Development of ecohydrological assessment tool and its application

The development of Hydro-Informatic Modelling System (HIMS) provides an integrated platform for hydrological simulation. To extend the application of HIMS, an ecohydrological modeling system named ecohydrological assessment tool (EcoHAT) has been developed. Integrating parameter-management tools, RS (remote sensing) inversion tools, module-design tools and GIS analysis tools, the EcoHAT provides an integrated tool to simulate ecohydrological processes on regional scale, which develops a new method on sustainable use of water. EcoHAT has been applied to several case studies, such as, the Yellow River Basin, the acid deposition area in Guizhou province and the riparian catchment of Guanting reservoir in Beijing. Results prove that EcoHAT can efficiently simulate and analysis the ecohydrological processes on regional scale and provide technical support to integrated water resources management on basin scale. Supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program in the 11th Five-year Plan of China (Grant No. 2006BAB06B07), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40671123), the National Basic Research Program of China (“973” Project) (Grant Nos. 2005CB422207, G19990436), and the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA12Z145)     

Analyzing and evaluating the three-line rail traffic

In this paper, we propose a method to simulate the three-line rail traffic. The aim is to evaluate the carrying capacity of the three-line rail traffic by studying the rail traffic flow when the passenger flow is unsymmetrical. The simulation results demonstrate that under the unsymmetrical condition, the three-line rail traffic system has almost the same carrying capacity as that of a four-line rail traffic system. Compared with the four-line rail traffic system, the three-line rail traffic system has better utilization of rail line. As a result, building the three-line rail traffic system is a more economical and rational selection. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB705500), the Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0605), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60634010), New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-06-0074), and the Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (Grant No. 107007)     

Dynamic simulation and optimization approach to construction diversion of hydraulic and hydroelectric projects

To solve the engineering and scientific problems in construction diversion and its simulation analysis, a complete scheme is presented. Firstly, the complex constraint relationship was analyzed among main buildings, diversion buildings and flow control. Secondly, the time-space relationship model of construction diversion system and the general block diagram-oriented simulation model of diversion process were set up. Then, the corresponding numerical simulation method and 3D dynamic visual simulation method were put forward. Further, the simulation and optimization platform of construction diversion control process was developed, integrated with simulation modeling, computation and visualization. Finally, these methods were applied to a practical project successfully, showing that the modeling process is convenient, the computation and the visual analysis can be coupled effectively, and the results conform to practical state. They provide new theoretical principles and technical measures for analyzing the control problems encountered in construction diversion of hydraulic and hydroelectric engineering under complex conditions. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (“973” Program) (Grant No. 2007CB714101), the National Key Technology R&D Program in the 11th Five year Plan of China (Grant No. 2006BAB04A13) and the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (Grant No. 50525927)     

Adaptive integration of local region information to detect fine-scale brain activity patterns

With the rapid development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, the spatial resolution of fMRI data is continuously growing. This provides us the possibility to detect the fine-scale patterns of brain activities. The established univariate and multivariate methods to analyze fMRI data mostly focus on detecting the activation blobs without considering the distributed fine-scale patterns within the blobs. To improve the sensitivity of the activation detection, in this paper, multivariate statistical method and univariate statistical method are combined to discover the fine-grained activity patterns. For one voxel in the brain, a local homogenous region is constructed. Then, time courses from the local homogenous region are integrated with multivariate statistical method. Univariate statistical method is finally used to construct the interests of statistic for that voxel. The approach has explicitly taken into account the structures of both activity patterns and existing noise of local brain regions. Therefore, it could highlight the fine-scale activity patterns of the local regions. Experiments with simulated and real fMRI data demonstrate that the proposed method dramatically increases the sensitivity of detection of fine-scale brain activity patterns which contain the subtle information about experimental conditions. Supported by Chair Professors of Changjiang Scholars Program and CAS Hundred Talents Program, National Program on Key Basic Research Projects (Grant No. 2006CB705700), National High-Tech R&D Program of China (Grant No.2006AA04Z216), National Key Technology R&D Program (Grant No. 2006BAH02A25), Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Young Scholars (Grant No.30528027), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.30600151, 30500131 and 60532050), and Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (Grant Nos. 4051002 and 4071003)     

