Numerical parametric study on the influence of location and inclination of large-scale asperities on the shear strength of concreterock interfaces of small buttress dams

When assessing the sliding stability of a concrete dam,the influence of large-scale asperities in the sliding plane is often ignored due to limitations of the analytical rigid body assessment methods provided by current dam assessment guidelines.However,these asperities can potentially improve the load capacity of a concrete dam in terms of sliding stability.Although their influence in a sliding plane has been thoroughly studied for direct shear,their influence under eccentric loading,as in the case of dams,is unknown.This paper presents the results of a parametric study that used finite element analysis(FEA)to investigate the influence of large-scale asperities on the load capacity of small buttress dams.By varying the inclination and location of an asperity located in the concrete-rock interface along with the strength of the rock foundation material,transitions between different failure modes and correlations between the load capacity and the varied parameters were observed.The results indicated that the inclination of the asperity had a significant impact on the failure mode.When the inclinationwas 30and greater,interlocking occurred between the dam and foundation and the governing failure modes were either rupture of the dam body or asperity.When the asperity inclination was significant enough to provide interlocking,the load capacity of the dam was impacted by the strength of the rock in the foundation through influencing the load capacity of the asperity.The location of the asperity along the concrete-rock interface did not affect the failure mode,except for when the asperity was located at the toe of the dam,but had an influence on the load capacity when the failure occurred by rupture of the buttress or by sliding.By accounting for a single large-scale asperity in the concrete-rock interface of the analysed dam,a horizontal load capacity increase of 30%e160%was obtained,depending on the inclination and location of the asperity and the strength of the foundation material.

Study of hydro-mechanical behaviours of rough rock fracture with shear dilatancy and asperities using shear-flow model

The geometric properties of fracture surfaces significantly influence shear-seepage in rock fractures,introducing complexities to fracture modelling.The present study focuses on the hydro-mechanical behaviours of rough rock fractures during shear-seepage processes to reveal how dilatancy and fracture asperities affect these phenomena.To achieve this,an improved shear-flow model(SFM)is proposed with the incorporation of dilatancy effect and asperities.In particular,shear dilatancy is accounted for in both the elastic and plastic stages,in contrast to some existing models that only consider it in the elastic stage.Depending on the computation approaches for the peak dilatancy angle,three different versions of the SFM are derived based on Mohr-Coulomb,joint roughness coefficient-joint compressive strength(JRC-JCS),and Grasselli’s theories.Notably,this is a new attempt that utilizes Grasselli’s model in shearseepage analysis.An advanced parameter optimization method is introduced to accurately determine model parameters,addressing the issue of local optima inherent in some conventional methods.Then,model performance is evaluated against existing experimental results.The findings demonstrate that the SFM effectively reproduces the shear-seepage characteristics of rock fracture across a wide range of stress levels.Further sensitivity analysis reveals how dilatancy and asperity affect hydraulic properties.The relation between hydro-mechanical properties(dilatancy displacement and hydraulic conductivity)and asperity parameters is analysed.Several profound understandings of the shear-seepage process are obtained by exploring the phenomenon under various conditions.

A multi-scale second-order autoregressive recursive filter approach for the sea ice concentration analysis

To effectively extract multi-scale information from observation data and improve computational efficiency,a multi-scale second-order autoregressive recursive filter(MSRF)method is designed.The second-order autoregressive filter used in this study has been attempted to replace the traditional first-order recursive filter used in spatial multi-scale recursive filter(SMRF)method.The experimental results indicate that the MSRF scheme successfully extracts various scale information resolved by observations.Moreover,compared with the SMRF scheme,the MSRF scheme improves computational accuracy and efficiency to some extent.The MSRF scheme can not only propagate to a longer distance without the attenuation of innovation,but also reduce the mean absolute deviation between the reconstructed sea ice concentration results and observations reduced by about 3.2%compared to the SMRF scheme.On the other hand,compared with traditional first-order recursive filters using in the SMRF scheme that multiple filters are executed,the MSRF scheme only needs to perform two filter processes in one iteration,greatly improving filtering efficiency.In the two-dimensional experiment of sea ice concentration,the calculation time of the MSRF scheme is only 1/7 of that of SMRF scheme.This means that the MSRF scheme can achieve better performance with less computational cost,which is of great significance for further application in real-time ocean or sea ice data assimilation systems in the future.

The Convergence Rate of Fréchet Distribution under the Second-Order Regular Variation Condition

In this article we consider the asymptotic behavior of extreme distribution with the extreme value index γ>0 . The rates of uniform convergence for Fréchet distribution are constructed under the second-order regular variation condition.

