• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.71 no.6
• /
• pp.739-749
• /
• 2019

This article deals with the application of reliability analysis for determining the safety of simply supported beam under the uniformly distributed load. The uncertainties of the existing methods were taken into account and hence reliability analysis has been adopted. To accomplish this aim, Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) models are developed. Reliability analysis is the probabilistic style to determine the possibility of failure free operation of a structure. The application of probabilistic mathematics into the quantitative aspects of a structure and improve the qualitative aspects of a structure. In order to construct the GRNN, ELM and GPR models, the dataset contains Modulus of Elasticity (E), Load intensity (w) and performance function (${\delta}$) in which E and w are inputs and ${\delta}$ is the output. The achievement of the developed models was weighed by various statistical parameters; one among the most primitive parameter is Coefficient of Determination ($R^2$) which has 0.998 for training and 0.989 for testing. The GRNN outperforms the other ELM and GPR models. Other different statistical computations have been carried out, which speaks out the errors and prediction performance in order to justify the capability of the developed models.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the membrane fouling and sludge characteristics in a pilot-scale submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated under low temperature ($7^{\circ}C$). To elucidate the mechanisms of membrane fouling at low temperature, we studied the correlation between MBR performances and physicochemical properties of sludge including extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), relative hydrophobicity (RH) and floc size during long-term operation. The MBR was shown able to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD) stably and efficiently (>90 %) in the case of overgrowth of filamentous bacteria (bulking sludge) at low temperature. On the other hand, the occurrence of filamentous bulking greatly accelerated membrane fouling, as indicated by membrane filtration period of 14 days for filamentous bulking at $7^{\circ}C$, in comparison with that of 27 days for non-bulking sludge at $24^{\circ}C$ The overgrowth of filamentous bacteria resulting from low-temperature condition led to an increased release of EPS, higher RH, smaller floc size and lower fractal dimension of sludge. These factors accelerated the formation of compact cake layer on membrane surface in association with performance diminution in terms of increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP) of the membrane and thus the decrease in membrane permeability.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2019

Vortex-Induced-Vibration (VIV) is one kind of the wind-induced vibrations, which may occur in the construction and operation period of bridges. This phenomenon can bring negative effects to the traffic safety or can cause bridge fatigue damage and should be eliminated or controlled within safe amplitudes.In the current VIV studies, one available mitigation countermeasure, the horizontal flow-isolating plate, shows satisfactory performance particularly in PI shaped bridge deck type. Details of the wind tunnel test are firstly presented to give an overall description of this appendage and its control effect. Then, the computational-fluid-dynamics(CFD) method is introduced to investigate the control mechanism, using two-dimensional Large-Eddy-Simulation to reproduce the VIV process. The Reynolds number of the cases involved in this paper ranges from $1{\times}10^5$ to $3{\times}10^5$, using the width of bridge deck as reference length. A field-filter technique and detailed analysis on wall pressure are used to give an intuitive demonstration of the changes brought by the horizontal flow-isolating plate. Results show that this aerodynamic appendage is equally effective in suppressing vertical and torsional VIV, indicating inspiring application prospect in similar PI shaped bridge decks.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.203-213
• /
• 2019

The topography and geomorphology are complex and changeable in western China, so the railway transition section is common. To investigate the aerodynamic effect of the subgrade-tunnel transition section, including a cutting-tunnel transition section, an embankment-tunnel transition section and two typical scenarios for rail infrastructures, is selected as research objects. In this paper, models of standard cutting, embankment and CRH2 high-speed train with the scale of 1:20 were established in wind tunnel tests. The wind speed profiles above the railway and the aerodynamic forces of the vehicles at different positions along the railway were measured by using Cobra probe and dynamometric balance respectively. The test results show: The influence range of cutting-tunnel transition section is larger than that of the embankment-tunnel transition section, and the maximum impact height exceeds 320mm (corresponding to 6.4m in full scale). The wind speed profile at the railway junction is greatly affected by the tunnel. Under the condition of the double track, the side force coefficient on the leeward side is negative. For embankment-tunnel transition section, the lift force coefficient of the vehicle is positive which is unsafe for operation when the vehicle is at the railway line junction.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.503-512
• /
• 2018

Globally there is an increasing need to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable sources of energy. The storage of solar thermal energy is a crucial aspect for implementing the solar energy for space heating in high latitudes, where solar insolation is high in summer and almost negligible in winter when the domestic heating demand is high. To use the solar heating during winter thermal energy storage is required. In this paper, equations representing the single U-tube heat exchanger are implemented in weak form edge elements in COMSOL Multiphysics(R) to speed up the calculation process for modelling of a borehole storage layout. Multiple borehole seasonal solar thermal energy storage scenarios are successfully simulated. After 5 years of operation, the most efficient simulated borehole pattern containing 168 borehole heat exchangers recovers 69% of the stored seasonal thermal energy and provides 971 MWh of thermal energy for heating in winter.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.155-171
• /
• 2019

