Cyclic fatigue resistance and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis of novel heat‐treated nickel–titanium instruments at body temperature

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance of Dia‐X, WaveOne Gold and One Curve files in a water bath at intracanal temperature (35°C). Thirty‐nine instruments Dia‐X, WaveOne Gold, and One Curve systems (n = 13) were tested in an artificial canal with a curvature angle of 60° and a radius of 3 mm. A water bath setup at a temperature of 35°C was used to simulate the intracanal temperature and time to fracture (TTF) as seconds was recorded. The mean data were analyzed statistically using one‐way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey test (p = .05). The fractured surface of the instruments was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical composition of the instruments were investigated with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). Statistically significant differences were detected in TTF values of all the systems as follows: One Curve > WaveOne Gold > Dia‐X (p < .05). One Curve instruments demonstrated the highest TTF values in all the tested instruments. The EDS microanalysis revealed similar NiTi composition of on the surface of One Curve, WaveOne Gold, and Dia‐X instruments. The novel manufacturing process, including C‐wire heat treatment and the variable cross‐section of the One Curve files, could be the main factors affecting the fatigue life of the instruments.     

Advanced Visualization and Accessibility to Heterogeneous Monitoring Data

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is a promising tool for better management of infrastructure. However, failure to manage large amounts of SHM data properly is a big barrier for its widespread application. Data management is especially challenging when heterogeneous data are involved and combined with camera images. Various sensors based on different technologies can measure many parameters such as strain, tilt, weather, etc., whereas live cameras can visualize traffic response. In addition, all the data streams can be registered both statically and dynamically. Data management is even more complex if multiple users access the data and have diverse backgrounds and interests (e.g., the owner/manager of the structure, operator, responsible engineer, and academic). In this article, general principles for SHM data management are researched, established, and proposed by the authors, and an original solution for data management based on these principles is presented. For validation purposes, the proposed principles were implemented in novel data management software and applied to a signature bridge. Feedback from interested groups including the managers, operators, engineers of record, and academics is used for validation. Thus, this article details the researched and proposed accessibility and visualization principles, and conceptual development of novel solution for data management, which combines computer science, internet omnipresence, and structural engineering.     

Three-Dimensional Surface Texture Characterization of Portland Cement Concrete Pavements

Abstract:   This article investigates the effectiveness of different mathematical methods in describing the three-dimensional surface texture of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. Ten PCC field cores of varying surface textures were included in the analysis. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used to scan the upper portion of these cores, resulting in a stack of two-dimensional grayscale images. Image processing techniques were utilized to isolate the void pixels from the solid pixels and reconstruct the three-dimensional surface topography. The resulting three-dimensional surfaces were reduced to two-dimensional "map of heights" images, whereby the grayscale intensity of each pixel within the image represented the vertical location of the surface at that point with respect to the lowest point on the surface. The "map of heights" images were analyzed using four mathematical methods, namely the Hessian model, the Fast Fourier transform (FFT), the wavelet analysis, and the power spectral density (PSD). Results obtained using these methods were compared to the mean profile depth (MPD) computed in accordance with ASTM E1845 .     

A multiple-step slit die rheometer for rheological characterization of extruded starch melts

Extrusion cooking is a very important process in the field of cereal and snack manufacturing. The rheological properties of the starch based matrix strongly influence this process. A newly developed online rheometer was mounted on a twin screw extruder in order to measure these properties. It was possible to obtain viscosity of wheat flour and corn grits at typical extrusion cooking conditions over a shear rate range of three decades. Flow curves for varying screw speed and water content at a constant thermomechanical history of the starch were measured. Also the temperature dependence of the apparent viscosities could be determined showing activation energies in the range found for synthetic polymers. Furthermore, additional pressure drops that occur at step changes of the slit height were detected. Thus, it was possible to evaluate visco-elastic properties of extruded starch melts at different extrusion cooking conditions.     

