• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.244-252
• /
• 2021

Wind plays an important role in cases of unexpected radioactive pollutant dispersion, deciding distribution and concentration of the leaked substance. The accurate prediction of wind has been challenging in numerical weather prediction models, especially near the surface because of the complex interaction between turbulent flow and topographic effect. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of atmospheric dispersion of radioactive material (i.e. ¹³⁷Cs) according to the simulated boundary layer around the HANARO research nuclear reactor in Korea using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Mesoscale Model Interface (MMIF)-California Puff (CALPUFF) model system. We examined the impacts of orographic drag on wind field, stability calculation methods, and planetary boundary layer parameterizations on the dispersion of radioactive material under a radioactive leaking scenario. We found that inclusion of the orographic drag effect in the WRF model improved the wind prediction most significantly over the complex terrain area, leading the model system to estimate the radioactive concentration near the reactor more conservatively. We also emphasized the importance of the stability calculation method and employing the skillful boundary layer parameterization to ensure more accurate low atmospheric conditions, in order to simulate more feasible spatial distribution of the radioactive dispersion in leaking scenarios.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.85 no.5
• /
• pp.693-707
• /
• 2023

In order to deeply reveal the working mechanism of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) filled steel tubular columns (UHPCFSTs) under cyclic loading, a three-dimension (3D) macro-mesoscale finite element (FE) model was established considering the randomness of steel fibers and the damage of UHPC. Model correctness and reliability were verified based on the experimental results. Next, the whole failure process of UHPC reinforced with steel fibers, passive confinement effect and internal force distribution laws were comprehensively analyzed and discussed. Finally, a simplified and practical method was proposed for predicting the ultimate bending strengths of UHPCFSTs. It was found that the non-uniform confinement effect of steel tube occurred when the drift ratio exceeded 0.5%, while the confining stress increased then decreased afterwards. There was preferable synergy between the steel tube and UHPC until failure. Compared with experimental results, the ultimate bending strengths of UHPCFSTs were undervalued by the current code provisions such as AISC360-10, EC4 and GB50936 with computed mean values (MVs) of 0.855, 0.880 and 0.836, respectively. The proposed practical method was highly accurate, as evidenced by a mean value of 1.058.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.671-688
• /
• 2024

The modeling efficiency of concrete meso-models close to real concrete is one of the important issues that limit the accuracy of mechanical simulation. In order to improve the modeling efficiency and the closeness of the numerical aggregate shape to the real aggregate, this paper proposes a method for generating a two-dimensional concrete meso-model based on pixel matrix and skeleton theory. First, initial concrete model (a container for placing aggregate) is generated using pixel matrix. Then, the skeleton curve of the residual space that is the model after excluding the existing aggregate is obtained using a thinning algorithm. Finally, the final model is obtained by placing the aggregate according to the curve branching points. Compared with the traditional Monte Carlo placement method, the proposed method greatly reduces the number of overlaps between aggregates by up to 95%, and the placement efficiency does not significantly decrease with increasing aggregate content. The model developed is close to the actual concrete experiments in terms of aggregate gradation, aspect ratio, asymmetry, concavity and convexity, and old-new mortar ratio, cracking form, and stress-strain curve. In addition, the cracking loss process of concrete under uniaxial compression was explained at the mesoscale.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2013

In this paper we interpreted the changes in wind field over complex mountainous terrains. The results of our study can be applied for predicting the direction of fire spread and for establishing strategies for fire prevention. The study area is bounded by $12{\times}12$ km domains of the Samcheok's long-term ecological research (LTER) site located in the east coast, in which a large-fire had occurred from 7 to 13 April 2000. Because of the area's complex topography, we compared the result of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model with those observed by four automated weather stations. The WRF simulation overestimated the wind speed by 5 to 8 m/s (~200%) in comparison with those from four automated weather stations. The wind directions observed by the AWSs were from various directions whereas those from WRF model were mostly west wind at all stations. Overall, the simulations by the WRF mesoscale models were not appropriate for the estimation of microscale wind fields over complex mountainous areas. To overcome such inadequacy of reproducing the wind fields, we employed the ENVI-met model over Samcheok's LTER site. In order to test the model's sensitivity with the terrain effects, experimental simulations were conducted with various initial conditions. The simulation results of the ENVI-met model showed a reasonable agreement in wind speeds (about 70% accuracy) with those of the four AWSs. Also, that the variations in wind directions agreed reasonably well with changes in terrain effect. We concluded that the ENVI-met model is more appropriate in representing the microscale wind field over complex mountain terrains, which is required to predict fire spread and to establish strategies for forest fire prevention.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2012

Wind is an important variable for various scientific communities such as meteorology, climatology, and renewable energy. In this study, numerical simulations using WRF mesoscale model were performed to produce temporal and spatial wind information over the Republic of Korea during 2006. Although the spatial features and monthly variations of the near-surface wind speed were well simulated in the model, the simulated results overestimated the observed values as a whole. To correct these simulated wind speeds, a regression-based statistical algorithm with different constants and coefficients by land cover type was developed using the satellite-derived LST and NDWI. The corrected wind speeds for the algorithm validation showed strong correlation and close agreement with the observed values for each land cover type, with nearly zero mean bias and less than 0.4 m/s RMSE. Therefore, the proposed algorithm using remotely sensed surface observations may be useful for correcting simulated near-surface wind speeds and producing more accurate wind information over the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.196-210
• /
• 2009

