This dissertation is concerned with extensions and wedge products of positive currents. Our study can be considered as a generalization for classical works done earlier in this field. Paper I deals with the extension of positive currents across different types of sets. For closed complete pluripolar obstacles, we show the existence of such extensions. To do so, further Hausdorff dimension conditions are required. Moreover, we study the case when these obstacles are zero sets of strictly k-convex functions. In Paper II, we discuss the wedge product of positive pluriharmonic (resp. plurisubharmonic) current of bidimension (p,p) with the Monge-Ampère operator of plurisubharmonic function. In the first part of the paper, we define this product when the locus points of the plurisubharmonic function are located in a (2p-2)-dimensional closed set (resp. (2p-4)-dimensional sets), in the sense of Hartogs. The second part treats the case when these locus points are contained in a compact complete pluripolar sets and p≥2 (resp. p≥3). Paper III studies the extendability of negative S-plurisubharmonic current of bidimension (p,p) across a (2p-2)-dimensional closed set. Using only the positivity of S, we show that such extensions exist in the case when these obstacles are complete pluripolar, as well as zero sets of C2-plurisubharmoinc functions. / At the time of doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Accepted. Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript.

The nearshore current field, defined here as the residual horizontal flow after averaging over the incident wave period, exhibits variability at a range of time and space scales. Some of the variable currents are low frequency gravity wave motions. However, variable, rotational (in the sense of possessing vertical vorticity) flow can also exist as part of the overall nearshore current field. A field and numerical modelling investigation of these variable rotational currents has been carried out. Drifters, which were developed for surfzone use, enabled measurement of the nearshore current structure; the design and testing of these new instruments is described. Two sets of field measurements, using the new drifters and Eulerian instruments were carried out for conditions with swell perpendicular to a plane beach and in strong longshore currents. In the perpendicular swell conditions, an interesting and well-defined feature of the measured trajectories was the development of transient rip currents. Discrete vortices were also observed. In the longshore current case, trajectories with the longshore current displacement removed had complex meandering paths. Lagrangian data were used to make estimates of length scales and dispersion, both of which provide strong evidence that the current field cannot be due to low frequency gravity waves alone. Under the assumption of equipartition of kinetic and potential energy for low frequency gravity waves, Eulerian measurements of velocities and pressure show significant energy due to non-divergent, rotational flow in both the perpendicular swell and longshore current case. A numerical model that can simulate horizontal flow with a directionally spread, random wave field incident on a plane beach was implemented. The model developed transient rip currents that are qualitatively very similar to those seen in the drifter trajectories from the field. The number and intensity of rip currents in the model depended on the beach slope and incident wave spectra. The energy content and cross-shore flux (and hence transport of material) of the rotational current flow component in the simulated flow fields is comparable to that due to low frequency gravity waves. The modelling also provided some evidence that there may be universal characteristics of the rotational currents. The field results and modelling show that variable rotational currents are ubiquitous in the field even when longshore currents and hence shear waves are not present. The term “infragravity turbulence” is suggested to describe the general class of nearshore hydrodynamics not directly associated with shear waves, which is largely disorganised, but contains well defined features such as transient rips currents and large scale horizontal vortices. The results have important implications in the understanding of the transport of material, including sediment, biological material, pollution, and sometimes bathers, in the nearshore zone.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-132).

Turbidity currents are one of the primary means of transport of sediment in the ocean. They are fast-moving, destructive fluid flows which are able to entrain sediment from the seabed and accelerate downslope in a process known as `ignition'. In this thesis, we investigate one particular model for turbidity currents; the `Parker model' of Parker, Pantin and Fukushima (1986), which models the current as a continuous sediment stream and consists of four equations for the depth, velocity, sediment concentration and turbulent kinetic energy of the flow. We propose two reduced forms of the model; a one-equation velocity model and a two-equation shallow-water model. Both these models give an insight into the dynamics of a turbidity current propagating downstream and we find the slope profile to be particularly influential. Regions of supercritical and subcritical flow are identified and the model is solved through a combination of asymptotic approximations and numerical solutions. We next consider the dynamics of the four-equation model, which provides a particular focus on Parker's turbulent kinetic energy equation. This equation is found to fail catastrophically and predict complex-valued solutions when the sediment-induced stratification of the current becomes large. We propose a new `transition' model for turbulent kinetic energy which features a switch from an erosional, turbulent regime to a depositional, stably stratified regime. Finally, the transition model is solved for a series of case studies and a numerical parameter study is conducted in an attempt to answer the question `when does a turbidity current become extinct?'.

