Towards Formulation of a Space-borne System for Early Warning of Floods: Can Cost-Effectiveness Outweigh Prediction Uncertainty?     

Faisal Hossain 《Natural Hazards》2006,37(3):263-276

The three most important components necessary for functioning of an operational flood warning system are: (1) a rainfall measuring system; (2) a soil moisture updating system; and, (3) a surface discharge measuring system. Although surface based networks for these systems can be largely inadequate in many parts of the world, this inadequacy particularly affects the tropics, which are most vulnerable to flooding hazards. Furthermore, the tropical regions comprise developing countries lacking the financial resources for such surface-based monitoring. The heritage of research conducted on evaluating the potential for measuring discharge from space has now morphed into an agenda for a mission dedicated to space-based surface discharge measurements. This mission juxtaposed with two other upcoming space-based missions: (1) for rainfall measurement (Global Precipitation Measurement, GPM), and (2) soil moisture measurement (Hydrosphere State, HYDROS), bears promise for designing a fully space-borne system for early warning of floods. Such a system, if operational, stands to offer tremendous socio-economic benefit to many flood-prone developing nations of the tropical world. However, there are two competing aspects that need careful assessment to justify the viability of such a system: (1) cost-effectiveness due to surface data scarcity; and (2) flood prediction uncertainty due to uncertainty in the remote sensing measurements. This paper presents the flood hazard mitigation opportunities offered by the assimilation of the three proposed space missions within the context of these two competing aspects. The discussion is cast from the perspective of current understanding of the prediction uncertainties associated with space-based flood prediction. A conceptual framework for a fully space-borne system for early-warning of floods is proposed. The need for retrospective validation of such a system on historical data comprising floods and its associated socio-economic impact is stressed. This proposal for a fully space-borne system, if pursued through wide interdisciplinary effort as recommended herein, promises to enhance the utility of the three space missions more than what their individual agenda can be expected to offer.  相似文献   

Strain softening of K0-consolidated Changi sand under plane-strain conditions     

D. Wanatowski  J. Chu 《Acta Geotechnica》2006,1(1):29-42

Experimental results are presented in this paper to study the strain softening behaviour of a marine dredged sand under plane-strain conditions. K₀ consolidated drained and undrained tests were conducted using a new plane-strain apparatus to characterize the strain softening behaviour of the sand under plane-strain conditions. For medium dense specimens, strain softening and shear bands were observed to occur under both drained and undrained conditions. For very loose specimens, no shear bands were observed and critical states were reached within the homogeneous deformation region in both drained and undrained tests. Strain softening was observed to occur at small strain for very loose specimens under undrained conditions. Two types of strain softening, the homogenous softening and banding softening, were identified and the conditions for strain softening were established. The results obtained from this study were compared with the studies by Han and Vardoulakis (Géotechnique 41(1):49–78, 1991), Finno et al. (J Geotech Eng ASCE 122(6):462–473, 1996, Géotechnique 47(1):149–165, 1997) and Mokni and Desrues (Mech Cohes-Frict Mat 4:419–441, 1998).  相似文献   

Assessment of Marine Clay Improvement Under Reclamation Fills by in-situ Testing Methods     

A. Arulrajah  H. Nikraz  M. W. Bo 《Geotechnical and Geological Engineering》2006,24(2):219-226

In ground improvement projects with prefabricated vertical drains, the duration of the preloading period is set in advance based on the predetermined time rate of consolidation of the compressible layer. If prediction is accurately done, the required degree of consolidation is met at the pre-determined preloading time. As such, there is a requirement for in-situ tests to be carried out just prior to the removal of surcharge to assess the degree of consolidation of the improved ground. In-situ tests were carried out after 23 months of surcharge loading at the In-Situ Test Site within the Changi East Reclamation Project in the Republic of Singapore. In-situ testing works in this research study comprises the use of field vane shear, piezocone, flat dilatometer and self-boring pressuremeter. The in-situ tests were carried out to determine the shear strength and degree of consolidation of the Singapore marine clay at Changi after 23 months of surcharge loading. The In-Situ Test Site consisted of a Vertical Drain Area as well as an untreated Control Area. Both areas were located adjacent to each other and were surcharged simultaneously to the same level and surcharge left in place for a period of 23 months. Comparison was made between the in-situ test results of the Vertical Drain Area and the untreated Control Area.  相似文献   

用强度折减法和FLAC^3D计算边坡的安全系数   总被引：4，自引：0，他引：4  

李新坡陈永波  王永杰何思明 王成华 《山地学报》2006,24(B10):235-239

对采用强度折减法和FLAC^3D计算边坡的安全系数问题进行了研究。对边坡破坏的判断标准、边坡滑面位置的确定及计算参数对安全系数计算结果的影响进行了分析。结果表明，用FLAC计算时，边坡的破坏可以通过节点最大不平衡力突变、节点最大速度突变、特定点位移的不收敛等特征进行判断，同时边坡破坏的滑面也可以由速度等值线图等方法表示出来。另外，通过分析发现，弹性常数、剪胀角等参数对安全系数计算结果的影响不大。  相似文献   

