Displacement Volume Research Articles

Paraglacial adjustment of sediment slopes during and immediately after glacial debuttressing

Daily time lapse imagery and pixel tracking was used to monitor and track spatial and temporal changes in sediment-mantled hillslopes, during and immediately after glacier retreat in the Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe valley, New Zealand. Observations from 2014 to 2018 of the Fox Glacier and surrounding hillslopes show hillslope failure is primarily coincident with, and triggered by, glacier retreat with rainfall accelerating movement of the hillslope. During glacier retreat, failure of the hillslope primarily occurred through sediment sliding, internal deformation of the sediment and occasional surficial debris falls, flows and avalanches delivering approximately 9.2 M m3 of sediment directly to the underside of the glacier over the study period with a maximum daily averaged movement of 0.4 m per day of the main sediment mass. Following debuttressing, hillslope failure became dominated by localised rainfall-induced debris flows which initiated gullying of the sediment-mantled slope. Ongoing instability of the slope and associated movement is maintained by toe erosion from the Fox River and melting dead ice, while continued rapid failure is facilitated through localised debris flows. The tracking of temporal and spatial changes of sediment-mantled hillslopes during glacier retreat has shown broad-scale hillslope response to occur quickly within days of rainfall or accelerated glacier retreat, particularly during summer. Debris flows, commonly thought to be a dominant erosion process within paraglacial environments, only occur following complete debuttressing and are supply-limited, only occurring after sediment sliding has occurred. Unlike many other case studies, sediment connectivity immediately following glacier retreat is high due to a lack of storage space and high rainfall inducing mass movements, efficiently delivering hillslope sediments to the proglacial stream channel. Attempts to quantify displaced volumes of sediment from paraglacial systems are likely underestimated due to a) a lack of focus on the early and latter stages of debuttressing b) a reliance on debris flows being a primary transport mechanism, and c) sediment being delivered sub-glacially rather than supra-glacially, further enhancing connectivity.

Overcoming the sensitivity vs. throughput tradeoff in Coulter counters: A novel side counter design

Microfabricated Coulter counters are attractive for point of care (POC) applications since they are label free and compact. However, these approaches inherently suffer from a trade off between sample throughput and sensitivity. The counter measures a change in impedance due to displaced fluid volume by passing cells, and thus the counter's signal increases with the fraction of the sensing volume displaced. Reducing the size of the sensing region requires reductions in volumetric throughput in the absence of increased hydraulic pressure and sensor bandwidth. The risk of mechanical clog formation, rendering the counter inoperable, increases markedly with reductions in the size of the constriction aperture. We present here a microfluidic coplanar Coulter counter device design that overcomes the problem of constriction clogging while capable of operating in microfluidic channels filled entirely with highly conductive sample. The device utilizes microfabricated planar electrodes projecting into one side of the microfluidic channel and is easily integrated with upstream electronic, hydrodynamic, or other focusing units to produce efficient counting which could allow for dramatically increased volumetric and sample throughput. The design lends itself to simple, cost effective POC applications.

Scaling up self-stratifying supercapacitive microbial fuel cell

Self-stratifying microbial fuel cells with three different electrodes sizes and volumes were operated in supercapacitive mode. As the electrodes size increased, the equivalent series resistance decreased, and the overall power was enhanced (small: ESR = 7.2 Ω and Pmax = 13 mW; large: ESR = 4.2 Ω and Pmax = 22 mW). Power density referred to cathode geometric surface area and displacement volume of the electrolyte in the reactors. With regards to the electrode wet surface area, the large size electrodes (L-MFC) displayed the lowest power density (460 μW cm−2) whilst the small and medium size electrodes (S-MFC, M-MFC) showed higher densities (668 μW cm−2 and 633 μW cm−2, respectively). With regard to the volumetric power densities the S-MFC, the M-MFC and the L-MFC had similar values (264 μW mL−1, 265 μW mL−1 and 249 μW cm−1, respectively). Power density normalised in terms of carbon weight utilised for fabricating MFC cathodes-electrodes showed high output for smaller electrode size MFC (5811 μW g−1-C- and 3270 μW g−1-C- for the S-MFC and L-MFC, respectively) due to the fact that electrodes were optimised for MFC operations and not supercapacitive discharges. Apparent capacitance was high at lower current pulses suggesting high faradaic contribution. The electrostatic contribution detected at high current pulses was quite low. The results obtained give rise to important possibilities of performance improvements by optimising the device design and the electrode fabrication.