Closed-form steady-state solutions for forced vibration of second-order axially moving systems

Second-order axially moving systems are common models in the field of dynamics, such as axially moving strings, cables, and belts. In the traditional research work, it is difficult to obtain closed-form solutions for the forced vibration when the damping effect and the coupling effect of multiple second-order models are considered.In this paper, Green's function method based on the Laplace transform is used to obtain closed-form solutions for the forced vibration of second-order axially moving systems. By taking the axially moving damping string system and multi-string system connected by springs as examples, the detailed solution methods and the analytical Green's functions of these second-order systems are given. The mode functions and frequency equations are also obtained by the obtained Green's functions. The reliability and convenience of the results are verified by several examples. This paper provides a systematic analytical method for the dynamic analysis of second-order axially moving systems, and the obtained Green's functions are applicable to different second-order systems rather than just string systems. In addition, the work of this paper also has positive significance for the study on the forced vibration of high-order systems.

Three-dimensional mixed convection stagnation-point fow past a vertical surface with second-order slip velocity

This study is concerned with the three-dimensional(3D)stagnation-point for the mixed convection flow past a vertical surface considering the first-order and secondorder velocity slips.To the authors’knowledge,this is the first study presenting this very interesting analysis.Nonlinear partial differential equations for the flow problem are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations(ODEs)by using appropriate similarity transformation.These ODEs with the corresponding boundary conditions are numerically solved by utilizing the bvp4c solver in MATLAB programming language.The effects of the governing parameters on the non-dimensional velocity profiles,temperature profiles,skin friction coefficients,and the local Nusselt number are presented in detail through a series of graphs and tables.Interestingly,it is reported that the reduced skin friction coefficient decreases for the assisting flow situation and increases for the opposing flow situation.The numerical computations of the present work are compared with those from other research available in specific situations,and an excellent consensus is observed.Another exciting feature for this work is the existence of dual solutions.An important remark is that the dual solutions exist for both assisting and opposing flows.A linear stability analysis is performed showing that one solution is stable and the other solution is not stable.We notice that the mixed convection and velocity slip parameters have strong effects on the flow characteristics.These effects are depicted in graphs and discussed in this paper.The obtained results show that the first-order and second-order slip parameters have a considerable effect on the flow,as well as on the heat transfer characteristics.

Six New Sets of the Non-Elementary Jef-Family-Functions that Are Giving Solutions to Some Second-Order Nonlinear Autonomous ODEs

In this paper, we define some new sets of non-elementary functions in a group of solutions x(t) that are sine and cosine to the upper limit of integration in a non-elementary integral that can be arbitrary. We are using Abel’s methods, described by Armitage and Eberlein. The key is to start with a non-elementary integral function, differentiating and inverting, and then define a set of three functions that belong together. Differentiating these functions twice gives second-order nonlinear ODEs that have the defined set of functions as solutions. We will study some of the second-order nonlinear ODEs, especially those that exhibit limit cycles. Using the methods described in this paper, it is possible to define many other sets of non-elementary functions that are giving solutions to some second-order nonlinear autonomous ODEs.

Second-Order MaxEnt Predictive Modelling Methodology. I: Deterministically Incorporated Computational Model (2nd-BERRU-PMD)

This work presents a comprehensive second-order predictive modeling (PM) methodology designated by the acronym 2nd-BERRU-PMD. The attribute “2nd” indicates that this methodology incorporates second-order uncertainties (means and covariances) and second-order sensitivities of computed model responses to model parameters. The acronym BERRU stands for “Best- Estimate Results with Reduced Uncertainties” and the last letter (“D”) in the acronym indicates “deterministic,” referring to the deterministic inclusion of the computational model responses. The 2nd-BERRU-PMD methodology is fundamentally based on the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) principle. This principle is in contradistinction to the fundamental principle that underlies the extant data assimilation and/or adjustment procedures which minimize in a least-square sense a subjective user-defined functional which is meant to represent the discrepancies between measured and computed model responses. It is shown that the 2nd-BERRU-PMD methodology generalizes and extends current data assimilation and/or data adjustment procedures while overcoming the fundamental limitations of these procedures. In the accompanying work (Part II), the alternative framework for developing the “second- order MaxEnt predictive modelling methodology” is presented by incorporating probabilistically (as opposed to “deterministically”) the computed model responses.