GIS-based flood hazard mapping at different administrative scales: A case study in Gangetic West Bengal, India   总被引：4，自引：0，他引：4  

Joy Sanyal  X.X. Lu 《Singapore journal of tropical geography》2006,27(2):207-220

This paper addresses the need for an efficient and cost-effective methodology for preparing flood hazard maps in data poor countries, particularly those under a monsoon regime where floods pose a recurrent danger. Taking Gangetic West Bengal, India, as an example and using available historical data from government agencies, the study compiled a regional map indicating hazard prone subregional areas for further detailed investigation, thereby isolating actual high risk localities. Using a GIS (Geographical Information System), a composite hazard index was devised incorporating variables of flood frequency, population density, transportation networks, access to potable water, and availability of high ground and maximum risk zones were mapped accordingly. A digital elevation model derived from high resolution imagery available in the public domain was used to calculate elevated areas suitable for temporary shelter during a flood. Selecting administrative units of analysis at the lowest possible scales – rural development blocks (regional) and revenue villages (subregional) – also ensures that hazard mapping is prepared in line with the existing rural planning and administrative authorities responsible for remedial intervention.  相似文献   

Compressibility and shear strength of a residual soil     

Yahia E.-A. Mohamedzein  Mohammed H. Aboud 《Geotechnical and Geological Engineering》2006,24(5):1385-1401

A detailed study was performed to investigate the compressibility and the shear strength of a residual soil in Omdurman, Sudan. The soil resulted from weathering of sandstone and mudstone. The soil is classified as sandy clayey silt (MH-CH) and is generally partially saturated. Consolidation tests were performed to study the compressibility of the soil and UU, CIU and insitu tests (CPT and SPT) were performed to study the shear strength characteristics of the soil. The characteristics of this residual soil can generally be predicted using correlations proposed in the literature for transported soils. The soil is of low to medium compressibility and exhibits slight apparent overconsolidation behavior. The soil dilates during shear and shows no long term effective cohesion. Problems associated with open cuts in this soil are attributed to loss of strength upon saturation.  相似文献   

A Solution to the Problem of Predicting the Suitability of Silty–clayey Materials for Cement-stabilization     

Evangelos I. Stavridakis 《Geotechnical and Geological Engineering》2006,24(2):379-398

Major geotechnical problems in construction involving silty–clayey soils are due to their low strength, durability and high compressibility of soft soils, and the swell–shrink nature of the overconsolidated swelling soils. Confronted with these problems, a suitable ground improvement technique is needed, for deep excavations in soft clays, for stability, durability and deformation control. Cement-stabilization is one of the alternatives. An increase in strength and durability, reduction in deformability are the main aims of this method. Conventional cement-stabilization methods are used mainly for surface treatment. However, the use of cement has recently been extended to a greater depth in which cement columns were installed to act as a type of soil reinforcement (deep cement–soil mixing and cement jet grouting). In situ engineering properties of these silty–clayey soils are often variable and difficult to predict. For this reason cement-stabilization methods have a basic target to control the aforementioned engineering properties of these clays so that the properties of a silty–clayey soil become more like the properties of a soft rock such as clayey shale or lightly cemented sandstone. So cement-stabilization of these soils is essential to control their engineering properties and to predict their engineering behaviour for construction. In an effort to predict, classify and study the suitability of silty–clayey soils for cement-stabilization both slaking and unconfined compressive strength tests were carried out on clayey–sand mixtures consisted of two types of clays, kaolin and bentonite. Finally diagrams were prepared to study the variation of slaking and strength due to compaction, curing time and cement percentage and also to predict areas of efficient cement-stabilization.  相似文献   

Experimental research on a new encapsulated heat-generating hydraulic fracturing fluid system     

吴金桥  张宁生  吴新民  刘晓娟 《中国地球化学学报》2006,25(2):162-166

1 IntroductionFracturing plays an important role in increasingthe production and injection and enhancing the final re-covery of oil and gas. At present, the use of ahydroxypropyl guar gum, borate-crosslinked, hydraulicfracturing fluid systemhas become ext…  相似文献   

岩石三轴强度试验   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

李广平王玉玲  蔡玉贞 《岩矿测试》2005,24(1):75-78

通过自制岩石三轴压力室和配备液压泵与现有万能材料试验机组成岩石三轴试验系统，进行岩石三轴强度试验研究，并与其它方法比对，结果相近，满足了科研和生产的需要。  相似文献   

砂岩型铀矿勘查样品中铀的野外快速测定方法研究     

蔡金芳  张富平  张洁  王荣 《铀矿地质》2005,21(3):177-182,168

本文研究并建立了适合野外条件下快速测定砂岩型铀矿勘查试样中铀的分析方法———密闭酸溶试样、钒酸铵容量法测定铀。采用密闭增压酸溶样, 可使粒度小于0 25 mm的试样分解完全;小体积容量法提高了测定灵敏度。配合不同浓度的标准溶液可适应不同含量范围铀的测定。方法经标准物质和吐哈工区试样验证, 准确度和精度较高, 且操作简单, 适应性广, 具有实用和推广价值。  相似文献