An efficient two-stage approach for structural damage detection using meta-heuristic algorithms and group method of data handling surrogate model

In this study, the performance of an efficient two-stage methodology which is applied in a damage detection system using a surrogate model of the structure has been investigated. In the first stage, in order to locate the damage accurately, the performance of the modal strain energy based index for using different numbers of natural mode shapes has been evaluated using the confusion matrix. In the second stage, to estimate the damage extent, the sensitivity of most used modal properties due to damage, such as natural frequency and flexibility matrix is compared with the mean normalized modal strain energy (MNMSE) of suspected damaged elements. Moreover, a modal property change vector is evaluated using the group method of data handling (GMDH) network as a surrogate model during damage extent estimation by optimization algorithm; in this part of methodology, the performance of the three popular optimization algorithms including particle swarm optimization (PSO), bat algorithm (BA), and colliding bodies optimization (CBO) is examined and in this regard, root mean square deviation (RMSD) based on the modal property change vector has been proposed as an objective function. Furthermore, the effect of noise in the measurement of structural responses by the sensors has also been studied. Finally, in order to achieve the most generalized neural network as a surrogate model, GMDH performance is compared with a properly trained cascade feed-forward neural network (CFNN) with log-sigmoid hidden layer transfer function. The results indicate that the accuracy of damage extent estimation is acceptable in the case of integration of PSO and MNMSE. Moreover, the GMDH model is also more efficient and mimics the behavior of the structure slightly better than CFNN model.     

Distributed QoE-aware channel assignment algorithms for IEEE 802.11 WLANs

Wireless Networks - One of the challenging problems with deployment of IEEE 802.11WLANs in the same hotspot is assignment of appropriate channels to the Access Points (APs). As the number of...     

Experimental and numerical study of distortion in flat,L‐shaped,and U‐shaped carbon fiber–epoxy composite parts

In this study, flat composite panels were fabricated to find the effect of different manufacturing parameters, including stacking sequence, part thickness, and tooling material, on distortion of carbon fiber‐epoxy composite parts. L‐shaped and U‐shaped panels were also made to investigate the effect of stacking sequence on spring‐in angle and warpage of the curved panels. Results showed that distortion of the flat panels caused by asymmetry in the stacking sequence was an order of magnitude greater than distortion of the panels with an unbalanced stacking sequence; whereas in the curved panels, the panel with an asymmetric stacking sequence showed the least spring‐in angle, and the largest angle was observed in the symmetric panel. MSC Marc was used to predict distortion of the panels, and the simulation results were compared with the experimental results for several stacking sequences of the flat and the L‐shaped panels. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40439.     

Preparation of cerium oxide nanoparticles in Salvia Macrosiphon Boiss seeds extract and investigation of their photo-catalytic activities

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) with desired particle size and spherical morphology were prepared from cerium nitrate in bio media of Salvia macrosiphon Boiss seeds extract, as a green synthesis route. Then they were characterized by XRD, UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopies, FESEM and TGA. Band gap energy of the prepared powders was also determined which was found in the range of 2.5–3.5?eV. Determination of DLS and zeta potential were showed that CNPs had the small size and unique colloidal stability, respectively. Then the photo-catalytic activity of them was investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model of waste water pollutants, under UV-irradiation and optimum conditions were evaluated. Results showed that decreasing the particle size increased the rate of photo-catalytic reaction remarkably but ascending the band gap energy, in contrast. The photo-catalytic mechanism was also studied by using different scavengers.     

An accurate analytical Ⅰ-Ⅴ model for sub-90-nm MOSFETs and its application to read static noise margin modeling

We propose an accurate model to describe the Ⅰ-Ⅴ characteristics of a sub-90-nm metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) in the linear and saturation regions for fast analytical calcu...     

