ITC/USA 2013 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Ninth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 21-24, 2013 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV / The tracking modulation index (Km) is a key performance parameter for any autotracking antenna and should especially be considered for classically difficult targets such as missiles and/or fast moving aircraft. Antenna subsystems are typically characterized by their gain to temperature ratio (G/T) to optimize receive data bit error rates (BER) for distant targets. One important parameter often overlooked for telemetry autotracking antennas is a graded value for the available tracking modulation index (Km) that is common in radar autotracking applications. Tracking modulation performance is a major contributor for minimizing the antenna pointing error during an autotrack mission. Autotracking radar antenna specifications typically include tracking modulation as a major design parameter, many receive-only autotrack antennas used for telemetry applications do not consider this important parameter for the intended tracking mission which may result in poor autotracking performance. This paper investigates the effects of tracking modulation levels on system pointing errors for various classes of feed topologies.

Evaluation of the seismic stability of slopes often involves an estimate of the expected sliding displacements. This evaluation requires a suite of acceleration-time histories as input motions. The methods of selecting and scaling these motions can affect the computed sliding displacements. Linear scaling of recorded ground motions and modification of recorded motions by spectral matching are common approaches used for ground motion selection and these approaches were used in this study to select motions for use in sliding displacement analyses. Rigid sliding block analyses and decoupled flexible sliding block analyses were performed using a suite of linearly scaled motions and a suite of spectrally matched motions. . Generally, the spectrally matched motions predict 10 to 30%, on average, smaller displacements and significantly less variability than the linearly scaled motions, when both suites of input motions were developed to match the same acceleration response spectrum. When both suites of input motions were developed to match the same peak ground velocity and acceleration response spectrum, the spectrally matched motions generally predict 5 to 15%, on average, larger displacements than the linearly scaled motions. Because ground motion parameters beyond acceleration response spectrum affect the computed sliding displacement, parameters such as peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV) and mean period (T[subscript m]) should be considered in selecting and scaling motions for use in sliding displacement analyses. / text

The rigid sliding-block analysis introduced by Newmark in 1965 has become a popular method for assessing the stability of slopes during earthquakes. Estimates of sliding displacement calculated using this methodology serve as an index of seismic performance and are used for mapping seismic landslide hazard potential. The original approach of rigorously integrating ground acceleration time-histories to compute estimates of sliding displacement has been replaced by the use of simple, empirical models that predict displacement as a function of a slope's yield acceleration and one or more measures of ground shaking. To be useful the results of these models must be compared with observations of landslides from previous earthquakes. Seven different empirical models were evaluated by comparing predicted displacements with an inventory of observed landslides from the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake. Using a comprehensive set of ground motion data and shear strength properties from the Northridge earthquake, sliding displacements were calculated within a geographic information system (GIS) and the accuracy of each model was computed. The influence of factors such as landslide size, geologic unit, slope angle, and material strength on the prediction of landslides was also evaluated. The results were used to show that the accuracy of the predictive models depends less on the model used and more on the uncertainty in the model parameters, specifically the assigned shear strength values. Because current approaches do not take into account the spatial variability of strength within individual geologic units, the accuracy of the predictive models is controlled by the distribution of slope angles within observed and predicted landslide cells. Assigning overly conservative (low) shear strength values results in a higher percentage of landslides accurately identified, but also results in a large over-estimation of the seismic landslide hazard. / text

