on chloride diffusion coefficient. The numerical results show that the exposure duration and environmental temperature play important roles in the diffusion rate of chloride ions in concrete. It is also concluded that the meso-scale truss network model can be applied to chloride transport analysis of damaged （or cracked） concrete.

Meso-scale available gravitational potential in the world oceans

The pitfalls of applying the commonly used definition of available gravitational potential energy （AGPE） to the world oceans are re-examined. It is proposed that such definition should apply to the meso-scale problems in the oceans, not the global scale. Based on WOA98 climatological data, the meso-scale AGPE in the world oceans is estimated. Unlike previous results by Oort et al. , the meso-scale AGPE is large wherever there is a strong horizontal density gradient. The distribution of meso-scale AGPE reveals the close connection between the baroclinic instability and the release of gravitational potential energy stored within the scale of Rossby deformation radius.

Statistical characteristics of meso-scale vortex effects on the track of a tropical cyclone

This paper examines initial meso-scale vortex effects on the motion of a tropical cyclone （TC） in a system where coexisting two components of TC and meso-scale vortices with a barotropic vorticity equation model. The initial mesoscale vortices are generated stochastically by employing Reinaud＇s method. The 62 simulations are performed and analysed in order to understand the statistical characteristics of the effects. Results show that the deflection of the TC track at t = 24 h induced by the initial meso-scale vortices ranges from 2 km to 37 km with the mean value of 13.4 km. A more significant deflection of the TC track can be reduced when several initial meso-scale vortices simultaneously appear in a smaller TC circulation area. It ranges from 22 km to 37 km with the mean value of 28 km, this fact implies that the initial meso-scale vortices-induced deflection may not be neglected sometimes.

Case study on the three-dimensional structure of meso-scale eddy in the South China Sea based on a high-resolution model

Meso-scale eddies are important features in the South China Sea（SCS）. The eddies with diameters of 50–200 km can greatly impact the transport of heat, momentum, and tracers. A high-resolution wave-tide-circulation coupled model was developed to simulate the meso-scale eddy in the SCS in this study. The aim of this study is to examine the model ability to simulate the meso-scale eddy in the SCS without data assimilations The simulated Sea Surface Height（SSH） anomalies agree with the observed the AVISO SSH anomalies well. The simulated subsurface temperature profiles agree with the CTD observation data from the ROSE（Responses of Marine Hazards to climate change in the Western Pacific） project. The simulated upper-ocean currents also agree with the main circulation based on observations. A warm eddy is identified in winter in the northern SCS. The position and domain of the simulated eddy are confirmed by the observed sea surface height data from the AVISO. The result shows that the model has the ability to simulate the meso-scale eddy in the SCS without data assimilation.The three-dimensional structure of the meso-scale eddy in the SCS is analyzed using the model result. It is found that the eddy center is tilted vertically, which agrees with the observation. It is also found that the velocity center of the eddy does not coincide with the temperature center of the eddy. The result shows that the model has the ability to simulate the meso-scale eddy in the SCS without data assimilations. Further study on the forming mechanism and the three-dimensional structure of the meso-scale eddies will be carried out using the model result and cruise observation data in the near future.

Modeling development on the meso-scale reacting transport phenomena in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The catalyst layer （CL） of proton exchange mem-brane fuel cell （PEMFC） involves various particles and pores in meso-scale, which has an important effect on the mass, charge （proton and electron） and heat transport coupled with the electrochemical reactions. The coarse-grained molecular dynamics （CG-MD） method is employed as a meso-scale structure reconstruction technique to mimic the self-organization phenomena in the fabrication steps of a CL. The meso-scale structure obtained at the equilibrium state is further analyzed by molecular dynamic （MD） software to provide the necessary microscopic parameters for understanding of multi-scale and-physics processes in CLs. The primary pore size distribution （PSD） and active platinum （Pt） surface areas are also calculated and then compared with the experiments. In addition, we also highlight the implementation method to combine microscopic elementary kinetic reaction schemes with the CG-MD approaches to provide insight into the reactions in CLs. The concepts from CG modeling with particle hydrodynamics （SPH） and the problems on coupling of SPH with finite element modeling （FEM） methods are further outlined and discussed to understand the effects of the meso-scale transport phenomena in fuel cells.

