CONFIGURING BOTH BACKBONE AND LOGICAL NETWORKS OF A RECONFIGURABLE NETWORK WITH LINK FAILURES ALLOWED

This paper considers a problem of configuring both backbone and logical networks in a reconfigurable circuit-switched network where links are subject to failures. The objective is to design feasible backbone and logical networks at least cost where the cost includes backbone link capacity expansion cost, lost-call traffic penalty, and hop cost (nodal processing cost). The problem is formulated as a zero-one non-linear mixed integer programming problem, for which a solution procedure is developed by use of a Lagrangean relaxation technique and heuristic methods exploited for improving the lower and upper bounds of any intermediate solution. The solution procedure is tested for its effectiveness with various numerical examples.     

Effect of EHL Contact Conditions on the Behavior of Traction Fluids

New infinitely variable transmission (IVT) systems are under development for the automotive industry as a means to achieving significant fuel economy benefits. These systems rely on the lubricating fluid to transmit the drive train loads across the interface of the transmission components. This requires the development of new fluids that exhibit high traction properties under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) conditions. However, it has been reported recently that the traction performance of some fluids can reduce dramatically as temperature is reduced. This may place severe operational limits on IVT systems and suggests that the low-temperature traction properties of fluids for these systems should be studied in order to understand the mechanism for the observed reduction in traction.

The work reported here is an experimental study aimed at identifying whether low temperature traction reduction is related to a fundamental change in rheological behavior specific to the fluids tested or to more generic changes in the EHL contact conditions. A series of model experiments were performed using a mini traction machine (MTM) on three high-viscosity polybutene samples. The results have been mapped against previously reported non-dimensional parameters used to identify different EHL regimes. The results show that dramatic reductions in traction occur when the contact transitions from the rigid piezo-viscous (RP) toward the rigid iso-viscous (RI) region. Similar results were also found for two other high-viscosity fluids of different molecular structure and lower traction properties. The results support the hypothesis that the reduction in traction observed at low temperature is due to a change in EHL contact conditions rather than being solely due to a change in the rheological performance of the test fluids.     

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Geographic information system (GIS) technology is attracting interest from a broad range of civil engineering disciplines because of its potential to provide a new environment for problem solving which could lower costs, improve quality, and support multi-discipline analysis for complex projects. This paper reviews the primary components and capabilities of GIS technology and shows how it is used in many civil engineering applications, including infrastructure management, transportation, land use planning, water resources engineering, and environmental engineering.     

Synthesis and behavior ofAl-stabilized α-Ni（OH）2

Nano-fibrous Al-stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 was synthesized by the urea thermal decomposition method. The grain morphology, crystal structure, thermal stability, chemical composition and electrochemical performance of the Al-stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 were investigated. It is found that the urea thermal decomposition is an appropriate way to precipitate the Al-stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 with excellent performance. The fiber cluster TEM pattern shows that the synthesized α-Ni(OH)2 powder is composed of agglomerates of much smaller primary particles. The stabilized α-Ni(OH)2 powder with a 7.67 A c-axis distance and low thermal stabilities is obtained. The FTIR spectrum shows that the materials contain absorbed water molecules, and intercalated CO32- and SO42- anions. The experimental α-Ni(OH)2 electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical redox reversibility, high special capacity, good rate discharging performance and perfect cyclic stability. Moreover, the synthesized α-Ni(OH)2 electrode also shows high discharge capacity and cyclic stability at high temperature. The electrode specific capacity remains 290 mA-h/g at 60 ℃, which is only 15 mA-h/g lower than its ambient value, and the capacity loss is 0.9 mA-h/g per charge-discharge cycle.     

Creep and tensile properties of press molding joined GMT-sheets

GMT-sheet is used in automobile bumper with high rigidity and strength, and its joining strength is influenced by lap length, one of the joined molding conditions. Fracture strength was calculated by dividing fracture load with cross-sectional area. Total five repeated measurements were made to obtain the average value. Tensile test was conducted at room temperature for 10 specimens. In addition, the effect of compression ratio on creep and tensile performance during lap joined molding was discussed. With increasing lap length, the lap joining efficiency of GMT-sheet was increased. However, higher compression ratio reduced the joining efficiency. Creep test on GMT-sheet showed abrupt fracture without tertiary creep. This can be explained by the weak thermal resistance of the resin. If GMT-sheet was exposed to high temperature for a long time, it was easily failed by external force.     

~(27)Al MAS-NMR study of inorganic polymer formation at ambient temperature

Inorganic polymers are a novel class of materials formed by the polymerization of silicon, aluminium and oxygen species to form an amorphous three-dimensional framework structure. The basis of this process is the alkaline solutions to induce a certain amount of Si and Al atoms to dissolve from a feedstock such as aluminosilicate. A study of 27Al MAS-NMR was carried out in an attempt to understand the reaction mechanism of the inorganic polymerization at ambient temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were also employed to establish the composition and microstructure of the inorganic polymerization. Specimens were prepared with different Al/Si mole ratios from the starting materials. The higher the Al content, the more sufficient the Al atoms that can combine with SiO4, and the longer the reaction time, the more the bonded Si—O—Al—O polymer structure, and then the higher the Al content, the fewer the octahedral Al with a uniform Si—O—Al—O structure in four directions, because four Al atoms are combined with SiO4, resulting in a uniform Si—O—Al—O structure in four directions. The results show that they have an amorphous microstructure.     

Effect of CaO composition on oxidation and burning behaviors of AM50 Mg alloy

Oxidation and burning behaviors were studied for CaO added AM50 Mg composites which were manufactured by conventional melting and casting processes without SF₆ protective gas. CaO added AM50 Mg composites show the stable oxidation resistance, while AM50 Mg alloys show the poor oxidation resistance. The effects of CaO addition on the burning resistance under ambient, nitrogen and dry air atmospheres were examined for CaO added AM50 Mg composites. With increasing CaO addition, the burning temperature increases under ambient, nitrogen and dry air atmospheres. The burning temperatures of small test specimen under all conditions greatly increase even by 0.3% CaO (mass fraction) addition into AM50 Mg alloys.