• Advances in Energy Research
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.55-73
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• 2019

The cost incurred by voltage sag effect in power networks has always been of important concern for discussions. Due to the environmental constraints, fossil fuel shortage crisis and low efficiency of conventional power plants, decentralized generation and renewable based DG have become trends in recent decades; because DGs can reduce the voltage sag effect in distribution networks noticeably; therefore, optimum allocation of DGs in order to maximize their effectiveness is highly important in order to maximize their effectiveness. In this paper, a new method is proposed for calculating the cost incurred by voltage sag effect in power networks. Thus, a new objective function is provided that comprehends technical standards as minimization of the cost incurred by voltage sag effect, active power losses and economic criterion as the installation and maintenance costs of DGs. Considering operational constraints of the system, the optimum allocation of DGs is a constrained optimization problem in which Lightning Attachment procedure optimization (LAPO) is used to resolve it and is the optimum number, size and location of DGs are determined in IEEE 33 bus test system and IEEE 34 bus test system. The results show that optimum allocation of DGs not only reduces the cost incurred by voltage sag effect, but also improves the other characteristics of the system.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.429-437
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• 2017

In this study, the effect of the tensile strength and ratio of disc spacing to penetration depth on the efficiency of tunnel boring machine (TBM) is investigated using Particle flow code (PFC) in two dimensions. Models with dimensions of $150{\times}70mm$ made of rocks with four different tensile strength values of 5 MPa, 10 MPa, 15 MPa and 20 MPa were separately analyzed and two "U" shape cutters with width of 10 mm were penetrated into the rock model by velocity rate of 0.1 mm/s. The spacing between cutters was also varied in this study. Failure patterns for 5 different penetration depths of 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, and 7 mm were registered. Totally 100 indentation test were performed to study the optimal tool-rock interaction. An equation relating mechanical rock properties with geometric characteristics for the optimal TBM performance is proposed. The results of numerical simulations show that the effective rock-cutting condition corresponding to the minimum specific energy can be estimated by an optimized disc spacing to penetration depth, which, in fact, is found to be proportional to the rock's tensile strength.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.237-249
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• 2017

The Self-Organization Feature Map as an unsupervised network is very widely used these days in engineering science. The applied network in this paper is the Self Organization Feature Map with constant weights which includes Kohonen Network. In this research, Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall buildings with different stories and heights are analyzed and a database consisting of measured fundamental periods and characteristics of 78 RC SW buildings is created. The input parameters of these buildings include number of stories, height, length, width, whereas the output parameter is the fundamental period. In addition, using Genetic Algorithm, the structure of the Self-Organization Feature Map algorithm is optimized with respect to the numbers of layers, numbers of nodes in hidden layers, type of transfer function and learning. Evaluation of the SOFM model was performed by comparing the obtained values to the measured values and values calculated by expressions given in building codes. Results show that the Self-Organization Feature Map, which is optimized by using Genetic Algorithm, has a higher capacity, flexibility and accuracy in predicting the fundamental period.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-23
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• 1999

Wind effects are critical considerations in the design of topside structures, overall structural systems, or both, depending on the water depth and type of offshore platform. The reliable design of these facilities for oil fields in regions of hostile environment can only be assured through better understanding of the environmental load effects and enhanced response prediction capabilities. This paper summarizes the analysis and performance of offshore platforms under extreme wind loads, including the quantification of wind load effects with focus on wind field characteristics, steady and unsteady loads, gust loading factors, application of wind tunnel tests, and the provisions of the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 2A - Working Stress Design (API RP 2A-WSD) for the construction of offshore structures under the action of wind. A survey of the performance of platforms and satellite structures is provided, and failure mechanisms concerning different damage scenarios during Hurricane Andrew are examined. Guidelines and provisions for improving analysis and design of structures are addressed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.45-56
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• 2024

The weakening effect of water on rocks is one of the main factors inducing deformation and failure in rock engineering. To clarify this weakening effect, immersion tests and post-immersion triaxial compression tests were conducted on sandstone and mudstone. The results showed that the strength of water-immersed sandstone decreases with increasing immersion time, exhibiting an exponential relationship. Similarly, the strength of water-immersed mudstone decreases with increasing environmental humidity, also following an exponential relationship. Subsequently, a statistical damage model for water-weakened rocks was proposed, changes in elastic modulus to describe the weakening effect of water. The model effectively simulated the stress-strain relationships of water-affected sandstone and mudstone under compression. The R² values between the theoretical and experimental peak values ranged from 0.962 to 0.996, and the MAPE values fell between 3.589% and 9.166%, demonstrating the model's effectiveness and reliability. The damage process of water-saturated rocks corresponds to five stages: compaction stage - no damage, elastic stage - minor damage, crack development stage - rapid damage increase, post-peak residual stage - continuous damage increase, and sliding stage - damage completion. This study provides a foundational reference for researching the fracture characteristics of overlying strata during coal mining under complex hydrogeological conditions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2024