Clinical validation of the temporal lifting technique using soft tissue fillers.

While the temporal lifting technique has gained increasing attention, there is a dearth of objective and reliable evidence of its effects. The objective of the present study is to analyze the ability of the temporal lifting technique to reduce the midfacial volume by soft tissue repositioning and to achieve an improved pan-facial appearance by targeting exclusively the subdermal plane of the posterior and superior temple with soft tissue fillers. A total of 12 patients (1 male and 11 females) with a mean age of 36.75±6.6years and a mean body mass index of 23.04±1.3kg/m2 were included in this prospective clinical single-center interventional study. Injection-related outcome was evaluated utilizing 3D skin vector displacement and surface volume analyses and scoring based on five different evaluators. Three months after the treatment, the global esthetic improvement scale rating showed an improved outcome (3.08) when evaluated by the independent observers, very improved outcome when evaluated by the treating physician (4.33), and exceptional improvement when rated by the patient (4.83). Temporal volume improved by 0.36 (P<.001), lower cheek fullness by 0.47 (P<.001), and jawline contouring by 0.51 (P<.001). No major adverse events were reported during the 3-month observational period. Objective outcome measures have provided evidence that by augmenting the posterior superior temple the volume of the middle face can be reduced and the contour of the jawline can be accentuated; this is due to the underlying fascial anatomy and the resulting soft tissue re-position.

Analysis of Fatigue Life of Tugboat Towing Hook Construction Using Finite Element Method

The towing hook on the tugboat has a function to pull the barge. Because of this ability, a good towing hook construction is needed to work optimally. Indications for the good construction is the value of fatigue life, which is more than the value of design life of 20 years. A towing hook detail on tugboat from PT. Asia Aditama Shipyard – Balikpapan was selected as an example. This study aims to obtain the value of fatigue life based on the total resistance calculated by BHP data in full, 75%, and 50% of the total displacement volume and estimate the maximum size of a barge, based on maximal towing pull capacity. The benefits of this research are providing information about the fatigue life of a towing hook, analyzing several possible load cases, and giving the recommendation of the maximum principal dimensions of the barge that the towing hook can be pulled. The method used in this study is the finite element method using ANSYS, the fatigue life calculation approach is the Palmgren–Miner cumulative damage method and refers to the DNVGL rule. The results of the calculation of fatigue life in the maximum towing pull condition are 22 years, 22 years, and 23 years at 100%, 75%, and 50%, respectively. The main size of barges that can be towed by Tugboats under maximum towing pull conditions are LOA = 147m, LWL = 144,529m, B = 35m, H = 13m, T = 11m.

Operation characteristics and methods of the hydraulic power take-off system

The power take-off system plays a vital role in the wave energy generating unit. Here, for studying the operation characteristics and methods of the hydraulic power take-off system, its basic model is built relying on the operating principles of every component. Meanwhile, a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller is also designed to regulate the rotational speed of the motor. Then, a test platform for the hydraulic power take-off system is constructed to verify the correctness of the model. Fortunately, based on model analyses, some useful results are found. Firstly, the PID controller has a visible effect on stabilizing the rotational speed. In addition, a group of optimal control parameters are obtained. Secondly, the influences of the displaced volume on the operation characteristics of the hydraulic power take-off system are found. Meanwhile, the optimal displaced volume is also presented by weighing the efficiency and stability. Finally, the operation modes and regions of the hydraulic power take-off system are obtained, and its rationality is also proved by a simulated running of the system. More importantly, these results can provide a reference to the design and operation of the hydraulic power take-off system.

