Calculation of maximum surface settlement induced by EPB shield tunnelling and introducing most effective parameter

This study aims to predict ground surface settlement due to shallow tunneling and introduce the most affecting parameters on this phenomenon.Based on data collected from Shanghai LRT Line 2 project undertaken by TBM-EPB method,this research has considered the tunnel's geometric,strength,and operational factors as the dependent variables.At first,multiple regression(MR) method was used to propose equations based on various parameters.The results indicated the dependency of surface settlement on many parameters so that the interactions among different parameters make it impossible to use MR method as it leads to equations of poor accuracy.As such,adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system(ANFIS),was used to evaluate its capabilities in terms of predicting surface settlement.Among generated ANFIS models,the model with all input parameters considered produced the best prediction,so as its associated R~2 in the test phase was obtained to be 0.957.The equations and models in which operational factors were taken into consideration gave better prediction results indicating larger relative effect of such factors.For sensitivity analysis of ANFIS model,cosine amplitude method(CAM) was employed; among other dependent variables,fill factor of grouting(n) and grouting pressure(P) were identified as the most affecting parameters.     

Performance-based seismic design of steel frames using ant colony optimization

In this paper, a performance-based optimal seismic design of frame structures is presented using the ant colony optimization (ACO) method. This discrete metaheuristic algorithm leads to a significant improvement in consistency and computational efficiency compared to other evolutionary methods. A nonlinear analysis is utilized to arrive at the structural response at various seismic performance levels, employing a simple computer-based method for push-over analysis which accounts for first-order elastic and second-order geometric stiffness properties. Two examples are presented to illustrate the capabilities of ACO in designing lightweight frames, satisfying multiple performance levels of seismic design constraints for steel moment frame buildings, and a comparison is made with a standard genetic algorithm (GA) implementation to show the superiority of ACO for the discussed optimization problem.     

桁架尺寸、几何形状和拓扑优化的力法和遗传算法

结合能量和力法进行桁架重量的最小化,为此,采用遗传算法作为优化工具。提出的主要思想是减少输入变量。在采用遗传算法进行结构优化时,力法的引入非常有意义。该方法不需要求逆矩阵,只需在遗传算法中加入有限的变量,变量的个数等于结构超静定次数。通过几种不同类型的优化案例,验证了当前方法的有效性,并对不同优化技术的结果进行了比较。     

A hybrid evolutionary graph-based multi-objective algorithm for layout optimization of truss structures

In this paper a new graph-based evolutionary algorithm, gM-PAES, is proposed in order to solve the complex problem of truss layout multi-objective optimization. In this algorithm a graph-based genotype is employed as a modified version of Memetic Pareto Archive Evolution Strategy (M-PAES), a well-known hybrid multi-objective optimization algorithm, and consequently, new graph-based crossover and mutation operators perform as the solution generation tools in this algorithm. The genetic operators are designed in a way that helps the multi-objective optimizer to cover all parts of the true Pareto front in this specific problem. In the optimization process of the proposed algorithm, the local search part of gM-PAES is controlled adaptively in order to reduce the required computational effort and enhance its performance. In the last part of the paper, four numeric examples are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Results show that the proposed algorithm has great ability in producing a set of solutions which cover all parts of the true Pareto front.     

Improved group theoretic method using graph products for the analysis of symmetric-regular structures

In this paper, a new combined graph-group method is proposed for eigensolution of special graphs. Symmetric regular graphs are the subject of this study. Many structural models can be viewed as the product of two or three simple graphs. Such models are called regular, and usually have symmetric configurations. The proposed method of this paper performs the symmetry analysis of the entire structure via symmetric properties of its simple generators. Here, a graph is considered as the general model of an arbitrary structure. The Laplacian matrix, as one of the most important matrices associated with a graph, is studied in this paper. The characteristic problem of this matrix is investigated using symmetry analysis via group theory enriched by graph theory. The method is developed and decomposition of the Laplacian matrix of such graphs is studied in a step-by-step manner, based on the proposed method. This method focuses on simple paths which generate large networks, and finds the eigenvalues of the network via analysis of the simple generators. Group theory is the main tool, which is improved using the concept of graph products. As a mechanical application of the method, a benchmark problem of group theory in structural mechanics is studied in this paper. Vibration of cable nets is analyzed and the frequencies of the networks are calculated using the combined graph-group method.     

A new four-node quadrilateral plate bending element for highly sparse and banded flexibility matrices

In this paper, an efficient method is developed for the formation of null bases of four-node quadrilateral plate bending finite element models, corresponding to highly sparse and banded flexibility matrices. This is achieved by introducing a new four-node quadrilateral plate bending element, and using special graphs associated with the finite element models. The results are compared to those of the previously developed graph theoretical and algebraic force methods, and also the displacement approach.     

Chemical reaction interface mass spectrometry with high efficiency nebulization

A high efficiency nebulizer (HEN) coupled to a heated spray chamber and a membrane desolvator is used for liquid sample introduction in chemical reaction interface mass spectrometry (CRIMS). Compared to the conventional thermospray nebulizer operated at solvent flow rate of 1 mL/min, the HEN provides small droplets at lower flow rates (10-100 microL/min), improving the desolvation and analyte transport efficiency. As a result, the sensitivity for carbon detection by CRIMS is improved by a factor of 4. The new arrangement offers an easy-to-use and robust interface, facilitating the availability of a variety of liquid chromatographic techniques to the CRIMS. Separation and detection of labeled peptides in a mixture of unlabeled biopolymers is illustrated at a solvent flow rate of 45 microL/min as an example of new possibilities offered by the improved liquid introduction interface.