Theories and calculation methods for regional objective ET (evapotranspiration): Applications

The regional objective ET (evapotranspiration) is defined as the quantity of water that could be consumed in a particular region. It varies with the water conditions and economic development stages in the region. It is also constrained by the requirement of benign environment cycle. At the same time, it must meet the demands of sustainable economic growth and the construction of harmony society. Objective ET based water resources distribution will replace the conventional method, which emphasizes the balance between the water demand and the water supply. It puts focus on the reasonable water consumption instead of the forecasted water demand, which is usually greater than the actual one. In this paper, we calculated the objective ET of 2010 year level in Tianjin by an analysis-integration-assessment method. Objective ET can be classified into two parts: controllable ET and uncontrollable ET. Controllable ET includes the ET from irrigation land and the ET from resident land, among which the former can be calculated with soil moisture model and evapotranspiration model, while the latter can be calculated by water use ration and water consumption rate. The uncontrollable ET can be calculated with the distributed hydrological model and the remote sensing monitoring model. The two models can be mutually calibrated. In this paper, eight schemes are put forward based on different portfolios of water resources. The objective ET of each scheme was calculated and the results were assessed and analyzed. Finally, an optimal scheme was recommended. Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Project) (Grant No. 2006CB403401) and the National Science Fundation of China (Grant No. 50721006)     

Incoherent scatter spectra due to HF heating in the low ionosphere region

The electron velocity distribution function and the incoherent scatter spectra during ionospheric heating in low ionosphere region are presented with consideration of the elastic collision between electrons and neural particles and the excitation of rotation energy level. The effects of pump frequency and electric fields on the spectra are discussed. With the increase of electric field, the non-Maxwellian feature is enhanced, and with the increase of heating frequency, the non-Maxwellian feature is weakened. The non-Maxwellian factor will bring a large error in ionosphere parameters, which must be considered in the inversion. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40310223), the National Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Environment (LEME), and National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2006BAB18B06)     

Thermoelastic properties of sandwich materials with pin-reinforced foam cores

Pin-reinforced foam is a novel type of sandwich core materials formed by inserting pins (trusses) into a foam matrix to create a truss-like network reinforced foam core. Upon loading, the pins deform predominantly by local stretching whilst the deformation of foam is governed by local bending. This paper presents a theoretical study on the thermoelasticity of pin-reinforced foam sandwich cores. To calculate the effective thermoelastic properties of pin-reinforced foam cores, the energy-based homogenization approach is employed to develop a micromechanicsbased model, calibrated by the existing experimental data. It is found that the stiffness of the sandwich core is mainly governed by pin reinforcements: the foam matrix contributes little to sandwich stiffness. Compared with traditional foam cores without pin reinforcements, the changes in in-plane thermal expansion coefficients are not vigorous as a result of pin reinforcements, while the throughthickness thermal expansion coefficient changes significantly. It is also demonstrated that it is possible to design materials with zero or negative thermal expansion coefficients under such a context. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB601202), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10572111, 10632060), the National 111 Project of China (Grant No. B06024), the National High Technology Research Development Program (Grant No. 2006AA03Z519), the NPU Foundation for Fundamental Research, the Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis of Industrial Equipment (Grant No. GZ0701), and the NPU Foundation for Scientific Innovation     

Modeling and simulation for train control system using cellular automata

Train control system plays a key role in railway traffic. Its function is to manage and control the train movement on railway networks. In our previous works, based on the cellular automata (CA) model, we proposed several models and algorithms for simulating the train movement under different control system conditions. However, these models are only suitable for some simple traffic conditions. Some basic factors, which are important for train movement, are not considered. In this paper, we extend these models and algorithms and give a unified formula. Using the proposed method, we analyze and discuss the space-time diagram of railway traffic flow and the trajectories of the train movement. The numerical simulation and analytical results demonstrate that the unified CA model is an effective tool for simulating the train control system. Supported by the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT0605), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 60634010, 60776829), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-06-0074) and the Key Project of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 107007)     