Optimization of combined support in soft-rock roadway

Ground support and reinforcement technology can greatly enhance the stability of underground excavations and make the underground infrastructure safer. This paper investigates a combined support methodology aiming at increasing the stability and safety of soft-rock roadways in the Zhongguan iron mine in China via analysis of the field structure of weak surrounding rock by means of numerical modelling, orthogonal experiments, field observations and optimization of combined support parameters. A test scheme design for the underground metal mine roadway support was constructed to study the mechanisms of large deformations of roadway surrounding rock and the influencing factors of the side displacement, roof subsidence, and plastic zone volume were quantitatively analyzed. The optimization of support parameters was carried out in combination with numerical simulations and orthogonal tests. Modelling and field test results show that the support effect of the optimized scheme has greatly improved the roadway stability and the combined method controls much more effectively the large deformation of the broken rock mass as well as the support function of the excavation roadway. The proposed combined support method can provide a support design reference for similar projects in similar rock masses.

Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics Induced by a Translating Monopolar Vortex

AbstractWe performed laboratory experiments to describe and quantify the transport of sediment and the changes in the bed due to a generic translating monopolar vortex. Experiments were performed inside a water‐filled, square tank with a particle bed on the bottom and a vertical plate attached perpendicular to one of the sidewalls. The tank was placed on top of a rotating table to create the vortex by changing its rotation rate. This change created a current inside the tank that separated at the edge of the vertical plate, with the shear layer rolling up into a vortex. Once the vortex was formed, the table was promptly stopped. Sediment particles are brought into suspension and captured by the vortex, forming a conical region that moves with the vortex until the sediment resettles in the bed, changing the original bed morphology. Three different measurement techniques were used to obtain information about the flow velocities, the sediment in suspension, and the net changes in the bed. Changes in the bed morphology occur along the trajectory of the vortex, where a region of erosion is followed by a region of deposition. The strength of a vortex is the main parameter governing the capture and suspension of particles with similar characteristics. A power law relationship is found between the vortex strength and the net displaced particle volume. Experiments were also performed without sediment to determine if the presence of sediment could affect the vortex dynamics. However, a definitive answer requires more experiments to obtain reliable statistics.

PT044 - Urethral displacement and membranous urethral volume following radical prostatectomy increases the risk of incontinence at 3 months

PT044 - Urethral displacement and membranous urethral volume following radical prostatectomy increases the risk of incontinence at 3 months

Multi-attribute concept design procedure of a generic naval vessel

This paper presents a multi-attribute concept design procedure of a generic naval vessel. The procedure generates a set of Pareto optimal design solutions of up to corvette size vessels. It is composed of the self-balanced concept design model and of the search for the Pareto optimal design solutions. The self-balanced concept design model generates a set of balanced designs of required displacement, deck area, and internal volume, respectively, solving the naval architecture-related problems. The Pareto optimal search performs the multi-attribute evaluations of design solutions and identification of Pareto optimal set. The design variables are related to the ship’s form parameters and to the tactical and technical characteristics of the ship, such as selected options of armament, cruising range, autonomy, materials, propulsion, and the ship signatures, respectively. The selected design attributes are ship life cycle cost and the overall measure of effectiveness (OMOE). The procedure is codded in the form of the software named “Monako PRB”. The procedure is verified by performing the series of tests on the module level as well as on the global level. The final results were compared to the parameters of the existing ships. The results were satisfactory and proved the feasibility and reliability of the presented procedure.

