Scheduling∕Cost Optimization and Neural Dynamics Model for Construction

A general mathematical formulation is presented for the scheduling of construction projects and is applied to the problem of highway construction scheduling. Repetitive and nonrepetitive tasks, work continuity constraints, multiple-crew strategies, and the effects of varying job conditions on the performance of a crew can be modeled. An optimization formulation is presented for the construction project scheduling problem, with the goal of minimizing the direct construction cost. The nonlinear optimization is then solved by the neural dynamics model developed recently by Adeli and Park. For any given construction duration, the model yields the optimum construction schedule for minimum construction cost automatically. By varying the construction duration, one can solve the cost-duration trade-off problem and obtain the global optimum schedule and the corresponding minimum construction cost. The new construction scheduling model provides the capabilities of both the critical path method (CPM) and linear scheduling method (LSM) approaches. In addition, it provides features desirable for repetitive projects, such as highway construction, and allows schedulers greater flexibility. It is particularly suitable for studying the effects of change order on the construction cost. This research provides the mathematical foundation for development of a new generation of more general, flexible, and accurate construction scheduling systems.     

Analysis of Resistive Open Defects in Drowsy SRAM Cells

New fault behaviors can emerge with the introduction of a drowsy mode to SRAMs. In this work, we show that, in addition to the data-retention faults that can occur during the drowsy mode, open defects in SRAM cells can also result in new fault behaviors when a memory is accessed immediately after wake-up. We first describe these new read-after-drowsy (RAD) fault behaviors and derive their corresponding fault primitives (FPs). Then, we propose a new March test, called March RAD, by inserting drowsy operations to a traditional test algorithm. Finally, the impact of the standby supply voltage on triggering the drowsy faults in SRAM cells is investigated. It is shown that, as the supply voltage is reduced in the drowsy mode to further cut down leakage, open defects with a parasitic resistance as small as 100 K Ω begin to cause faults.     

Modeling of failure mode of laser welds in lap-shear specimens of HSLA steel sheets

Failure mode of laser welds in lap-shear specimens of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel sheets is investigated in this paper. The experiments for laser welds in lap-shear specimens under quasi-static loading conditions are briefly reviewed first. The experimental results showed that the laser welds failed in a ductile necking/shear failure mode and the ductile failure was initiated at a distance away from the crack tip near the boundary of the base metal and heat affected zone. In order to understand the failure mode of these welds, finite element analyses under plane strain conditions were conducted to identify the effects of the different plastic behaviors of the base metal, heat affected zone, and weld zone as well as the weld geometry on the ductile failure. The results of the reference finite element analysis based on the homogenous material model show that the failure mode is most likely to be a middle surface shear failure mode in the weld. The results of the finite element analysis based on the multi-zone non-homogeneous material models show that the higher effective stress–plastic strain curves of the weld and heat affected zones and the geometry of the weld protrusion result in the necking/shear failure mode in the load carrying sheet. The results of another finite element analysis based on the non-homogeneous material model and the Gurson yield function for porous materials indicate that the consideration of void nucleation and growth is necessary to identify the ductile failure initiation site that matches well with the experimental observations. Finally, the results of this investigation indicate that the failure mode of the welds should be examined carefully and the necking/shear failure mode needs to be considered for development of failure or separation criteria for welds under more complex loading conditions.     

Proposed improvements in sand-lime bricks and mortar bonding

The results of a study by Asim Yeginobali and Hikmat Hammdouni provides valuable information for improving the quality of local masonry mortars, the sand-lime bricks and the bonding between them. As a result of this study, improvements have been recommended for both mortar content and sand-lime brick manufacture.     

Studies in isodielectric media Part—I. Standard potentials of the silver—silver chloride electrode in dimethyl formamide + ethylene glycol mixtures at 25°C

Standard potentials (_sE^s) of the silver—silver chloride electrode have been determined at 25°C in some approximately isodielectric media containing ethylene glycol (EG) and 10, 30 and 50% by weight of N-N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) from emf measurements performed on the cell: H₂ (g, 1 atm)/HCl (m). solvent/AgClAg. From these values the activity coefficients (^s_sγ) of HCl at several concentration in each of the mixed solvents and the standard Gibbs energies of transfer (ΔG⁰_t) of HCl from EG to the mixed solvents have been computed. Comparison of the observed ΔG⁰_t (HCl)-composition profile with those for three other related solvent systems studied earlier, reveals that the observed profile results from the opposing effects of the larger proton-accepting and the pronounced anion-desolvating propensities of DMF and its glycolic mixtures compared to pure EG and that the increased stabilization of proton is superseded by the increased desolvation of Cl^? at higher proportions of DMF.     

A new mesoporous FeBO3 material having dominant surface magnetism

A new mesoporous iron(III) borate material has been synthesized hydrothermally by using supramolecular assembly of cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) or anionic (sodiumdodecyl sulfate, SDS) surfactant as structure directing agent (SDA) during co-condensation of Fe(III) and H₃BO₃ under controlled pH condition. Powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ sorption, HRTEM, FE-SEM-EDS, AAS, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopic tools, Mössbauer and magnetization measurements are used to characterize the nanostructure, porosity, morphology, chemical composition and magnetic properties. Template molecules can be removed from the as-synthesized material by two consecutive HCl–EtOH extraction and the template-free sample showed good surface area with a peak pore width of ca. 2.6 nm. Spectroscopic results suggested the octahedral coordination of Fe(III) in the FeBO₃ framework. Magnetic measurements suggested the coexistence of antiferromagnetic core and the glassy magnetic behavior. The glassy magnetic behavior is ascribed to the dominant surface magnetism for mesoporous FeBO₃. Acid catalytic properties of this material in liquid phase benzylation of mesityline and anisole have been studied.     

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of novel styryl dyes

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of two novel styryl dyes, namely, 1,3-diethyl-5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione and 5-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diethyl-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione were studied using the Z-scan technique employing 7 ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The nonlinear refractive index, nonlinear absorption coefficient, magnitude of effective third-order susceptibility and coupling factor were determined. The optical power limiting behavior of the colorants was ascribed to two-photon absorption phenomenon. Nonlinear absorption cross-section increased with increase in π electron density and the effective two-photon absorption cross-section was two orders of magnitude larger than those of commercially available azo compounds. The results suggest that these colorants offer promise as nonlinear optical materials for device applications.     

Effect of imidazole based polymer blend electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells in energy harvesting window glass applications

The exploration of polymer electrolyte in the field of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can contribute to increase the invention of renewable energy applications. In the present work, the influence of imidazole on the poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-Ethylene carbonate (EC)-KI-I₂ polymer blend electrolytes has been evaluated. The different weight percentages of imidazole added into polymer blend electrolytes have been prepared by solution casting. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-visible spectra, photoluminescence spectra and impedance spectroscopy. The surface roughness texture of the film was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The ionic conductivity of the optimized polymer blend electrolyte was determined by impedance measurement, which is 1.95×10^-3 S·cm^-1 at room temperature. The polymer electrolyte containing 40 wt% of imidazole content exhibits the highest photo-conversion efficiency of 3.04% under the illumination of 100 mW·cm^-2. Moreover, a considerable enhancement in the stability of the DSSC device was demonstrated.