Modeling Earthen Dike Stability: Sensitivity Analysis and Automatic Calibration of Diffusivities Based on Live Sensor Data

The paper describes concept and implementation details of integrating a finite element module for dike stability analysis Virtual Dike into an early warning system for flood protection. The module operates in real-time mode and includes fluid and structural sub-models for simulation of porous flow through the dike and for dike stability analysis. Real-time measurements obtained from pore pressure sensors are fed into the simulation module, to be compared with simulated pore pressure dynamics. Implementation of the module has been performed for a real-world test case - an earthen levee protecting a sea-port in Groningen, the Netherlands. Sensitivity analysis and calibration of diffusivities have been performed for tidal fluctuations. An algorithm for automatic diffusivities calibration for a heterogeneous dike is proposed and studied. Analytical solutions describing tidal propagation in one-dimensional saturated aquifer are employed in the algorithm to generate initial estimates of diffusivities

Slope Instability of the Earthen Levee in Boston, UK: Numerical Simulation and Sensor Data Analysis

The paper presents a slope stability analysis for a heterogeneous earthen levee in Boston, UK, which is prone to occasional slope failures under tidal loads. Dynamic behavior of the levee under tidal fluctuations was simulated using a finite element model of variably saturated linear elastic perfectly plastic soil. Hydraulic conductivities of the soil strata have been calibrated according to piezometers readings, in order to obtain correct range of hydraulic loads in tidal mode. Finite element simulation was complemented with series of limit equilibrium analyses. Stability analyses have shown that slope failure occurs with the development of a circular slip surface located in the soft clay layer. Both models (FEM and LEM) confirm that the least stable hydraulic condition is the combination of the minimum river levels at low tide with the maximal saturation of soil layers. FEM results indicate that in winter time the levee is almost at its limit state, at the margin of safety (strength reduction factor values are 1.03 and 1.04 for the low-tide and high-tide phases, respectively); these results agree with real-life observations. The stability analyses have been implemented as real-time components integrated into the UrbanFlood early warning system for flood protection

Distributed simulation of city inundation by coupled surface and subsurface porous flow for urban flood decision support system

We present a decision support system for flood early warning and disaster management. It includes the models for data-driven meteorological predictions, for simulation of atmospheric pressure, wind, long sea waves and seiches; a module for optimization of flood barrier gates operation; models for stability assessment of levees and embankments, for simulation of city inundation dynamics and citizens evacuation scenarios. The novelty of this paper is a coupled distributed simulation of surface and subsurface flows that can predict inundation of low-lying inland zones far from the submerged waterfront areas, as observed in St. Petersburg city during the floods. All the models are wrapped as software services in the CLAVIRE platform for urgent computing, which provides workflow management and resource orchestration.Comment: Pre-print submitted to the 2013 International Conference on Computational Scienc

The influence silicon dioxide nanoparticles on mechanical properties of erythrocyte and platelet membranes estimated by atomic force microscopy method

The investigation performed within the Programs of State Research “Energy systems, process and technologies”, project 2.2

BETULIN-3, 28-DIPHOSPHATE SALT COMPLEXES WITH AMINES AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Objective: Studies of composition, stability and antioxidant properties of the betulin-3, 28-diphosphate complexes with dopamine and trisamine.Methods: The betulin-3, 28-diphosphate (BDP) interaction with amines in a water-alcohol medium was studied by using spectral methods and potentiometric titration. Biochemical indexes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were estimated in experiments on rats.Results: BDP was synthesized using betulin by POCl3 treatment in the presence of pyridine in dioxane. The complexation of BDP with amines was confirmed by the 31P-NMR and FTIR-spectral data. The stoichiometry of BDP-dopamine complexes was equal to 2:1 and 4:1 and its complexes with trisamine were produced in the ratio 1:1 in a water-alcohol medium. The conditional stability constant К′st of the BDP-trisamine complex is 1130±55 mol∙l-1. BDP-Tris complex improved SOD activity up to 30% and up to 105% in the presence of cytostatic-hydrazine sulfate. The MDA level in erythrocytes decreased up to 57% and in combination with cytostatics (5-fluorouracil and hydrazine sulfate)-up to 11-14%. The catalase activity increased by 44-94% and MDA level in erythrocytes decreased by 22-53% under the action BDP-DA complexes that depends on the dose.Conclusion: The BDP forms stable complexes with trisamine and dopamine that make it possible to use this compound as a component of drug delivery system for high toxicity cytostatics and for readily oxidized catecholamines. It has been shown that both its complexes with amines and the combination with cytostatics enhanced antioxidant activity in an experiment in vitro

Short-range order and electronic properties of epitaxial graphene

One of the most rapidly developing areas of modern materials science is the study of graphene and materials on its basis. The experimental investigations have revealed different types of defects on the surface of graphene that form the ordered structures of atomic configurations. In the present work, the value of short-range order parameter for different configurations of foreign atoms in a graphene layer was calculated. The effect of various factors on the density of electronic states and electrical resistance in graphene was also investigated. The type of the ordering of foreign atoms in graphene rather than the concentration of impurities, was shown to be responsible for the change in the conductivity of graphene

The nfluence of microparticulate on acid coagulation of milk proteins in curd manufacture

One of the important trends of whey processing is the modification of its composition and properties for the applications in curd technology. Modification of whey composition and properties included ultrafiltration concentration and subsequent microparticulation of the concentrate obtained. Selected modes allowed to obtain particles of microparticulate of whey proteins similar to fat globules in shape and size. Whey proteins microparticulate was proposed to use in curd technology. The influence of mass fraction of whey proteins microparticulate on the process of fermentation and acid clot formation in the production of low-fat curd was investigated. The most intensive growth and titratable and active acidity was observed in samples of curd clots with a mass fraction of whey proteins microparticulate from 10 to 15%. The analysis of organoleptic characteristics of curd clots led to the conclusion that the introduction _ of whey proteins microparticulate gives a smooth appearance to the clot, increases the density, adds a creamy taste. In the process of self-pressing _ of whey proteins microparticulate particles embedded inside impede the process of densification, and the mass fraction of moisture in the curd increases. Application _ of whey proteins microparticulate intensifies the process of curd clot formation and increases the yield of the finished product by 20 - 30%. Application of whey proteins microparticulate for enrichment of normalized mixture in the production of curd allows to expand the range of low-calorie protein products contributes to the intensification of the process of ripening of enriched normalized mixture, increases the yield of curd and its biological value

Thermal and Mechanical Characteristics of Polymer Composites Based on Epoxy Resin, Aluminium Nanopowders and Boric Acid

The epoxy polymers are characterized by low thermal stability and high flammability. Nanoparticles are considered to be effective fillers of polymer composites for improving their thermal and functional properties. In this work, the epoxy composites were prepared using epoxy resin ED-20, polyethylene polyamine as a hardener, aluminum nanopowder and boric acid fine powder as flame-retardant filler. The thermal characteristics of the obtained samples were studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical characteristics of epoxy composites were also studied. It was found that an addition of all fillers enhances the thermal stability and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy composites. The best thermal stability showed the epoxy composite filled with boric acid. The highest flexural properties showed the epoxy composite based on the combination of boric acid and aluminum nanopowder