Stress response of a tension leg platform （TLP） in extreme environments was investigated in this paper. A location on one of the gussets was selected as the object point, where directional stresses were numerically ...Stress response of a tension leg platform （TLP） in extreme environments was investigated in this paper. A location on one of the gussets was selected as the object point, where directional stresses were numerically simulated and also experimentally verified by a strain gage. Environmental loading and the platform＇s structural strength were analyzed in accordance with industrial standards, utilizing linear wave theory and the finite element method （FEM）. The fast Fourier transform technique was used to calculate the stress response amplitude operators （RAO） from the records of measurements. A comparison was performed between the stress RAO of the numerical simulation and that of the actual measurements. The results indicated that the stress RAO of the numerical simulation fitted well with measured data at specified wave headings with different periods.展开更多
Adaptive models are based on the observation that there are some actions that people can and actually do take to achieve thermal comfort. Studies regarding thermal comfort conditions in economical dwellings were carri...Adaptive models are based on the observation that there are some actions that people can and actually do take to achieve thermal comfort. Studies regarding thermal comfort conditions in economical dwellings were carried out simultaneously in seven Mexican cities, corresponding to warm dry and warm humid climates. In this article, case studies of low-cost dwellings in the city of Hermosillo （in northwest Mexico）, are presented and analyzed. Field surveys were carried out to obtain information about the physical characteristics of the dwellings and their occupants, as well as the indoor thermal environment. Neutral temperature was obtained from the applied survey. The high neutral temperature reveals the effect of inhabitants＇ adaptation mechanism to extreme climates. Occupant comfort votes as a function of indoor air temperatures were analyzed, and different characteristics such as age, size and gender were evaluated separately. The results show the variability of the neutral temperature and the tolerance to temperature changes, depending on the population＇s specific characteristics. In many cases where the population does not have access to artificial acclimatization devices, the neutral temperature values for specific climates and people can inform architects when choosing the most suitable thermal strategies for building design.展开更多
Extreme weather conditions occur at an increasing rate as evidenced by higher frequency of hurricanes and more extreme precipitation and temperature anomalies. Such extreme environmental conditions will have important...Extreme weather conditions occur at an increasing rate as evidenced by higher frequency of hurricanes and more extreme precipitation and temperature anomalies. Such extreme environmental conditions will have important implications for all living organisms through greater frequency of reproductive failure and reduced adult survival. We review examples of reproductive failure and reduced survival related to extreme weather conditions. Phenotypic plasticity may not be sufficient to allow adaptation to extreme weather for many animals. Theory predicts reduced reproductive effort as a response to increased stochasticity. We predict that patterns of natural selection will change towards truncation selection as environmental conditions become more extreme. Such changes in patterns of selection may facilitate adaptation to extreme events. However, effects of selection on reproductive effort are difficult to detect. We present a number of predictions for the effects of extreme weather conditions in need of empirical tests. Finally, we suggest a number of empirical reviews that could improve our ability to judge the effects of extreme environmental conditions on life history [Current Zoology 57 （3）： 375-389, 2011].展开更多
基金supported by the Fund of "111 Project" (Grant No.B07019) from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and the Ministry of Education of China
文摘Stress response of a tension leg platform （TLP） in extreme environments was investigated in this paper. A location on one of the gussets was selected as the object point, where directional stresses were numerically simulated and also experimentally verified by a strain gage. Environmental loading and the platform＇s structural strength were analyzed in accordance with industrial standards, utilizing linear wave theory and the finite element method （FEM）. The fast Fourier transform technique was used to calculate the stress response amplitude operators （RAO） from the records of measurements. A comparison was performed between the stress RAO of the numerical simulation and that of the actual measurements. The results indicated that the stress RAO of the numerical simulation fitted well with measured data at specified wave headings with different periods.
文摘Adaptive models are based on the observation that there are some actions that people can and actually do take to achieve thermal comfort. Studies regarding thermal comfort conditions in economical dwellings were carried out simultaneously in seven Mexican cities, corresponding to warm dry and warm humid climates. In this article, case studies of low-cost dwellings in the city of Hermosillo （in northwest Mexico）, are presented and analyzed. Field surveys were carried out to obtain information about the physical characteristics of the dwellings and their occupants, as well as the indoor thermal environment. Neutral temperature was obtained from the applied survey. The high neutral temperature reveals the effect of inhabitants＇ adaptation mechanism to extreme climates. Occupant comfort votes as a function of indoor air temperatures were analyzed, and different characteristics such as age, size and gender were evaluated separately. The results show the variability of the neutral temperature and the tolerance to temperature changes, depending on the population＇s specific characteristics. In many cases where the population does not have access to artificial acclimatization devices, the neutral temperature values for specific climates and people can inform architects when choosing the most suitable thermal strategies for building design.
文摘Extreme weather conditions occur at an increasing rate as evidenced by higher frequency of hurricanes and more extreme precipitation and temperature anomalies. Such extreme environmental conditions will have important implications for all living organisms through greater frequency of reproductive failure and reduced adult survival. We review examples of reproductive failure and reduced survival related to extreme weather conditions. Phenotypic plasticity may not be sufficient to allow adaptation to extreme weather for many animals. Theory predicts reduced reproductive effort as a response to increased stochasticity. We predict that patterns of natural selection will change towards truncation selection as environmental conditions become more extreme. Such changes in patterns of selection may facilitate adaptation to extreme events. However, effects of selection on reproductive effort are difficult to detect. We present a number of predictions for the effects of extreme weather conditions in need of empirical tests. Finally, we suggest a number of empirical reviews that could improve our ability to judge the effects of extreme environmental conditions on life history [Current Zoology 57 （3）： 375-389, 2011].