Σκοπός της παρούσας Διατριβής Ειδίκευσης είναι η παρακολούθηση του κατολισθητικού φαινομένου του οικισμού Καρυάς του Δήμου Πατρέων, με μετρήσεις αποκλισιομέτρων ώστε να προσδιοριστεί ποσοτικά ο ρυθμός μετακίνησης της περιοχής μελέτης και να εξαχθούν συμπεράσματα για την μελλοντική του εξέλιξη, όπως καθορίζεται μέσω αναλύσεων ευστάθειας πρανών. Η εν λόγω περιοχή παρουσιάζει αξιόλογο ενδιαφέρον, λόγω των ιδιαίτερων και σύνθετων γεωλογικών συνθηκών, των συχνών και σημαντικών κατολισθητικών φαινομένων των τελευταίων ετών που προκάλεσαν σημαντικές καταστροφές σε τεχνικά έργα και ανθρώπινες περιουσίες. Στα πλαίσια της Διατριβής και της παράλληλης Έρευνας του Εργαστηρίου Τεχνικής Γεωλογίας στην περιοχή ενδιαφέροντος πραγματοποιήθηκε λεπτομερής γεωτεχνική έρευνα που περιελάμβανε ανόρυξη δειγματοληπτικών γεωτρήσεων σε επιλεγμένες θέσεις με ταυτόχρονη τοποθέτηση αποκλισιομέτρων, συστηματική λήψη αποκλισιομετρικών μετρήσεων, σειρά εργαστηριακών και επί τόπου δοκιμών σε κατάλληλα διαμορφωμένα δείγματα, λεπτομερή καταγραφή των τεχνικογεωλογικών συνθηκών της περιοχής με βάση κυρίως τη σύσταση, τη δομή των γεωλογικών σχηματισμών. Έγινε διάκριση των σχηματισμών της περιοχής έρευνας σε επιμέρους Γεωτεχνικές Ενότητες και σχεδιάστηκαν αντιπροσωπευτικές γεωτεχνικές – τεχνικογεωλογικές διατομές με σκοπό τη σύνθεση και ερμηνεία του γεωτεχνικού περιβάλλοντος της περιοχής. Παράλληλα πραγματοποιήθηκαν αναλύσεις ευστάθειας πρανών με χρήση εξειδικευμένου λογισμικού σε επιλεγμένες διατομές κατά μήκος των γεωτρήσεων στην κατολισθαίνουσα ζώνη Καρυάς. Σκοπός των αναλύσεων ευστάθειας πρανών ήταν να γίνει εκτίμηση πιθανών μετακινήσεων σε επιλεγμένα σημεία της περιοχής έρευνας και να παρατηρηθεί εάν το είδος ολίσθησης εξακολουθεί να είναι το ίδιο με αυτό που είχε διαπιστωθεί κατά την τελευταία εκδήλωση του κατολισθητικού φαινομένου. / The Aim of this ΜSc. Project is the exploration of the landslide phenomeno in the region of Karya, Patras, Western Greece by inclinometer measurements in order to define quantitatively the movement rate of the study area and export conclusions on its future development, as it specified via slope stability analysis. The study area is an area with complex geological conditions and is well known especially for the important and large-scale landslide phenomena which have taken place during the last years near Karya village and caused important destructions in engineering works and human fortunes. This project was done along with survey of the Laboratory of Engineering Geology, Geology Department, University of Patras. The full survey program included geological mapping focused on the engineering properties of the soil and rock formations, fifteen (15) sampling boreholes, inclinometer installation and measurement and laboratory tests. Through laboratory testing and detailed description of soil and rock samples the formations were classified in several units and several geotechnical cross-sections were constructed to make a general geological-geotechnical model of the study area. The geological and geotechnical data were used to perform Limit Equilibrium Slope Stability analysis. The survey results were used to define probable movements of the study area and to establish the slipping type.

The goal of this research was to evaluate the application uniformity of subsurface drip distribution systems and the recovery of emitter flow rates. Emission volume in the field, and laboratory measured flow rates were determined for emitters from three locations. Additionally, the effects of lateral orientation with respect to slope on emitter plugging was evaluated. Two different emitters were tested to evaluate slope effects on emitter plugging (type Y and Z). The emitters were alternately spliced together and installed in an up and down orientation on slopes of 0, 1, 2 and 4% and along the contour on slopes of 1 and 2%. The emitters were covered with soil and underwent a simulated year of dosing cycles, and then flushed with a flushing velocity of 0.6 m/s. Initial flow rates for the two emitter types were 2.38 L/hr with a C.V. of 0.07. There was no significant difference in flow rates among slopes for type Y emitters, but there was a significant difference between the 1% and 2 % contour slopes for type Z emitters. Application uniformity of three different laterals at each site was evaluated. Sections of the lateral from the beginning, middle and end were excavated and emission volumes were recorded for each emitter. Application uniformity of laterals ranged from 48.69 to 9.49%, 83.55 to 72.60%, and 44.41 to 0% for sites A, B, and C, respectively. Mean emitter flow rate was 2.21, 2.24, and 2.56 L/hr for sites A, B, and C, respectively under laboratory conditions. Application uniformity under laboratory conditions ranged from 70.97 to 14.91%, 86.67 to 79.99%, and 85.04 to 0.00% for sites A, B, and C, respectively. A flushing velocity of 0.15 m/s with no chlorination, shock chlorination of 3400 mg/L and flushing velocity of 0.15 m/s, and shock chlorination of 3400 mg/L and flushing velocity of 0.6 m/s treatment regiments were applied to all laterals collected to assess emitter flow rate recovery to the nominal flow rate published by the manufacturer. All laterals showed an increase in the number of emitters within 10% of the published nominal flow rate.

