Modelling of rockfall motion

An analysis of natural hazards caused by rockfalls (common expression for falling stones and boulders; and other similar forms of gravitational mass movements) is an important element of risk management in mountainous regions. Due to their energy and velocity rockfalls represent an especially dangerous hazard factor. Because of that rockfalls are given much attention all over the world and they are modelled in different ways – simulating their paths and run-out distances. In this paper, a literature review of the main characteristics of the most important non-comprehensive rockfall models is presented. The dispositional models are those that tell us where a hazardous process may occur. The process-based models simulate rockfall process dynamics. They can be classified in relation to the process approach into empirical models and into analytical models. Empirical process-based models are generally based on the relationship between topographic factors and rockfall run-out zone. Analytical process-based models are composed of a trajectory model and a friction model. They describe and provide 2-D or 3-D simulation of the movement of the rockfall masses and can be differentiated regarding the way how the rockfall mass (lumped mass, rigid body shape) and the movement on the slope (bouncing, rolling, sliding) are described, respectively. The GIS-based models use the advantages of this system and work in three steps: the determination of rockfall source areas, the determination of trajectories of single boulders, and the determination of run-out distances and run-out zones. The main aim of the review on modelling of rockfall motion is to make it easier for the professionals to choose an adequate rockfall model at local and regional scales

X-ray Spectra of the RIXOS source sample

We present results of an extensive study of the X-ray spectral properties of sources detected in the RIXOS survey, that is nearly complete down to a flux limit of 3e-14 cgs (0.5-2 keV). We show that for X-ray surveys containing sources with low count rate spectral slopes estimated using simple hardness ratios in the ROSAT band can be biased. Instead we analyse three-colour X-ray data using statistical techniques appropriate to the Poisson regime which removes the effects of this bias. We have then applied this technique to the RIXOS survey to study the spectral properties of the sample. For the AGN we find an average energy index of 1.05+-0.05 with no evidence for spectral evolution with redshift. Individual AGN are shown to have a range of properties including soft X-ray excesses and intrinsic absorption. Narrow Emission Line Galaxies also seem to fit to a power-law spectrum, which may indicate a non-thermal origin for their X-ray emission. We infer that most of the clusters in the sample have a bremsstrahlung temperature >3 keV, although some show evidence for a cooling flow. The stars deviate strongly from a power-law model but fit to a thermal model. Finally, we have analysed the whole RIXOS sample containing 1762 sources. We find that the mean spectral slope of the sources hardens at lower fluxes in agreement with results from other samples. However, a study of the individual sources demonstrates that the hardening of the mean is caused by the appearance of a population of very hard sources at the lowest fluxes. This has implications for the nature of the soft X-ray background.Comment: 31,LaTeX file, 2 PS files with Table 2 and 22 PS figures. MNRAS in pres

Inflowing gas onto a compact obscured nucleus in Arp 299A: Herschel spectroscopic studies of H2O and OH

Aims. We probe the physical conditions in the core of Arp 299A and try to put constraints to the nature of its nuclear power source. Methods. We used Herschel Space Observatory far-infrared and submillimeter observations of H2O and OH rotational lines in Arp 299A to create a multi-component model of the galaxy. In doing this, we employed a spherically symmetric radiative transfer code. Results. Nine H2O lines in absorption and eight in emission as well as four OH doublets in absorption and one in emission, are detected in Arp 299A. No lines of the 18O isotopologues, which have been seen in compact obscured nuclei of other galaxies, are detected. The absorption in the ground state OH doublet at 119 {\mu}m is found redshifted by ~175 km/s compared to other OH and H2O lines, suggesting a low excitation inflow. We find that at least two components are required in order to account for the excited molecular line spectrum. The inner component has a radius of 20-25 pc, a very high infrared surface brightness (> 3e13 Lsun/kpc^2), warm dust (Td > 90 K), and a large H2 column density (NH2 > 1e24 cm^-2). The outer component is larger (50-100 pc) with slightly cooler dust (70-90 K). In addition, a much more extended inflowing component is required to also account for the OH doublet at 119 {\mu}m. Conclusions. The Compton-thick nature of the core makes it difficult to determine the nature of the buried power source, but the high surface brightness indicates that it is either an active galactic nucleus and/or a dense nuclear starburst. The high OH/H2O ratio in the nucleus indicates that ion-neutral chemistry induced by X-rays or cosmic-rays is important. Finally we find a lower limit to the 16O/18O ratio of 400 in the nuclear region, possibly indicating that the nuclear starburst is in an early evolutionary stage, or that it is fed through a molecular inflow of, at most, solar metallicity.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Fraktal Geometri İle Modellenmiş Pürüzlü Yüzey İle Temas Eden Yarisonsuz Ortamin Mekanik Davranişi

