On the binomial confidence interval and probabilistic robust control

The Clopper-Pearson confidence interval has ever been documented as an exact approach in some statistics literature. More recently, such approach of interval estimation has been introduced to probabilistic control theory and has been referred as non-conservative in control community. In this note, we clarify the fact that the so-called exact approach is actually conservative. In particular, we derive analytic results demonstrating the extent of conservatism in the context of probabilistic robustness analysis. This investigation encourages seeking better methods of confidence interval construction for robust control purpose.     

Sol-Gel Preparation of LaNiO3 and Its Physical and Chemical Properties

LaNiO3 was synthesized by sol-gel method in which lanthanum nitrate and nickel nitrate were used as start materials and citric acid was used as complex for gel formation.The precursor was dried and subsequently heated at elevated temperature to form the desired product.XRD analysis shows that pure LaNiO3 was synthesized.Electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of the material were tested.The electrical conductivity decreases from 34.5that there are current peaks in the curve, which is the evidence of the electrochemical activity of LaNiO3.     

直流法测量钯氢化物电极电阻时的阻值偏移

讨论了直流法在线测量钯氢化物电极电阻时的电化学效应，计算了电解液的共导、测量电流与电解电流引起的浓差电池效应以及电极作为集流体引起的电阻贡献。结果表明：当电极具有高的长度与半径比值、粗糙的表面、高的溶液电导以及大的电解电流时容易引起显著的附加电阻。     

Three dimensional boundary element analysis of internal cracks under sliding contact load with a spherical indenter

Using boundary element based three dimensional modelling for linear fracture mechanics, we present an analysis of cracking in a homogeneous medium subject to contact load. The proposed iterative solution procedure allows a simultaneous treatment of a reasonable number of partially closed cracks. It is shown that the most probable direction of propagation of a vertical internal crack is strongly dependent on its size compared to the contact radius and its location with respect to the axis of maximum normal load.     

A p‐version,first order shear deformation,finite element for geometrically non‐linear vibration of curved beams

A p‐version, hierarchical finite element for curved, moderately thick, elastic and isotropic beams is introduced. The convergence properties of the element are analysed and some results are compared with results published elsewhere or calculated using a commercial finite element package. It is verified that, with the proposed element, shear locking does not affect the computation of the natural frequencies and that low dimensional, accurate models are obtainable. Geometrically non‐linear vibrations due to finite deformations, which occur for harmonic excitations with frequencies close to the first three natural frequencies of vibration, are investigated using Newmark's method. The influence of the thickness, longitudinal inertia and curvature radius on the dynamic behaviour of curved beams are studied. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A direct stiffness analysis of a composite beam with partial interaction

The use of the conventional semi-analytical stiffness method in finite element analysis, in which interpolation polynomials are used to develop the stiffness relationships, leads to problems of curvature locking when beam-type elements are developed for composite members with partial interaction between the materials of which it is comprised. The curvature locking phenomenon that occurs for composite steel–concrete members is quite well reported, and the general approach to minimizing the undesirable ramifications of curvature locking has been to use higher-order polynomials with increasing numbers of internal nodes. This paper presents an alternate formulation based on a direct stiffness approach rather than starting from pre-defined interpolation polynomials, and which does not possess the undesirable locking characteristics. The formulation is based on a more general approach for a bi-material composite flexural member, whose constituent materials are joined by elastic shear connection so as to provide partial interaction. The stiffness relationships are derived, and these are applied to a simply supported and a continuous steel–concrete composite beam to demonstrate the efficacy of the method, and in particular its ability to model accurately both very flexible and very stiff shear connection that causes difficulties when implemented in competitive semi-analytical algorithms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of piece‐wise linear weight functions for 2D 8‐node quadrilateral element in contact problems

The present study is a continuation of our previous work with the aim to reduce problems caused by standard higher order elements in contact problems. The difficulties can be attributed to the inherent property of the Galerkin method which gives uneven distributions of nodal forces resulting in oscillating contact pressures. The proposed remedy is use of piece‐wise linear weight functions. The methods to establish stiffness and/or mass matrix for 8‐node quadrilateral element in 2D are presented, i.e. the condensing and direct procedures. The energy and nodal displacement error norms are also checked to establish the convergence ratio. Interpretation of calculated contact pressures is discussed. Two new 2D 8‐node quadrilateral elements, QUAD8C and QUAD8D, are derived and tested in many examples, which show their good performance in contact problems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Constitutive modelling and numerical simulation of multivariant phase transformation in superelastic shape‐memory alloys

This work concerns the micromechanical constitutive modelling, algorithmic implementation and numerical simulation of polycrystalline superelastic alloys under multiaxial loading. The model is formulated in finite deformations and incorporates the effect of texture. The numerical implementation is based on the constrained minimization of the Helmholtz free energy with dissipation. Simulations are conducted for thin tubes of Nitinol under tension–torsion, as well as for a simplified model of a biomedical stent. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Connecting the second exhaust-heat boiler to the operating first one under the conditions of flow circuits of combined-cycle plants with two gas-turbine units and one steam turbine

Problems arising with connecting the second exhaust-heat boiler to the first exhaust-heat boiler under load in the case of flow circuits of combined-cycle plants of type PGU-450 are considered. Similar problems exist for two-boiler single-turbine units of type PGU-325 and for two-boiler single-turbine units of traditional steampower plants with an output of 200–300 MW upon connection of the second furnace of a two-furnace boiler to the operating first furnace. Analysis of the temperature-induced stressed state and of the cyclic strength of thick-walled elements of the steam-water conduit of PGU-450 and of two-furnace boilers of two-boiler single-turbine units with an output of 200–300 MW (the check valve, the inlet header of the water economizer) is used for determining the steam temperature differences in the high-pressure conduits to the steam turbine and the order of connection of the second exhaust-heat boiler to the operating fist one. Modes of enabling a two-boiler single-turbine unit of a combined-cycle plant, which are most “rigid” from the standpoint of thermal strength, are determined. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 2, February 2006, pp. 11–17.     

不同锌钛比对纳米钛酸锌（ZnO—TiO2）体系成分的影响

以工业偏钛酸、硫酸锌、氨水为主要原料，用直接沉淀法并进行热处理得到钛酸锌粉体，并用XRD对产物成分进行了检测。结果表明，不同的锌钛比对钛酸锌（ZnO-TiO2）体系的成分有较大影响。