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At least 541 records · Page 30

A Lagrangian method for a two layer shallow water model

One of the biggest drawbacks of Eulerian methods is the presence of the nonlinear convective terms which leads to inaccurate representations of advection and fronts. An alternative and conceptually simpler approach is the Lagrangian approach in which the fluid particles themselves are tracked and equations are derived based on local spatial interaction. In this formulation the nonlinear convective terms do not appear. The main drawback with the Lagrangian formulation, however, is that the local spatial interactions are time dependent. That is, at each time level, one must know the current neighbors of a given particle to accurately compute the forces acting on the particle. The Voroni Mesh which is continuously deforming and always linking nearest neighbors is needed. The effectiveness of a simple Lagrangian method for simulating the onset of a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a 2 layer fluid is demonstrated.

Augenbaum, J. M.↗

Why large earthquakes do not nucleate at shallow depths

Spontaneous rupture models were examined to determine if gradients of average stress-drop and average strength relative to ambient stress account for earthquake nucleation near the base of the seismogenic layer. The frictional strength has been proved to increase with normal stress, which (across a fault) increases with depth in concert with the frictional strength. It is assumed that the large earthquakes occur at a time when the applied stress is equal to the frictional strength. A gradient has been found in frictional strength relative to the ambient stress and the stress-drop with depth. Attention is given to two cases where a circular crack appears, and radiates outward. It is shown that nucleation in the lower part of the seismogenic region will permit growth into a large earthquake, while nucleation in the lower stress-drop regime will encapsulate the crack. It is concluded that only cracks propagating in a high stress-drop regime can move easily into a relatively lower strength region.

Das, S.↗

Transitions in shallow convection - An explanation for lateral cell expansion

The generalized, seven-coefficient model presented for two-dimensional Rayleigh-Benard convection successfully simulates one way in which lateral cell expansion can occur as the value of the imposed vertical temperature difference is changed. The triad of interacting wavenumbers is varied as the vertical heating rate is varied and only the energetically active components are retained, so that transitional behavior within two-dimensional convective flow can be both simulated and physically interpreted as the representation of the cell expansion process via successive secondary branching. It is found that while a two-dimensional cell broadening mechanism is likely to operate for small Prandtl number values, a three-dimensional mechanism is expected at values greater than about 0.7.

Chang, H.-R.↗

An Einstein Observatory X-ray survey of main-sequence stars with shallow convection zones

The results of an X-ray survey of bright late A and early F stars on the main B-V sequence between 0.1 and 0.5 are presented. All the stars were observed with the Einstein Observatory for a period of at least 500 seconds. The survey results show significantly larger X-ray luminosities for the sample binaries than for the single stars. It is suggested that the difference is due to the presence of multiple X-ray sources in binaries. It is shown that the X-ray luminosities for single stars increase rapidly with increasing color, and that the relation Lx/Lbol is equal to about 10 to the -7th does not hold for A stars. No correlation was found between X-ray luminosity and projected equatorial rotation velocity. It is argued on the basis of the observations that X-ray emission in the sample stars originated from coronae. The available observational evidence supporting this view is discussed.

Schmitt, J. H. M. M.↗

Characterization of shallow ocean sediments using the airborne electromagnetic method

Experimental airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey data collected in Cape Cod Bay are used to derive continuous profiles of water depth, electrical depth, water conductivity, and bottom sediment conductivity. Through a few well-known empirical relationships, the conductivities are used, in turn, to derive density, porosity, sound speed, and acoustic reflectivity of the ocean bottom. A commercially available Dighem III AEM system was used for the survey without any significant modification. The helicopter-borne system operated at 385 and 7200 Hz; both were in a horizontal coplanar configuration. The interpreted profiles show good agreement with available ground truth data. Where no such data are available, the results appear to be very reasonable. Compared with the shipborne electrode array method, the AEM method can determine the necessary parameters at a much higher speed with a better lateral resolution over a wide range of water depths from 0 to perhaps 100 m. The bottom sediment conductivity that can be measured by the AEM method is closely related to physical properties of sediments, such as porosity, density, sound speed, and, indirectly, sediment types that might carry broad implications for various offshore activities.

Won, I. J.↗

Distribution and state of H2O in the high-latitude shallow subsurface of Mars

The state and distribution of H2O molecules at high latitudes are evaluated numerically with emphasis on the effects of seasonal temperatures on the kinetics of H2O transport. The investigation is carried out with a thermal model for the regolith regions from the surface through the ice interface and an atmospheric model for the H2O vapor density at the surface as a function of latitude. Few differences are found in the state and distribution of H2O whether the regolith is composed of Montmorillonite or basalt. During an obliquity cycle, the average exchanged H2O mass is determined to be in the range 1-20 gr/sq cm over the planetary surface, with a total maximum exchanged volume of 1500 cu km of H2O. The exchanged mass would arise mainly from ground ice in the case of a basalt regolith and from adsorbed H2O with Montmorillonite. Finally, seasonal ice stabilization is expected to occur at latitudes above 40 deg when obliquities exceed 25 deg.

Zent, A. P.↗

Flow regimes in a shallow rotating cylindrical annulus with temperature gradients imposed on the horizontal boundaries

Experimental flow regime diagrams are determined for a new rotating cylindrical annulus configuration which permits a measure of control over the internal vertical temperature gradient. The new annulus has radial temperature gradients imposed on plane horizontal thermally conducting endwalls (with the cylindrical sidewalls as insulators) and is considered to be more relevant to atmospheric dynamics studies than the classical cylindrical annulus. Observations have revealed that, in addition to the axisymmetric flow and nonaxisymmetric baroclinic wave flow which occur in the classical annulus, two additional nonaxisymmetric flow types occur in the new annulus: boundary-layer thermal convection and deep thermal convection. Flow regime diagrams for three different values of the imposed vertical temperature difference are presented, and explanations for the flow transitions are offered. The new annulus provides scientific backup for the proposed Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment for Spacelab. The apparatus diagram is included.