The heavy rainfall, gentle to severe topography with high proportion of bare spots, and weed patches emphasize the need of variable rate split (VRS) fertilization in wild blueberry. Two commercial fields were selected in central Nova Scotia to evaluate the impact of VRS fertilization on ammonia volatilization, subsurface water quality, and crop productivity. Management zones were delineated based on slope variability, and different fertilizer rates were applied using global positioning system (GPS) guided prescription map. Ammonia huts were used to quantify the ammonia volatilization losses, while the lysimeters were installed in the fields to evaluate the impact of different fertilizer treatments on subsurface water quality. The VRS treatment significantly decreased the ammonia volatilization losses and nutrients leaching losses as compared to uniform treatment. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that VRS fertilization in wild blueberry fields could reduce environmental contamination and improve crop productivity.

The interaction between the driver, the car and the road is essential for the road safety. This case study focuses on the road condition and its effect regarding road safety issues. By studying and isolating the road condition aspect and its contributing role to the accident occurrence, the aim is to explore their relationship, as well as highlight the road parameters that are commonly associated with accident occurrence. This result will be used to develop and increase awareness of the impact of poor road alignment and poor road surface conditions on traffic safety, in order to prevent these accidents from occurring. The road parameters chosen for this study include side friction, cross slope and rut bottom cross slope, road texture, curvature, drainage gradient and rutting. The case study was limited to lv 360 in Västerbotten, where all accidents with an unclear cause of the accident were studied, between 2003 and 2012 were carefully studied and assessed based on the condition of the road at the time of the accident. The study was based on accident data from Transportstyrelsens accident database STRADA and road data was obtained from Vecturas Profilograf. Analysis of the various road parameters and their respective safety limits, identified many hazardous sections on lv 360. Low side friction values, insufficient drainage gradient and incorrect cross slopes are some of the shortcomings that were found. The results show that 70% of all accidents occurred on curves where the vehicle either skidded or went off the road. Furthermore, the results show that the side friction demand in 65% of the accidents far exceeded the designed side friction supply according to VGU. Insufficient side friction associated with curves shows an evident relation with the accident occurrence. The analysis shows that 80% of the accidents had deficiencies in two or more road parameters. Improperly designed cross slopes in curves – where the slope instead of resisting the lateral force, contributed to it – was found to create dangerous circumstances for the traffic. These were also found at lv 360, why the cross slope design according to the results, directly affects the accident rate – particularly at curves. Improper cross slope in sections where the gradient is low often result in insufficient drainage gradient, and consequently a high skid risk. These were common on entry and exit points of curves, where the cross slope shifts between straight sections and curves and thus passes zero. The results show that the drainage gradient in 70 % of the accidents was too low and in many cases fell below VGU's requirement of 0.5 % before and after the curve. / Samarbetet mellan föraren, bilen och vägen är essentiellt för trafiksäkerheten. Denna fallstudie fokuserar på vägens tillstånd och dess roll inom trafiksäkerhetsarbetet. Genom att studera och isolera vägaspekten och dess bidragande roll till olycksförekomsten, är målet att tydliggöra relationen mellan dessa, samt belysa de vägparametrar som vanligen associeras med trafikolyckor. Detta för att utveckla och utöka medvetenheten kring effekten av dålig linjeföring och bristfälliga vägytegenskaper, för att i framtiden kunna förebygga dessa olyckor. De parametrar som studerades är bland annat sidofriktionen, tvärfallet och spårbottentvärfallet, texturen, kurvaturen, snedlutningen och spårdjupet. Arbetet avgränsades till länsväg (lv) 360 i Västerbotten, där alla olyckor med en oklar olycksorsak mellan åren 2003 och 2012 studerades, och bedömdes efter vägens tillstånd vid olyckan. Studien baserades på olycksuppgifter från Transportstyrelsens olycksdatabas STRADA och vägmätningar utförda av Vecturas Profilograf. Vid analys av de olika väg parametrarna och deras respektive gränsvärden, identifierades många brister på länsväg 360. Låga sidofriktionsvärden, otillräcklig snedlutningar och felaktiga tvärfall vid kurvor är några av de brister som påhittades. Resultatet visar att 70 % av alla olyckor inträffade i kurvor där fordonet antingen fått sladd eller åkt av vägen. Vidare visar resultatet att sidofriktionsbehovet i 65 % av olyckorna långt översteg den dimensionerande sidofriktionen enligt regelverket Vägar och Gators Utformning (VGU). För liten sidofriktion i samband med kurvor visar en tydlig koppling till olycksförekomsten. Analysen visar dessutom att 80 % av olyckorna hade brister i två eller fler vägparametrar. Felaktigt utformat tvärfall vid kurvor – där lutningen istället för att motverka sidokraften bidrar till den – skapar livsfarliga förutsättningar för trafiken. Även dessa påträffades på länsväg 360, varför tvärfallets utformning enligt resultatet direkt påverkar på olyckstalet, i synnerhet vid kurvor. För litet tvärfall i de sektioner där även längslutningen är låg innebär dessutom otillräcklig snedlutning (resultanten av tvärfallet och längslutningen) och medför stora risker för halka. Dessa är vanliga vid in- och utfarter av kurvor, där tvärfallet övergår mellan raksträcka och kurva och passerar noll. Resultatet visar att 70 % av olyckorna hade för låg snedlutning samt att flera sträckor i många fall underskred VGU:s krav på 0,5 % före och efter kurvan. Som lösning föreslås hastighetssänkning och varningsskyltar vid skarpa kurvor samt att stor kraft bör läggas på korrekt utförda tvärfall som tar hänsyn till sidokraften.

