Estimation of Aeroelastic Parameters of Bridge Decks Using Neural Networks

A new method of estimating flutter derivatives using artificial neural networks is proposed. Unlike other computational fluid dynamics based numerical analyses, the proposed method estimates flutter derivatives utilizing previously measured experimental data. One of the advantages of the neural networks approach is that they can approximate a function of many dimensions. An efficient method has been developed to quantify the geometry of deck sections for neural network input. The output of the neural network is flutter derivatives. The flutter derivatives estimation network, which has been trained by the proposed methodology, is tested both for training sets and novel testing sets. The network shows reasonable performance for the novel sets, as well as outstanding performance for the training sets. Two variations of the proposed network are also presented, along with their estimation capability. The paper shows the potential of applying neural networks to wind force approximations.     

Optimum design of long-span suspension bridges considering aeroelastic and kinematic constraints

Cable supported bridges are wind prone structures. Therefore, their aerodynamic behaviour must be studied in depth in order to guarantee their safe performance. In the last decades important achievements have been reached in the study of bridges under wind-induced actions. On the other hand, non-conventional design techniques such as sensitivity analysis or optimum design have not been applied although they have proved their feasibility in the automobile or aeronautic industries. The aim of this research work is to demonstrate how non-conventional design techniques can help designers when dealing with long span bridges considering their aeroelastic behaviour. In that respect, the comprehensive analytical optimum design problem formulation is presented. In the application example the optimum design of the challenging Messina Strait Bridge is carried out. The chosen initial design has been the year 2002 design proposal. Up to a 33% deck material saving has been obtained after finishing the optimization process.     

太阳能无人机机翼颤振动力学建模与分析

太阳能无人机作为一种大展弦比轻质飞行器,其机翼的气动弹性效应显著,其中颤振问题尤为关键。此类飞机具有大尺寸和低刚度特点,通过风洞试验研究机翼颤振问题,成本高而且难度大,难以实现,因此仿真计算是分析此类飞机颤振问题的主要手段。针对国内某翼展为40米的太阳能无人机大展弦比机翼,首先对机翼有限元模型进行工程化处理,在此基础上开展结构动力学分析和颤振计算,重点计算了机翼上不同吊舱布置下的颤振速度。经过仿真计算,得到该太阳能无人机机翼颤振速度为26m/s, 满足设计要求,进一步分析表明,可以通过增加发动机连杆的长度、在发动机上增加配重以及改变吊舱在机翼上的展向站位等手段来提高此无人机的颤振速度。     

Predicting Mobile Cross-Platform Adaptation Using a Hybrid Sem–ANN Approach

Owing to constant changes in user needs, new technologies have been introduced to keep pace by building sustainable applications. Researchers and practitioners are keen to understand the factors that create an attractive user interface. Although the use of cross-platform applications and services is increasing, limited research has examined and evaluated cross-platforms for developing mobile applications for different operating systems. This study evaluates cross-platform features, identifying the main factors that help to create an attractive user adaptation when building sustainable applications for both Android and iOS. Flutter and React Native were selected so end-users could test their features using the cross-platform usability assessment model. Usability, satisfaction, and navigation were tested to measure the cross-platform adaptation and end-user experience. The data were analyzed using hybrid structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches. The study results show that usability and navigation both have a positive effect on adaptation on Flutter and React Native, while satisfaction only has an effect on Flutter. The navigation variable was also the most significant predictor of adaptation for both models. This study has several implications and makes contributions to the research field, to developers, and to end-users.     

A wind-flutter energy converter for powering wireless sensors

This paper describes a low-speed wind energy harvesting system that transfers aerodynamically induced flutter energy into electrical energy. A random airflow generates mechanical vibrations due to the fluid-structure interaction between a flexible belt and the airflow. An electromagnetic resonator with copper coils and a permanent magnet is designed to efficiently harvest electrical energy from the induced mechanical vibrations. Different groups of springs are compared at various wind conditions to maximize the power output. Typically ∼7 mW of electrical energy can be obtained at ∼3 m/s wind speed with a 1 m long belt. A power conditioning circuit with a charge pump and a DC-DC converter is used to convert the generated voltage into a stable 3.3 V DC for consumption. It is demonstrated that this generator can be used to drive a commercial wireless temperature sensor.     