Propagation of shock waves in dry and wet sandstone:Experimental observations,theoretical analysis and meso-scale modeling

Methods of experimental observations, theoretical analysis and meso-scale modeling were used to study the propagation processes of shock waves in dry and wet sandstone under dynamic impact in this paper.According to the results from the dynamic impact experiments with velocity of 0.2-0.5 km/s, it was found that the velocity of shock wave increases linearly with water content. Additionally, the velocity of the shock wave in the sandstone showed a linearly increased regularity with the increasement of the impact velocity, which was proved by theory in this paper. Furthermore, meso-scale simulation models were performed and the simulation results showed that sandstone's porosity reduced the shock waves velocity compared to nonporous materials. Pore space filled with water counteracts the effects of porosity, resulted in larger shock wave velocity.

On the Development of Meso-Scale Heavy Rain Parcels in China

Heavy rains occur in China frequently, which often bring us floods and serious disasters in the summer half-year. The meso-scale heavy rain parcels (MHRP) in the mid-latitude are usually developed in following cases:I.By the approaching, meeting and / or overlapping of different weather systems, when two or more different rainfall systems are getting to conjugate, some MHRPs could be developed, such as: 1) a new cold/warm front or squall line approaches an old front or squall, even when the old one is somewhat decrepit; 2) at the places where two or more synoptic systems with different characteristics are meeting together, such as the meeting of tropical cyclone with the cold airs coming from the mid- and / or high-latitudes, or the low latitude vortex meeting with the westerly trough; 3) at the intersections of some different weather systems, such as the intersection of drylines, squall lines or fronts moving from different directions; and 4) by the overlapping of rainfall parcels produced continuously from a meso-generation centre.II.Resonance Effect and Tibetan Plateau Influence are two reasons why high frequency of heavy and torrential rains arround the meiyu front is discussed also.

Electrical Characteristics,Electrode Sheath and Contamination Layer Behavior of a Meso-Scale Premixed Methane-Air Flame Under AC/DC Electric Fields

Electrical characteristics of a nozzle-attached meso-scale premixed methane-air flame under low-frequency AC （0-4300 V, 0-500 Hz） and DC （0-3300 V） electric fields were studied. I-V curves were measured under different experimental conditions to estimate the magnitude of the total current 10^0-10^2μA, the electron density 10^15-10^16 m^-3 and further the power dissipation 〈 0.7 W in the reaction zone. At the same time, the meso-scale premixed flame conductivity 10^-4-10^-3 Ω^-1. m^-1 as a function of voltage and frequency was experimentally obtained and was believed to represent a useful order-of magnitude estimate. Moreover, the influence of the collision sheath relating to Debye length （31-98 μm） and the contamination layer of an active electrode on measurements was discussed, based on the combination of simulation and theoretical analysis. As a result, the electrode sheath dimension was evaluated to less than 0.5 mm, which indicated a complex effect of the collision sheath on the current measurements. The surface contamination effect of an active electrode was further analyzed using the SEM imaging method, which showed elements immigration during the contamination layer formation process.

