Stressed Skin Design Versus Braced Frame Design Through Efficient Numerical Modelling

International Journal of Steel Structures - Steel frame structures are traditionally designed with bracings that stabilize the main bearing structure. Another approach is to apply the...     

A Microcomputer-Based Geographic Information System for Hydrologic Simulation

Abstract: A microcomputer-based geographic information system (GIS) supporting hydrologic simulation is described. The hydrologically-oriented GIs can automatically provide parameters required for prediction of flood hydroghraphs and physically-based synthetic flood frequency curves for ungaged watersheds. The hydrologic model uses the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) runoff curve number (CN) method and a synthetic unit hydrograph to represent the physical transformation of rainfall into runoff The standard SCS method was modified to account for randomness of key parameters whose probability distributions can be derived from regional rainfall and runoff data. The GIs, and hydrologic theory and techniques, including the modified SCS method, derivation of a regional dimensionless unit hydrograph, and Monte Carlo simulation procedure, are described. Results of hydrologic analysis and simulation by the system implemented for an area of 11000 km² in the Alberta foothills are presented.     

Energy-saving estimation model for hypermarket HVAC systems applications

Energy saving estimation model (ESEM) use normal distribution (Gaussian) probability theory to predict potential savings for previously determined system improvements. Those improvements are low/high cost investments based on data gathered during one year monitoring of typical hypermarket facility HVAC system. The consumption of electrical energy and natural gas has been monitored and system segments with largest amount of energy consumption have been marked. Gathered data pointed out to fan units as the biggest energy consumers and suggested that system energy-saving improvement must be focused on fans energy consumption control. This paper deals with ESEM inputs and outputs in order to provide correct financial estimation of specific investment.     

Geotechnical Aspects of the Sumatra Earthquake of September 30, 2009, Indonesia

This paper reports and discusses the results of a field survey conducted by a joint scientific group from Japan and Indonesia to assess the geotechnical aspects of the Sumatra earthquake (M_w=7.6) of September 30, 2009. The studied area included the Padang and Pariaman cities, where a number of buildings collapsed as a result of strong shaking, and a mountainous part of the Pariaman district, a place where massive landslides buried several villages, claiming more than 400 human lives. The main objective of the survey was to investigate the causes and mechanisms of catastrophic landslides; however, other geotechnical problems such as lateral spread and liquefaction were also addressed. Field observations indicated that the catastrophic landslides occurred on relatively gentle slopes, then mobilized into debris flows, and traveled several hundred meters from their points of origin. The failure surfaces developed along the boundary of highly weathered pumice tuff with more intact and less weathered bedrock. Data from a portable cone penetration test showed that the sliding material was rather weak, having SPT N-values in the range of 5-10. The results of the field survey suggested that the main cause of slope instability was high pore-water pressures that generated in the soil mass during the earthquake.     

Power,Responsibility, and Governance in Britain's New Urban Policy

Competition became a major feature of urban policy in Britain during the 1990s. The stimulus of competition was intended to improve regeneration policies, partly by galvanizing the collective resources of local actors. This article draws upon the findings of recent empirical studies of regeneration programs and partnerships to consider the implications of competitive urban policy for the theory and practice of governance. It is argued that promoting partnerships among local institutions and improving the quality of regeneration schemes through competition require positive support from central government. The responsibility for tackling difficult urban problems cannot simply be devolved to underfunded local initiatives.     

Effect of Active Raw Material Variability on Tablet Production: Physicochemical, Physiocomechanical and Pilot Plant Studies

Batch-to-batch variation in an active raw material was evaluated following a production process change by the raw material supplier. Physicochemical and physicomechanical tests were applied and indicated that polymorphism or solvate formation was not occurring but changes in crystal properties in terms of size and degree of aggregation were involved. Other more subtle differences in crystal properties were also possible

The deleterious effect of the raw material process change on tablet production was noted and a method of overcoming the problem identified

The necessity for comprehensive? reformulation studies including physicomechanical screening is underlined. Such studies are also necessary if changes in raw material production methods occur to avoid process problems related to the marked hatch-to-batch variation that can occur in these instances