Design and optimization of small hydropower systems in water distribution networks under consideration of rehabilitation measures

Small hydro power systems (SHPSs) are increasingly installed in water distribution systems (WDSs). With only minor adaptations in a WDS, pressure surplus can be utilised. In such systems, a water surplus is also often available. In this work, water consumption data of a real Alpine WDS over one year are used as an input for an Epanet2 long-term simulation model to assess such a SHPS. In addition, the combinations of pressure and water surplus devices in a WDS are investigated. For such a specific investigated case, the yearly profit of 1750 € for a single SHPS could be increased to 3550 € when combining two interacting devices. Further, necessary and upcoming rehabilitation measures are investigated concerning their positive impact on the energy production potential and how additional costs (e.g., higher diameters (200 mm instead of 125 mm)) can be compensated by additional profits from energy production (maximum 5250 € per year).     

Multidimensional benefit–cost evaluation of asphaltic concrete overlays of rigid pavements

Using the data from a national study in the USA, this study demonstrated a comprehensive and multidimensional pavement treatment evaluation methodology and used the methodology to evaluate the short-term and life cycle cost-effectiveness (CE) of five rigid pavement rehabilitation treatments. Four measures of effectiveness were used in this study: the sudden decrease in surface roughness, treatment service life, increase in average pavement condition over the service life and the area bounded by the performance curve. This study established relationships that quantify the influence of pre-treatment condition on treatment effectiveness. Also, the models were developed to describe the treatment effectiveness as a function of traffic loading and climatic severity. It is seen that at high traffic loading, there is relatively little difference in treatment effectiveness across various climate severities. This study suggests that superior effectiveness of a treatment does not necessarily translate into superior CE. Also, the treatment location was found to influence the relative effectiveness of the treatments. Overall, the results suggest that treatment ‘crack-and-seat and 8-in. asphalt concrete overlay’ is the most cost-effective.     

An inverse solution of the lifetime-oriented design problem

This paper presents a new solution of the lifetime-oriented design problem. This solution is based on a point-to-point allocation between the space of the design parameters and the space of structural responses. Each point in the space of the design parameters defines a feasible or non-feasible design, and all feasible designs guarantee compliance with a predetermined lifetime. From the set of feasible designs, one or more designs may be selected with the aid of technical or economic criteria. The presented solution permits the consideration of non-statistical data uncertainty, thereby leading to an uncertain lifetime. Because of the unavoidable information deficit, for example incomplete data in practical problems, the application of non-statistical data uncertainty is more realistic than the application of stochastic data models. The selection of feasible design variants is based on methods of explorative data analysis.     

Making client values explicit in value management workshops

Value management is a project‐focused process that makes explicit and appraises the functional benefits of a product, process or service consistent with a value system determined by the client. The value system of the client necessarily requires a method for value setting using harder performance variables than the commonly described facets of time, cost and quality. Current value theory is critically appraised in the context of current value management practice. The research proposition is that the constituent parts of time, cost and quality can be made overt enabling a client to express satisfaction in terms of a finite number of variables enabling the explicit statement of client value within a value management workshop. An action research study into the discovery of the component parts of the client's value system at the early stages of construction projects concludes that the variables are the nine non‐correlated, high order, discretionary performance variables of capital expenditure, operational expenditure, time, esteem, environment, exchange, politics/community, flexibility and comfort.     

Applications of dynamic programming in survey engineering

Recent research has shown that probabilistic and non-probabilistic dynamic programming techniques can be applied beneficially in the solution of optimal design and management problems in surveying. The survey design system is presented. A non-probabilistic dynamic programming solution of a second order, one dimensional optimal survey design problem is outlined and some applications of Bayesian dynamic programming to survey logistics and management problems are demonstrated. A useful 'technology transfer' technique is included to illustrate one method of introducing systems theory and operations research to survey engineering.     

考虑结构和热力学参数的钢梁抗火性能预测

给出预测标准火灾条件下钢梁耐火时间的公式。首先,根据热力学特性找出影响钢梁抗火性能的关键参数,然后将其划分为结构参数或热力学参数。通过完全耦合热力学数值分析方法,研究发生大变形前各参数对耐火性能的影响。在进行广泛的参数分析前,利用试验结果验证了数值模拟的准确性。通过多元线性回归分析,得到各种设计条件下钢梁抗火时间的预测公式。统计分析表明,所提出的公式是有效的。详细说明了该公式在实际消防设计中的应用,也介绍了该公式的优点。     

基于性能的防屈曲支撑在既有建筑抗震加固中的应用研究

简要介绍了基于位移的防屈曲支撑抗震加固简化算法,结合一幢6层既有综合楼进行实例分析,并通过弹塑性时程分析予以数值验证。结果表明,简化算法能够快速进行支撑用量估计,其减震效果与时程分析结果基本一致。     

The use of site surveys in the collection of recreation data,with particular Reference to the congleton district of Cheshire

The provision of countryside recreation facilities at a local level is likely to receive increasing attention during the next decade. As an integral part of the assessment of the quality of present provision within the Congleton District of Cheshire (U.K.) five site surveys were made. Each site provides different facilities for recreation and interview questions were designed to investigate the background of the visitors and the nature of the interplay between site and visitor. The analysis of answers attempts to illustrate those aspects of this interrelationship, which may be important during the consideration of future provision of recreation sites and their management.     

Application of multivariate statistical analyses in the differentiation between two phosphate ores from the Nuba Mountains,Sudan

In previously published research, uranium abundance and major and trace element content were determined in phosphate ore samples from the Kurun and Uro areas of the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. The current work aims to characterise and differentiate between the phosphate ores from these two areas by subjecting the obtained geochemical data to quantitative and qualitative statistical analyses. Multivariate statistical analyses and correlation studies show several geochemical differences in the occurrence of uranium in Kurun and Uro phosphate ores. Uranium in Uro phosphate ore shows a higher degree of mobility coefficient of variability (CV%?=?91) than that in Kurun phosphate ore (CV%?=?48). Kurun and Uro phosphate ores are found to be good sources of titanium and strontium. The average concentrations of Ti and Sr in Uro phosphate ore are 4880 and 2780?mg?kg^–1, respectively. The corresponding values in Kurun phosphate ore are 7300 and 2630?mg?kg^–1, respectively. A cluster analysis of trace elements demonstrates that both Ti and Sr, which are the most abundant trace elements, appear in individual groups or in sub-groups. Uranium behaves in the same manner in both phosphate ores in that it associates in groups containing all the transition metals except for the most abundant trace element, titanium.     

FRP约束钢筋混凝土柱承载力非线性有限元分析

借助有限元分析软件ABAQUS,通过建模合理选取材料本构关系、确定单元类型、界面处理以及网格划分的设置,建立FRP约束钢筋混凝土柱在轴心压力作用下的非线性有限元计算模型,得出各个阶段试件的承载能力。与试验结果进行比较,结果表明,有限元计算的极限承载力和荷载-挠度曲线与试验结果较好吻合,验证了有限元分析模型的适用性。