99,160 research outputs found
Evaluating the Differences of Gridding Techniques for Digital Elevation Models Generation and Their Influence on the Modeling of Stony Debris Flows Routing: A Case Study From Rovina di Cancia Basin (North-Eastern Italian Alps)
Debris \ufb02ows are among the most hazardous phenomena in mountain areas. To cope
with debris \ufb02ow hazard, it is common to delineate the risk-prone areas through
routing models. The most important input to debris \ufb02ow routing models are the
topographic data, usually in the form of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The quality
of DEMs depends on the accuracy, density, and spatial distribution of the sampled
points; on the characteristics of the surface; and on the applied gridding methodology.
Therefore, the choice of the interpolation method affects the realistic representation
of the channel and fan morphology, and thus potentially the debris \ufb02ow routing
modeling outcomes. In this paper, we initially investigate the performance of common
interpolation methods (i.e., linear triangulation, natural neighbor, nearest neighbor,
Inverse Distance to a Power, ANUDEM, Radial Basis Functions, and ordinary kriging)
in building DEMs with the complex topography of a debris \ufb02ow channel located
in the Venetian Dolomites (North-eastern Italian Alps), by using small footprint full-
waveform Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data. The investigation is carried
out through a combination of statistical analysis of vertical accuracy, algorithm
robustness, and spatial clustering of vertical errors, and multi-criteria shape reliability
assessment. After that, we examine the in\ufb02uence of the tested interpolation algorithms
on the performance of a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based cell model for
simulating stony debris \ufb02ows routing. In detail, we investigate both the correlation
between the DEMs heights uncertainty resulting from the gridding procedure and
that on the corresponding simulated erosion/deposition depths, both the effect of
interpolation algorithms on simulated areas, erosion and deposition volumes, solid-liquid
discharges, and channel morphology after the event. The comparison among the tested
interpolation methods highlights that the ANUDEM and ordinary kriging algorithms
are not suitable for building DEMs with complex topography. Conversely, the linear
triangulation, the natural neighbor algorithm, and the thin-plate spline plus tension and completely regularized spline functions ensure the best trade-off among accuracy
and shape reliability. Anyway, the evaluation of the effects of gridding techniques on
debris \ufb02ow routing modeling reveals that the choice of the interpolation algorithm does
not signi\ufb01cantly affect the model outcomes
On Validating an Astrophysical Simulation Code
We present a case study of validating an astrophysical simulation code. Our
study focuses on validating FLASH, a parallel, adaptive-mesh hydrodynamics code
for studying the compressible, reactive flows found in many astrophysical
environments. We describe the astrophysics problems of interest and the
challenges associated with simulating these problems. We describe methodology
and discuss solutions to difficulties encountered in verification and
validation. We describe verification tests regularly administered to the code,
present the results of new verification tests, and outline a method for testing
general equations of state. We present the results of two validation tests in
which we compared simulations to experimental data. The first is of a
laser-driven shock propagating through a multi-layer target, a configuration
subject to both Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities. The second
test is a classic Rayleigh-Taylor instability, where a heavy fluid is supported
against the force of gravity by a light fluid. Our simulations of the
multi-layer target experiments showed good agreement with the experimental
results, but our simulations of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability did not agree
well with the experimental results. We discuss our findings and present results
of additional simulations undertaken to further investigate the Rayleigh-Taylor
instability.Comment: 76 pages, 26 figures (3 color), Accepted for publication in the ApJ
Methodology for tidal turbine representation in ocean circulation model
The present method proposes the use and adaptation of ocean circulation models as an assessment tool framework for tidal current turbine (TCT) array layout optimization. By adapting both momentum and turbulence transport equations of an existing model, the present TCT representation method is proposed to extend the actuator disc concept to 3-D large-scale ocean circulation models. Through the reproduction of experimental flume tests and grid dependency tests, this method has shown its numerical coherence as well as its ability to simulate accurately both momentum and turbulent turbine-induced perturbations in both near and far wakes in a relatively short period of computation time. Consequently the present TCT representation method is a very promising basis for the development of a TCT array layout optimization tool
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