In this study, Semi-active Tuned Mass Dampers (STMDs) are employed in order to cover the prevailing uncertainties and promote the efficiency of the Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) to mitigate undesirable structural vibrations. The damping ratio is determined using type-1 and type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controllers (T1 and T2 FLC) based on the response of the structure. In order to increase the efficiency of the FLC, the output membership functions are optimized using genetic algorithm. The results show that the proposed FLC can reduce the sensitivity of STMD to excitation records. The obtained results indicate the best operation for T1 FLC among the other control systems when the uncertainties are neglected. According to the irrefutable uncertainties, three supplies for these uncertainties such as time delay, sensors measurement noises and the differences between real and software model, are investigated. Considering these uncertainties, the efficiencies of T1 FLC, ground-hook velocity-based, displacement-based and TMD reduce significantly. The reduction rates for these algorithms are 12.66%, 26.43%, 20.98% and 21.77%, respectively. However, due to nonlinear behavior and considering a range of uncertainties in membership functions, T2 FLC with 7.2% reduction has robust performance against uncertainties compared to other controlling systems. Therefore, it can be used in actual applications more confidently.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.769-778
• /
• 2019

The specially prefabricated steel moment connections with pyramid head is one of the significant innovations in the steel structures forms to improve the installation time and simplify the construction procedure. The beams in this structure form are supported by two top and bottom angles and web double angles. Such a configuration despite its advantages increases the welding operation and filed installation time and costs. In this paper, the effect of using beams with channel and I section in three classes of seismically compact, seismically non-compact, and slender section according to width-to-thickness ratio on the behavior of the connection was investigated under monotonic and cyclic loading. Modeling was performed by ABAQUS and verified by the results of an experimental specimen. The findings indicated that using I and channel section instead of angle section reduces the amount of welding materials as well as easing the installation procedure. However, it has no significant effect on the ultimate strength and ductility of the connection. Furthermore, if the beam section is seismically compact, this form is considered as a special moment frame that has a rotation capacity up to 0.04 radians without any reduction in connection moment resistance.

• Advances in environmental research
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.161-175
• /
• 2018

Krishna River is significantly affected due to Srisailam dam from past 30 years. The impact of this hydraulic structure drastically reduced the minimum flow regime on the downstream, which made the river nearing to decaying stage. In the present paper, Environmental Flow called minimum flow values released for the dam are estimated with the help of three hydrological methods viz., Range of variability Approach (RVA), Desktop Reserve Model (DRM), and Global Environmental Flow Calculator (GEFC). DRM method suggested considering the intermediate values obtained from among the three methods to preserve the ecosystem on the downstream of the river, which amounts to an average annual allocation of 9378 Million Cubic Meter (MCM) which is equal to 23.11% of mean annual flow (MAF). In this regard GEFC and RVA methods accounted for 22% and 31.04% of MAF respectively. The results indicate that current reservoir operation policy is causing a severe hydrological alteration in the high flow season especially in the month of July. The study concluded that in the case of non-availability of environmental information, hydrological indicators can be used to provide the basic assessment of environmental flow requirements. It is inferred from the results obtained from the study, that the new reservoir operations can fulfil human water needs without disturbing Environmental Flow Requirements.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.201-206
• /
• 2019

In this study, we performed an electrowinning process for effective removal of metals (Cu and Ni) in solution and their recovery as solid forms. A complete removal of Cu and Ni (1,000 mg/L) was observed during four times recycling test, indicating that our electrowinning system can ensure the efficient metal removal with high stability and durability. In addition, we investigated effect of operation parameters (i.e., concentration of boric acid only for Ni, variation of pH, concentration of electrolyte ($H_2SO_4$), and cell voltage) on the efficiency of metal removal (Cu and Ni) during the electrowinning. The addition of boric acid significantly enhanced removal efficiency of Ni as the concentration of boric acid increased up to 10 g/L. Compared to negligible pH effect (pH 1, 2, and 4) on the Cu removal, we observed the increase in removal efficiency of Ni as the pH increased from 1 to 4. The electrolyte concentration did not significantly influence the removal of Cu and Ni in this study. We also obtained great removal rates of Cu and Ni at 2.5 V and 4.0 V, which were much faster than those at lower voltages. Finally, almost 99% of each Cu and Ni (1,000 mg/L) was selectively removed from the mixture of metals by adjusting pH and addition of boric acid after the completion of Cu removal. The findings in this study can provide a fundamental knowledge about effect of important parameters on the efficiency of metal recovery during the electrowinning.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.271-284
• /
• 2019

This paper describes the application of a novel virtual prototyping methodology to wind turbine blade design. Numeric modelling data and experimental data about turbine blade geometry and structural/dynamical behaviour are combined to obtain an affordable digital twin model useful in reducing the undesirable uncertainties during the entire turbine lifecycle. Moreover, this model can be used to track and predict blade structural changes, due for example to structural damage, and to assess its remaining life. A new interactive and recursive process is proposed. It includes CAD geometry generation and finite element analyses, combined with experimental data gathered from the structural testing of a new generation wind turbine blade. The goal of the research is to show how the unique features of a complex wind turbine blade are considered in the virtual model updating process, fully exploiting the computational capabilities available to the designer in modern engineering. A composite Sandia National Laboratories Blade System Design Study (BSDS) turbine blade is used to exemplify the proposed process. Static, modal and fatigue experimental testing are conducted at Clarkson University Blade Test Facility. A digital model was created and updated to conform to all the information available from experimental testing. When an updated virtual digital model is available the performance of the blade during operation can be assessed with higher confidence.