Some experimental findings in compression-after-impact (CAI) tests of CF/PEEK (APC-2) and conventional CF/epoxy flat plates

Compression-after-impact (CAI) tests have been conducted for quasi-isotropic thick plates with 48 plies by using the NASA method and on plates with 32 plies by using the SACMA method. Specimens are made of CF/PEEK (APC-2) and conventional CF/epoxy for the NASA plates and CF/epoxy for the SACMA plates. In the NASA CAI tests, the sequence of delamination buckling and its propagation is clearly revealed through various experimental techniques. One major technique is moiré topography, and the other is thermo-mechanical stress analysis with a high-accuracy infrared sensor. The arrest of delamination propagation just before catastrophic failure due to high fracture toughness is clearly captured by the moiré camera. This behavior provides good CAI values of CF/PEEK. The initial buckling properties of the delaminated region by the impact are then extensively discussed. Numerical predictions of initial buckling stress have been obtained by modelled geometry of the delaminated region simplified from its precise structure clarified by ultrasonic C-scanning. They agree fairly well with the experimental results. The in-plane stress distribution in the delaminated region before initial buckling is measured by an infrared stress graphic system. This compared favorably with finite element predictions. Two types of symmetric buckling modes with respect to the central plate surface, twin and single peak ones, are experimentally captured.     

Environmental Effects of Hydro-Electric Power Generation in Africa and the Potential for Artificial Floods

Electricity is a fundamental requirement for economic growth, and hydro-electric power is often thought to be environmentally benign. However, the construction and operation of many hydro-power dams in Africa have had significant negative impacts on the environment and rural economies. Reduced downstream flooding has destroyed fisheries and starved the floodplain soils of moisture and nutrients. Often the worst-affected areas have no electrification and therefore do not benefit from power generation. New dams which are planned in Kenya and Tanzania have been specifically designed to make flood releases. This will allow electricity to be generated whilst maintaining a dynamic flooding pattern for the short-term economic importance of fisheries and agriculture and the longer-term importance of soil fertility and biodiversity. Involvement of local community representatives in deciding when flood waters should be released on the Phongolo River in South Africa has resulted in substantial benefits to floodplain users.     

考虑环境影响的水电站水库模糊优化调度模型及其应用

本文在提出一种水电站水库优化调度准则的基础上,建立了考虑环境因素影响的水电站水库模糊优化调度模型,实例研究表明,所建模型是有效的、适用的。     

美国大学教学评估及其对中国高等教育的启示

美国大学和学院，学生对教师教学进行有效性评估。不同大学对教学有不同要求和标准；美国学术界对教学评估体系利与弊展开过辩论，而学生和老师的背景特征可能引起偏见。美国学生对老师进行教学评估的体系，对中国高等教育教学可能有一定的他石意义，但是，评估体系的现实条件有差异，中国不应当照抄或照搬美国教学评估，尤其应该摒弃将教与学关系扭曲为买方和卖方关系的观念。取其精华而弃其糟粕，建立适应中国的教学评估体系才能提高高等教育质量。     

Impacts of a marine fish farm in Argolikos Gulf (Greece) on the water column and the sediment

The aim of this study was the qualitative and quantitative assessment of impacts on the physicochemical characteristics of the water column and the sediment caused by an intensive marine fish farm. The study area was the Plateia Island which is located in an open seawater area in the outer part of Argolikos Gulf (Northeastern Peloponnese, Greece). The particular plant has been in operation since 1988, producing about 350-400 tons per year of Gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The samples were taken on a three-season period started in August 2001 and ended in May 2002. During this study, the main physical and geochemical parameters on the water column and the sediment were investigated. Specifically, the parameters that were measured included: ammonium-nitrogen, phosphate and suspended solids in the water column and organic matter, organic carbon, and phosphorus (total and inorganic) in the sediment samples. The conclusions drawn from this work clearly verify that the most important impacts, mainly identified as increased nutrients and organics concentrations both in the water column and the sediment, were realized at the stations closest to the farm. These concentrations gradually decreased with increasing distance from the cages. The peak values in most of the parameters measured were obtained during summer or spring. However, it has to be mentioned that although the measured concentrations clearly depict the influence of the fish farm especially on the sediment, their values were, in general, considerably lower than those reported in relative studies in Greek fish farms.     

Trends in low flows of German rivers since 1950: Comparability of different low‐flow indicators and their spatial patterns

Climate change, land‐use shifts, reservoir storage, and water withdrawals impact low flows in rivers, creating challenges for ecological integrity and human uses. A systematic investigation of river discharges was carried out for 79 stream gauges in Germany. Available time series between 1950 and 2013 were analysed for trends in annual minimum low flows, discharge deficits, and low‐flow durations. The application of different low‐flow indicators led to similar spatial patterns, although each metric is used for different purposes in water management applications. Statistical tests identified significant discharge trends at more than half of the stations investigated. Low‐flow trends since 1950 tended to be catchment specific, suggesting that climate change has not been the dominant driver. Most of the gauges investigated showed statistically significant increases in low flows. This can be mainly attributed to reservoir management. For rivers showing snow‐ and icemelt‐dominated flow regimes, such trends are probably overlain by climate‐driven changes (increasing amounts of rainfall, earlier snowmelt in spring). In contrast, stations showing statistically significant decreases in low flows were correlated with areas of decreasing mining activity. Hydrologic impacts of climate change are widespread and significant, but the results here suggest that human river management remains the dominant hydrologic driver on many rivers.     

引江济淮工程水源区论证分析

水源区论证是引调水工程前期工作的重要内容。引江济淮工程调水规模大且水源区受影响因素多、影响涉及范围广,因此,对该工程水源区进行论证较为复杂。在开展有关规划依据、经济社会发展需求分析的基础上,对引江济淮工程进行了取水合理性分析;在考虑规划水平年工程取水水源论证范围内水库群的联合调度、增耗水以及跨流域调水等因素的基础上,对水源的可靠性进行了分析,同时,也对工程给水源区水文情势、水域主要功能和纳污能力、咸潮上溯等方面可能受到的影响进行了分析研究。分析结果表明,引江济淮工程取水合理、水源可靠、对水源区造成的影响较小。     

煤矿孤岛面顺槽掘进窄煤柱支护技术分析

淮南矿业集团顾桥煤矿1116（1）工作面运输顺槽为沿空掘进巷道,并受上方1117（3）工作面回采采动影响。为研究巷道在上方工作面回采时围岩变形特征、围岩应力分布及矿压显现规律,特在采动范围内设置一系列矿压观测点对巷道两帮变形、锚杆锚索及木点柱载荷进行持续观测,为将来巷道的支护提供可靠的分析数据。     

铁路选线环境影响量化分析计算方法及应用研究

根据防护费用法、影子工程法等折算办法对环境破坏导致的经济损失等价为具体货币值,并将这些环境影响量化分析计算方法应用于西宝客运专线建设的环境评价问题中.结果表明:提出的算法对铁路选线多目标决策方案比选有应用价值.