An Improved Coupling of Numerical and Physical Models for Simulating Wave Propagation

An improved coupling of numerical and physical models for simulating 2D wave propagation is developed in this paper. In the proposed model, an unstructured finite element model （FEM） based Boussinesq equations is applied for the numerical wave simulation, and a 2D piston-type wavemaker is used for the physical wave generation. An innovative scheme combining fourth-order Lagrange interpolation and Runge-Kutta scheme is described for solving the coupling equation. A Transfer function modulation method is presented to minimize the errors induced from the hydrodynamic invalidity of the coupling model and/or the mechanical capability of the wavemaker in area where nonlinearities or dispersion predominate. The overall performance and applicability of the coupling model has been experimentally validated by accounting for both regular and irregular waves and varying bathymetry. Experimental results show that the proposed numerical scheme and transfer function modulation method are efficient for the data transfer from the numerical model to the physical model up to a deterministic level.

Wave Propagation in A Converging Channel of Arbitrary Configuration

A numerical solution was derived to determine wave field in a converging channel bounded by rubble-mound jetties. The solution was achieved by applying boundary element method. The model was applied to analyze the effect of channel convergence, the cross-section of the jetties and their physical and damping properties on wave field in the channel. The study reveals numerous non-intuitive results specific for jetted and convergent channels. The analysis shows that wave reflection is usually low and is of secondary practical importance. Wave transmission strongly depends on the channel geometry and transmitted waves may be higher than incident waves, despite reflection and damping processes. Moreover, wave transmission depends on physical and damping properties of rubble jetties and the results show that wave transmission may increase with the increasing damping properties of jetties, which is a non-intuitive feature of wave fields in jetted channels. The analysis reveals several novel results of practical importance. It is shown that the rubble-mound jetties should be constructed from the material of high porosity, which ensures low transmission. More attention should be devoted to hydraulic properties of porous materials. It is recommended to use the material of moderate damping properties. The material of high damping properties often increases the wave transmission. It is possible, by a selection of rubble-mound material, to obtain lower transmission level for steep waves than for waves of moderate steepness. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted in the wave flume to verify the theoretical results. The comparisons show that theoretical results are in fairly good agreement with experimental data.

Stress wave propagation and incompatible deformation mechanisms in rock discontinuity interfaces in deep-buried tunnels

Complex weak structural planes and fault zones induce significant heterogeneity,discontinuity,and nonlinear characteristics of a rock mass.When an earthquake occurs,these characteristics lead to extremely complex seismic wave propagation and vibrational behaviors and thus pose a huge threat to the safety and stability of deep buried tunnels.To investigate the wave propagation in a rock mass with different structural planes and fault zones,this study first introduced the theory of elastic wave propagation and elastodynamic principles and used the Zoeppritz equation to describe wave field decomposition and develop a seismic wave response model accordingly.Then,a physical wave propagation model was constructed to investigate seismic waves passing through a fault,and dynamic damage was analyzed by using shaking table tests.Finally,stress wave attenuation and dynamic incompatible deformation mechanisms in a rock mass with fault zones were explored.The results indicate that under the action of weak structural planes,stress waves appear as a complex wave field decomposition phenomenon.When a stress wave spreads to a weak structural plane,its scattering may transform into a tensile wave,generating tensile stress and destabilizing the rock mass;wave dynamic energy is absorbed by a low-strength rock through wave scattering,which significantly weakens the seismic load.Wave propagation accelerates the initiation and expansion of internal defects in the rock mass and leads to a dynamic incompatible deformation.This is one of the main causes for large deformation and even instability within rock masses.These findings provide an important reference and guide with respect to stability analysis of rock mass with weak structural planes and fault zones.

A lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling model for ELF electromagnetic waves radiated from seismic sources and its possibility observed by the CSES

Over the last century, abnormal electromagnetic(EM) emissions associated with earthquake(EQ) activities have been widely reported and recorded by ground-based and satellite observations. The mechanism of extremely low-frequency(ELF) EM waves radiated from earthquakes has been gradually established. However, whether EM waves radiated from earthquakes can be detected by low Earth orbit(LEO) satellites remains controversial. In this paper, to address these concerns, a lithosphereatmosphere-ionosphere model of ELF wave propagation is constructed. The features of the simulated EM field at LEO satellite altitudes radiated from earthquakes have been studied. The simulated EM field at the altitude of the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite(CSES) is compared with the sensitivity of electromagnetic(EM) sensors onboard the CSES. The results illustrate that an earthquake with a magnitude over 6.0 can be detected by the EM sensors of the CSES. However, this depends on the focal depth, seismogenic environment and ionospheric parameters.

Workflow to numerically reproduce laboratory ultrasonic datasets

The risks and uncertainties related to the storage of high-level radioactive waste （HLRW） can be reducedthanks to focused studies and investigations. HLRWs are going to be placed in deep geological repositories,enveloped in an engineered bentonite barrier, whose physical conditions are subjected tochange throughout the lifespan of the infrastructure. Seismic tomography can be employed to monitor itsphysical state and integrity. The design of the seismic monitoring system can be optimized via conductingand analyzing numerical simulations of wave propagation in representative repository geometry.However, the quality of the numerical results relies on their initial calibration. The main aim of this paperis to provide a workflow to calibrate numerical tools employing laboratory ultrasonic datasets. The finitedifference code SOFI2D was employed to model ultrasonic waves propagating through a laboratorysample. Specifically, the input velocity model was calibrated to achieve a best match between experimentaland numerical ultrasonic traces. Likely due to the imperfections of the contact surfaces, theresultant velocities of P- and S-wave propagation tend to be noticeably lower than those a prioriassigned. Then, the calibrated model was employed to estimate the attenuation in a montmorillonitesample. The obtained low quality factors （Q） suggest that pronounced inelastic behavior of the clay has tobe taken into account in geophysical modeling and analysis. Consequently, this contribution should beconsidered as a first step towards the creation of a numerical tool to evaluate wave propagation innuclear waste repositories. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.