Analysis on the Meso-scale Characteristics of a Hail Process in Linyi Area

[Objective] The research aimed to study the meso-scale characteristics of a hail process in Linyi area. [Method] By comprehensively using MICAPS conventional observation data, automatic encryption ground station, MM5 model product and Doppler weather radar data, a strong convective hail weather process which happened in Shandong Peninsula and southeast of Shandong on May 30, 2010 was analyzed. The circulation background and physical mechanism of strong convection weather occurrence, the features of meso- and micro-scale systems were discussed. Some occurrence and development rules of such weather were found. [Result] The strong convective weather was mainly affected by the cold vortex and translot. The high-altitude northwest airflow, low-level southwest airflow, dry and cold air at the high layer, warm and wet air at the low layer, forward-tilting trough caused the strong convective weather. The radar echo analysis showed that the radar echo in the process belonged to the typical multi-monomer windstorm echo, and the strong echo zone was in the forefront of echo. When the convection development was the strongest, the echo intensity reached 65 dBz, and the echo top height surpassed 11 km. As the development of windstorm monomer, the big-value zone of vertical liquid water content product had the jumping formation and disappearance. Moreover, there was obvious weak echo zone. The windstorm monomer moved to the southeast direction as the precipitation system. In the right front of monomer moving direction, there was hook echo feature. The evolution characteristics of radial speed field at the different elevation angles before and after the hail weather occurrence were analyzed. It was found that the radial speed field had some premonitory variations before the hail weather occurrence. Doppler radar product was used to improve the initial field of MM5 model, which could improve the forecast effect in the certain degree and the accuracy of short-time forecast and nowcasting. [Conclusion] The research accumulated the experience for the short-term forecast and nowcasting work of strong convective weather in future.

Study on circulation and meso-scale eddies in the South China Sea in summer of 1998

By using wide scope ADCP data which were got during SCSMEX (South China Sea Monsoon Experiment) period in the summer of 1998, and comparing these data with numerical modelling result, the distribution and variation characteristics of the circulation and meso-scale eddies in the South China Sea (SCS) were studied. The results show that: (1) in the SCS, 18 different scale eddies or motion systems with characteristics similar to meso-scale eddy were found during the investigation; (2) a strong westward current was found in the south of the Taiwan Shoal; (3) the energy of those eddies west of 114°E was much stronger than that of the east;(4) and there exist many powerful meso-scale eddies in the Nansha region south of 12°N. The distributions of numerous eddies reflect the complexity of the circulation in the SCS. It seems that the formation of those eddies should be caused by joint work of wind, coast feature, bottom topography, water density, inertial force and continental shelf waves.

The Impact of Meso-Scale Eddies on the Subtropical Mode Water in the Western North Pacific

Based on the temperature and salinity from the Argo profiling floats and altimeter-derived geostrophic velocity anomaly (GVA) data in the western North Pacific during 2002-2011, the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW) distribution is investigated and cyclonic and anti-cyclonic eddies (CEs and AEs) are constructed to study the influence of their vertical structures on maintaining NPSTMW. Combining eddies identified by the GVA data and Argo profiling float data, it is found that the average NPSTMW thickness of AEs is about 60 dbar, which is thicker than that of CEs. The NPSTMW thicker than 150 dbar in AEs accounts for 18%, whereas that in CEs accounts for only 1%. About 3377 (3517) profiles, which located within one diameter of the nearest CEs (AEs) are used to construct the CE (AE). The composite AE traps low-PV water in the center and with a convex shape in the vertical section. The 'trapped depth' of the composite CE (AE) is 300 m (550 m) where the rotational velocity exceeds the transitional velocity. The present study suggests that the anticyclonic eddies are not only likely to form larger amounts of NPSTMW, but also trap more NPSTMW than cyclonic eddies.

THE DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE STRUCTURE OF Β MESO-SCALE DOUBLE RAINBANDS IN MEIYU FRONT

In this paper, an idealized perturbation following the "surge-flow conceptual model" for typical Meiyu frontal structure is designed to explain the β meso-scale structure of rainbands in the Meiyu front using a non-hydrostatic, full-compressible storm-scale model including multi-phase microphysical parameterization. In addition, sensitivity numerical experiment on the vertical distribution of the ambient meridional wind is conducted to investigate the generation mechanism of β meso-scale double rainbands. The results of numerical experiments show that the cool and dry downdraft invading strengthened by the environmental aloft northerly wind plays a very important role to the generation and maintenance of the β meso-scale double rainbands. Moreover, the intensity and scale of the dry and cool downdraft invading are related to the intensity of the second circumfluence induced by mass adjustment when the acceleration of the westerly jet aloft occurs.