Second-Order MaxEnt Predictive Modelling Methodology. II: Probabilistically Incorporated Computational Model (2nd-BERRU-PMP)

This work presents a comprehensive second-order predictive modeling (PM) methodology based on the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) principle for obtaining best-estimate mean values and correlations for model responses and parameters. This methodology is designated by the acronym 2nd-BERRU-PMP, where the attribute “2nd” indicates that this methodology incorporates second- order uncertainties (means and covariances) and second (and higher) order sensitivities of computed model responses to model parameters. The acronym BERRU stands for “Best-Estimate Results with Reduced Uncertainties” and the last letter (“P”) in the acronym indicates “probabilistic,” referring to the MaxEnt probabilistic inclusion of the computational model responses. This is in contradistinction to the 2nd-BERRU-PMD methodology, which deterministically combines the computed model responses with the experimental information, as presented in the accompanying work (Part I). Although both the 2nd-BERRU-PMP and the 2nd-BERRU-PMD methodologies yield expressions that include second (and higher) order sensitivities of responses to model parameters, the respective expressions for the predicted responses, for the calibrated predicted parameters and for their predicted uncertainties (covariances), are not identical to each other. Nevertheless, the results predicted by both the 2nd-BERRU-PMP and the 2nd-BERRU-PMD methodologies encompass, as particular cases, the results produced by the extant data assimilation and data adjustment procedures, which rely on the minimization, in a least-square sense, of a user-defined functional meant to represent the discrepancies between measured and computed model responses.

Second-Order MaxEnt Predictive Modelling Methodology. III: Illustrative Application to a Reactor Physics Benchmark

This work illustrates the innovative results obtained by applying the recently developed the 2nd-order predictive modeling methodology called “2nd- BERRU-PM”, where the acronym BERRU denotes “best-estimate results with reduced uncertainties” and “PM” denotes “predictive modeling.” The physical system selected for this illustrative application is a polyethylene-reflected plutonium (acronym: PERP) OECD/NEA reactor physics benchmark. This benchmark is modeled using the neutron transport Boltzmann equation (involving 21,976 uncertain parameters), the solution of which is representative of “large-scale computations.” The results obtained in this work confirm the fact that the 2nd-BERRU-PM methodology predicts best-estimate results that fall in between the corresponding computed and measured values, while reducing the predicted standard deviations of the predicted results to values smaller than either the experimentally measured or the computed values of the respective standard deviations. The obtained results also indicate that 2nd-order response sensitivities must always be included to quantify the need for including (or not) the 3rd- and/or 4th-order sensitivities. When the parameters are known with high precision, the contributions of the higher-order sensitivities diminish with increasing order, so that the inclusion of the 1st- and 2nd-order sensitivities may suffice for obtaining accurate predicted best- estimate response values and best-estimate standard deviations. On the other hand, when the parameters’ standard deviations are sufficiently large to approach (or be outside of) the radius of convergence of the multivariate Taylor-series which represents the response in the phase-space of model parameters, the contributions stemming from the 3rd- and even 4th-order sensitivities are necessary to ensure consistency between the computed and measured response. In such cases, the use of only the 1st-order sensitivities erroneously indicates that the computed results are inconsistent with the respective measured response. Ongoing research aims at extending the 2nd-BERRU-PM methodology to fourth-order, thus enabling the computation of third-order response correlations (skewness) and fourth-order response correlations (kurtosis).

Second-Order Raman Scattering from n- and p-Type 4H-SiC

The results of second-order Raman-scattering experiments on n- and p-type 4H-SiC are presented,covering the acoustic and the optical overtone spectral regions.Some of the observed structures in the spectra are assigned to particular phonon branches and the points in the Brillouin zone from which the scattering originates.There exists a doublet at 626/636cm -1 with energy difference about 10cm -1 in both n- and p-type 4H-SiC,which is similar to the doublet structure with the same energy difference founded in hexagonal GaN,ZnO, and AlN.The cutoff frequency at 1926cm -1 of the second-order Raman is not the overtone of the A 1(LO) peak of the n-type doping 4H-SiC,but that of the undoping one.The second-order Raman spectrum of 4H-SiC can hardly be affected by doping species or doping density.

Anti-periodic solutions to a class of second-order evolution equations

In this paper we discuss the anti-periodic problem for a class of abstractnonlinear second-order evolution equations associated with maximal monotone operators in Hilbertspaces and give some new assumptions on operators. We establish the existence and uniqueness ofanti-periodic solutions, which improve andgeneralize the results that have been obtained. Finally weillustrate the abstract theory by discussing a simple example of an anti-periodic problem fornonlinear partial differential equations.