Research on cohesive sediment erosion by flow: An overview

Erosion of cohesive sediment by flow is a very complicated phenomenon occurring worldwide. Understanding and modeling of the erosion process are important for many issues such as the breaching of embankments, riverbank stability, siltation of harbors and navigation channels, service life of reservoirs, distribution of (heavy metal) pollutants and water quality problems. In the last few decades, numerous studies have been done on the erosion of cohesive sediment by flow. Nevertheless, the factors affecting the erosion resistance of cohesive sediment are still not fully understood and the knowledge of the physics of cohesive sediment erosion is inadequate, as a result the mathematical modeling of this erosion is far from satisfactory. In this paper an overview of the studies on the erosion resistance, erosion threshold and the erosion rate of cohesive sediment by flow is presented. The outcomes achieved so far from the studies and the existing problems have been analyzed and summarized, based on which recommendations are proposed for future research. Supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (Grant Nos. 2006BAC14B02 and 2006BAB05B03) and the National Basic Research Program (973 Program) of China (Grant No. 2007CB714106)     

The solidification of two-phase heterogeneous materials: Theory versus experiment

The solidification behavior of two-phase heterogeneous materials such as close-celled aluminum foams was analytically studied. The proposed analytical model can precisely predict the location of solidification front as well as the full solidification time for a two-phase heterogeneous material composed of aluminum melt and non-conducting air pores. Experiments using distilled water simulating the aluminum melt to be solidified (frozen) were subsequently conducted to validate the analytical model for two selected porosities (ɛ), ɛ=0 and 0.5. Full numerical simulations with the method of finite difference were also performed to examine the influence of pore shape on solidification. The remarkable agreement between theory and experiment suggests that the delay of solidification in the two-phase heterogeneous material is mainly caused by the reduction of bulk thermal conductivity due to the presence of pores, as this is the sole mechanism accounted for by the analytical model for solidification in a porous medium. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (“973” Project) (Grant Nos. 2006CB601202, 2006CB601203), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10572111, 10632060), the National 111 Project of China (Grant No. B06024) and the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA03Z519).     

Ultralight X-type lattice sandwich structure (II): Micromechanics modeling and finite element analysis

The methods of homogenization and finite elements are employed to predict the effective elastic constants and stress-strain responses of a new type of lattice structure, the X-structure proposed by the authors in a companion paper. It is shown that in most cases the predictions by the equivalent homogenization theory agree well with the experimental and 3-dimensional finite element calculated results. The theoretical and numerical study supports the argument that the X-structure is superior to the pyramid lattice structure in terms of mechanical strength. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (“973” Project) (Grant No. 2006CB601202), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10632060, 10825210), the National “111” Project of China (Grant No. B06024) and the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA03Z519)     

Influences of friction drag on spontaneous condensation in water vapor supersonic flows

A mathematical model was developed to investigate the water vapor spontaneous condensation under supersonic flow conditions. A numerical simulation was performed for the water vapor condensable supersonic flows through Laval nozzles under different flow friction conditions. The comparison between numerical and experimental results shows that the model is accurate enough to investigate the supersonic spontaneous condensation flow of water vapor inside Laval nozzles. The influences of flow friction drag on supersonic spontaneous condensation flow of water vapor inside Laval nozzles were investigated. It was found that the flow friction has a direct effect on the spontaneous condensation process and therefore it is important for an accurate friction prediction in designing this kind of Laval nozzles. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50676002), the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (Grant No. 20040005008) and the Beijing Best Innovation Person Selecting Project (2006)     

Acoustic properties of sintered FeCrAlY foams with open cells (I): Static flow resistance