[pt] A combinação de modelos numéricos com modelos computacionais tem contribuido muito para o melhor entendimento matemático de fluxos gravitacionais, porém esses modelos não podem substituir a análise através de trabalhos experimentais. O uso de modelos físicos em escala provou ser essencial na validação de equações para modelagem de correntes de turbidez. Com o objetivo de diminuir o nível de dificuldade em modelar numericamente essas correntes e de gerar modelos computacionais de alto desempenho, algumas simplificações foram feitas durante o desenvolvimento das equações de velocidade. Dessa forma, para provar que tais simplificações não iriam alterar os resultados numéricos do modelo, foram realizados inúmeros experimentos, coletando informações sobre a evolução espaço- temporal de velocidades das correntes de turbidez não- confinadas com e sem partículas. Comparando os resultados do modelo numérico com os do modelo físico, foi concluído que, infelizmente, as aproximações influenciaram os resultados. Contudo, os dados e a comparação visual entre as simulações também revelaram alguns resultados encorajadores, os quais estimularão pesquisas futuras para se melhorar a precisão da equação de velocidade utilizada no modelo numérico. / [en] The combination between numerical and computer models has improved dramatically the mathematical understanding of gravity currents; however, these models can not replace the analysis by experimental work. The use of scaled analogue models, or physical models, proved to be essential in validating velocity equations for turbidity currents. In order to reduce the level of difficulty to model mathematically these currents, some approximations were applied during the development of the velocity equation. Therefore, willing to prove that these approximations would not compromise the numerical results, innumerous experiments were performed to acquire a spatio-temporal velocity evolution database for both unconfined particle free and particulate turbidity flows. Comparing the results from the numerical and physical simulations, it was concluded that, unfortunately, the approximations have influenced the numerical results. Nevertheless, the data and visual comparisons between the simulations also revealed some encouraging results, which will stimulate some future research to improve the accuracy of the depth-averaging velocity equation.

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This thesis essentially presents the experimental investigation of the fundamental phenomena of electric fuse element disintegration and its causation and influence on the subsequent fragmentation of the fuse elements when subjected to excessive fault currents. The basis of the study involved experimental observation of disintegration of fuse elements and the analysis of the dynamic responses of current-carrying conductors, which precipitate disintegration. The experimental techniques employed utilised commercially available video cameras to capture images of element disruptions during disintegration of fuse elements subjected to low short-circuit and high overload currents. Specialist experimental image capturing techniques and hardware implementations were developed to enable investigation of element disintegration caused by high short-circuit fault currents. Disintegration phenomena of fuse elements for all fault cases were compared within different time domains, which included specialist techniques to investigate disintegration of elements in sand and against glass substrates. Disintegration phenomena of elements in unconfined media such as air and water also constituted the studies. The studies diverged, finally, into experimental observations of the temporal development of arc initiation and extinction phenomena of fault current limiting of HBC fuses using spectroscopic analysis of the arc light radiation. The range of studies covered have led to new understandings of fundamental current limiting behaviour of HBC and open type fuses which contribute, in a small way, to the knowledge base of the subject and hopefully will be an aid to improved designs and development of new types of electric fuse.

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No description available.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / High Frequency (HF) radar backscatter instruments are under development and testing in the marine science and defense science communities for their abilities to remotely sense surface parameters in the coastal ocean over large areas. In the Navy context, the systems provide real-time mapping of ocean surface currents and waves critical to characterization and forecasting of the battlespace environment. In this study, HF radar, aircraft and satellite information were used to investigate and describe surface current in Monterey Bay, California, for a period of ten months, from June 01st, 2003 to March 31st, 2004. A network of five CODAR-type HF radar instruments measured hourly surface currents over the bay. The measurements were averaged over one-hour intervals and total surface velocities were mapped on a grid in the Monterey Bay. From the M1 Buoy located in the middle of the bay, an uninterrupted time series of wind intensity and direction was obtained for the whole period. Major upwelling events were observed during the period of June 14 to June 27, July 4 to July 19, August 8 to August 18 and other upwelling events were observed until late October. These periods of upwelling favorable winds are common during summer with durations of 10 to 20 days. Often they are interrupted by periods of relaxation state of just a few days as the winds veer to the northwest or northeast. Cyclonic circulation cells are developed on shore during upwelling conditions and an anticyclonic circulation in the middle of the bay is observed when the wind shifts to the southwest producing a strong flow out of the bay close to the coastline off Point Piǫs. Downwelling conditions are much common less than upwelling, with occurrences during winter and early fall storms with events lasting between two to five days. When the wind blows to the northeast with an intensity of 4 m/s or more for more than 12 hours, a well developed anticyclonic gyre forms in the middle of the bay. This is associated with a strong current, 35 to 40 cm/s, which flushes out in the southern part of the bay close to the coast off Point Piǫs. This flow reverses when the winds veer to the southwest and enter into the Bay with less intensity. / First Lieutenant, Chilean Navy