Relationship between seepage water volume and total suspended solids of landslide dam failure caused by seepage: an experimental investigation

BackgroundLandslide dams inevitably demonstrate the potential for catastrophic failure with high-risk damage to life and property at the downstream site. Hence, knowledge of the internal stability of dam materials is a key to predicting the seepage failure of landslide dams. In this study, experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between seepage volume and total suspended solids (TSS) of seepage water based on hydro mechanical constrains. Understanding the relationship between the seepage volume and TSS with hydro-mechanical constraints supports the prediction of the seepage failure of landslide dams at the field level.ResultExperiments were conducted with a mixed sample of silica sands. Seepage water was collected from a flume tank with the facility to measure the hydraulic gradient, vertical displacement, and seepage water volume. Grain size affected the life span of the dam. The seepage volume increased with the increase in the percentage of silica sand S4, whereas TSS increased with the increase in the percentage of silica sand S8. With the increase in the dam height, the dam life decreases for low coeficient of uniformity of the grain size distribution. With the increase in the reservoir size, TSS decreased, and the total seepage volume increased.ConclusionDam failure depends on the particle size, dam geometry, inflow rates, reservoir size, hydraulic gradient, and seepage water volume, and TSS of seepage water. The results indicated that with the increase in fine particles, the life span decreases, and TSS increases. With the increase in the flow rate, the dam life span decreases, and the TSS and seepage volume rate increase.The dam height leads to an increase seepage volume with low TSS, where the life span of the dam also depends on the particle size distribution With the increase in the reservoir size, the seepage water volume decreases with low TSS.

Thermodynamic Cycle Analysis of an Automotive Internal Combustion Engine With the Characteristics of the Commercial BMW N54 Spark-Ignition Model

AbstractAn analytical method is presented for the thermodynamic analysis of an automotive internal combustion engine with the characteristics of the commercial BMW N54 spark-ignition model. A 3-L displacement volume, six in-line cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine is considered with two 0.57 bar boost pressure turbochargers and an air-to-air intercooler. Thermodynamic, fluid flow, and heat transfer phenomena are mathematically analyzed to provide results on the chemical composition of the cylinder gases, on their temperature and pressure, on the amount and properties of the residual exhaust gases, on the volumetric and mechanical efficiencies, on the specific fuel consumption, the torque and brake power output, the thermal efficiency, and the energy balance of the engine. The analysis provides results in very close agreement with the actual torque and brake power characteristics reported by the BMW manufacturer.

Effect of Tip Roundness on the Nanoindentation of Fe Crystals

Indentation tips are never atomically sharp, but rounded at their end. We use atomistic simulation to study the effect of tip roundness for the particular case of a cube-corner pyramidal indenter by comparing the results of a spherical, a sharp cube-corner, and a rounded cube-corner tip during indention into bcc Fe. We find that as soon as the tip has indented so deeply that the spherical geometry does not hold any longer, strong deviations between the dislocation plasticity behavior show up. The rounded cube-corner tip produces less dislocations and a smaller plastic zone than the spherical indenter, when indented to the same depth. The results are better comparable, however, when the same displaced volume is considered. Finally, the dislocation nucleation mode is affected by the geometry, changing from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation as the tip changes from rounded to sharp. The cube-corner tips are found to produce more twinning and delay the formation of prismatic loops. For a penetration depth beyond the radius of the rounded cube-corner tip, atomic sharp pyramidal tips produce similar quantitative (hardness, dislocation density) and qualitative (pileup, dislocation arrangement) results compared to its rounded counterpart. Our results will prove important for understanding the differences between spherical indenter tips, as they are often used in simulation, and pyramidal tips, as they are used in experiment.