Open celled metal foams fabricated through the route of metal sintering are a new class of material that offers novel mechanical and acoustic properties. The metal sintering approach offers a cost-effective means for the mass-production of open-cell foams from a range of materials, including high-temperature steel alloys. The mechanical properties of open-celled steel alloy (FeCrAlY) foams have been characterized in previous studies, with focus placed on the influence of processing defects on stiffness and strength. In this work, the low-Reynolds number fluid properties of FeCrAlY foams were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Specifically, the static flow resistance of the sintered foams important for heat transfer, filtration and sound absorption was modeled based on a cylinder and a sphere arranged in a periodic lattice at general incidence to the flow. Experimental measurements were subsequently carried out to validate theoretical predictions, with good agreement achieved. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2006CB601202, 2006CB601204), the National 111 Project of China (Grant No. B06024), US Office of Naval Research (Grant No. N000140210117), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10572111, 10632060), and the National Hi-Tech Research Development Program (Grant No. 2006AA03Z519)     

A new type counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new type counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was proposed which consists of substrate, aluminum film and platinum film. The new type counter electrode can obviously improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSCs from 3.46% to 7.07% under the standard AM1.5 irradiation condition. Advantages and shortcomings of this new type counter electrode in terms of electrical properties, optical properties and anti-corrosive properties were analyzed. As a result, some improvements were proposed. Supported by the Key Foundation for Fundamental Research of Tianjin Municipal Science & Technology Commission in China ( Grant No. 06YFJZJC01700) and the National Basic Research Program of China (“973“ Project) (Grant Nos. 2006CB20260, 2006CB202603)     

Differences in changes of potential evaporation in the mountainous and oasis regions of the Tarim basin, northwest China

Data from eleven meteorological stations in the Tianshan mountains and the north slope of west Kunlun mountains, and eighteen meteorological stations in the Kaidu-Kongque river, Akesu river, Kashiger river and Yankant river oases were examined to assess the differences in changes in potential evaporation from 1960 to 2006 in the mountainous and oasis regions of the Tarim basin and the relationships of these changes to meteorological factors. The decreasing trends in potential evaporation were primarily due to the decrease in the aerodynamic terms in both the mountainous and oasis regions, but the trends in the oasis regions were more pronounced. Based on the complementary relationship between potential and actual evaporation, the decreasing trends in potential evaporation appeared to be related to the increasing trends in precipitation in the mountainous regions and the increasing trends in water consumption in the oasis regions, thus reflecting the different impacts of natural changes and anthropogenic influences. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50579031, 50721140161, 5067908) and the Key Projects of China in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program (Grant No. 2006BAD11B08)     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the test of single-walled carbon nanotubes under tensile loading

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to do the test of sin-gle-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) under tensile loading with the use of Bren-ner potential to describe the interactions of atoms in SWCNTs. The Young’s modulus and tensile strength for SWCNTs were calculated and the values found are 4.2 TPa and 1.40―1.77 TPa, respectively. During the simulation, it was found that if the SWCNTs are unloaded prior to the maximum stress, the stress-strain curve for unloading process overlaps with the loading one, showing that the SWCNT’s de-formation up to its fracture point is completely elastic. The MD simulation also demonstrates the fracture process for several types of SWCNT and the breaking mechanisms for SWCNTs were analyzed based on the energy and structure be-havior.     

A novel random phase-shifting digital holographic microscopy method

This paper proposes a new method that reconstructs the information of specimen by using random phase shift step in digital holographic microscopy (DHM). The principles of the method are described and discussed in detail. In practical experiment, because the phase shifter is neither perfectly linear nor calibrated, digital holograms with inaccurate phase shift step are recorded by the charge-coupled device (CCD). The phase could be accurately reconstructed from the recorded digital holograms by using the random phase-shifting algorithm, which makes up for reconstructed phase error caused by ordinary phase-shifting algorithm. The phase aberration compensation is also discussed. In order to verify the flexibility of the proposed method, numerical simulation of random phase-shifting DHM was carried out. The simulation results illustrated that the presented method is effective when the phase shift step is unknown or random in DHM. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (“973” Project) (Grant No. 2004CB619304), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10625209, 10472050, 10732080), the Project of Beijing Natural Sciences Foundation (Grant No. 3072007), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents (NCET) in Chinese University Ministry of Education (Grant No. NCET-05-0059), and the Opening Funds from the State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology     

