A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that humans infer future states of perceived physical situations by propagating noisy representations forward in time using rational (approximate) physics. In the present study, we examine whether humans are able to predict (1) the resting geometry of sand pouring from a funnel and (2) the dynamics of three substances—liquid, sand, and rigid ba...

Tracer and indicator microbe runoff experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of solution chemistry on the transport, retention, and release of Escherichia coli D21g. Experiments were conducted in a chamber (2.25 m long, 0.15 m wide, and 0.16 m high) packed with ultrapure quartz sand (to a depth of 0.10 m) that was placed on a metal frame at slopes of 5.6%, 8.6%, or 11.8%. Runoff ...

Cell-DEVS formalism extends cellular automata modeling. In this paper, we present a simple model for landslides using a model of a sand pile. The model uses Cell-DEVS formalism and CD++ tool to model and simulate landslides. Using this simple model, we present how Cell-DEVS formalism can be used to model systems that involve material accumulation and flow. Material flow and accumulation need sp...

A model is developed that predicts the motion and growth of oxide inclusions during pouring, as well as their final locations on the surface of steel sand castings. Inclusions originate on the melt free surface, and their subsequent growth is controlled by oxygen transfer from the atmosphere. Inclusion motion is modeled in a Lagrangian sense, taking into account drag and buoyancy forces. The in...

A septic tank combined with a sand filter is the most common onsite wastewater treatment system worldwide, since it is a simple, lowcost and reliable treatment method. Alternatives to sand in filters could be advantageous in terms of availability of material and enhanced treatment properties. In this study, flow dynamics and pollutant transport in three filter materials; sand, pine bark and act...

This laboratory study examined the use of various wood materials as a carbon source in horizontal flow filters to denitrify nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) from a synthetic wastewater. The filter materials were: sawdust (Pinus radiata), sawdust and soil, sawdust and sand, and medium-chip wood chippings and sand. Two influent concentrations of NO3-N, 200 mg L(-1) and 60 mg L(-1), loaded at 2.9 to 19.4 ...

Erosion rates were measured along the length of a tubular flow cell of type 304 (UNS S30400) stainless steel (SS) carrying dilute slurries of silica sand (0.43 mm diam) and smooth glass beads of a similar size. The segmented test cell contained a sudden constriction, a sudden expansion, and a groove to produce disturbed flow conditions. Erosion rates were reduced by changes in the cell wall geo...