A data fusion framework with novel hybrid algorithm for multi-agent Decision Support System for Forest Fire

In this study Forest Fire Decision Support System (FOFDESS) which is a multi-agent Decision Support System for Forest Fire has been presented. Depending on the existing meteorological state and environmental observations, FOFDESS does the fire danger rating by predicting the forest fire and it can also approximate fire spread speed and quickly detect a started fire. Some data fusion algorithms such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Naive Bayes Classifier (NBC), Fuzzy Switching (FS) and image processing have been used for these operations in FOFDESS. These algorithms have been brought together by a designed data fusion framework and a novel hybrid algorithm called NABNEF (Naive Bayes Aided Neural-Fuzzy Algorithm) has been improved for fire danger rating in FOFDESS. In this state, FOFDESS is an integrated system which includes the dimensions of prediction, detection and management. As a result of the experiments, it was found out that FOFDESS helped determining the most accurate strategy for fire fighting by producing effective results.     

A tool for multiobjective evolutionary algorithms

This paper introduces a software tool based on illustrative applications for the development, analysis and application of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. The multiobjective evolutionary algorithms tool (MOEAT) written in C# using a variety of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) offers a powerful environment for various kinds of optimization tasks. It has many useful features such as visualizing of the progress and the results of optimization in a dynamic or static mode, and decision variable settings. The performance measurements of well-known multiobjective evolutionary algorithms in MOEAT are done using benchmark problems. In addition, two case studies from engineering domain are presented.     

Assessment of Water Quality Management in Turkey

Abstract

There has been a noticeable increase in the amount of pollution in water resources in Turkey in recent years. Negative environmental developments, such as industrialization, increasing urbanization, improper pesticide and fertilizer applications in agricultural lands, and the drainage of domestic and industrial wastewater into water resources without any waste treatment applications, cause rapid pollution of both surface and groundwater resources. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate more attention to water resources monitoring and evaluation studies to prevent the pollution of water resources, and to reclaim these resources.     

Effective Tension Active Cross-Section of Reinforced Concrete Beams After Cracking

In the design of concrete structures, estimation of the deflection of the structural members under the service loads is often a critical factor. Strains and displacements are linked to the tension stiffening effect, which is not quantified in the standards. The CEB-FIP model code proposes an interesting simplified method for evaluating the concrete tension stiffening effect on reinforced concrete behavior. One of the parameters which enables the mechanical contribution of the concrete to be quantified is the effective tensile active section of the reinforced concrete beams. In this paper, a new method for calculating the effective tensile active section A _ct.ef is proposed. The calculation is based on an analytical model of stress distribution in the full depth of the concrete section. An experimental study on several reinforced concrete beams is reported. The results show that the new proposed model enhances the accuracy of the beam deflection predictions significantly.     

Radioactivity concentrations in soil and dose assessment for Samsun City Centre, Turkey

In this study, natural gamma radioactivity levels were determined in the soil samples of the Samsun city centre by using the gamma ray spectrometry method. The analysis carried out with the high-purity germanium gamma spectrometry system has shown that average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs were 19±2, 22±4, 521±23 and 15±1 Bq kg(-1), respectively. From the gamma analysis of soil samples, the average value of the absorbed gamma dose rates in air and the average value of the external annual effective dose rates were calculated as 45±4 nGy h(-1) and 55±5 μSv y(-1), respectively. The external hazard index has also been calculated and it has been found that the radiation hazard in Samsun is insignificant.     

A near-optimal Algorithm for H 8 identification of fixed order rational models

This paper presents a near-optimal algorithm for H     

Synthesis of zirconium tungstate–zirconia core–shell composite particles

In this work, ZrW₂O₈–ZrO₂ core–shell composite particles were synthesized. ZrW₂O₈ that was used in the core is a material with negative coefficient of thermal expansion, and it was synthesized from a high-pH precursor based on use of tungstic acid and zirconium acetate. Shell layer was composed of ZrO₂ nanocrystallites and precipitated from an aqueous solution by urea hydrolysis. While volume of the shell was effectively controlled by the initial zirconium ion concentration in the solutions, the rate of precipitation was a function of the ratio of initial concentrations of urea to zirconium ions. It is hypothesized that isolation of the ZrW₂O₈ within a layer of ZrO₂, will be a key element in solving problems associated with reactivity of ZrW₂O₈ towards other components in sintering of ceramic–ceramic composites with tuned or zero thermal expansion coefficient.     

Diffusion bonding of electroless Ni plated WC composite to Cu and AISI 316 stainless steel

In this study, a composite containing WC (Tungsten Carbide) and Ni was produced by two different processing routes. Electroless Ni coated WC powders were consolidated and sintered at 1200 °C. Diffusion bonding couples of WC(Ni)-electrolytic Cu, WC(Ni)-AISI 316 stainless steel and WC(Ni)-WC(Ni) were manufactured by using a preloaded compression system under Ar atmosphere. Diffusion bonding was carried out at varying bonding temperatures; 750 °C for (WC)Ni-Cu diffusion couple and 1200 °C for (WC)Ni-(WC)Ni and (WC)Ni-AISI 316 stainless steel diffusion couples. Standard metallographic techniques, Scanning Electron Microscopy and a shear test were employed to characterize the microstructure of bondline and mechanical properties of each diffusion couple, respectively.     

Wind turbine speed control of a contactless piezoelectric wind energy harvester

ABSTRACT

Wind turbine control is an important task to make the electricity generation secure in terms of energy demand and machine safety. It also yields to control the desired power level and optimized energy because of the assignment of turbine speed. The contactless piezoelectric wind energy harvester (CPWEH) used in this study has three piezoelectric layers located around the shaft with 120 degrees apart and they are buckled by the magnetic force without any physical contact. The superiority of this device is to generate energy for low wind speeds such as 1.5 m/s. However, for high speeds, high total harmonic distortions (THDs) govern the waveforms, thus controlling the turbine speed becomes necessary for optimizing the output power. Encouraged by this, a small low inertia dc generator is coupled with the wind turbine, and the generator terminals are connected to a resistor through a power switch to generate a braking torque that opposes to wind speed direction. By controlling the switch properly, turbine speed is ensured to remain within a certain band, which accordingly prevents the turbine from rotating very fast at damaging wind speeds. Several experiments are performed on the developed CPWEH with/without the presented control scheme which prove the existence of promising performance of our proposal.