Hathaway, D. H.↗

Effect of a shallow low-viscosity zone on small-scale instabilities under the cooling oceanic plates

The effects of a low-viscosity zone in the uppermost mantle on instabilities in the cooling oceanic plates are discussed. The viscosity structure in the upper mantle is approximated by three layers consisting of a conducting lid overlying the low-viscosity zone, which in turn overlies a constant viscosity layer extending to the base of the upper mantle. It is found that this model can reproduce both the small-scale undulations and the flattening of the depth-age and heat flow-age curves.

Robinson, Elisabeth M.↗

The effect of a shallow low-viscosity zone on the mantle flow, the geoid anomalies and the geoid and depth-age relationships at fracture zones

A two-dimensional FEM is used to investigate the flow driven by the horizontal temperature gradient at a fracture zone and to calculate the resulting geoid and topography anomalies. Using a three-layered viscosity structure for the upper mantle, results are presented for the effects of varying: (1) the viscosity contrast between the fluid layers: (2) the Rayleigh number based on the viscosity of the bottom layer; and (3) the thickness of the low-viscosity channel. Good agreement is obtained with the results of geoid anomalies over the Udintsev fracture zone when the viscosity of the top layer is greater than one order of magnitude less than post-glacial rebound values.

Robinson, Elizabeth M.↗

The role of boron and fluids in high temperature, shallow level metamorphism of the Chugach Metamorphic Complex, Alaska

The possible role of boron (B) involvement in granite equilibria and generation of melts during crustal metamorphism has been a focus of speculation in recent literature. Most of the evidence for such involvement derives from experimental data which implies that the addition of B will lower the temperature of the granite solidus. Also the presence of tourmaline has a minor effect on the temperature of the solidus. Further indirect evidence that B may be involved in partial melting processes is the observation that granulites are commonly depleted in B, whereas the B content of low grade metapelites can be high (up to 2000 ppm). Researchers' measurements of the whole-rock B contents of granulites from the Madras region, India are low, ranging from 0.4 to 2.6 ppm. Ahmad and Wilson suggest that B was mobilized in the fluid phase during granulite facies metamorphism of the Broken Hill Complex, Australia. Thus, it appears that during the amphibolite to granulite transition, B is systematically lost from metasediments. The B that is released will probably partition into the vapor phase and/or melt phase. Preliminary measurements imply that the boron content of rocks in the Chugach Metamorphic Complex is not sufficient to influence the processes of partial melting at low pressures.

Sisson, V. B.↗

A unified view of convective transports by stratocumulus clouds, shallow cumulus clouds, and deep convection

A bulk planetary boundary layer (PBL) model was developed with a simple internal vertical structure and a simple second-order closure, designed for use as a PBL parameterization in a large-scale model. The model allows the mean fields to vary with height within the PBL, and so must address the vertical profiles of the turbulent fluxes, going beyond the usual mixed-layer assumption that the fluxes of conservative variables are linear with height. This is accomplished using the same convective mass flux approach that has also been used in cumulus parameterizations. The purpose is to show that such a mass flux model can include, in a single framework, the compensating subsidence concept, downgradient mixing, and well-mixed layers.

Randall, David A.↗

Fractional cloudiness in shallow cumulus layers

Fractional cloudiness influences the planetary boundary layer (PBL) by controlling the cloud-top radiative cooling rate, and regulating the buoyant production and consumption of turbulence kinetic energy. Betts, Hanson, and Albrecht have modeled partly cloudy PBLs by assuming a single family of convective circulations. The same idealized model has been used in observational studies, based on conditional sampling and/or joint distribution functions, by Lenschow, Albrecht, and others. This approach is extended. None of these authors has proposed a method to determine the fractional area covered by rising motion; finding such a method was a key objective of the present study.

Randall, David A.↗

Large Deformation Behavior of Long Shallow Cylindrical Composite Panels

An exact solution is presented for the large deformation response of a simply supported orthotropic cylindrical panel subjected to a uniform line load along a cylinder generator. The cross section of the cylinder is circular and deformations up to the fully snapped through position are investigated. The orthotropic axes are parallel to the generator and circumferential directions. The governing equations are derived using laminated plate theory, nonlinear strain-displacement relations, and applying variational principles. The response is investigated for the case of a panel loaded exactly at midspan and for a panel with the load offset from midspan. The mathematical formulation is one dimensional in the circumferential coordinate. Solutions are obtained in closed-form. An experimental apparatus was designed to load the panels. Experimental results of displacement controlled tests performed on graphite-epoxy curved panels are compared with analytical predictions.

Carper, Douglas M.↗

Nondimensional parameters and equations for buckling of symmetrically laminated thin elastic shallow shells

A method of deriving nondimensional equations and identifying the fundamental parameters associated with bifurcation buckling of anisotropic shells subjected to combined loads is presented. The procedure and rationale used to obtain useful nondimensional forms of the transverse equilibrium and compatibility equations for buckling are presented. Fundamental parameters are identified that represent the importance of both membrane and bending orthotropy and anisotropy on the results.

Nemeth, Michael P.↗