Konferans Bildirisi -- Teorik ve Uygulamalı Mekanik Türk Milli Komitesi, 2008Conference Paper -- Theoretical and Applied Mechanical Turkish National Committee, 2008Bu çalışmada, yüzey pürüzlülüğünün temas basıncı, şekil değiştirme ve gerilmeler üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmak amacıyla; pürüzlü yüzey ile yarı-sonsuz ortamın temas analizi sonlu elemanlar yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu amaçla, fraktal geometri ile modellenmiş rijit pürüzlü yüzeyin homojen, elastik-tam plastik pürüzsüz yarı-sonsuz ortam ile normal teması için 2-boyutlu bir sonlu elemanlar modeli geliştirilmiştir. Mekanik yüzey yüklerinin yarısonsuz ortamda oluşan von Mises eşdeğer gerilmesi, elastik-plastik şekil değiştirmeleri ile temas basınç değerleri üzerindeki etkileri belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, rijit pürüzlü yüzeyin yarısonsuz ortam içindeki temas derinliği miktarının (girişim) şekil değişimine etkisi de incelenmiştir. Fraktal geometri kullanarak geliştirilen ve böylece pürüz etkileşimlerinin de dikkate alındığı daha gerçekçi bu yüzey modelinin, gerilme ve şekil değiştirme dağılımları üzerindeki etkisi diğer modellerle karşılaştırmalı olarak irdelenerek geçerliliği araştırılmıştır. Fraktal geometri kullanarak yapılan analizler sonucunda gerilme, şekil değiştirme ve basınç değerleri için elde edilen dağılımların diğer yüzey modellerine göre daha gerçekçi olduğu görülmüştür.In this study, normal contact analysis of a rough surface with a semi-infinite medium was performed by finite element method in order to investigate effect of surface roughness on to the distributions of contact pressure, stress and strain. A 2-dimensional finite element model was developed for normal contact of rigid rough surface modeled by fractal geometry with a smooth elastic-perfectly plastic semi-infinite medium. Effects of mechanical surface loadings on to von Mises equivalent stress, equivalent plastic strain and contact pressure have been determined. Effect of interference on to deformation was also investigated. The rough surface model developed by using fractal geometry and, hence, taken asperity interaction into account was investigated by comparing the others for its validity. Based on the presented results obtained from the fractal surface model, it has been shown that the distributions of the stress, the strain and the contact pressure were more realistic than those of other surface models

Transport Availability vs. Development of Poland’S Regions

The article discusses the issue of transport availability, taking into account road and rail infrastructure, as compared with socio-economic development in specific regions of Poland. The issue is studied from the theoretical and empirical point of view. The nature of the of the research is to use of existing methods for new dataset, namely the transport development level is estimated based on a composite indicator of development and degree of convergence among regions is estimated using classical regional convergence tests. The main goal of the study is to assess the degree of transport availability diversification among regions (voivodships) of Poland in comparison with their socio-economic development. The hypothesis assumes that there is strong correlation between transport availability and development of the regions and therefore similarity in the convergence inference.W artykule omówiono problem dostępności transportowej z wyróżnieniem infrastruktury drogowej oraz kolejowej na tle rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego w poszczególnych województwach w Polsce. Zagadnienie to rozpatrywane jest zarówno w aspekcie teoretycznym, jak i empirycznym. Istotą badania jest wykorzystanie istniejących metod do nowego zestawu danych, a mianowicie poziom rozwoju transportu oszacowano na podstawie złożonego wskaźnika rozwoju, zaś stopień zbieżności pomiędzy regionami określono przy użyciu testów klasycznej konwergencji. Głównym celem badania jest ocena stopnia zróżnicowania dostępności transportowej pomiędzy województwami w Polsce w porównaniu do ich rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego. Hipoteza badawcza zakłada, że istnieje silna korelacja pomiędzy dostępnością transportową i rozwojem regionów, co pociąga za sobą podobieństwo wniosków co do występowania konwergencji

On the integrated continuum radio spectrum of supernova remnant W44 (G34.7-0.4): new insights from Planck

