Neuro-fuzzy control strategy for an offshore steel jacket platform subjected to wave-induced forces using magnetorheological dampers

Magnetorheological (MR) damper is a prominent semi-active control device to vibrate mitigation of structures. Due to the inherent non-linear nature of MR damper, an intelligent non-linear neuro-fuzzy control strategy is designed to control wave-induced vibration of an offshore steel jacket platform equipped with MR dampers. In the proposed control system, a dynamic-feedback neural network is adapted to model non-linear dynamic system, and the fuzzy logic controller is used to determine the control forces of MR dampers. By use of two feedforward neural networks required voltages and actual MR damper forces are obtained, in which the first neural network and the second one acts as the inverse dynamics model, and the forward dynamics model of the MR dampers, respectively. The most important characteristic of the proposed intelligent control strategy is its inherent robustness and its ability to handle the non-linear behavior of the system. Besides, no mathematical model needed to calculate forces produced by MR dampers. According to linearized Morison equation, wave-induced forces are determined. The performance of the proposed neuro-fuzzy control system is compared with that of a traditional semi-active control strategy, i.e., clipped optimal control system with LQG-target controller, through computer simulations, while the uncontrolled system response is used as the baseline. It is demonstrated that the design of proposed control system framework is more effective than that of the clipped optimal control scheme with LQG-target controller to reduce the vibration of offshore structure. Furthermore, the control strategy is very important for semi-active control.     

Identification and quantification of leaf surface flavonoids in wild-growing populations of Dracocephalum kotschyi by LC–DAD–ESI-MS

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic and perennial herb endemic to Iran with interesting pharmacological and biological properties. The flavonoids luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside (cosmosiin), luteolin 3′-O-β-d-glucuronide, luteolin, apigenin, cirsimaritin, isokaempferide, penduletin, xanthomicrol, calycopterin and the polyphenol rosmarinic acid were identified among 13 natural populations of the plant by ESI–MS, LC–DAD and LC–DAD–ESI-MS. The plant extracts containing the identified compounds showed significant antioxidant activity, which was correlated with the flavonoid content. Additionally, leaf and stem size and geographical variability among the studied populations were correlated with flavonoid accumulation. Canonical correlation analysis was used to find a relationship between plant dimensions and phytochemical composition, and the plants with the lowest growth indices were found to have the highest levels of methoxylated flavonoids.     

Anisotropic optical properties of ZnS thin films with zigzag structure

ZnS sculptured thin films produced by thermal evaporation method using the glancing angle deposition technique at different deposition angles (0, 30, 60, 70 and 80\({^{\circ }}\)) are reported. The structural and optical properties of the prepared samples are investigated systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–VIS spectroscopy techniques. The XRD studies show cubic structure for the prepared films and deposition angle dependence of lattice constants, intrinsic stress, tensile stress and dislocation density. The obtained transmittance spectra in the range 380–850 nm for both s- and p-polarized light at normal incidence angle are used to study the s- and p-refractive indices and in-plane birefringence of the ZnS films. The maximum birefringence is evaluated at incident flux angle \(\alpha = 70{^{\circ }}\). Both the refractive index and packing density of the films decrease with increasing deposition angle, which confirm the structural inhomogeneity and porosity nature of the films.     

Effects of structural configuration on vibration control of smart laminated beams under random excitations?

The influence of structural configuration on vibration responses of smart laminated beams under random loading is studied. The effect of laminate configurations and locations of sensors/actuators in the smart system is also investigated. The layer-wise approximation for displacement and electric potential is utilized to construct the finite element model. The closed-loop control response is determined through an optimal control algorithm based on the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR). The correlation coefficient between the input random force and the applied actuating voltage for various configurations is also computed. It is revealed that for softer configurations, the correlation coefficient is higher than that for harder configurations. The study on the effect of sensor/actuator collocation pairs on optimal vibration control reveals that as the actuator shifts away from the sensor location, the peak of power occurs at higher frequency and becomes more distributed through all the frequencies in the domain.     

