Application of genetic algorithm for fuzzy rules optimization on semi expert judgment automation using Pittsburg approach

Genetic algorithm is well-known of its best heuristic search method. Fuzzy logic unveils the advantage of interpretability. Genetic fuzzy system exploits potential of optimization with ease of understanding that facilitates rules optimization. This paper presents the optimization of fourteen fuzzy rules for semi expert judgment automation of early activity based duration estimation in software project management. The goal of the optimization is to reduce linguistic terms complexity and improve estimation accuracy of the fuzzy rule set while at the same time maintaining a similar degree of interpretability. The optimized numbers of linguistic terms in fuzzy rules by 27.76% using simplistic binary encoding mechanism managed to improve accuracy by 14.29% and reduce optimization execution time by 6.95% without compromising on interpretability in addition to promote improvement of knowledge base in fuzzy rule based systems.     

Sintered Ti–Ti3P–CaO electrodes and their application for pulsed electrospark treatment of titanium

In this study, the effect of mechanical treatment on the structure and phase composition of Ti+10% Ca₃(PO₄)₂ powder mixtures was investigated. Ceramic Ti–Ti₃P–CaO electrode materials with a high component homogeneity and a residual porosity of 5–7% were obtained in a process involving cold pressing and vacuum sintering. The erosive power of the sintered ceramic-metal Ti–Ti₃P–CaO electrode during the electrospark treatment of titanium substrates was examined, and a comparison with the SHS TiC_0.5–Ti₃PO_x–CaO electrodes was performed. Both the Ti–Ti₃P–CaO and TiC_0.5–Ti₃PO_x–CaO coatings exhibited high denseness with a width of approximately 20 μm, a hardness of 3.6 GPa, a roughness of 3.3–4.6 μm and a uniform distribution of bioactive calcium and phosphorus elements.     

The analysis of damage degree of oil and gas pipeline with type II plain dent

Dent is a common type of defect in oil and gas pipelines and the assessment on dented pipelines is carried out with major international standards and specifications based on dent depth as the evaluation criteria. However, such evaluation criteria based on depth does not account for the impact of various parameters (e.g. parameters of dent, parameters of pipeline and the internal pressure of pipeline) on the evaluation result, as a result, many dented pipelines lose their efficacy, even though they meet the depth-based standards. The influence of parameters changes on the damage degree of II-type dented pipelines is investigated on the basis of Oyane's ductile fracture criterion and by the method adopting finite element numerical calculations. Finally, the non-linear regression analysis is conducted and based on the outputs, a specific expression of dent depth and pipeline damage degree is also acquired within a certain scope of application.     

Synergic predator-prey optimization for economic thermal power dispatch problem

This paper introduces a synergic predator-prey optimization (SPPO) algorithm to solve economic load dispatch (ELD) problem for thermal units with practical aspects. The basic PPO model comprises prey and predator as essential components. SPPO uses collaborative decision for movement and direction of prey and maintains diversity in the swarm due to fear factor of predator, which acts as the baffled state of preys’ mind. In the SPPO, the decision making of prey is bifurcated into corroborative and impeded parts. It comprises four behaviors namely inertial, cognitive, collective swarm intelligence, and prey's individual and neighborhood concern of predator. The prey particle memorizes its best and not-best positions as experiences. In this research work, to improve the quality of prey swarm, which influence convergence rate, opposition based initialization is used. To verify robustness of proposed algorithm general benchmark problems and small, medium, and large power generation test power system are simulated. These test systems have non-linear behavior due to multi-fuel options and practical constraints. The constraints of prohibited operating zone and ramp rate limits of power generators’ are handled using heuristics. Newton–Raphson procedure is exploited to attain the transmission losses using load flow analysis. The outcomes of SPPO are compared with the results described in literature and are found satisfactory.     

Extreme learning machine approach for sensorless wind speed estimation

Precise predictions of wind speed play important role in determining the feasibility of harnessing wind energy. In fact, reliable wind predictions offer secure and minimal economic risk situation to operators and investors. This paper presents a new model based upon extreme learning machine (ELM) for sensor-less estimation of wind speed based on wind turbine parameters. The inputs for estimating the wind speed are wind turbine power coefficient, blade pitch angle, and rotational speed. In order to validate authors compared prediction of ELM model with the predictions with genetic programming (GP), artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine with radial basis kernel function (SVM-RBF). This investigation analyzed the reliability of these computational models using the simulation results and three statistical tests. The three statistical tests includes the Pearson correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination and root-mean-square error. Finally, this study compared predicted wind speeds from each method against actual measurement data. Simulation results, clearly demonstrate that ELM can be utilized effectively in applications of sensor-less wind speed predictions. Concisely, the survey results show that the proposed ELM model is suitable and precise for sensor-less wind speed predictions and has much higher performance than the other approaches examined in this study.     

