A new method for extrapolating the load-displacement response of drilled shaft foundations for interpretation of side capacity

In this study, the side capacity of drilled shaft foundations is estimated from partially-mobilized load–displacement field data using a new method in the extrapolation of load–displacement response. A dataset of 138 bi-directional load tests is used to evaluate the degree of mobilization of unit side resistance. A total of 612 unit side-resistance curves obtained from measured strain gauge recordings are utilized in this study. The proposed extrapolation approach is based on a new technique, the Double Tangent method, characterizing the extent of mobilization for each unit side-resistance curve. Roughly, 12% of the dataset exhibits a fully-mobilized load–displacement response, with the remainder exhibiting varying degrees of a partially-mobilized response. Fully-mobilized records are further characterized using the Double Tangent method over different ranges of mobilization, resulting in four regression models based on predominant soil types. Each model is assessed statistically, and a global regression model is found suitable to predict maximum unit side resistance. The global model is further validated using two independent load test datasets, comparing measured values of unit side resistance against predicted values. The model is then used to predict maximum unit side resistance for all partially-mobilized data within the dataset, and the results are compared to two extrapolation techniques currently used in practice. The corresponding resistance-displacement response is extrapolated using a proposed asymptotic curve-fitting function for side resistance, and an example extrapolation is illustrated to showcase how the proposed method can be used in engineering practice.     

Study on the friction interface evolution during rotary friction welding of tube

In this study, evolution characteristics of the friction interface during rotary friction welding of tube were investigated. The friction interface that obtained at different welding stage were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results show that the friction interface transforms from sliding friction state to visco-plastic deformation state when the welding torque reaches the peak value. In addition, based on the thermodynamic framework extracted from the maximum entropy production principle, an analytical model for transition criterion from sliding friction to visco-plastic deformation was established. The model was verified by the corresponding experimental results of eight alloys, which indicated that the accuracy and generality of the model is satisfactory.     

高斯混合模型结合加权似然的目标跟踪算法

鉴于高斯混合模型对背景变化快时无法精确检测出目标和目标跟踪的适应性差等瑕疵，提出了基于加权似然跟踪器来改进高斯混合模型实现运动目标跟踪算法。主要引入了自适应高斯混合模型来实时检测运动目标，然后空间加权似然来进行视频中的目标定位，引入加权似然期望值来改进高斯混合模型处理视频中的多尺度、多角度变化的目标跟踪不精准问题。通过VOT 2014 dataset对比实验结果表明提出的基于加权似然跟踪（Weighted Likelihood Tracking，WLT）和改进高斯混合模型（Improved Gaussian Mixture Model，IGMM）的目标跟踪算法较传统高斯混合模型跟踪算法在跟踪的精度有较大提高。在应对多尺度、多角度变化的目标跟踪表现出了较大的优势。     

太阳能光热发电中导热油循环系统的设计开发

基于槽式光热、塔式光热和碟式光热发电站的常用类型,分析光热发电中使用的化学合成型导热油的种类、物理特性和技术参数,设计开发槽式太阳能光热发电站中导热油循环系统的工艺流程。为解决因季节、昼夜和云雾、雨雪等气象条件的影响而造成太阳能供应不足的情况,设计开发了白天以槽式太阳能光热发电为主、夜晚采用燃生物质燃料或燃天然气导热油炉供热发电为辅的联合运行发电站的混合发电模式。提出了导热油循环回路系统中注油和排油的方法,研究了槽式抛物面管状集热器内导热油的最高油膜温度计算方法。     

An integrated DEMATEL-MMDE-ISM based approach for analysing the barriers of IoT implementation in the manufacturing industry

Incorporation of smart devices within the older framework has brought along significant challenges. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the barriers faced during the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) within the manufacturing sector. In addition, the authors aim to obtain a hierarchical structure, which will help the policymakers to identify the most crucial barriers enabling them to make an informed decision. With the help of databases like Scopus, Web of Science, etc. a comprehensive list of 22 barriers was initially obtained. This list was further narrowed down to 10 critical barriers. The first step of the analysis involved the application of Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique, which quantifies the influence of the barriers amongst one another. Maximum Mean De-Entropy (MMDE) technique is then used to obtain a scientific threshold value, which is later used in the Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique from which a hierarchical structure of the barriers is obtained. The results of this study are expected to highlight the most crucial barriers wherein the researchers and practitioners can focus their strategic efforts. This will facilitate the addressal of implicit issues while implementing IoT Techniques in the manufacturing industry.     

Novel CPG algorithm for tracking fast sudden changes based on tangent rule

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a novel tracking method to deal with fast changes of solar irradiation and power limit change in order to increase tracking efficiency. This goal is achieved by estimating (i) next operating mode and (ii) next step point with the use of tangent rule in triangle. After every fast response to sudden changes, accurate response phase starts in order to track desired power in each operating mode by adaptive step size. Drift problem in defining next operating mode is eliminated in proposed method by estimating next operating mode, and settling time is decreased to about 25 percent of settling time of other methods by estimating next step point. Simulation and experimental results show the performance of proposed method.     

Study on maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic array in irregular shadow

Traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods can hardly find global maximum power point (MPP) because output characteristics curve of photovoltaic (PV) array may have multi local maximum power points in irregular shadow, and thus easily fall into the local maximum power point. To address this drawback, Considering that sliding mode variable structure (SMVS) control strategy have such advantages as simple structure, fast response and strong robustness, and P&O method have the advantages of simple principle and convenient implementation, so a new algorithm combining SMVS control method and P&O method is proposed, besides, PI controller is applied to reduce system chattering caused by switching sliding surface. It is applied to MPPT control of PV array in irregular shadow to solve the problem of multi-peak optimization in partial shadow. In order to verity the rationality of the proposed algorithm, the experimental circuit is built, which achieves MPPT control by means of the proposed algorithm and P&O method. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional P&O algorithm, the proposed algorithm can fast track the global MPP, tracking speed increases by 60% and the relative error decreased by 20%. Moreover, the system becomes more stable near the MPP, the fluctuations of output power is greatly reduced, and thus make full use of solar energy.     

Maximizing lifetime in wireless sensor networks with multiple sensor families

Wireless sensor networks are generally composed of a large number of hardware devices of the same type, deployed over a region of interest in order to perform a monitoring activity on a set of target points. Nowadays, several different types of sensor devices exist, which are able to monitor different aspects of the region of interest (including sound, vibrations, proximity, chemical contaminants, among others) and may be deployed together in a heterogeneous network. In this work, we face the problem of maximizing the amount of time during which such a network can remain operational, while maintaining at all times a minimum coverage guarantee for all the different sensor types. Some global regularity conditions in order to guarantee a fair level of coverage for each sensor type to each target are also taken into account in a second variant of the proposed problem. For both problem variants we developed an exact approach, which is based on a column generation algorithm whose subproblem is either solved heuristically by means of a genetic algorithm or optimally by an appropriate ILP formulation. In our computational tests the proposed genetic algorithm is shown to be able to dramatically speed up the procedure, enabling the resolution of large-scale instances within reasonable computational times.