Real-time flood forecast and flood alert map over the Huaihe River Basin in China using a coupled hydro-meteorological modeling system

A coupled hydro-meteorological modeling system is established for real-time flood forecast and flood alert over the Huaihe River Basin in China. The system consists of the mesoscale atmospheric model MC2 (Canadian Mesoscale Compressible Community) that is one-way coupled to the Chinese Xinanjiang distributed hydrological model, a grid-based flow routing model, and a module for acquiring real-time gauge precipitation. The system had been successfully tested in a hindcast mode using 1998 and 2003 flood cases in the basin, and has been running daily in a real-time mode for the summers of 2005 and 2006 over the Wangjiaba sub-basin of the Huaihe River Basin. The MC2 precipitation combined with gauge values is used to drive the Xinanjiang model for hydrograph prediction and production of flood alert map. The performance of the system is illustrated through an examination of real-time flood forecasts for the severe flood case of July 4–15, 2005 over the sub-basin, which was the first and largest flood event encountered to date. The 96-h forecasts of MC2 precipitation are first evaluated using observations from 41 rain gauges over the sub-basin. The forecast hydrograph is then validated with observations at the Wangjiaba outlet of the sub-basin. MC2 precipitation generally compares well with gauge values. The flood peak was predicted well in both timing and intensity in the 96-hour forecast using the combined gauge-MC2 precipitation. The real-time flood alert map can spatially display the propagation of forecast floods over the sub-basin. Our forecast hydrograph was used as operational guidance by the Bureau of Hydrograph, Ministry of Water Resources. Such guidance has been proven very useful for the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters in operational decision making for flood management. The encouraging results demonstrate the potential of using mesoscale atmospheric model precipitation for real-time flood forecast, which can result in a longer lead time compared to traditional methods. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40371023), National “948” project (Grant Nos. 200317 and 200758) and National Key Technology R&D Program (Grant No. 2006BAC05B02)     

Composite modeling method in dynamics of planar mechanical system

This paper presents a composite modeling method of the forward dynamics in general planar mechanical system. In the modeling process, the system dynamic model is generated by assembling the model units which are kinematical determinate in planar mechanisms rather than the body/joint units in multi-body system. A state space formulation is employed to model both the unit and system models. The validation and feasibility of the method are illustrated by a case study of a four-bar mechanism. The advantage of this method is that the models are easier to reuse and the system is easier to reconfigure. The formulation reveals the relationship between the topology and dynamics of the planar mechanism to some extent. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50605042) and the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (Grant No. 2006CB705400)     

Acoustic properties of sintered FeCrAlY foams with open cells (II): Sound attenuation

Open-celled metal foams fabricated through metal sintering offers novel mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties. Previously, polymer foams were used as a means of absorbing acoustic energy. However, the structural applications of these foams are inherently limited. The metal sintering approach provides a cost-effective means for the mass-production of open-cell foams from a range of materials, including high-temperature steel alloys. The low Reynolds number fluid properties of sintered steel alloy (FeCrAlY) foams were investigated in a previous study. The static flow resistance of the foams was modeled based on a cylinder and a sphere arranged in a periodic lattice at general incidence to the flow, with the resulting predictions correlating well to measurements. The application of the flow resistance in an acoustic model is the primary focus of the present study. The predictions for the static flow resistance of the sintered foams are first used in a theoretical model to determine the characteristic impedances, as well as the propagation constants of the foams. Subsequently, the predicted acoustic performance of the foams is compared to experimental results. Finally, the design space for a simple acoustic absorber incorporating sintered foams is examined, with the effects of absorber size, foam selection, and foam spacing explored. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2006CB601202, 2006CB601204), the National 111 Project of China (Grant No. B06024), US Office of Naval Research (Grant No. N000140210117), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10572111, 10632060), and the National H-Tech Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA03Z519)