An equivalent electrical circuit design for pipeline corrosion monitoring based on piezoelectric elements

Underground pipelines are important infrastructure for transporting energy resources, particularly water and oil. Due to the high risk of damage and possible consequences, close monitoring of pipelines is a serious challenge for researchers and decision makers. Piezoelectric sensors/actuators are being used to monitor the physical characteristics of pipelines, including corrosion and crack. Piezoelectric ceramics as transmitters and/or receivers are connected to data concentrators in order to monitor the defects in pipelines. The performance and accuracy of this system highly depends on the accurate interpretation of the received electrical signals due to changing mechanical fields. However, due to the existence of two different fields, namely, electrical and mechanical, in this problem, simulation and interpretation of the damages occurring in pipelines is a consistent challenge. This paper proposes an equivalent electrical circuit model for a complete monitoring system which contains piezoelectric ceramics and a pipeline equivalent electrical circuit with corrosion defects and cracks through the pipeline. The pipeline is integrated with PZT sensor and actuator, in which PZT actuator generates waves along the thickness of the pipeline and its response is received by a PZT sensor. The proposed model approximates the electrical signal achieved by the PZT sensor to a complete health monitoring system. As the sensing signals in the present model are in one single field (i.e. electrical instead of mechanical and electrical), analysis and signal processing are more efficient, and the results are better understood. Numerical examples and, where applicable, simple tests have been presented to show the functionality and performance of the system.     

Changes in anthocyanins in arils of chitosan-coated pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Rabbab-e-Neyriz) fruit during cold storage

Edible coatings as chitosan treatments (0%, 1% and 2%) were applied to ‘Rabbab-e-Neyriz’ pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). The effect of chitosan coating on individual anthocyanins and colour parameters of the juice during storage at 2 °C or 5 °C was examined. Six predominant anthocyanins were identified in the juice, with up to 935 mg/L total anthocyanins at the time of harvest. Cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside (402 mg/L) was the major pigment. The total anthocyanin content and chroma decreased with storage time in all applied treatments, although lightness and hue angle increased. These changes were reduced with chitosan treatments and at lower storage temperature (2 °C as compared to 5 °C). Based on the obtained results, the diglucoside anthocyanins were more stable than the monoglucosides. Chitosan coating followed by cold storage delayed anthocyanin degradation and prevented colour deterioration in the pomegranate arils.     

Vibration characteristics of laminated composite beams with magnetorheological layer using layerwise theory

Vibration characteristics of laminated composite beams with magnetorheological (MR) layer are investigated using layerwise theory. In most studies, shear strain across the thickness of MR layer has been considered as a constant value, which does not precisely describe the shear strain. In this study, layerwise theory is employed to develop a finite element formulation to investigate MR-laminated beams. Experimental tests under different magnetic fields are carried out to verify the numerical results. Layerwise numerical results are compared with the experimental results and other theories. An empirical expression for complex shear modulus is presented. The effects of MR layer thickness on vibration of MR-laminated beams are examined.     

Modeling of Ground Water Salinity on the Caspian Southern Coasts

Water salinity is one of the main restrictive factors in water exploiting. Also, unsuitable management and exploitation of water resources has led to an increase of surface and groundwater salinity. Thus, in view of human needs to water resources, it is necessary to study and define water salinity factors in order to weaken these factors. This research has been conducted to investigate the factors of groundwater salinity and also, to provide a model for estimating groundwater salinity on the Caspian southern coasts. Data included in the model are: water qualitative examinations in the area, annual precipitation and evaporation, water table depth, surface water salinity, aquifer formation (Transmissivity) and distance from Caspian Sea. Surface and groundwater salinity was estimated by sampling in different sites on the Caspian southern coasts. Then, Multivariate Regression method was used by using SPSS software. In this stage, groundwater EC has been used as a variable for water salinity or dependent variable and groundwater salinity factors have been used as independent variables. A linear model and a non-linear model were presented. The models efficiency was evaluated by applying them in the sites that their data were not used for presenting the models. Finally, groundwater EC average map was provided by using the presented non-linear model and Geographic Information System in the Eastern part of Mazandaran province. In view of salinity hazard increases in the coastal terrains and agricultural areas, the places with high hazard salinity must be defined and managed to decrease water resources salinity.