Adaptive stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems using high-gain feedback

This note presents a high-gain feedback stabilizing control algorithm in which the high-gain parameter is adapted on-line. The algorithm is developed for a class of nonlinear systems which can be viewed as the nonlinear counterpart of uniform rank systems. The system can be unknown except for a number of vital pieces of information. For single-input single-output linear systems such information is usually required in the traditional adaptive control literature.     

PCR-based procedures in detection and DNA-fingerprinting of Salmonella from samples of animal origin

The usefulness of selected PCR-protocols for the detection of Salmonella in 117 samples of animal origin (17 raw minced meat, 27 raw chicken meat, 8 raw sausages, and 25 egg samples, as well as 18 poultry faecal, and caecal swabs samples) and DNA-fingerprinting typing is shown. To establish an accurate PCR-procedure for Salmonella detection the following parameters were evaluated: two pre-PCR concentration procedures, centrifugation and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) using Dynabeads anti- Salmonella; the specificity and sensitivity of 10 sets of primers; and different conditions of the amplification reaction. In light of the results obtained from the use of PCR-based procedures alone or in combination with conventional methods, the following findings can be underlined: First, IMS is more efficient than centrifugation in the recovery of Salmonella. Second, the selected IMS/PCR-detection protocol is less time-consuming (45 h) than the IMS/culture procedure (90 h), and a good concordance between them was found when the Kappa coefficient was calculated (0·87). Third, PCR-ribotyping technique showed a very low discrimination power, being able to differentiate only three profiles. Fourth, RAPD technique using specific primers supports previous works in which it was proposed as a simple and useful tool for discriminating isolates between and within serotypes. Fifth, The efficiency, rapidity, and flexibility of the PCR-protocols applied were high, and they can be performed using two PCR-programs and the same basic equipment.     

面向21世纪课程教材对地方综合大学电工学教学改革的影响--广西大学使用面向21世纪电工学课程系列教材的实践与探索

阐述了我校使用“面向21世纪”电工学课程系列教材的实践与探索过程，以及对我校电工学教学所产生的转折性影响和积极的导向作用，最后对教材提出了几点建议。     

具有初始弯曲转子振动峰值的控制方法

本文从理论上研究了控制初始弯曲引起的转子振动幅值的一种新方法。通过在与转轴初始弯曲方向成较大夹角的方向添加不平衡质量的方法 ,使转子新的不平衡方向与初始弯曲方向夹角接近 180° ,则可以减小转子在临界转速附近的振幅。无论新的不平衡参数大于或小于初始弯曲参数 ,只要新的不平衡参数不至于太大 ,则临界转速附近的振幅响应肯定会得到改善。特别是当新的不平衡参数近似等于初始弯曲参数时 ,无论转速高低 ,振幅都会大幅下降。当重力参数、外阻尼系数和内阻尼系数改变后仍有同样结论。本文援引文献 [2 ]中的实例对这种方法进行了验证 ,并给出了解决类似故障的步骤。本文的方法可用于处理生产实际中转轴初弯引起的振动问题     

Predicting the performance of concrete structures exposed to chemically aggressive environment—Field validation

The behavior of two series of concrete slabs exposed to sulfate-bearing soils was investigated by a numerical model called STADIUM. In addition to the diffusion of ions and moisture, the model also accounts for the effects of dissolution/precipitation reactions on the transport mechanisms. The simulations yielded by the model were compared to the actual degradation of the slabs after 8 years of exposure. The microstructural alterations of concrete resulting from the penetration of magnesium, chloride and sulfate ions were studied by backscatter mode scanning electron microscope observations and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The comparison of both series of data indicates that the model can reliably predict the various features of the microstructural alterations of concrete.