MP42-03 HUMAN VS MACHINE: COMPARISON OF MANUAL VERSUS AUTOMATED SOFTWARE CT MEASUREMENTS OF STONE PHANTOMS

You have accessJournal of UrologyImaging/Radiology: Uroradiology II (MP42)1 Apr 2020MP42-03 HUMAN VS MACHINE: COMPARISON OF MANUAL VERSUS AUTOMATED SOFTWARE CT MEASUREMENTS OF STONE PHANTOMS Andrew M. Harris, Morgan N. Cash, Leslie M. Peard*, Mohamed M. Issa, James T. Lee, Jason R. Bylund, Amul A. Bhalodi, and John R. Bell Andrew M. HarrisAndrew M. Harris More articles by this author , Morgan N. CashMorgan N. Cash More articles by this author , Leslie M. Peard*Leslie M. Peard* More articles by this author , Mohamed M. IssaMohamed M. Issa More articles by this author , James T. LeeJames T. Lee More articles by this author , Jason R. BylundJason R. Bylund More articles by this author , Amul A. BhalodiAmul A. Bhalodi More articles by this author , and John R. BellJohn R. Bell More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000891.03AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Given the significance of stone size management of urolithiasis, obtaining accurate and precise measurements is paramount. We compared software and manual stone length and volume measurements to actual measurements of stone phantoms. METHODS: Seventeen unique stone phantoms were created in a variety of shapes and sizes using BegoStone Plus. Stone length, width, and height were measured with electronic calipers. Stone volume was measured using volume of displacement in water. Stone phantoms were placed in saline and imaged with computed tomography (CT). The CT images were uploaded into post-processing software, which analyzed the stones for maximum length and volume. Two urologists assessed the imaged stones for length, width and height and were blinded to the software measurements. Stone volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula 0.52 x length x width x height. RESULTS: The stone phantoms ranged in length from 5.5mm to 63mm with volumes of 40mm3 to 16,000mm3. The software had the closest approximation to the actual stone length with a median percent error of 6.2% (IQR 3.1%-9.4%). Readers 1 and 2 had median percent errors of 5.7% (IQR 3.7%-14.1%) and 7.8% (IQR 2.1%-17.2%) respectively. Reader 1 and 2 both differed from the software with median percent differences of 16% (IQR 8.6%-22.4%) and 17.1% (IQR 5.2%-28.4%). The readers had a median percent difference from each other of 4.1% (IQR 3%-6.6%). None of the length measurements by the software or the human readers differed significantly from the actual stone phantoms (P>0.610). The percent errors with regards to volume for the software, reader 1 and reader 2 compared to actual stone volume were 20% (IQR 14.2%-30%), 18% (IQR 5.2%-39.8%), 24.1% (IQR 10.2%-33.2%), respectively. Reader 1 and 2 differed from the software with median percent differences of 33.1% (IQR 21.7%-59.5%) and 26.3% (IQR 15%-48%), respectively. The readers had a median percent difference from each other of 17.3% (IQR 7.5%-32.5%). None of the measurements by the software or the human readers differed significantly from the actual stone phantom volume (P>0.697). CONCLUSIONS: Software measurements approximated the actual measurements for the stone phantoms while eliminating interobserver variability. Using post-processing software to measure urinary stones appears to be as accurate as human readers, but with greater precision. Source of Funding: None © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e603-e604 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Andrew M. Harris More articles by this author Morgan N. Cash More articles by this author Leslie M. Peard* More articles by this author Mohamed M. Issa More articles by this author James T. Lee More articles by this author Jason R. Bylund More articles by this author Amul A. Bhalodi More articles by this author John R. Bell More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Effects of oxyhydrogen gas induction on the performance of a small-capacity diesel engine.

Compression ignition engines are one of the world's largest consumers of fossil oil but have energy extraction efficiency limited to 35%. Addition of hydrogen alongside diesel fuel has been found to improve engine performance and efficiency; however, after a certain limit, hydrogen begins to show adverse effects, mainly because the ratio of oxygen to fuel decreases. This can be overcome by using oxyhydrogen, which is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas. In this study, effects of addition of oxyhydrogen generated by electrolysis, with varying flows at the intake manifold, on a 315 cc compression ignition engine alongside diesel were analyzed. The engine was mounted on a Thepra test bed and torque measurements were taken at predetermined test points for diesel and 6 and 10 standard cubic feet per hour flowrates of oxyhydrogen. H10 showed the maximum improvement in engine performance equating to a 22.4% increase in both torque and power at 3000 r/min, and a 19.4% increase in efficiency at 2600 r/min was recorded. The large increase in engine performance as compared to previous results is because of high oxyhydrogen flowrate to displacement volume ratio. The oxyhydrogen flowrate to displacement ratio is the most important factor as it is directly impacts engine performance. The difference in engine performance because of oxyhydrogen becomes prominent at higher engine speed due to high suction pressure. No experimental flowrates of oxyhydrogen showed any adverse effect on the engine performance.