In February 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy, BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc., and the U.S. Geological Survey conducted an extensive data collection effort at the "Mount Elbert #1" gas hydrates stratigraphic test well on the Alaska North Slope (ANS). The 22-day field program acquired significant gas hydrate-bearing reservoir data, including a full suite of open-hole well logs, over 500 feet of continuous core, and open-hole formation pressure response tests. Hole conditions, and therefore log data quality, were excellent due largely to the use of chilled oilbased drilling fluids. The logging program confirmed the existence of approximately 30 m of gashydrate saturated, fine-grained sand reservoir. Gas hydrate saturations were observed to range from 60% to 75% largely as a function of reservoir quality. Continuous wire-line coring operations (the first conducted on the ANS) achieved 85% recovery through 153 meters of section, providing more than 250 subsamples for analysis. The "Mount Elbert" data collection program culminated with open-hole tests of reservoir flow and pressure responses, as well as gas and water sample collection, using Schlumberger's Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT) wireline tool. Four such tests, ranging from six to twelve hours duration, were conducted. This field program demonstrated the ability to safely and efficiently conduct a research-level openhole data acquisition program in shallow, sub-permafrost sediments. The program also demonstrated the soundness of the program's pre-drill gas hydrate characterization methods and increased confidence in gas hydrate resource assessment methodologies for the ANS.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėtas armuotų šlaitų pastovumą užtikrinančių geosintetinių gaminių kiekis ir stipris parenkant užpildą bei keičiant šlaito kampą. Siekiant padidinti šlaito pastovumą, nagrinėti tokie skaičiavimo atvejai: pirmas – kai šlaito užpildą sudaro birūs gruntai, kurių vidinės trinties kampas kinta φ = 38˚ ÷ 27˚, sankabumas c ir vienetinis grunto svoris γ pastovus; antras – kai vidinės trinties kampas kinta φ=38˚÷27˚, vienetinis grunto svoris kinta γ = 19,8 ÷ 15,1 [kN/m3], o sankabumas c pastovus; trečias – kai kinta sankabumas c = 10 ÷ 30 [kPa], o vidinės trinties kampas φ ir vienetinis grunto svoris γ pastovus; ketvirtas – kai kinta šlaito posvyrio kampas nuo 63° iki 45˚. Armuoti šlaitai sumodeliuoti ir paskaičiuoti „Stability“ programa, išnagrinėjus rezultatus, pateikiamos baigiamojo darbo išvados. / In the master thesis it was analysed of reinforcement slopes stability controlled reduce the slope angle, change of fill properties. To increase the slope stability, consideration of such cases in the calculation: first – properties of fill: angle of friction change φ = 38˚ ÷ 27˚, cohesion c and unit weight of the soil γ are constant; second – properties of fill: angle of friction change φ = 38˚ ÷ 27˚, unit weight of the soil change γ = 19,8 ÷ 15,1 [kN/m3], cohesion c is constant; third – cohesion change c = 10 ÷ 30 [kPa], angle of friction φ and unit weight of the soil γ are constant; fourth – reduce the slope angle from 63° to 45˚. „Huesker – Stability „ program were used for calculation and design. After analysis of results, there were formulated an conclusion.

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