A new method of characterization for stratified thermal energy stores

A new method for characterization of stratified thermal energy stores (TES) that integrates both the first law and the second law concerns is presented here. The first law concern is incorporated into a quantity called energy response factor and the second law concern into an entropy generation ratio. A product of these two quantities is at the heart of the TES efficiency definitions. This approach removes the overemphasis of the existing methods either on the first or the second law of thermodynamics which often biases the characterization results. The information about the evolution of the temperature field of the system in time is the prerequisite of the new method. It may be obtained from experiments or from suitable numerical simulations. The current method can be easily integrated into computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and thus facilitate CFD-based design analysis. As an example of such CFD-integrated analysis, a large-scale hot water seasonal heat store is numerically studied to identify the effects of aspect ratio, containment shape, internal structures, and containment size on their efficiency. The results suggest the effectiveness of the new method in deriving useful design insights.     

Determination of gust action stress cycle counts for fatigue checking of line-like steel structures

The classical spectral analysis of structural response to a gusty wind is applied to the prediction of fatigue damage as expressed by the rate of accumulation of Miner's quotient, using the rainflow algorithm to establish stress-range cycle counts. A general solution in chart form is given for the effect of the broad-band (quasi-static) part of the response spectrum, together with an algebraic formulation for its combination with the effect of narrow-band (quasi-resonant) response.A procedure for integration of the long-term expectation of Miner's quotient is indicated. It is concluded that quasi-static response alone is unlikely to pose a serious fatigue problem. With generally anticipated levels of dynamic response, fatigue damage is greatly increased, but can be controlled at acceptable levels by care to avoid features especially sensitive to fatigue.     

也谈轻型钢结构房屋柱基设计

对柱脚抗剪键的设置和计算中所取用的荷载组合提出个人观点,同时对轻钢结构柱脚螺栓受拉计算提出注意事项.     

Towards an optimum language data model

Maximizing the satisfaction of a value in an engineering design is usually limited by tradeoffs in which other values become unacceptably sacrificed. In a few cases, however, the maximization is limited by a boundary between what is mathematically possible and what is not. Round wheels, vertical pillars, and binary memory elements are examples of optimum engineering structures which result from such mathematical limits. It is proposed that optimum characteristics of a language data model result similarly by minimizing the variety of primitive data objects, the complexity of those objects, and the number of objects needed to represent data states. Reducing these measures is needed to combine both rich data structure and powerful operations in one language. The minimizations lead to a narrow range of designs for language semantics in which the potential advantages of specialization is small compared with the advantages of commonality. Universal language for support of technical literacy appears to be an appropriate scope of generality in language design.     

Service Load Effective Compression Flange Width in Fiber Reinforced Polymer Deck Systems Acting Compositely with Steel Stringers

This paper reports on the field study of a steel stringer-fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) deck composite bridge in Pennsylvania. The objective of the study is to assess the effective compression flange width in the FRP deck and floor systems when they act compositely with underlying steel girders at service conditions. The research results reported herein support the notion of employing a design approach, for both interior and exterior girders of a composite floor system, that is philosophically consistent with current practice related to steel girders acting compositely with concrete decking. It appears from the results presented herein that FRP decks and floors acting compositely with underlying steel girders exhibit an effective width that is close to the actual girder spacing for interior beams, and approximately one-half this value for exterior beams.     

Design optimization of 3D steel structures: Genetic algorithms vs. classical techniques

In this paper an elitist genetic algorithm (GA) developed by the authors is compared with common commercial solutions for complex structural optimization. After its prior validation on two-dimensional (2D) structures, the GA was tuned and improved in order to obtain structural elements with minimum weights that satisfy the ultimate limit states of the applicable building code. Subsequently, the same spatial structures were optimized using a commercial structural analysis program. Finally, the cost and weight improvements obtained using the GA, although at a higher computational cost, are discussed.     

FODA — the formal specification of ODA document structures and its use as a basis for conformance testing

The Office Document Architecture (ODA) is an International Standard which is developed by TC 97/sc 18 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in close collaboration with CCITT's Study Group VIII and with ECMA. This paper describes the current state of a formal specification of the ODA document structures by mathematical means and its use for conformance specification and conformance testing.     

建筑结构爆破震动效应及安全分析研究

从现代爆破作用原理出发。对岩体爆破的振动特性，影响因素及最新研究进展作了综合评述。并通过大量科研观测资料分析。结合我国某些工程实践经验。着重介绍了岩土爆破对闸坝工程，水工隧洞的作用特性。破坏机制和安全准则。     

On the cost of searching signature trees

A precise analysis of the retrieval of signature trees is presented. A signature tree is a data structure constructed over a signature file to speed up searching all those signatures, which match a given query signature. The methods used include a detailed study of probabilistic analysis in conjunction with suitable contour integration of complex variabled functions.     

Signature analysis and defect detection in layered manufacturing of ceramic sensors and actuators

This paper presents the concept of a process signature for the use of online signature analysis and defect detection in the layered manufacturing (LM) of ceramic sensors and actuators. To achieve the high quality of parts built by the fused deposition of ceramics (FDC), an online process-monitoring system is implemented to detect the processing defects. Using a process signature extracted from the image of a layer captured by the monitoring system, an ideal image is created that is then compared to the original image to detect and identify the defects. Some results of signature analysis and defect detection for single-material and multi-material parts are also presented.Received: 22 July 1999, Accepted: 21 October 2001, Published online: 29 October 2003 Correspondence to: Mohsen A. JafariThis work was supported by the Office of Naval Research under grant # N-0014-96-1-1175. Ref. US Patent # S-5738817, April 14, 1998.