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This work is the extended version of a paper presented at the conference HMM2021, about the history of mechanical engineering. First, the initial cultural and industrial steps in the robotic field in Japan are introduced, to display the beginning of this interlaced path, before WW2; then, in the context of the aftermaths of the war, some famous anime heroes are presented as ancestors of the coming mecha anime series. The rising research in the field of robotics and more generally the developments of contemporary Japanese automation industry are then drawn, as a technological substrate for mecha conception. In particular, Masahiro Mori studies are taken into consideration to identify an actual robot design pattern to apply to the following comparative description and examination of the different mecha; finally, thanks to this analysis, the common breeding ground whence robotics and mecha (and their reciprocal influences) arise, is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ground response mechanism under different geometrical configurations of jacked rectangular pipe was investigated. • Higher jacking force is needed with increasing aspect ratio of the jacked rectangular pipe. • Square shaped cross-section design is conductive for deep and long-distance jacking construction. For rectangular pipe-jacking construction, the primary priorities of smooth construction include minimizing the ground response and designating the appropriate jacking force to achieve the best results in environmental protection and energy conservation. The geometric cross-section design of the jacking rectangular pipe and its engineering performances such as the ground surface displacement, the jacking force consumption, and the stress-bearing state are easy to be ignored in the field construction. In this paper, the ground response characteristics under four kinds of rectangular pipe aspect ratio (H/W) with the same utilization cross-section area were investigated by using the calibrated finite element method (FEM) based on a case study conducted in Japan. The theoretical jacking force of each pipe section design was calculated and compared to provide a reference for long-distance or large-section jacking conditions. The stress-bearing state of each pipe was considered under different buried depths. The results show that the ground surface response decreases while the jacking force increases with increasing the aspect ratios. Thus, a reasonable design of the rectangular pipe section should comprehensively consider the influence of geometric effects on the ground and its stress-bearing state during the jacking construction. The findings of this study provide a practical reference for the safe and economic design of the jacking rectangular pipe and engineering management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]