Framework for sensitivity and uncertainty quantification in the flutter assessment of bridges

The phenomenon of aerodynamic instability caused by wind is usually a major design criterion for long-span cable-supported bridges. If the wind speed exceeds the critical flutter speed of the bridge, this constitutes an Ultimate Limit State. The prediction of the flutter boundary therefore requires accurate and robust models. The state-of-the-art theory concerning determination of the flutter stability limit is presented. Usually bridge decks are bluff and therefore the aeroelastic forces under wind action have to be experimentally evaluated in wind tunnels or numerically computed through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The self-excited forces are modelled using aerodynamic derivatives obtained through CFD forced vibration simulations on a section model. The two-degree-of-freedom flutter limit is computed by solving the Eigenvalue problem.A probabilistic flutter analysis utilizing a meta-modelling technique is used to evaluate the effect of parameter uncertainty. A bridge section is numerically modelled in the CFD simulations. Here flutter derivatives are considered as random variables. A methodology for carrying out sensitivity analysis of the flutter phenomenon is developed. The sensitivity with respect to the uncertainty of flutter derivatives and structural parameters is considered by taking into account the probability distribution of the flutter limit. A significant influence on the flutter limit is found by including uncertainties of the flutter derivatives due to different interpretations of scatter in the CFD simulations. The results indicate that the proposed probabilistic flutter analysis provides extended information concerning the accuracy in the prediction of flutter limits.The final aim is to set up a method to estimate the flutter limit with probabilistic input parameters. Such a tool could be useful for bridge engineers at early design stages. This study shows the difficulties in this regard which have to be overcome but also highlights some interesting and promising results.     

THERMALLY INDUCED BENDING VIBRATION OF COMPOSITE SPACECRAFT BOOMS SUBJECTED TO SOLAR HEATING

Thermally induced bending vibration of spacecraft booms modeled as circular thin-walled beams of closed cross section and subjected to thermal radiation is investigated. One assumes that the boom is built up of composite material systems, and in this context, the constituent materials of the beam include nonclassical effects such as anisotropy and transverse shear. In addition, in order to induce beneficial elasticcouplings, a special ply-angle distribution achieved via the usual helically wounding fiber-reinforced technology is implemented. Both the dynamic governing equations involving the temperature effects and the related boundary conditions are obtained via the application of the extended Hamilton principle. The case of the spacecraft boom equipped with a concentrated mass at its free end, fixed at the other end, and exposed to solar radiant heating is studied from both the induced-vibration and stability points of view. The numerical simulations display deflection time history of bending displacements as a function of the fiber orientation of the composite materials, damping factor, and angle of incidence of heat radiation. The obtained results are likely to fill a gap in the specialized literature and to play a good role toward a better understanding of the factors that contribute not only to the occurrence of the thermal flutter instability, but also to its avoidance.     

碰撞阻尼器对机翼／外挂系统颤振半主动抑制分析

本文在碰撞阻尼器引入机翼/外挂系统的基础上,分析了碰撞间隙对机翼/外挂系统颤振速度的影响,建立了半主动抑制颤振模型,用增益调度控制方法对带碰撞阻尼器的机翼/外挂系统进行反馈控制。结果表明,机翼/外挂系统颤振速度大大提高。     

基于嵌入式传感装置的数控机床颤振实时补偿研究

针对数控机床加工时出现的颤振影响工件加工精度的难题,提出了基于嵌入式传感装置对数控机床颤振误差进行实时补偿的一种方法。首先,构建了CAN总线车间机床工作状态信息采集网络,并且采用PIC18F系列微处理器作为智能终端,移植TCP/IP协议,实现了机床各轴加速度数据的采集;然后,将数据打包通过无线网络通信模块将数据上传至上位机,上位机服务器系统通过数据筛选、分析和解包显示相关信息;最后,通过加速度传感器信息和颤振误差补偿模型计算数控机床颤振补偿值。实验结果表明：该嵌入式系统对数控机床加工精度有着良好的改善、可靠性好,并且有效地提高了车间机床的加工效率。     

Study of Passive Deck-Flaps Flutter Control System on Full Bridge Model. I: Theory

A passive aerodynamic control method for suppression of the wind-induced instabilities of a very long span bridge is presented in this paper. The control system consists of additional control flaps attached to the edges of the bridge deck. Control flap rotations are governed by prestressed springs and additional cables spanned between the control flaps and an auxiliary transverse beam supported by the main cables of the bridge. The rotational movement of the flaps is used to modify the aerodynamic forces acting on the deck and provides aerodynamic forces on the flaps used to stabilize the bridge. A time-domain formulation of self-excited forces for the whole three-dimensional suspension bridge model is obtained through a rational function approximation of the generalized Theodorsen function and implemented in the FEM formulation. This paper lays the theoretical groundwork for the one that follows.