Investigation on the formation of roll waves in chutes

Roll waves create unstable and turbulent behaviour in channels and chutes and also change the behaviour of water entering the energy dissipater structures. In the present study, the free surface of water in the chute is simulated by numerical models. The roll waves’ occurrence is investigated in the numerical model for the discharge up to 30 m³/s, the longitudinal slope varying from 17 to 20% and the width of chute varying from 3.4 to 4.0 m. The ratios of the hydraulic depth to the chute width and also the minimum velocity to the maximum velocity are calculated along the chute length for different discharges, widths and longitudinal slopes of the chute. Results indicated that for the chutes in which the ratio of hydraulic depth to the chute width less than 0.16 the ratio of minimum to maximum velocity is less than 0.75, the formation of roll waves is inevitable.     

Behavior of moment‐resisting tall steel structures exposed to a vertically traveling post‐earthquake fire

An investigation is performed on a 10‐story moment‐resisting steel structure designed to the Life Safety level of performance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 356 code by exposing it to post‐earthquake fire (PEF). The fire curve is accounted for using the natural fire method, and the fire is subjected to the floors vertically in three different scenarios: (a) fire initiated from the first floor, (b) fire initiated from the fourth floor and (c) fire initiated from the seventh floor. A delay of 5 minutes and 25 minutes are considered for spreading the fire between the floors. To make a comparison between the results, a concurrent fire is also considered for the fire analysis. The results indicate that the PEF resistance of the frame exposed to the concurrent fire and the 5 minutes delay is much lower than that with a delay of 25 minutes. The results also show that subjecting the frame to a delayed fire of 25 minutes leads to the collapse of the frame during cooling phase, whereas in the other scenarios, the frame collapses during heating phase. As a result, more considerations need to be implemented in the codes on top of that for the PEF itself and that is the appropriate rate of spread of fire between floors. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incremental dynamic analysis of steel frames equipped with NiTi shape memory alloy braces

This paper determines the seismic performance of four‐storey concentrically braced frames equipped with either steel buckling‐restrained braces or buckling‐restrained superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) braces through incremental dynamic analysis. The incremental dynamic analysis technique is used to examine the behaviour of four‐storey braced frames with four different bracing configurations (including diagonal, split‐X, chevron‐V and inverted‐V) under 20 different ground motion records. The study reveals a satisfactory performance at the design intensity level for both types of braced frames. The results show that the SMA braces lead to a uniform distribution of inelastic response over the height of the buildings, as well as mitigating seismic response in terms of maximum inter‐storey drift and residual roof displacement. By comparing the responses of SMA and buckling‐restrained braced frames under higher intensities of earthquake loading, it is found that the SMA braces can be more beneficial especially under severe ground motion excitations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinematic and dynamic modeling of viscoelastic robotic manipulators using Timoshenko beam theory: theory and experiment

This paper presents an investigation into the development of modeling of n-viscoelastic robotic manipulators. The dynamic model of the system is derived using Gibbs-Appell formulation and assumed mode method. When the beam is short in length direction, shear deformation is a factor that may have significant effects on system dynamic. So, in modeling, the assumption of Timoshenko beam theory and associated mode shapes has been considered. Although including the effect of damping in continuous systems makes the formulations more complicated, two important damping mechanisms, namely, Kelvin-Voigt damping as internal damping and the viscous air damping as external damping have been considered. Based on derived formulation, a non-linear recursive algorithm is developed for deriving the inverse dynamic equation of motion, systematically. The performance of the proposed algorithm was assessed in terms of the required mathematical operations for deriving the kinematic and dynamic equations of the mechanical system. Finally, to validate the proposed formulation, a comparative assessment between the results achieved from experiment and simulation is presented in time and frequency domains.     

Position control of an electro-pneumatic system based on PWM technique and FLC

In this paper, modeling and PWM based control of an electro-pneumatic system, including the four 2–2 valves and a double acting cylinder are studied. Dynamic nonlinear behavior of the system, containing fast switching solenoid valves and a pneumatic cylinder, as well as electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and fluid subsystems are modeled. A DC–DC power converter is employed to improve solenoid valve performance and suppress system delay. Among different position control methods, a proportional integrator derivative (PID) controller and fuzzy logic controller (FLC) are evaluated. An experimental setup, using an AVR microcontroller is implemented. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies.