On auto- and cross-interdependence in interval field finite element analysis

This paper discusses the concepts of auto- and cross-interdependence in interval field finite element analysis. In classic interval analysis, independent intervals are used to construct hyper-rectangular input spaces that correspond to the bounded uncertainty that is present on some model parameters. This is a direct result from the inability of modeling interdependence. Such assumption of complete independence might prove in some cases to be highly over-conservative. A first example is the modeling of spatial uncertainty, where the interdependence is governed by allowable spatial gradients of field realizations. Secondly, interdependence can also occur in case uncertainty in several structural quantities has the same root cause (eg, the manufacturing process). Recent work by the authors introduced concepts for modeling dependence between intervals in a spatial and multivariate context. However, it is unclear how an analyst has to deal with multiple quantities that have a spatial uncertainty component and are furthermore interdependent. This paper presents an approach to link multiple interval fields using recently introduced convex hull pair constructions and inverse distance weighting interpolation. Two case studies to illustrate the new methodology are included, proving the flexibility of the methodology in the modeling of auto- and cross-interdependence between multiple interval scalars and/or interval fields.     

Improving basic relationships of pipe hydraulics

This communication presents the approaches set up for processing spinner flowmeter well logs in vertical wells with a single fluid phase, which is the most widely used in assessing wells productivity. These focus on improving the pipe hydraulics relationships so that the different fluid inputs throughout the well can be quantified. Since vertical flow inside wells varies with depth between laminar flows (very low Reynolds number, i.e. Re < 10³) and turbulent (Re > 4·10³) the aim has been to reduce the uncertainty in the transition interval. Starting from bibliographical data and/or well-known formulas for laminar and for turbulent flow, several continuous relationships have been developed for any regime: 1) an expression for the radial distribution of velocity inside the pipeline (velocity profile) was developed. 2) A relationship between the average velocity and the velocity at the axis (velocity factor) was created. 3) A third equation was generated to obtain the friction factor in smooth pipes (and starting from this, a new explicit equation for rough pipes). The purpose has been to have a set of empirical expressions of easy and continuous application for any regime, as an alternative to the use of computer simulations.     

RV减速器扭转刚度计算

扭转刚度是影响机器人运动精度、定位精度和重复定位精度的重要参数之一,本文通过对RV减速器内部齿轮副啮合刚度和各类型轴承刚度理论计算,提出了建立两个RV减速器虚拟样机,即在齿轮传动专业软件Romax中建立虚拟样机1,计算出系统变形引起的扭转刚度K1;同时在通用仿真动力学软件中建立虚拟样机2,计算出RV减速器回滞曲线,通过回滞曲线计算出扭转刚度K2,采用弹簧串联原理,计算了RV减速器扭转刚度K并通过试验验证了此方法的正确性。     

Double hysteresis loops and enhanced mechanical quality factor of Mn-doped 0.75PMN-0.25PT ceramics

Relaxor ferroelectric 0.75 Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.25PbTiO₃ (0.75PMN-0.25PT) ceramics with Mn-doping concentration of 0%, 1%, 2% and 3 mol% were prepared by two-step sintering. The phase composition, microstructure, dielectric property, ferroelectric property, piezoelectric property and electromechanical property were investigated. Results indicate that all ceramics exhibit pure perovskite phases and high density. Mn-doping induces some decrease in dielectric constant ε_r, dielectric loss tanδ, remnant polarization P_r, piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃, and electromechanical coupling coefficient k_p, while significant increase in mechanical quality factor Q_m and the figure of merit (FOM) of 0.75PMN-0.25PT ceramics. For 3 mol% Mn-doped 0.75PMN-0.25PT ceramics, Q_m enhances by 1449%, FOM increases by 923%, and tanδ decreases by 67%, which makes it more suitable for high power applications. Interestingly, double P-E loops are observed in 3 mol% Mn-doped 0.75PMN-0.25PT ceramics. The phenomenon was investigated by the symmetry-conforming principle of point defects and the internal bias field.     

A new interval diagnosis method: Application to the spacecraft rendezvous phase of the Mars sample return mission

This paper presents a new optimized interval principal component analysis applied to detect and isolate actuators faults of an autonomous spacecraft involved in the rendezvous phase of the Mars sample return mission. Based on the exploitation of various arithmetic and interval analysis properties, the new interval model is built by solving the interval eigenpairs problem via a resolution of a parametric linear programming problem. The detection and isolation phases are performed by extending the classic methods to interval-valued data. The proposed method is applied to detect and isolate actuators faults that can occur on the spacecraft's thrusters. Based on data provided by a “high fidelity” industrial simulator developed by Thales Alenia Space, the obtained results proved the effectiveness of the proposed interval fault diagnosis method on detecting and isolating thrusters' faults.     

Ice Crystal Growth in Sucrose Solutions Containing Kappa- and Iota-Carrageenans

Measurements of ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) and thermal hysteresis (TH) activities of kappa (κ)- and iota (ι)-carrageenans were carried out to examine whether they can be novel cryoprotectants or not. IRI measurements indicate that both carrageenans reduce recrystallization in sucrose solution, but that the IRI activity of κ-carregeenan is higher than that of ι-carrageenan. TH measurements indicate that κ- and ι-carrageenans do not exhibit TH activity. TH activity measurements of antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) in the presence of κ-carregeenan demonstrate that this carregeenan neither influences the TH activity of AFGP nor the shape of the ice crystals. The round ice crystal shape transformed into an angular and elongated shape in the presence of both carregeenans.     

Fatigue crack initiation and crystallographic growth in 316L stainless steel

A mesoscale model of fatigue crack formation and stress–strain behavior in crystalline alloys entitled Sistaninia–Niffenegger Fatigue (SNF) model is applied to AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. An inelastic hysteresis energy criterion in conjunction with continuum damage modeling provides a strong tool for studying the behavior of the austenitic steel under cyclic loading. The model predictions are validated against fatigue experimental data. The results show that this microstructural-based modeling approach is capable for predicting the behavior of the steel even under complex loading conditions. It can reproduce and help to understand well known fatigue experimental facts, e.g. the effect of grain size and initial defects, by considering the anisotropic behavior of crystalline materials at the level of the microstructure.     

An optimization decision support approach for risk analysis of carbon emission trading in electric power systems

Concerns over dramatic increasing electricity demand, exacerbating power shortage and changing climatic condition are emerging associated with municipal electric power systems (EPS). In this study, a risk-explicit mixed-integer full-infinite programming (RMFP) approach is developed for planning carbon emission trading (CET) in EPS. RMFP-CET has advantages in risk reflection and policy analysis, particularly when the input parameters are provided as crisp and functional intervals as well as probabilistic distributions. The developed method is applied to a real case study of CET planning of EPS in Beijing. Various electricity policies are incorporated within the modeling formulation for enhancing the RMFP-CET's capability. The results indicate that reasonable solutions have been generated, which are useful for making decisions of electricity production and supply as well as gaining insight into the tradeoffs among electricity supply risk, system cost, and CO₂ mitigation strategy.     

An inventory model with truncated exponential replenishment intervals and special sale offer

In this study, we develop an inventory model with stochastic replenishment intervals and special sale offer from a supplier. The replenishment interval is assumed to obey a truncated exponential distribution and shortage is partially backordered. Our goal in this research is to maximize the total profit of cost savings due to special sale offer from supplier. A closed-form solution of the model and its convexity condition is developed. A numerical example with real world data is provided to illustrate the theory.