Carbon stock trends of baldcypress knees along climate gradients of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley using allometric methods

Carbon stock trends of the knees of Taxodium distichum likely vary across climate gradients of the southeastern United States and contribute an unknown quantity of “teal” carbon to inland freshwater wetlands. Knee metrics (e.g., density, height, biomass) were measured in mixed T. distichum swamps across the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (MRAV) from Illinois to Louisiana. Based on their geometric similarity to a cone, the biomasses of field knees were estimated by relating the volume of their measured field dimensions to lab-measured water displacement volume and biomass via volume/mass regressions (biomass (g) = 7.2230149 + 0.292902 × volume). Knees had greater height in flooded conditions (maximum height = 163 cm; Goose Lake, Arkansas), and also in climate normal environments of mid-range precipitation and temperature (p < 0.0001). Overall, knee biomass ha−1 was 7.5 times greater in flooded vs. not flooded conditions (34.6 ± 7.3 vs. 4.6 ± 1.0 Mg ha−1, respectively). The overall mean of knee carbon biomass stock was substantial (flooded vs. not flooded conditions: 18.1 ± 3.7 Mg C ha−1 to 2.9 ± 0.7 Mg C ha−1, respectively; knee/tree live standing biomass: 17.9–5.2%, respectively). Clearly, T. distichum knees should not be ignored in blue (teal) carbon discussions of wetlands. Because knees respond to climate normal conditions, hotter/drier environments in the MRAV could lead to a decline in the contribution of knee carbon stock in the southeastern United States.

Evaluation of ovarian volume by transrectal ultrasonography in cattle; affect of the day of the estrous cycle and validation of a method of subtracting of corpora lutea and follicle volume

This research was conducted to evaluate a method for determining ovarian volume using ultrasonography; specifically, how the day of the estrous cycle affected ovarian volume, and the application of a formula for adjusted ovarian volume (ADJ VOL) and its relationship to actual ovarian volume. Cows (n = 22) were estrous synchronized and subjected to serial transrectal ultrasonographic evaluations, performed every 48 h from the day prior to ovulation until day 9 of the subsequent estrous cycle. Measurements obtained from recorded ultrasonographic images were used to determine actual ovarian volume cm3 = [0.523 X (D1 X D2 X D3)] and adjusted ovarian volume (ADJ VOL) cm3 = [0.523 X (D1 X D2 X D3)]- 43 (πrCL2) - 43 (πrF2) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 of the estrous cycle. A third objective was to evaluate the concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) between post-mortem ovarian measurements and the water displacement test. Ovarian volume increased with each day of the estrous cycle from Day 1 to Day 7. Day of the estrous cycle affected ovarian volume (P < 0.001). When applying the formula for ADJ VOL, there was not an effect of day of the estrous cycle (P = 0.509). Ovarian volume, results ex-vivo, were very consistent with the displacement volume results (ρc = 0.942). If large ovarian structures are present, and the day of the estrous cycle is unknown, then the formula for ADJ VOL can be used to estimate ovarian volume on Day 1 of the estrous cycle.