---

Résumé Le comportement de deux séries de dalles sur sol en béton exposées à des sols chimiquement agressifs a été étudié à l'aide d'un code de calcul numérique appelé STADIUM. Ce modèle permet de décrire le transport couplé de l'eau et des ions dans des matériaux poreux non-saturés en prenant en considération l'influence des réactions chimiques. Les résultats des simultations de la dégradation du béton après huit ans d'exposition à des ions chlore, sulfate et magnésium. Les observations ont été réalisées par microscopie électronique à balayage. Des analyses par dispersion des rayons X ont également été effectuées. Les données démontrent clairement que le modèle perment de prédire avec précision le comportement du béton soumis à différents types d'agression chimique.

---

---

Editorial Note Laval University (Canada) is a RILEM Titular Member. Prof. J. Marchand was awarded the 2000 Robert L'Hermite Medal. He is Editor in Chief for Concrete Science and Engineering and Associate Editor for Materials and Structures. He participates in RILEM TC 186-ISA ‘Internal Sulfate attack’.     

Failure analysis of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor of the transmission line crossing the Paraná River

The failure of the conductor of the 460 kV overhead transmission line located along the crossing of the Paraná River was investigated. As a result of this failure, a blackout took place in the southern states of Brazil in January of 2002, reaching approximately 67 million inhabitants. Investigation of the external aluminium layer of the ACSR conductor near the fracture showed typical static deformation marks and dynamic fretting wear tangential marks, both associated with the presence of Al₂O₃ debris. Additionally, encrusted silicon particles were observed on the external surface of the strands. The internal Al layer showed elliptical deformation marks also associated with Al₂O₃ debris. Both Al₂O₃ and Si particles are efficient abrasive material, which associated with slight relative motion of metallic surfaces (clamp/strand and strand/strand) can promote fretting wear. Two types of fracture surface of the Al strands were identified: 45° and quasi-normal surfaces, the former being the predominant type. Delamination and particle detachment were the mechanisms of superficial degradation observed on the Al strands, indicating that the rupture of the strands occurred under a gross slip fretting regime induced by sub-conductor oscillation. Inspection of the internal surface of as-cast Al–10%Si spacer clamps revealed different stages of intense circumferential wear caused by the preferential cracking and particle detachment of the eutectic constituent of the as-cast microstructure. This intense wear reduces the clamping contact pressure, which allows higher displacement amplitude and leads to the critical fretting regime. Finally, a few suggestions are discussed to minimise the occurrence of future failures.     

Prestressed concrete containment of nuclear power station with PWR

The initial steps of the development of prestressed concrete containment (PCC) for nuclear power plant (NPP) with pressurized water reactors (PWR) in the former USSR are analyzed. The constructive and technological decisions, accepted for primary PCC of Novovoronez NPP, such as the positioning of reinforcement elements and seaths in cylindrical wall and dome of the containment, the anchorage of reinforcement element ends, the technological aspects of concrete works, system and technology of a high level of biaxial pressing on a thin-wall structure at large wrapping angles of power reinforcing strands and etc. are observed. Experience won through the construction and operation of the primary PCC served as a basis for development of a new generation of improved unified PCC (IUPCC) for serial NPP, equipped with PWR of capacity of 1000 MW. The IUPCC is actually a cylinder 45 m in diameter and 54-m high covered with a gently sloping spherical dome. Thickness of cylinder wall is 1200 mm and that of dome wall is 1100 mm. The principle novelty of this PCC is the type and positioning of reinforcement strands. The paper describes strand arrangement and their anchorage in IUPCC. In the vertical part of PCC, strands are arranged on a helical-loop scheme and both strand ends are firmly anchored at the ring girder. Each strand is bended at the bottom of the containment. In the dome, strands are grouped on the orthogonal-loop scheme with the anchorage on one side and with bend of loop on the opposite side of the ring girder. To prevent the leakage of gases and to ensure tightness of the IUPCC an inner metal 8-mm liner with special anti-corrosion coating is designed. Monitoring and checking the stress and strain state of IUPCC is possible during the building, testing as well as operating periods. If any defects or decreased prestress of concrete are detected it is possible to tighten or replace the strands. It is noted that the more than 20 IUPCCs are in-service in Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria where NPP with PWR of capacity of 1000 MW were constructed.