The land surface precesses is very important to predict urban meteorological conditions. Thus, the latest land use data set to reflect the rapid progress in urbanization was applied to simulate urban thermal environment in Daegu. Because use of the U.S geological Survey (USGS) 25-category data, currently in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University-National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5), does not accurately described the heterogeneity of urban surface, we replaced the land use data in USGS with the latest land-use data of the Korea Ministry of Environment over Daegu. The single urban category in existing 24-category U.S. Geological survey land cover classification used in MM5 was divided into 5 classes to account for heterogeneity of urban land cover. The new land cover classification (MC-LULC) improved the capability of MM5 to simulate the daytime part of the diurnal temperature cycle in the urban area. The 'MC-LULC' simulation produced the observed temperature field reasonably well, including spatial characteristics. The warm cores in western Daegu is characterized by an industrial area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2009

Wind energy has been recognized as one of the most important and fastest growing energy resources without emission of air pollutant. Thus, it is necessary to predict wind speed and direction accurately both in time and space toward the efficient usage of wind energy. Numerical simulation experiments using the Fifth-Generation Mesoscale Model (MM5) are carried out to clarify the impact of surface observation data assimilation on the estimation of wind energy resources. The EXP_Radius run was designed with respect to the radius of influence in the Four-Dimensional Data Assimilation (FDDA), and the EXP_Impact run was made by changing the nudging coefficient that determines the relative magnitude of the nudging term. The simulation period covers a clear-sky event on 3 - 5 June 2007 and another is on 2 - 4 December 2006. It is found that the simulated results are very sensitive to the radius of influence and nudging parameters in the FDDA. The further analysis of the results shows that the impact of the radius of influence tends to be stronger in weak synoptic flow episode than that in strong synoptic flows episode. The nudging factor is also sensitive to the intensity of the synoptic flows.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.10 no.E
• /
• pp.357-370
• /
• 1994

This paper introduces an Eulerian long- range transport model coupled with a mesoscale atmospheric model. The model has been applied to the simulation of tracer distribution during two cases of Cross Appalachian Tracer Experiment (CAPIEX). Meteorological fields are Predicted by CSU RAMS with four-dimensional assimilation and tracer transport is computed from an Eulerian dispersion model. The atmospheric model with a four-dimensional assimilation has produced meteorological fields that agree well with observation and has proved its high potential as a generator of meteorological data for a long-range transport model. The Present transport model Produces reasonable simulations of observed tracer transport although it was partially successful in the case with complicated structure in observed concentration. Model with Bott's 2nd-order scheme performs as well as that with Bott's 4th-order scheme and increased explicit horizontal diffusivity. Diagnosis of the model results indicates that the Present long-range transport model has a good potential as a framework for the acid deposition model with detailed cloud and chemical processes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.246-260
• /
• 2014

A 90-m horizontal-resolution numerical model was configured to study the micrometeorological features of local winds in the valley of Gwangneung KoFlux (Korea Flux network) Sites (GDK: Gwangneung Deciduous forest site in Korea, GCK: Gwangneung Coniferous forest site in Korea) during summer days. The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were employed for high-resolution model terrain height. Model performance was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated near-surface temperature and winds. Detailed qualitative analysis of the model-simulated wind field was carried out for two selected cases which are a clear day (Case I) and a cloudy day (Case II). Observed winds exhibited that GDK and GCK, as well as Case I and Case II, had differences in timing, duration and strength of daytime and nighttime wind direction and speeds. The model simulation results strongly supported the existence of the drainage flow in the valley of the KoFlux tower sites. Overall, the simulated model fields realistically presented the diurnal cycle of local winds in and around the valley, including the morning drainage-upslope transition and the evening reversal of upslope wind. Also, they indicated the complexity of local winds interactions by presenting that daytime westerly winds in the valley were not always pure mountain winds and were often coupled with larger-scale wind systems, such as synoptic-scale winds or mesoscale sea breezes blowing from the west coast of the peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.263-279
• /
• 2008

This study is concerned with the optimization of models using MM5 and WRF mesoscale numerical models to simulate strong sea surface winds, such as that of typhoon Shanshan on 17 September 2006, and the Siberian high event on 16 December 2006, which were selected for displaying the two highest mean wind speeds. The model optimizations for the lowest level altitude, physical parameters and horizontal resolution were all examined. The sea surface wind values obtained using a logarithmic function which takes into account low-level stability and surface roughness were more accurate than those obtained by adjusting the lowest-level of the model to 10 m linearly. To find the optimal parameters for simulating strong sea surface winds various physical parameters were combined and applied to the model. Model grid resolutions of 3-km produced better results than those of 9-km in terms of displaying accurately regions of strong wind, low pressure intensities and low pressure mesoscale structures.