In this paper, the integrated continuum radio spectrum of supernova remnant (SNR) W44 was analyzed up to 70 GHz, testing the different emission models that can be responsible for its particular shape. The observations by the Planck space telescope made possible to analyze the high frequency part of radio emission from SNRs. Although the quality of radio continuum spectrum (a high scatter of data points at same frequencies) prevents us to make definite conclusions, the possibility of spinning dust emission detection towards this remnant is emphasized. In addition, a concave-down feature, due to synchrotron losses, can not be definitely dismissed by the present knowledge of the integrated radio continuum spectrum of this SNR.Comment: submitted to Serb. Astron. J.; minor revisio

Numerical methods of geomechanics tasks solution during coal deposits’ development

Purpose. Generalization of numerical modeling of geomechanical processes in the vicinity of mine workings by finite elements method and making recommendations for substantiation of suitable construction and behavior of rock massif physical model. Methods. Software packages SolidWorks Simulation (COSMOS/М) and ANSYS are used for geomechanical tasks solution. Findings. Solutions of geomechanical tasks dealing with topical issues of estimating stress-strain state of rock massif around underground workings of different functions are given. Data on the rock massif stress-strain state are received and recommendations on adequate and authentic reflection of its structural peculiarities (stratification and fracturing) are made. Physical model of rock condition (elastic, elastic-plastic, rheological diagrams and complete diagram of deformation taking into account weakening and fracturing) is presented. Originality. New data about the mechanism of movement processes of coal-bearing massif around mine workings considering stratification and cracks content, limit and out-of-limit deflection state in separate areas, and also the impact of rheological rock properties are received. Practical implications. Complex of geomechanical tasks solutions allow to increase credibility of rock pressure manifestations prediction and substantiate technical solutions for effective and safe operations at coal mines.Цель. Обобщение опыта численного моделирования методом конечных элементов геомеханических процессов вокруг горных выработок и формирование рекомендаций по обоснованию адекватного строения и поведения физической модели горного массива. Методика. Для решения задач геомеханики использованы пакеты прикладных программ SolidWorks Simulation (COSMOS/М) и ANSYS. Результаты. Приведены решения геомеханических задач по актуальным вопросам оценки НДС горного массива вокруг подземных выработок различного назначения. Получены закономерности поведения горного массива и даны рекомендации по адекватному и достоверному отражению его текстурных особенностей (слоистость и трещиноватость) и физической модели состояния горной породы (упругая, упруго-пластическая, реологическая, полная диаграмма деформирования с учетом разупрочнения и разрыхления). Научная новизна. Получен ряд новых закономерностей развития процессов сдвижения углевмещающего массива вокруг горных выработок с учетом его слоистости и трещиноватости, предельного и запредельного состояния в отдельных областях, а также влияния реологических свойств горных пород. Практическая значимость. Комплекс решений геомеханических задач позволяет повысить достоверность прогноза проявлений горного давления и обосновать технические решения по эффективному и безопасному ведению горных работ на угольных шахтах.Мета. Узагальнення досвіду чисельного моделювання методом скінченних елементів геомеханічних процесів навколо гірничих виробок і формування рекомендацій з обґрунтування адекватної будови й поведінки фізичної моделі гірського масиву. Методика. Для розв’язання задач геомеханіки використані пакети прикладних програм Solidworks Simulation (COSMOS/М) і ANSYS. Результати. Наведено розв’язання геомеханічних задач з актуальних питань оцінки НДС гірського масиву навколо підземних виробок різного призначення. Отримано закономірності поведінки гірського масиву й надано рекомендації з адекватного й достовірного відображення його текстурних особливостей (шаруватість і тріщинуватість) та фізичної моделі стану гірської породи (пружна, пружно-пластична, реологічна, повна діаграма деформування з урахуванням знеміцнення і розпушення). Наукова новизна. Отримано низку нових закономірностей розвитку процесів зрушення вуглевміщуючого масиву навколо гірничих виробок з урахуванням його шаруватості й тріщинуватості, граничного й позамежного станів в окремих областях, а також впливу реологічних властивостей гірських порід. Практична значимість. Комплекс розв’язань геомеханічних задач дозволяє підвищити вірогідність прогнозу проявів гірського тиску й обґрунтувати технічні розв’язання з ефективного й безпечного ведення гірничих робіт на вугільних шахтах.The materials discussed in the article were received while performing a complex of research works at the request of a number of industrial enterprises in coal mining in Donbas. The authors are grateful to M. Illiashov, M. Barabash, Yu. Cherednychenko, O. Vivcharenko, V. Chervatiuk, O. Husiev for providing mine-and-geological and technical information on features of conducting mining operations at their enterprises, and also for useful recommendations and fruitful discussion of the received results which are intended to provide an effective solution to mine-technical issues in coal mining