Model of rigid and elastic-plastic motion in intraplate blocks and strain status of principal blocks in Chinese mainland

The model of rigid and elastic-plastic motion and strain in intraplate blocks is established in the paper. The unique of strain parameters and minimum root-mean-square error of velocity residual of blocks are tested in the model. Based on the velocity fields in Chinese mainland and its peripheral areas, the strain parameters of 8 blocks are estimated and their strain status analyzed. The estimated strain status of each block is well consistent with those derived by the methods of geology and geophysics. The principal direction of collision force from India plate to Eurasia plate estimated from the azimuth of principal compressive strain of Himalaya block might be N7.1°E.

Forecasting the Quasi-stationary Front Rainstorm in Southeast China Using the Synthetically Multilevel Analog Forecast Technology

The authors use numerical model integral products in a third level forecast of synthetically multi-level analog forecast technology.This is one of the strongest points of this study,which also includes the re-ducing mean vacant-forecast rate method,which pos-sesses many advantages with regard to filtering the analog term.Moreover,the similitude degree between samples is assessed using a combination of meteorological elements,which works better than that described using a single element in earlier analog forecast studies.Based on these techniques,the authors apply the model output,air sounding,surface observation and weather map data from 1990 to 2002 to perform an analog experiment of the quasi-stationary front rainstorm.The most important re-sults are as follows:(1) The forecast successful index is 0.36,and was improved after the forecast model was re-vised.(2) The forecast precise rate (0.59) and the lost-forecast rate (0.33) are also better than those of other methods.(3) Based on the model output data,the syn-thetically multilevel analog forecast technology can pro-duce more accurate forecasts of a quasi-stationary front rainstorm.(4) Optimal analog elements reveal that trig-gering mechanisms are located in the lower troposphere while upper level systems are more important in main-taining the phase of the rainstorm.These variables should be first taken into account in operational forecasts of the quasi-stationary front rainstorm.(5) In addition,experi-ments reveal that the position of the key zone is mainly decided by the position of the system causing the heavy rainfall.

Finite element model validation of bridge based on structural health monitoring——Part Ⅱ:Uncertainty propagation and model validation

Because of uncertainties involved in modeling, construction, and measurement systems, the assessment of the FE model validation must be conducted based on stochastic mea- surements to provide designers with confidence for further applications. In this study, based on the updated model using response surface methodology, a practical model vali- dation methodology via uncertainty propagation is presented. Several criteria of testing/ analysis correlation are introduced, and the sources of model and testing uncertainties are also discussed. After that, Monte Carlo stochastic finite element （FE） method is employed to perform the uncertainty quantification and propagation. The proposed methodology is illustrated with the examination of the validity of a large-span prestressed concrete continuous rigid frame bridge monitored under operational conditions. It can be concluded that the calculated frequencies and vibration modes of the updated FE model of Xiabaishi Bridge are consistent with the measured ones. The relative errors of each frequency are all less than 3.7%. Meanwhile, the overlap ratio indexes of each frequency are all more than 75%; The MAC values of each calculated vibration frequency are all more than 90%. The model of Xiabaishi Bridge is valid in the whole operation space including experimental design space, and its confidence level is upper than 95%. The validated FE model of Xia- baishi Bridge can reflect the current condition of Xiabaishi Bridge, and also can be used as basis of bridge health monitoring, damage identification and safety assessment.