Neural Network for Creep and Shrinkage Deflections in Reinforced Concrete Frames

A recently developed accurate procedure termed as the consistent procedure (CP) for evaluation of creep and shrinkage behavior in reinforced concrete (RC) frames is elaborate and requires large computational effort. An approximate procedure (AP) that has been available and widely used is simple and requires much less computational effort but can be erroneous. The feasibility of using the neural network model to simulate the inelastic deflections of CP from the results of AP for a class of RC frames is investigated. This model would enable rapid estimation of inelastic deflections of CP and would be useful at the planning stage. For this purpose, a ratio η of inelastic deflections of CP, to corresponding deflections of AP, designated as inelastic deflection ratio is defined as the output parameter. The sensitivity of η with the probable structural parameters in the practical range of values is studied and governing input parameters identified. The training is carried out for a practical range of the governing structural parameters. Trained network is validated for a number of example buildings.     

GIS based malaria information management system for urban malaria scheme in India

A GIS based information management system has been developed to help Urban Malaria Control in India. The basic objective is to develop a model to assist planning and implementation of a suitable control measure. The system can help in: (i) identifying high receptive areas in time and space domain; (ii) identifying risk factors for high receptivity; (iii) monitoring and evaluating control measures. To demonstrate this system, information on 33 parameters and malaria cases has been attached to a digitised map of Dindigul, an urban town in Tamil Nadu. Functionalities of the system and its utility are described in this paper. A GIS based information management system ensures that if a localised spurt of the disease occurs, it can be associated rapidly with a likely cause, a specific vector, and a probable human source, so that appropriate preventive action can be taken to arrest any rising trend.     

Crystallisation kinetics in Se80‐xTe20Sbx glassy alloys

The kinetics of crystallisation has been studied in glassy Se_80‐xTe₂₀Sb_x (0≤x≤15) by two different techniques: (i) a non‐isothermal DSC technique where multiscans at different heating rates are used to calculate the kinetic parameters; (ii) isothermal annealing at different temperatures near the crystallisation temperature and measuring the conductivity variation with time. The activation energies obtained by the two techniques match reasonably well. A discontinuity in δE is observed at 10 at% Sb which is explained in terms of a mechanically optimised structure at a particular composition. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE RELATED PROPERTIES OF AVIATION TURBINE FUELS

Abstract

In recent years the hydrogen content of Aviation Fuels has generated considerable interest. Various investigators have suggested correlation of hydrogen content with combustion related properties of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). A suitable threshold value of hydrogen content 13.8 %wt is being considered as a waiver of Specification sueh as specific energy, aniline gravity product, smoke point, aromatic content, naphthalenes and luminometer number.

In the present paper relationship between the Hydrogen content and. combustion related properties have been examined and improved correlations of hydrogen content with several combustion related properties have been developed by incorporating a characterizationfactor in the equations. The supporting threshold value of a hydrogen content of 13.8 %wt is verified with 25 data points for waiving of combustion properties such as specific energy, aniline gravity product, smoke point and aromatic content from aviation turbine fuel.     

GUM FORMING OLEFINIC PRECURSORS IN MOTOR GASOLINE,A MODEL COMPOUND STUDY

Abstract

The source of the cracked components in motor gasoline are generally (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) FCC and thermal cracking naphthas incorporated in the gasoline pool. The FCC olefins are predominant in iso structures, while thermal cracking naphthas obtained from visbreaking and coking operations contain substantial amounts of cyclic structures. The contribution of various olefinic structures present in these naphthas are likely to vary. The gum forming tendencies of different types of olefinic structures have been studied by taking model compounds in a known sample matrix through potential gum measurements under accelerated test conditions. Peroxide number values have also been determined on aged sample. Cyclic and dicyclic structures have been found to contribute maximum, towards gum formation tendencies. Branching generally increase the gum formation. However, position of branching plays an important role besides the double bond. Synergistic effect of dienes with straight chain and branched olefins have also been studied.     

Experimental Results for and Theoretical Analysis of a Self-Organizing Global Coordinate System for Ad Hoc Sensor Networks

We present an algorithm for achieving robust and reasonably accurate localization in a randomly placed wireless sensor network, without the use of global control, globally-accessible beacon signals, or accurate estimates of inter-sensor distances. We present theoretical analysis, simulation results and recent experimental results. The theoretical analysis shows that there is a critical minimum average neighborhood size of 15 for good accuracy, and simulation results show that position accuracy to within 20% of the local radio range can be achieved, even with upto 10% variation in the radio ranges.