Effects of Volcanic Ash on Computers and Electronic Equipment     

K.?D.?Gordon  J.?W.?ColeEmail author  M.?D.?Rosenberg  D.?M.?Johnston 《Natural Hazards》2005,34(2):231-262

Computers and electronic equipment are an important component of the infrastructure of our modern environment. It is therefore essential that we know the effects of volcanic ash on such equipment. This paper presents the results of a pilot study to test computers and cooling fans in an ash-charged environment to assess their vulnerability. In the experiment, ash was poured on to computers and cooling fans in a sealed 0.216 m³ perspex box, with the effects on both the ash and the equipment monitored. Three different types of ash (1996 Ruapehu andesitic ash, Sakurajima andesitic ash and Kaharoa rhyolitic ash) were used in the experiments.In the first experiment each type of ash was photographed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), then passed through the bearing unit of a cooling fan and photographed again afterwards. The bearings within the cooling fan continued to work even after 720 h of testing and there was no significant abrasion of the fan-shaft bearing. The ash was however fragmented, suggesting that the brittle ash shattered to fine dust, which caused significantly less abrasion to the bearings or shaft than expected. Three computers were then tested in the sealed box. Ash was introduced at increasing rates to simulate catastrophic entry of ash into a work environment, and computers were tested throughout using the BURNIN^® testing programme. Failure times ranged from 100 to 150 h; most failures occurring when humidity was increased by spraying water mist into the airflow. If dried out the computers continued to operate again if failure was not catastrophic. Card slot edge connectors proved to be one of the weakest links, as a bridge of ash formed across the gap. They were also subject to abrasion with some of the gold plating being removed. This did not however cause operating difficulties.The conclusions are that computers are more resilient than originally thought, unless the ash is moist. Simple low-tech procedures should be adequate to protect computers from small amounts of dry and moist ash contamination.  相似文献   

Position and velocity reliability testing in degraded GPS signal environments   总被引：3，自引：2，他引：1  

Heidi?Kuusniemi  Gérard?LachapelleEmail author  Jarmo?H.?Takala 《GPS Solutions》2004,8(4):226-237

Reliability testing, namely receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM), consists of statistical testing of least-squares residuals of observations, e.g., on an epoch-by-epoch basis aiming towards reliable navigation fault detection and exclusion (FDE). In this paper, classic RAIM and FDE methods are extended with testing of range-rate residuals to find inconsistent velocity solutions in order to contribute to the reliability of the system with special focus on degraded signal environments. Reliability enhancement efforts discussed include a Backward-FDE scheme based on statistical outlier detection and an iteratively reweighted robust estimation technique, a modified Danish method. In addition, measurement weighting assigned to code and Doppler observations is assessed in the paper in order to allow fitting a priori variance models to the estimation processes. The schemes discussed are also suitable in terms of computational convenience for a combined GPS/Galileo system. The objective of this paper is to assess position and velocity reliability testing and enhancement in urban and indoor conditions and to analyze the navigation accuracy conditions with high sensitivity GPS (HSGPS) tests. The results show the necessity of weighted estimation and FDE for reliability enhancement in degraded signal-environment navigation.  相似文献   

纳伪概率可控的四舍五入法及其在RTK模糊度固定中的应用   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

李博峰  沈云中  张兴福 《测绘学报》2012,41(4):483-489,495

RTK模糊度固定通常采用序贯四舍五入方法,该方法只固定能可靠固定的部分模糊度,因此控制四舍五入的纳伪概率是实现RTK可靠性的关键。从含多个备选假设的假设检验理论出发,研究纳伪概率可控的四舍五入方法,根据风险水平和实数解的质量自适应地确定四舍五入取整区域,从而有效地控制整数固定的纳伪概率。并结合GNSS应用中两种特殊情况,发展两种简单实用的应用策略。采用基线长94.6 km的CORS站GPS双频数据进行网络RTK模糊度固定试验,分析本文纳伪概率可控的四舍五入方法的效果。结果表明,纳伪概率可控的四舍五入方法的固定率与传统四舍五入方法的固定率相当,且较传统方法更能有效地控制纳伪概率,提高整数解的可靠性。  相似文献   

The astroclimatological comparison of the Paranal Observatory and El Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory     

G. Lombardi  V. Zitelli  S. Ortolani 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2009,399(2):783-793

The new extremely large telescope projects need accurate evaluation of the candidate sites. In this paper, we present the astroclimatological comparison between the Paranal Observatory, located on the coast of the Atacama Desert (Chile), and the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos (ORM), located in La Palma (Canary Islands). We apply a statistical analysis using long-term data bases from Paranal and Carlsberg Automatic Meridian Circle (CAMC) weather stations. The monthly, seasonal and annual averages of the main synoptical parameters in the two sites are computed. We compare the long-term trends in order to understand the main differences between the two sites. Significant differences between the two analysed sites have been found. Temperature has increasing trends in both observatories with somewhat higher evidence at the ORM. Seasonal variations of pressure at Paranal have been highly decreasing since 1989, and we do not see the same phenomenon at the ORM. The two sites are dominated by high pressure. In cold seasons, relative humidity (RH) is lower than 60 per cent at CAMC and 15 per cent at Paranal. In warm seasons, RH is lower than 40 per cent at CAMC and 20 per cent at Paranal. The analysis of the dew point has shown better conditions at Paranal with respect to CAMC in winter, autumn and spring before 2001, while the two sites are becoming similar afterwards. Winds at the ORM are subject to pronounced local variations.  相似文献   

The Durham/ESO SLODAR optical turbulence profiler     

R. W. Wilson  T. Butterley  M. Sarazin 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2009,399(4):2129-2138

An instrument for monitoring of the vertical profile of atmospheric optical turbulence strength, employing the Slope Detection and Ranging (SLODAR) double star technique applied to a small telescope, has been developed by Durham University and the European South Observatory. The system has been deployed at the Cerro Paranal observatory in Chile for statistical characterization of the site. The instrument is configured to sample the turbulence at altitudes below 1.5 km with a vertical resolution of approximately 170 m. The system also functions as a general-purpose seeing monitor, measuring the integrated optical turbulence strength for the whole atmosphere, and hence the seeing width. We give technical details of the prototype and present data to characterize its performance. Comparisons with contemporaneous measurements from a differential image motion monitor (DIMM) and a multi-aperture scintillation sensor (MASS) are discussed. Statistical results for the optical turbulence profile at the Paranal site are presented. We find that, in the median case, 49 per cent of the total optical turbulence strength is associated with the surface layer (below 100 m), 35 per cent with the 'free atmosphere' (above 1500 m) and 16 per cent with the intermediate altitudes (100–1500 m).  相似文献   

Assessing probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction at a given site in a given exposure time using CPTU     

C. Hsein Juang  Chih-Chieh Lu  Jin-Hung Hwang 《Engineering Geology》2009,104(3-4):223-231

This paper is a follow-up to a previous paper on the subject of liquefaction potential index (LPI), a parameter that is often used to characterize the potential for surface manifestation of liquefaction at a given site subjected to a given shaking level (represented by a pair of peak ground surface acceleration a_max and moment magnitude M_w). In the previous paper by Juang and his coworkers, the LPI was re-calibrated for a piezocone penetration test (CPTU) model, and a simplified model based on LPI was created for computing the conditional probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction (P_G). In this paper, the model for this conditional probability P_G is extended into a complete framework for assessing the probability of surface manifestation of liquefaction in a given exposure time at a given site subjected to all possible ground motions at all seismic hazard levels. This new framework is formulated and demonstrated with an example site in 10 different seismic regions in the United States.  相似文献   

LOLAS: an optical turbulence profiler in the atmospheric boundary layer with extreme altitude resolution     

R. Avila  J. L. Avilés  R. W. Wilson  M. Chun  T. Butterley  E. Carrasco 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2008,387(4):1511-1516

We report the development and first results of an instrument called Low Layer SCIDAR (Scintillation Detection and Ranging) (LOLAS) which is aimed at the measurement of optical-turbulence profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer with high altitude resolution. The method is based on the Generalized SCIDAR (GS) concept, but unlike the GS instruments which need a 1-m or larger telescope, LOLAS is implemented on a dedicated 40-cm telescope, making it an independent instrument. The system is designed for widely separated double-star targets, which enables the high altitude resolution. Using a 200-arcsec-separation double star, we have obtained turbulence profiles with unprecedented 12-m resolution. The system incorporates necessary novel algorithms for autoguiding, autofocus and image stabilization. The results presented here were obtained at Mauna Kea Observatory. They show LOLAS capabilities but cannot be considered as representative of the site. A forthcoming paper will be devoted to the site characterization. The instrument was built as part of the Ground Layer Turbulence Monitoring Campaign on Mauna Kea for Gemini Observatory.  相似文献   

The NASA Lunar Impact Monitoring Program     

Robert M. Suggs  William J. Cooke  Ronnie J. Suggs  Wesley R. Swift  Nicholas Hollon 《Earth, Moon, and Planets》2008,102(1-4):293-298

NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office has implemented a program to monitor the Moon for meteoroid impacts from the Marshall Space Flight Center. Using off-the-shelf telescopes and video equipment, the Moon is monitored for as many as 10 nights per month, depending on weather. Custom software automatically detects flashes which are confirmed by a second telescope, photometrically calibrated using background stars, and published on a website for correlation with other observations. Hypervelocity impact tests at the Ames Vertical Gun Range facility have begun to determine the luminous efficiency and ejecta characteristics. The purpose of this research is to define the impact ejecta environment for use by lunar spacecraft designers of the Constellation manned lunar program. The observational techniques and preliminary results will be discussed. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.  相似文献   

南京粉细砂空间孔隙结构表征单元体确定     

刘语  张巍  梁小龙  许林  唐心煜 《岩土力学》2019,40(7):2723-2729

确定统一的表征单元体(REV)尺寸是研究土体细观孔隙结构时首先需要解决的问题。使用6.5μm分辨率同步辐射显微CT扫描南京粉细砂试样,从土样三维重构模型的5个代表性部位提取5组立方体孔隙REV,对每个REV采用最大球算法分析,建立孔隙网络模型,从中提取孔隙率、单位体积孔隙数、孔隙平均体积、孔隙最小体积、孔隙最大半径、孔隙最小半径、孔隙平均半径、孔隙截面积平均形状因子等8个孔隙结构参数,建立其与REV尺寸间的相关性。利用假设检验T检验和F检验,最终确定样品孔隙结构参数的统一REV边长尺寸为400像素,即2.60mm。该方法可用于砂土、粉土等颗粒土体细观孔隙结构分析。  相似文献   

A semi-empirical dilatancy model for ballast fouled with plastic fines     

Beena K. SarojiniAmma  Buddhima Indraratna 《Geomechanics and Geoengineering》2019,14(1):12-17

In the era of high speed trains, it is very important to ensure the stability of rail tracks under adverse conditions including the fouling of ballast. Fouling of ballast from unstable and saturated soft subgrade soil is one of the major reasons for track deterioration. The reported results of a number of large-scale laboratory experiments on the shear behaviour of ballast and fouled ballast are analysed, herein. It was observed that fines have a significant influence on the shear behaviour of ballast. Shear strength increases and dilatancy decreases with the addition of fines. In this paper, a semi-empirical mathematical model has been proposed to capture the dilatancy of ballast fouled with fines during shearing. The empirical constants a, b and c proposed in the model are a function of the fines content Void Contamination Index (VCI). The results of the model have been compared with the laboratory experiments and are found to be in good agreement.  相似文献