Meso-scale circulation at the intermediate-depth east of Mindanao observed by Argo profiling floats

The meso-scale circulation at the intermediate depth east of Mindanao is studied using Argo profiling floats observations. The trajectories and the parking-depth velocities of Argo floats show that the intermediate-depth circulation east of Mindanao contains significant meso-scale features that are highly variable both in space and in time. Both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies at the intermediate depth (1000–2000 m) are indicated by the trajectories east of Mindanao. The mean tangential velocities of these eddies are about 10 cm/s at 2000 m and over 20 cm/s at 1000 m, which indicates that the geostrophic calculation may contain large errors due to the vigorous eddy activity at the reference levels. The analyses also suggest that these eddies might play an important role in mass and vorticity balances of the intermediate-depth circulation east of Mindanao.

Focusing on the meso-scales of multi-scale phenomena-In search for a new paradigm in chemical engineering

To celebrate the 90th birthday of Professor Mooson Kwauk, who supervised the multi-scale research at this Institute in the last three decades, we dedicate this paper outlining our thoughts on this subject accumulated from our previous studies. In the process of developing, improving and extending the energy- minimization multi-scale （EMMS） method, we have gradually recognized that meso-scales are critical to the understanding of the different kinds of multi-scale structures and systems. It is a common challenge not only for chemical engineering but also for almost all disciplines of science and engineering, due to its importance in bridging micro- and macro-behaviors and in displaying complexity and diversity. It is believed that there may exist a common law behind meso-scales of different problems, possibly even in different fields. Therefore, a breakthrough in the understanding of meso-scales will help materialize a revolutionary progress, with respect to modeling, computation and application.

Experimental study on the meso-scale milling of tungsten carbide WC-17.5Co with PCD end mills

Tungsten carbide is a material that is very difficult to cut,mainly owing to its extreme wear resistance.Its high value of yield strength,accompanied by extreme brittleness,renders its machinability extremely poor,with most tools failing.Even when cutting with tool materials of the highest quality,its mode of cutting is mainly brittle and marred by material cracking.The ductile mode of cutting is possible only at micro leveIs of depth of cut and feed rate.This study aims to investigate the possibility of milling the carbide material at a meso-scale using polycrystaline diamond(PCD)end mills.A series of end milling experiments were performed to study the effects of cutting speed,feed per tooth,and axial depth of cut on performance measures such as cutting forces,surface roughness,and tool wear.To characterize the wear of PCD tools,a new approach to measuring the level of damage sustained by the faces of the cutter's teeth is presented.Analyses of the experimental data show that the effects of all the cutting parameters on the three performance measures are significant.The major damage mode of the PCD end mills is.found to be the intermittent micro-chipping.The progress of tool damage saw a long,stable,and steady period sandwiched between two short,abrupt,and intermittent periods.Cutting forces and surface roughness are found to rise with increments in the three cutting parameters,although the latter shows signs of reduction during the initial increase in cutting speed only.The results of this study find that an acceptable surface quality(average roughness Ra<0.2μm)and tool life(cutting length L>600mm)can be obtained under the conditions of the given cutting parameters.It indicates that milling with PCD tools at a meso-scale is a suitable machining method for tungsten carbides.

MODELING OF MESO-SCALE STRUCTURES IN PARTICLE-FLUID SYSTEMS: THE EMMS/CFD APPROACH

Meso-scale structures existing in the form of particle-rich clusters, streamers or strands in circulating fluidized beds, and of ascending bubble plumes and descending liquid-rich vortices in bubble columns and slurry-bed reactors, as commonly observed, have played an important role in the macro-scale behavior of particle-fluid systems. These meso-scale structures span a wide range of length and time scales, and their origin, evolution and influence are still far from being well understood.

