Efficient Flexible M-Tree Bulk Loading Using FastMap and Space-Filling Curves

Many database applications currently deal with objects in a metric space. Examples of such objects include unstructured multimedia objects and points of interest (POIs) in a road network. The M-tree is a dynamic index structure that facilitates an efficient search for objects in a metric space. Studies have been conducted on the bulk loading of large datasets in an M-tree. However, because previous algorithms involve excessive distance computations and disk accesses, they perform poorly in terms of their index construction and search capability. This study proposes two efficient M-tree bulk loading algorithms. Our algorithms minimize the number of distance computations and disk accesses using FastMap and a space-filling curve, thereby significantly improving the index construction and search performance. Our second algorithm is an extension of the first, and it incorporates a partitioning clustering technique and flexible node architecture to further improve the search performance. Through the use of various synthetic and real-world datasets, the experimental results demonstrated that our algorithms improved the index construction performance by up to three orders of magnitude and the search performance by up to 20.3 times over the previous algorithm.     

Vertical cyclic loading response of geosynthetic-encased stone column in soft clay

Dynamic responses of the geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) supported embankment under traffic loads have become a hot topic. This study investigates the responses of GESC improved ground under vertical cyclic loading. A series of laboratory tests in a designed model test tank have been carried out with different loading parameters (varied loading amplitudes and frequencies), different column dimensions (varied encasement lengths and column diameters). In the tests, the soil-column stress distribution, accumulated settlement of loading plate, excess pore water pressure in the surrounding soil and lateral bulging of the stone column are monitored. Experimental results indicate that the vertical stress on the stone column increases with the increment of encasement length, and decreases with the increment of column diameter, loading amplitude and loading frequency. The increasing stress on the surrounding soil leads to a greater accumulated settlement of the loading plate and excess pore water pressure, while the increasing stress on the column leads to larger lateral bulging of the column. Excess pore water pressure dissipates effectively through vertical and horizontal drainage channels provided by the stone column and the sand bed. The geosynthetic encasement prevents the clay from obstructing the drainage channel by filtration and guarantees the drainage effect.     

Influence of domain switching process on the electrical fatigue behavior of ferroelectrics

We report an experimental approach, designed based on the recent findings that domain switching in ferroelectric ceramics can be separated into three regimes during antiparallel electric field loading, to investigate the influence of domain switching process on the electrical fatigue behavior of ferroelectrics. Uniaxial compressive stress (−2 MPã -100 MPa) and thermal loading (20 °C–150 °C) were used to tune the domain switching process. Under the same loading condition, the bipolar electrical fatigue behavior of soft lead zirconate titanate ceramics was systematically characterized. The amplitude and frequency of the applied electric field are 2 kV/mm and 10 Hz, respectively. By analyzing the evolution of the domain switching process, combined with the measured polarization and strain response, as well as the cracks observed on the surface of the specimen, it is found that the fatigue of ferroelectric ceramics was mainly related to the domain switching process near the coercive electric field: the regime 2 defined in this paper. The underlying mechanism was further discussed by considering the interplay between the domain switching process with the main factors affecting the electrical fatigue of ferroelectrics, namely defect redistribution, charge carrier injection, and crack initiation.     

Constructing developable surfaces by wrapping cones and cylinders

We model developable surfaces by wrapping a planar figure around cones and cylinders. Complicated developables can be constructed by successive mappings using cones and cylinders of different sizes and shapes. We also propose an intuitive control mechanism, which allows a user to select an arbitrary point on the planar figure and move it to a new position. Numerical techniques are then used to find a cone or cylinder that produces the required mapping. Several examples demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique.     

Seismic behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced retaining walls backfilled with cohesive soil

This study investigates the seismic performance of geosynthetic-reinforced modular block retaining walls backfilled with cohesive, fine grained clay-sand soil mixture. Shaking table tests were performed for three ½ scaled (wall height 190 cm) and ¼ scaled model walls to investigate the effects of backfill type, the influence of reinforcement length and reinforcement stiffness effects. The El Centro and Kobe earthquake records of varying amplitudes were used as base acceleration. Displacement of the front wall, accelerations at different locations, strains on the reinforcements, and the visual observations of the facing and the backfill surface were used to evaluate the seismic performance of model walls. The model walls were subjected to rigorous shaking and the walls did not exhibit any stability problems or signs of impending failure. The maximum deformations observed on the models with cohesive backfill was less than half of the deformation of the sand model. The load transfers between the geogrid and cohesive soil was comparable to that of sand and hence the needed reinforcement length was similar as well. As a result; the model walls with cohesive backfills performed within acceptable limits under seismic loading conditions when compared with granular backfilled counterparts.     