Anti-interference beam pattern design based on second-order cone programming optimization

When signal-to-interference ratio is low, the energy of strong interference leaked from the side lobe of beam pattern will infect the detection of weak target. Therefore, the beam pattern needs to be optimized. The existing Dolph-Chebyshev weighting method can get the lowest side lobe level under given main lobe width, but for the other non-uniform circular array and nonlinear array, the low side lobe pattern needs to be designed specially. The second order cone programming optimization （SOCP） algorithm proposed in the paper transforms the optimization of the beam pattern into a standard convex optimization problem. Thus there is a paradigm to follow for any array formation, which not only achieves the purpose of Dolph-Chebyshev weighting, but also solves the problem of the increased side lobe when the signal is at end fire direction The simulation proves that the SOCP algorithm can detect the weak target better than the conventional beam forming.

Stability analysis for a second-order continuous finite-time control system subject to a disturbance

In this paper, using finite-time control method, we consider the disturbance analysis of a second-order system with unknown but bounded disturbance. We show that the states of the second-order system will be stabilized to a region containing the origin. The radius of this region is determined by the control parameters and can be rendered as small as desired. The rigorous stability analysis is also given. Compared with the conventional PD control law, the finite-time control law yields a better disturbance rejection performance. Numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the method.

Cluster consensus of second-order multi-agent systems via pinning control

This paper investigates the cluster consensus problem for second-order multi-agent systems by applying the pinning control method to a small collection of the agents. Consensus is attained independently for different agent clusters according to the community structure generated by the group partition of the underlying graph and sufficient conditions for both cluster and general consensus are obtained by using results from algebraic graph theory and the LaSalle Invariance Principle. Finally, some simple simulations are presented to illustrate the technique.

Improved design of reconfigurable frequency response masking filters based on second-order cone programming

In order to improve the design results for the reconfigurable frequency response masking FRM filters an improved design method based on second-order cone programming SOCP is proposed.Unlike traditional methods that separately design the proposed method takes all the desired designing modes into consideration when designing all the subfilters. First an initial solution is obtained by separately designing the subfilters and then the initial solution is updated by iteratively solving a SOCP problem. The proposed method is evaluated on a design example and simulation results demonstrate that jointly designing all the subfilters can obtain significantly lower minimax approximation errors compared to the conventional design method.

Eigenstructure assignment in a class of second-order dynamic systems

Eigenstructure assignment using the proportional-plus-derivative feedback controller in a class of secondorder dynamic system is investigated. Simple, general, complete parametric expressions for both the closed-loop eigenvector matrix and the feedback gains are established based on two simple Smith form reductions. The approach utilizes directly the original system data and involves manipulations only on n-dimensional matrices. Furthermore, it reveals all the degrees of freedom which can be further utilized to achieve additional system specifications. An example shows the effect of the proposed approach.

Consensus problem of second-order multi-agent systems with time-varying communication delay and switching topology

Leader-following stationary consensus problem is investigated for the second-order multi-agent systems with timevarying communication delay and switching topology. Based on Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and Lyapunov-Razumikhin functions respectively, consensus criterions in the form of linear matrix inequality （LMI） are obtained for the system with time-varying communication delays under static interconnection topology con- verging to the leader＇s states. Moreover, the delay-dependent consensus criterion in the form of LMI is also obtained for the system with time-invariant communication delay and switching topologies by constructing Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Numerical simulations present the correctness of the results.

Infinitely many periodic solutions for second-order Hamiltonian systems

The existence of high energy periodic solutions for the second-order Hamiltonian system -ü（t）＋A（t）u（t）=▽F（t,u（t）） with convex and concave nonlinearities is studied, where F（t, u） = F1（t,u）＋F2（t,u）. Under the condition that F is an even functional, infinitely many solutions for it are obtained by the variant fountain theorem. The result is a complement for some known ones in the critical point theory.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF METHANE-AIR TURBULENT JET FLAME USING A NEW SECOND-ORDER MOMENT MODEL

A new second-order moment model for turbulent combustion is applied in the simulation of methane-air turbulent jet flame. The predicted results are compared with the experimental results and with those predicted using the well-known EBU-Arrhenius model and the original second-order moment model. The comparison shows the advantage of the new model that it requires almost the same computational storage and time as that of the original second-order moment model, but its modeling results are in better agreement with experiments than those using other models. Hence, the new second-order moment model is promising in modeling turbulent combustion with NOx formation with finite reaction rate for engineering application.