Important relationship between meso-scale structure and transfer coefficients in fluidized beds

Along with the fast development of computer technology and measurement techniques, fundamental research on fluidization is faced with both new challenges and opportunities. Among others, great attention should be focused on the meso-scale structure of fluidized beds, to study the quantitative prediction theory and optimum control method for the meso-scale structure of fluidized beds, and to establish the modeling of the relationship between meso-scale structure and momentum transfer, heat transfer, mass transfer, and chemical reaction. These efforts, combined with advanced computer simulation, are expected to solve difficult problems in optimum control and scale-up of fluidized bed processes and equipment.

Meso-scale corrosion expansion cracking of ribbed reinforced concrete based on a 3D random aggregate model

In reinforced concrete structures,corrosion of the rebar produces 2–6 times more corrosion product than the original material,creating pressure on the surrounding concrete,leading to cracking.The study of corrosion and cracking in reinforced concrete structures is therefore of great importance for enhancing the durability of concrete.Unlike many previous studies,we used ribbed rebar similar to that used commercially and considered the mechanical behavior of the interface transition zone(ITZ)between the aggregate and mortar to simulate the processes of corrosion and cracking of reinforced concrete structures.We explored the failure mode of the interface layer under uniform corrosion and the influence of different factors on the corrosion expansion cracking and the shedding mode of a concrete cover.This was achieved by establishing a three-phase meso-scale model of concrete based on secondary development of ABAQUS,simulating the mechanical behavior of the ITZ using a cohesive element,and establishing a rust expansion cracking model for single and multiple rebars.The results showed that:(1)Under uniform rust expansion,concrete cracks are distributed in a cross pattern with a slightly shorter lower limb.(2)When the corrosion rate is low,the ITZ is not damaged.With an increase in the corrosion rate,the proportion of elements with tensile damage in the ITZ first increases and then decreases.(3)In the case of a single rebar,the larger the cover thickness,the higher the corrosion rate corresponding to ITZ failure,and the arrangement of the rebar has little influence on the ITZ failure mode.(4)In the case of multiple rebars,the concrete cover cracks when the rebar spacing is small,and wedge-shaped spalling occurs when the spacing is large.

Meso-Scale Modeling for Effective Properties in Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Composites by State-Based Peridynamics

This study demonstrates a homogenization approach via a modified state-based peridynamic(PD)method to predict the effective elastic properties of composite materials with periodic microstructure.The procedure of modeling the PD unit cell(UC)of continuous fiber-reinforced composite is presented.Periodic boundary conditions are derived and implemented through the Lagrange multiplier method.A matrix-dominated approach for modeling the interphase properties between dissimilar materials is proposed.The periodicity and continuity assumptions are employed to determine the stress and strain fields,as well as the effective elastic properties.The PD-UCs of square and hexagonal packs as well as the 0/90 laminate microstructure are modeled and compared with the analytical,numerical and experimental results from the literature.Good agreement of predicted effective properties can be observed.Unlike other PD homogenization approaches,the effective material properties can be directly and individually obtained from simple loading conditions.

CMA-MESO千米尺度变分同化系统中极小化控制变量的重构

重构GRAPES(Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System)全球、区域一体化变分同化系统中的极小化控制变量,提升中、小尺度同化分析能力,为中国气象局业务区域数值预报系统CMA-MESO提供千米尺度适用的同化方案。新方案用纬向风速(u)和经向风速(v)替代原有流函数和势函数作为新的风场控制变量,采用温度和地面气压(T,ps)替代原有非平衡无量纲气压作为新的质量场控制变量,同时不再考虑准地转平衡约束,而是采用连续方程弱约束保证分析平衡。背景误差参数统计和数值试验结果表明,采用重构后的极小化控制变量,观测信息传播更加局地,分析结构更加合理,避免了原方案在中、小尺度应用时存在的虚假相关问题。连续方程弱约束的引入,限制了同化分析中辐合、辐散的不合理增长,帮助新方案在分析更加局地的同时保证分析平衡。为期1个月的连续同化循环和预报试验结果表明,新方案可以减小风场和质量场分析误差,CMAMESO系统地面降水和10 m风场的预报评分显著提升。