Cyclic Variability in Chemical Composition and Swelling-Shrinkage Properties of the Xiashu Loess Stratum near Nanjing,China

Xiashu loess strata are widely distributed along the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River in East China with the stratum near Nanjing,Jiangsu Province being typical.The cyclic variability of the stratum was investigated through comparison of geological features,chemical composition,and swelling-shrinkage properties between the loess and the paleosol layers.Based on the investigation of such a cyclic variability,soil behavior associated with the unsaturated state of the Xiashu loess stratum and its usefulness for geotechnical design and construction in the Nanjing area was analyzed. The stratum consisted of two types of cyclically alternating soil layers,namely the loess and the paleosol layers,which was the major cause for its cyclic variability.The loess and the paleosol layers were formed in different sedimentary environments.In order to avoid detrimental results from the differential engineering properties between them,this study suggested for the practitioners the importance of inspecting the variation of water content and controlling the downward net fluxes during geotechnical construction in the Nanjing area.

Heat Transfer,Knock Modeling and Cyclic Variability in a “Downsized”Spark-Ignition Turbocharged Engine

In the present paper a combined procedure for the quasi-dimensional modelling of heat transfer,combustion and knock phenomena in a “downsized”Spark Ignition two-cylinder turbocharged engine is presented.The procedure is extended to also include the effects consequent the Cyclic Variability.Heat transfer is modelled by means of a Finite Elements model.Combustion simulation is based on a fractal description of the flame front area.Cyclic Variability(CV)is characterized through the introduction of a random variation on a number of parameters controlling the rate of heat release(air/fuel ratio,initial flame kernel duration and radius,laminar flame speed,turbulence intensity).The intensity of the random variation is specified in order to realize a Coefficient Of Variation(COV)of the Indicated Mean Effective Pressure(IMEP)similar to the one measured during an experimental campaign.Moreover,the relative importance of the various concurring effects is established on the overall COV.A kinetic scheme is then solved within the unburned gas zone,characterized by different thermodynamic conditions occurring cycle-by-cycle.In this way,an optimal choice of the “knock-limited”spark advance is effected and compared with experimental data.Finally,the CV effects on the occurrence of individual knocking cycles are assessed and discussed.