An approach to technical risk assessment

This paper describes a framework for assessment of the risk that a proposed machine or system, such as an aircraft or computer, will not operate to its required performance specifications when it is developed. The method is based upon decomposition of the system under assessment into a hierarchy of functionally or structurally defined assessment areas. Within each area, technical risks, and methods of assessing these risks, are identified. The framework provides a systematic structure for selecting assessment methods and integrating results of the use of selected methods into a coherent overall assessment of the system.     

Achievable working range for solid all-desiccant air-conditioning systems under specific space comfort requirements

Solid desiccant air-conditioning systems present a promising solution, in terms of performance level and environmental protection, pointing out their potential to be coupled with thermal solar or waste heat energy source. Nevertheless, these systems are characterized by constraints to the load they can satisfy, through the trade-off between the dehumidification cooling capacity and the latent load of the conditioned space. On that level, one has to note that, for steady environmental conditions, the conditioned space does not present unique value of load, but range of load, corresponding to an array of acceptable temperature and (usually relative) humidity values. In this work a methodology is proposed for the definition of the system's achievable working range under specific set of space (comfort) requirements. Through this approach, the systems present greater potential for covering the space requirements, thus presenting more possibilities on a design basis, and more flexible control strategies, as well. The proposed methodology is presented and discussed through the case study of a solar desiccant air-conditioning system coupled to a typical residential building.     

中国海绵城市——一座巨型绿色屋顶实验室

绿色屋顶是雨洪管理中一项重要的低影响开发（LID）措施。由于气候变化和城市快速发展,LID雨洪管理策略对于当下全球的城市设计都至关重要,尤其是在经济蓬勃发展历来又饱受洪水灾害的中国。气候变化导致降水事件及雨水径流峰值流速难以准确预测。面对建筑布局日益稠密、不透水下垫面日益增多的中国城市,设计师们需要随时做好应对城市雨洪问题的准备。2015年提出的“海绵城市”战略为在城市尺度下应用和监测绿色屋顶效益提供了机会。目前业内大多数国际性绿色屋顶的研究应用都局限于小型控制实验区,借海绵城市建设之东风有机会将应用实验扩展到城市规模。中国雨洪管理智慧的历史可以追溯至5 000年前,现今中国正处于成为大尺度绿色屋顶实践世界领先者的机遇期。因此,LID应是城市设计的驱动力量而非事后补救措施。景观设计师不仅能够从场地、城市和区域3个层面上对场地及其周围环境进行全面解读,而且对需要实施LID的其他因素也有全面认知。为探究中国雨洪管理结构提供了新的视角,对景观设计师如何参与LID实践提出了建议。     

Evaluation of polyesters from renewable resources as alternatives to the current fossil-based polymers. Phase transitions of poly(butylene 2,5-furan-dicarboxylate)

Poly(butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF) is an alipharomatic polyester that can be prepared using monomers derived from renewable resources such as 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid and 1,4-butanediol. In the present work the thermal behavior of PBF was studied. Multiple melting was observed during heating traces of samples isothermally crystallized from the melt using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns did not reveal the presence of a second crystal population, or a crystal transition upon heating. DSC study showed that the phenomena are closely related to recrystallization. Temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) tests indeed evidenced enhanced recrystallization. The equilibrium melting point was estimated to be 184.5 °C using the linear Hoffman–Weeks extrapolation. The heat of fusion of the pure crystalline polymer was found equal to 129 J/g or (27.35 kJ/mol), a little lower than that of PBT. The Lauritzen–Hoffman secondary nucleation theory was used and the surface energy values and the work of chain folding were found to be comparable to those of PBT, but quite lower than those of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The non-isothermal crystallization on cooling and the cold-crystallization of quenched samples were also studied. Condensed spherulites were observed on isothermal crystallization under large supercoolings by using polarized optical microscopy (POM), while the spherulites turned to ring-banded morphology at higher temperatures. In every case the nucleation density was high.     

Ein Modell zur Berechnung des Verformungsverhaltens von horizontal hochzyklisch beanspruchten Pfählen

A model for the behavior of horizontally high‐cycle loaded piles For the prediction of the deformation for long or intermediate long piles under lateral high cycle load, embedded in non‐cohesive soil, a simplified engineering model for drained conditions is developed based on the high cycle accumulation (HCA) model of Niemunis , Wichtmann and Triantafyllidis [1]. The monotonic soil deformation under static load is approximated by elastic springs, placed around the pile, whereas the accumulation of soil deformations under cyclic loading is modelled by viscous dashpots (cyclic creep) according to the HCA model. In most instances this contemplation is physically validated by element tests. In conjunction with the pile the spring‐dashpot elements represent an elastically embedded beam system. Two versions of the model with a two‐sided arrangement of springs and dashpots on the Lee‐ and Luv‐side and a one‐sided arrangement only on the Lee‐side will be presented. The pile displacement prediction of the model is compared with the results obtained by existing engineering models already known in the literature and the solution of a 3‐D‐finite element simulation with the HCA model.     