Thermal Bending Analysis of Doubly Curved Composite Laminated Shell Panels with General Boundary Conditions and Laminations

Thermal bending analysis of doubly curved laminated shell panels with general boundary conditions and laminations is presented. The equations of equilibrium are derived in the form of two coupled sets of ordinary differential equations based on a general shell theory and solved through the state-space approach in a repeated manner. It is depicted that the results of the present method are in great agreement with analytical solutions. Cylindrical shell panels with general boundary conditions and laminations, where no analytical solution is available, are solved. It is found that the present method exhibits a high convergence rate as well as presenting accurate results in all cases.     

Bulging in incremental sheet forming of cold bonded multi-layered Cu clad sheet: Influence of forming conditions and bending

Bulge is a defect that causes geometrical inaccuracy and premature failure in the innovative incremental sheet forming (ISF) process. This study has two-fold objectives: (1) knowing the bulging behavior of a Cu clad tri-layered steel sheet as a function of forming conditions, and (2) analyzing the bending effect on bulging in an attempt to identify the associated mechanism. A series of ISF tests and bending analysis are performed to realize these objectives. From the cause-effect analysis, it is found that bulge formation in the layered sheet is sensitive to forming conditions in a way that bulging can be minimized utilizing annealed material and performing ISF with larger tool diameter and step size. The bending under tension analysis reveals that the formation of bulge is an outgrowth of bending moment that the forming tool applies on the sheet during ISF. Furthermore, the magnitude of bending moment depending upon the forming conditions varies from 0.046 to 10.24 N·m/m and causes a corresponding change in the mean bulge height from 0.07 to 0.91 mm. The bending moment governs bulging in layered sheet through a linear law. These findings lead to a conclusion that the bulge defect can be overcome by controlling the bending moment and the formula proposed can be helpful in this regards.     

一种弯曲抽油杆打捞工具

为安全、快速、有效地解决顶部极度弯曲、径向变形尺寸很大的落井抽油杆打捞难题,研制了一种在套管内打捞弯曲抽油杆的工具。该工具把以往从落物顶端引入打捞改为从落物侧面引入打捞,使复杂的井下故障处理简单化,从而缩短修井周期,减少修井费用,及时恢复油井生产。该项技术先后在江苏油田6口油井上应用,成功率100%,验证了工具的独特性和可靠性。     

径向水平井弯曲转向机构影响因素仿真研究

针对径向水平井钻进中钻杆弯曲转向前进运动困难的问题,通过建立弯曲转向机构仿真有限元模型,对其主要影响因素:滑道轨迹曲率、间隙、工作压力、滚轮形状与位置和钻杆壁厚等用ANSYS软件进行仿真研究。研究表明:影响截面变形的主要因素是滑道曲率的改变和滑道摩擦因数,钻井失败时钻杆所受阻力的增大不是因为升高工作压力导致截面变形过大与滑道干涉所致,钻杆经校直段,钻头中轴线与校直中心线存在一定的角度,即钻杆的前进轨迹就会偏离理论值,或与地层干涉,或可能再次发生弯曲变形;另一主要原因是转向器滑道工作恶化。增加钻杆壁厚,降低工作压力和滑道摩擦因数,设计合理弯曲转向机构是解决问题的关键。     

两种基于弯曲损耗的光纤测试仪器原理及应用

光纤通信技术的飞速发展带动了光纤测试仪器的发展。主要对两种利用弯曲损耗对光纤进行检测的仪器——光纤识别仪、光纤对线器的原理、结构及其在光纤通信工程中的应用进行了阐述，两种仪器可以在不中断光纤通信的情况下对光纤进行检测，极大地降低了对光纤通信系统的影响，对光纤通信系统具有重要意义。