Optimal and suboptimal receivers for code‐multiplexed transmitted‐reference ultra‐wideband systems

In this study, optimal and suboptimal receivers are investigated for code‐multiplexed transmitted‐reference (CM‐TR) ultra‐wideband systems. First, a single‐user scenario is considered, and a CM‐TR system is modeled as a generalized noncoherent pulse‐position modulated system. Based on that model, the optimal receiver that minimizes the bit error probability is derived. Then, it is shown that the conventional CM‐TR receiver converges to the optimal receiver under certain conditions and achieves close‐to‐optimal performance in practical cases. Next, multi‐user systems are considered, and the conventional receiver, blinking receiver, and chip discriminator are investigated. Also, the linear minimum mean‐squared error (MMSE) receiver is derived for the downlink of a multi‐user CM‐TR system. In addition, the maximum likelihood receiver is obtained as a performance benchmark. The practicality and the computational complexity of the receivers are discussed, and their performance is evaluated via simulations. The linear MMSE receiver is observed to provide the best trade‐off between performance and complexity/practicality. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Power quality improvement with an extended custom power park

This paper describes the operation principles of an extended custom power park (CPP). The proposed park is more effective when it is compared to the conventional power parks regarding the yield of improving both current and voltage quality of linear and nonlinear loads using dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), active power filter (APF), static transfer switch (STS) and diesel generator (DG). Moreover, a supervisory power quality control centre is presented to coordinate these custom power (CP) devices by providing pre-specified quality of power. A fast sag/swell detection unit is also presented to improve the system response. The ability of the extended CPP for power quality improvements is further analyzed using PSCAD/EMTDC through a set of simulation tests.     

Impact of initial conditions on the initiation of ferroresonance

The impact of initial conditions on the initiation of ferroresonance is investigated. The investigation is carried out by simulating the behaviour of the model of a 275 kV electromagnetic voltage transformer circuit for a range of practical values of other system parameters. The initial conditions are varied within a practically possible range of initial values of transformer voltage and transformer flux linkage. Additionally, the initiation of ferroresonance is investigated by varying the values of phase angle of voltage source and values of shunt capacitance for the initial values that could appear in two basic cases of ferroresonance initiation.     

Optimum insulation thickness of the piping system with combined economic and environmental method

In the present study, an alternative method combining economic and environmental costs is suggested for the pipe insulation. This method is called as combined economic and environment method (CEEM). Bilecik, which is located in the Marmara region, Turkey, is chosen. Rockwool and glass wool are chosen as insulation materials. The optimum insulation thicknesses of three different methods including CEEM, economic, and environmental approaches are calculated and compared. Optimum points are 0.46 m (CEEM), 0.39 m (economic approach), and 0.54 m (environmental approach) for rockwool; and 0.46 m (CEEM), 0.40 m (economic approach), and 0.59 m (environmental approach) for glass wool. In addition, annual cost savings and energy savings are determined.     

A New Approach to H-Infinity Control for Grid-Connected Inverters in Photovoltaic Generation Systems

Abstract

The present study investigates the stability problem of the grid-connected inverters (GCIs) for possible variations in grid impedance. A new type of H∞ control method is proposed for the current control loop of inverters, where the third weighting function is determined using the game theory. The proposed method is applied to the GCI in a photovoltaic system and its response to variations in grid impedance is investigated. Computer simulations conducted for comparison of H∞ and PI controller indicate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm. Simulation results also show that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the PI controller under the conditions of varying grid impedance.     

Neural networks to analyze surface tracking on solid insulators

Surface tracking on solid insulators is one of the most severe breakdown mechanisms associated with polymeric materials under long term service conditions. A wide range of relays can detect failure in a transmission line and prevent a total breakdown in the systems, but due to the non-healing characteristics of solid insulators, in most cases it might be too late to save the insulator after tracking initiation and growth. The method described here is employed mainly in detecting several conditions, such as discharges, leakage current, dry conditions, severe damage and tracking initiation. Initially a BPN (back propagation network) type NN (neural network) is trained with different signal types. Due to the nature of NN, which always require similar values of input nodes, the system uses the FFT (fast Fourier transform) of the input signal, which might have high amplitude frequency components other than the fundamental frequency depending an the condition of the surface. The system works on a real time basis and warns the user with the first indication of severe damage on the surface and can protect the insulator from excessive damage