材料的重要性

《材料的重要性》是《景观设计理论》的一段节选。《景观设计理论》旨在不使用专业术语或其他领域假说的前提下,结合景观设计过程向学生介绍内在理论思想。《材料的重要性》是本书的五章之一。每一章针对特定理论,解释了其基础和来源,探讨了它对设计的重要性,列举了20—21世纪与其相关的设计案例,整理了该理论的辩论(尤其是有关现代和后现代思想),最后还有相关阅读材料清单和需要学生们思考的问题。本文分为如下3个部分：第一部分,物质性,介绍“辩证唯物主义”“媒介即信息”“物质实践”和“编码”等理论及其在设计中的运用;第二部分,通过“建构表达”“地貌代理人策略”“石材的面层”“材料的暗示”“人造,但不是伪造”等理论,介绍材料的真实性及其在设计中的运用;第三部分,复写理论及应用,包括“剩余物”“复写的展示性”“未来的复写”和“虚构的复写”等内容。     

风景园林与绿色基础设施在城市流域水资源规划中的重要作用

通过绿色基础设施途径,处理美国波士顿北部的马萨诸塞州城市流域的水资源规划问题。从多个尺度为风景园林师提供水资源规划的经验与启发,探究公众对新型绿色基础设施解决方案的态度与偏好,以及公众偏好对于整体规划设计的重要作用。     

Optimization of optical single sideband configurations for radio over fiber transmission and multi-type data communication over a DWDM link

Two new optical single side band (OSSB) configurations for radio frequency (RF) transmission of data are proposed based on the structures that have been designed for baseband digital data transmission. The performances of these schemes are evaluated based on the relevant eye diagrams and bit error rate (BER). The proposed configurations are studied and analyzed mathematically. Eye diagrams and BER’s indicate an acceptable performance for the suggested structures. Feasible settings for the RF electrical power of the links are considered and the link performance for each setting is evaluated. A 4-dense wavelength division multiplexing (4-DWDM) link is considered for transmitting different types of data over a single mode fiber (SMF). Baseband digital data in the format of OSSB and RF-OSSB signals are transmitted over a 4-DWDM link. Furthermore, the link performance is considered for different electrical power settings of OSSB signal in order to achieve efficient transmission for DWDM network.     

Computer-aided activity planning (CAAP) in large-scale projects with an application in the yachting industry

The present paper provides the schema for an innovative and modular computer-based approach to the planning of activities in large-scale projects. Such projects are characterized by tens of thousands of tasks, which are consequently burdensome and difficult to plan manually. This is true to the point that in many shipyards only a low level of detail is used and poor planning is generally performed. The proposed approach is called computer-aided activity planning (CAAP), and an application in the yachting industry is shown to demonstrate its effectiveness. In particular, the so-called outfitting planning problem is faced. The CAAP system, taking into account the available shipyard resources and the knowledge on the building rules is able to automatically define, sequence, and schedule the activities of the whole outfitting process acting as a “planning configurator”. Moreover, it allows the industry-specific knowledge to be stored, maintained and shared within the (extended) organization. Owing to these “building blocks”, plans can be defined accurately and in a shorter time starting from pre-defined templates, with particular impact on lead times whenever variations to complex projects are needed. Finally, to verify the actual capabilities of the approach, the CAAP was implemented within a prototypical software called NautiCAAP.     

Aligning RFID applications with supply chain strategies

Many large retailers decided to adopt RFID as their new supply chain technology, but RFID adoption by all industries did not spread as rapidly as initially expected. We believe that its benefits constituted the major barrier to its adoption, and argued that a major contributor to the delay has been its inappropriate implementation. Our study reports the result of six in-depth case studies, which, together with case content analysis of 88 reported RFID applications, provided us with a clear view of the RFID implementation landscape, suggesting that organizations often mindlessly adopted RFID applications that were misaligned with their supply chain strategies, leading to unsatisfactory benefits. Insights into how organizations should adopt RFID were developed from our results and were discussed.