Oversampling algorithms are methods employed in the field of machine learning to address the constraints associated with data quantity. This study aimed to explore the variations in reliability as data volume is progressively increased through the use of oversampling algorithms. For this purpose, the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) and the borderline synthetic minority oversampling technique (BSMOTE) are chosen. The data inputs, which included air temperature, humidity, and wind speed, are parameters used in the Fosberg Fire-Weather Index (FFWI). Starting with a base of 52 entries, new data sets are generated by incrementally increasing the data volume by 10% up to a total increase of 100%. This augmented data is then utilized to predict FFWI using a deep neural network. The coefficient of determination (R²) is calculated for predictions made with both the original and the augmented datasets. Suggesting that increasing data volume by more than 50% of the original dataset quantity yields more reliable outcomes. This study introduces a methodology to alleviate the challenge of establishing a standard for data augmentation when employing oversampling algorithms, as well as a means to assess reliability.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.577-588
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• 2020

In this paper, vibration attributes of chiral double-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based on nonlocal elastic shell model have been investigated. The impact of small scale is being perceived by establishing Flügge shell model. The wave propagation is engaged to frame the ruling equations as eigen value system. The influence of nonlocal parameter subjected to different end supports has been overtly examined. A suitable choice of material properties and nonlocal parameter been focused to analyze the vibration characteristics. The new set of inner and outer tubes radii investigated in detail against aspect ratio and length. The dominance of boundary conditions via nonlocal parameter is shown graphically. Whereas for lower aspect ratio the frequencies coincide but as it continues to expand the difference between all respective boundary conditions slightly tend to increase. The results generated furnish the evidence regarding applicability of nonlocal shell model and also verified by earlier published literature.

• Advances in Automotive Engineering
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.79-104
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• 2018

A detailed literature review is presented for the applications of the heat pump technologies on the electric vehicles Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Due to legal regulations, automotive manufacturers have to produce more efficient and low carbon emission vehicles. Electric vehicles can be provided these requirements but the battery technologies and energy managements systems are still developing considering battery life and vehicle range. On the other hand, energy consumption for HVAC units has an important role on the energy management of these vehicles. Moreover, the energy requirement of HVAC processes for different environmental conditions are significantly affect the total energy consumption of these vehicles. For the heating process, the coolant of internal combustion (IC) engine can be utilized but in electric vehicles, we have not got any adequate waste heat source for this process. The heat pump technology is one of the alternative choices for the industry due to having high coefficient of performance (COP), but these systems have some disadvantages which can be improved with the other technologies. In this study, a literature review is performed considering alternative refrigerants, performance characteristics of different heat pump systems for electric vehicles and thermal management systems of electric vehicles.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.259-278
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• 2008

This paper presents a nonlinear finite element procedure accounting for the effects of geometric as well as material nonlinearities for reinforced concrete bridge piers supported by laminated rubber bearings. Reinforced concrete bridge piers supported by laminated rubber bearings and carrying a cyclic load were analyzed by using a special purpose, nonlinear finite element program, RCAHEST. For reinforced concrete, the proposed robust nonlinear material model captures the salient response characteristics of the bridge piers under cyclic loading conditions and addresses with the influence of geometric nonlinearity on post-peak response of the bridge piers by transformations between local and global systems. Seismic isolator element to predict the behaviors of laminated rubber bearings is also developed. The seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridge piers supported by laminated rubber bearings is assessed analytically. The results show good correlation between the experimental findings and numerical predictions, and demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the proposed analytical model. Additionally, the studies and discussions presented in this investigation provide an insight into the key behavioral aspects of reinforced concrete bridge piers supported by laminated rubber bearings.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.301-311
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• 2016

The numerous benefits of Savonius turbine such as simple in structure, has appropriate self-start ability, relatively low operating velocity, water acceptance from any direction and low environmental impact have generated interests among researchers. However, it suffers from a lower efficiency compared to other types of water turbine. To improve its performance, parameters such flow pattern, pressure and velocity in different conditions must be analyzed. For this purpose, a detailed description on the flow field of various types of Savonius rotors is required. This article presents a numerical study on a nonlinear two-dimensional flow over a classic Savonius type rotor and a Benesh type rotor. In this experiment, sliding mesh was used for solving the motion of the bucket. The unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations were solved for velocity and pressure coupling by using the SIMPLE (Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure linked Equations) algorithm. Other than that, the turbulence model using $k-{\varepsilon}$ standard obtained good results. This simulation demonstrated the method of the flow field characteristics, the behavior of velocity vectors and pressure distribution contours in and around the areas of the bucket.