A new algorithm for landslide geometric and deformation analysis supported by digital elevation models

Geometric analysis of a landslide boundary, in particular, automatic determination of the length and width of landslide and classification is a challenge. In this regard, developing an integrated automatic algorithm to determine and measure length, width, area, failure flow direction, mass displacement material, and to classify a landslide, all at one time seem to be a useful method for updating landslide inventory with reliable outcomes and efficient time for disaster management. This study presents a new automatic mapping and modelling algorithm for landslide geometric analysis include calculating landslide displacement and failure flow direction. We utilized LiDAR high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) (5 m), ASTER DEM (30 m), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) associated with ground truth observations to support the geometric deformation measurements. This study aims to refurbish generating landslide inventory dataset of 2015 by implementing the proposed algorithm in a quicker time than existing and traditional methods. The proposed algorithm is scripted in MATLAB based on the DEMs of before and after a landslide. The proposed new automatic method contributes measure, determine, and calculate (a) length, width, area, (b) the flow direction of the material movement, (c) the volume of the material displacement after the onset of failure, and (d) type of a landslide, in an acceptable accuracy performance. I considered two study areas (1) Alborz Mountain of Iran and (2) Madaling of Guizhou Province in China. The proposed algorithm was validated by (a) the ground truth observations, (b) the existing inventory dataset and (c) implementing the same data in ArcGIS 10.4 to compute the relative measurement errors. The relative error for area, length, width, and volume is 0.16%, 1.67%, 0.30%, 5.50%, respectively.

The loess landslide on 15 march 2019 in Shanxi Province, China

On 15 March 2019, a fatal deep-seated landslide occurred at the village of Zaoling in Xiangning County of Shanxi Province, China. Extending to an area of about 120 m by 85 m, with an estimated displaced mass volume of 72,000 m3, the landslide left 20 people dead, 13 injured, and 8 buildings destroyed. There were no precursory signals prior to the event, and usual triggering mechanisms for a landslide were absent. Investigation conducted immediately after the incident revealed that the landslide was initiated in a 1.0 to 1.5-m thick-softened layer located at 40 m depth along the contact between the loess and interbedded paleosol layer. This softened layer was highly saturated due to the perched water on top of the relatively impervious paleosol layer and became a critical weak zone since the shear strength of loess is very sensitive to water content. We suggest that the perched water originated from extensive long-term unsaturated seepage of rainwater and local rapid percolation along preferential channels such as sinkholes and root network. The Zaoling landslide confirms that unlike most landslides in non-loess areas, loess landslides can occur without identifiable triggering events. They can result from gradual build up of instability due to slow (in the span of hundred years) accumulation of deep soil water. Based on the lessons learned from this landslide event, suggestions are given for the planning of urban and rural development in loess areas. Due to the fact that the process leading to the development of such a landslide is largely concealed, further research should be aimed at gaining a more thorough understanding of the mechanism of this landslide type.

THEORETICAL ANALISYS OF THE MAIN INDICATORS OF HYDROMECHANICAL TRANSMISSION OF A TRUCK WITH WORKING SIZE VARIATIONS

In connection with the growing trend of using continuously variable hydro volume-mechanical transmissions (HVMT) on vehicles, not only for agricultural purposes, but also for road-building, logging and special-purpose vehicles, the issue of installing this type of transmission on a domestic KrAZ vehicle is becoming more acute and promising.The most important part of the continuously variable HVMT is the hydrostatic transmission (HT), which provides a smooth change in the transmission ratio and consists of two positive displacement hydraulic machines: a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. Determination of HT indicators when using hydraulic machines with different displacement volumes is a mandatory step, without which further work in the direction of using continuously variable HVMTs on special-purpose trucks is impossible.The article deals with the theoretical determination of HVMT indicators when using axial piston hydraulic machines of different working volume with an inclined disk in the HT. The influence of changes in the working volume on the main indicators of continuously variable HVMT is investigated, such as the efficiency (efficiency) of the HT and HVMT as a whole, the operating pressure drop, the engine power when driving in full-flow, in working and transport modes.As an object of research, we used a two-line HVMT No. 1, developed by the Department of Automobile and Tractor Engineering of the National Technical University "Kharkov Polytechnic Institute", a KrAZ 6233M automobile and axial piston hydraulic machines with a working volume of 89 cm3, 118 cm3 produced by the joint-stock company Gidrosila and 150 cm3 produced by the Italian company Bondioli &amp; Pavesi. Recommendations on a possible stepless HVMT for the KrAZ 6233M vehicle are presented.