A review on fuel economy test procedure for automobiles: Implementation possibilities in Malaysia and lessons for other countries

Automobiles are considered as the main energy consumer in the transportation sector. According to the National Energy Balance, its accounted for about 36% of the total energy consumption in Malaysia. In order to reduce energy consumption in this sector, this country must consider setting fuel economy standards for motor vehicles sometime in near future. The first step toward developing fuel economy standards is to create a precise test and rating procedure for the automobiles. The test procedure is the technical foundation for all related programs namely; fuel economy standards, fuel economy labels and incentive programs. The test conditions should represent the driving situations and environment of the country. This paper is attempts to present a critical review on fuel economy testing procedure around the world and to propose a process for selecting a fuel economy test procedure for automobiles based on the conditions and requirements of the country. The internationally recognize test procedure adopted by several countries is also presented in this paper. Even though the paper only discusses the test procedure for automobiles, the methods can be directly applied for other types of vehicles and in other countries without major modifications.     

Solid-state D102 dye sensitized/poly(3-hexylthiophene) hybrid solar cells on flexible Ti substrate

Flexible solid-state dye sensitized solar cell is an important milestone for low-cost, large scale fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells. Flexible solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell is fabricated for the first time on titanium substrates using D102 sensitizer and a sputtered platinum semi-transparent cathode. Devices are illuminated from the cathode side since titanium substrates are non-transparent. Due to rear-side illumination, significant proportion of radiation is absorbed and scattered by poly(3-hexylthiophene) and platinum, respectively. Limiting the amount of platinum and poly(3-hexylthiophene), up to a point, is found to enhance device efficiency. The amount of platinum and poly(3-hexylthiophene) is optimized on glass substrates before fabrication of flexible devices on titanium substrates. The rough surface of titanium substrates is smoothened until a mirror finish and the growth of a thin layer of native oxide enhanced the device efficiency. Under optimized conditions, an efficiency of 1.20% is obtained for devices fabricated on titanium foil substrates. The lower efficiency as compared to conventional devices is mainly due to light absorption/scattering from the poly(3-hexylthiophene) and platinum layers.     

Design and kinetic analysis of wind turbine blade-hub-tower coupled system

A typical 1.5 MW wind turbine suitable for Xuzhou City is designed and simulated in this paper. The wind turbine blade-hub-tower coupling system and most of the parameters are designed and calculated in the design process. In the kinetic analysis process, the force analysis under 4 different situations are taken to verify the structure design, which are under quiescent condition, under random angle and random wind turbine, under maximal wind speed and over maximal wind speed. At last, the modal analysis selected the turbine hub and tower to solve the inherent frequencies and vibration modes. The first 5 order inherent frequencies and vibration modes of the hub and tower are solved to verify the design rationality.     

Superhydrophobic concrete surfaces with integrated microtexture

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is characterized by a densely packed mix-design, which can offer attractive surface properties for architectural building facades. A technical challenge for aesthetic applications is the protection against fouling. This work demonstrates that water-repellent concrete can be obtained just after demoulding by replicating the features of micro-pillared moulds made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Moreover, the negative replica of the microtextured UHPC surface can be used as a master to template for other UHPC samples, constituting a cost-effective route to fabricate large-scale microtextured concrete pieces. The chemical functionalization of UHPC with a low surface energy material is obtained by transferring residues from the PDMS mould or by spraying siloxane-based compounds to form a homogenous surface film. The latter preparation method showed superhydrophobic properties with static contact angles reaching up to 164° and contact angle hysteresis reaching as low as 2.5°. This process enables the manufacture of water-repelling, self-cleaning concrete. Raindrops slide off the concrete surface, carrying debris away.     

Optimization of variable demand fuzzy economic order quantity inventory models without and with backordering

A variable demand inventory model was developed for minimizing inventory cost, treating the holding and ordering costs and demand as independent fuzzy variables. Thereafter, backordering cost was also considered as an independent fuzzy variable. Fuzzy expected value model and fuzzy dependent chance programming model were constructed to find the optimal economic order quantity, which would minimize the fuzzy expected value of the total cost, so that the credibility of the total cost not exceeding a certain budget level was maximized. Optimization was carried out using genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization algorithm, and their performances were compared. The developed model was found to be efficient not only in one artificial case study but also in two data sets collected from the industries. Therefore, this model could solve real-world problems, too.