R-curves determination of ordinary refractory ceramics assisted by digital image correlation method

As a figure-of-merit, the rising ratio of crack propagation resistance to fracture initiation resistance indicates a reduction of the brittleness and enhances the thermal shock resistance of ordinary refractory ceramics. The significant nonlinear fracture behaviour is related to the development of a fracture process zone (FPZ). The universal dimensionless load–displacement diagram method is applied as a promising graphical method for the determination of R-curves for magnesia refractories showing different brittleness. By applying digital image correlation (DIC) together with the graphical method, the problems arisen with accurate determination of the fracture initiation resistance and the crack length are overcome. Meanwhile, the R-curve is subdivided with respect to the fracture processes, viz the fracture initiation, the development of FPZ and the onset of traction free macro-crack. With the simultaneous crack lengths evaluated from DIC, the contribution of each fracture process to the crack propagation resistance at certain loading stage is quantitatively presented.     

Nonlinear robust dual-loop control for electro-hydraulic load simulator

This paper investigates on the high performance torque control of electro-hydraulic load simulator (EHLS). In order to suppress actuator׳s motion disturbance, a nonlinear robust dual-loop control scheme is developed, which consists of a open-loop nonlinear velocity feed-forward compensator and a closed-loop nonlinear deterministic robust torque controller. The main function of the open-loop compensator is to decouple actuator׳s active motion disturbance, whereas the torque loop controller aims at guaranteeing the dynamics performance of tracking torque reference. Besides actuator׳s motion disturbance, both the nonlinearity characteristics and friction problem of the EHLS system are taken into consideration in this paper. The effectiveness of the developed method are verified through comparative co-simulations and experiments.     

Optimal completed work dependent loading of components in cold standby systems

This paper considers the modelling and optimization of 1-out-of-N: G cold standby (CS) systems with non-repairable components functioning at different levels of productivity or load. The productivity heterogeneity leads to difference in component failure behaviour as well as in operational and replacement costs. Thus, the choice of load or productivity of components can greatly affect the system reliability and mission cost. To make the optimal choice of component loading, we first suggest a method for analysing the reliability and expected mission cost of 1-out-of-N: G non-repairable CS systems with heterogeneous components. The optimal dynamic load distribution problem is then formulated and solved, in which the component loading is chosen depending on the amount of work completed prior to the component activation. The optimal loading is aimed at minimizing the expected mission cost, while meeting a certain system reliability constraint. Examples are given to demonstrate the proposed methodology and the improvement in the optimal design solution through introducing the component productivity’s dependence on the completed work.     

Numerical evaluation on shell buckling of empty thin-walled steel tanks under wind load according to current American and European design codes

Liquid storage steel tanks are vertical above-ground cylindrical shells and as typical thin-walled structures, they are very sensitive to buckling under wind loads, especially when they are empty or at low liquid level. Previous studies revealed discrepancies in buckling resistance of empty tanks between the design method proposed by the American Standard API 650 and the analytical formulas recommended by the European Standard EN1993-1-6 and EN1993-4-2. This study presents a comparison between the provisions of current design codes by performing all types of numerical buckling analyses recommended by Eurocodes (i.e. LBA-linear elastic bifurcation analysis, GNA-geometrically nonlinear elastic analysis of the perfect tank and GNIA-geometrically nonlinear elastic analysis of the imperfect tank). Such analyses are performed in order to evaluate the buckling resistance of two existing thin-walled steel tanks, with large diameters and variable wall thickness. In addition, a discussion is unfolded about the differences between computational and analytical methods and the conservatism that the latter method imposes. An influence study on the geometric imperfections and the boundary conditions is also conducted. Investigation on the boundary conditions at the foot of the tank highlights the sensitivity to the fixation of the vertical translational degree of freedom. Further, it is indicated that the imperfection magnitude recommended by the EN1993-1-6 is extremely unfavorable when applied to large diameter tanks. Comments and conclusions achieved could be helpful in order to evaluate the safety of the current design codes and shed more light towards the most accurate one.     

蚌埠市淮河南岸某高层建筑CFG桩复合地基应用探讨

以淮河南岸一级阶地某高层建筑采用CFG桩复合地基工程实例,通过利用工程地质参数复核计算、静载荷试验、沉降观测等验证资料,来探讨说明CFG桩复合地基在该区高层建筑使用的安全适用性。     

Monte Carlo simulation-based probabilistic assessment of DG penetration in medium voltage distribution networks

With the growing use of renewable energy sources, Distributed Generation (DG) systems are rapidly spreading. Embedding DG to the distribution network may be costly due to the grid reinforcements and control adjustments required in order to maintain the electrical network reliability. Deterministic load flow calculations are usually employed to assess the allowed DG penetration in a distribution network in order to ensure that current or voltage limits are not exceeded. However, these calculations may overlook the risk of limit violations due to uncertainties in the operating conditions of the networks. To overcome this limitation, related to both injection and demand profiles, the present paper addresses the problem of DG penetration with a Monte Carlo technique that accounts for the intrinsic variability of electric power consumption. The power absorbed by each load of a medium voltage network is characterized by a load variation curve; a probabilistic load flow is then used for computing the maximum DG power that can be connected to each bus without determining a violation of electric constraints. A distribution network is studied and a comparison is provided between the results of the deterministic load flow and probabilistic load flow analyses.     

Estimation of a preference map of new consumers for spatial load forecasting simulation methods using a spatial analysis of points

The paper presents a spatial analysis of points especially suited to estimate a preference map for new consumers, which is then used as an analytical tool in spatial electric load forecasting. This approach is an exploratory spatial data analysis used to discover useful point patterns in the spatial location of distribution transformers to calculate a preference value for each area, rating it with respect to a hypothetical load change that may occur. We consider the locations of distribution transformers occupied land. Random points are generated in the study area where the new loads are expected; these points are referred to as unoccupied land. The method uses a generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the probability of unoccupied land becoming occupied land. We test the approach with data from a real distribution system in a mid-size city in Brazil; the result is a preference map that shows the areas where new consumers are most likely to be allocated. The main advantage of this method is the ability work with a small-scale resolution, which enables the use of a resolution suitable for spatial load forecasting method chosen. We test the calculated probabilities in a spatial load forecasting simulation, yielding results with lower spatial error when compared with the heuristic technique.     

Energy dissipation capacity of fibre reinforced concrete under biaxial tension–compression load. Part I: Test equipment and work of fracture

The objective of this research was to analyse the differences in the dissipated energy under uniaxial tension and biaxial tension–compression load of fibre reinforced concretes using the Wedge Splitting Test. Under biaxial load the specimens were subjected to compressive stress ratios from 10% to 50% of the concrete compressive strength perpendicular to the direction of the tensile load.Under biaxial tension–compression load the energy dissipation capacity of the specimens decreases compared to the uniaxial tension load case on average 20–30%. It is believed that the decrease is a result of the damage mechanism of the concrete matrix and deterioration of the fibre–matrix and/or aggregate–cement paste interfaces in case the section is additionally loaded with compression stresses. This indicates that dimensioning of concrete elements under biaxial stress states using material parameters obtained from tests conducted on specimens under uniaxial tensile load is unsafe and could potentially lead to a non-conservative design.In the second part of this paper the extent of the fracture process zone under uniaxial tension and biaxial tension–compression load will be examined with the Acoustic Emission technique and the reasons for decrease of the energy dissipation capacity under biaxial load will be further discussed.