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The construction industry is responsible for high energy and raw materials consumption. Thus, it is important to minimize the high energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources and reusing industrial waste, decreasing the extraction of natural materials. The mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing to the thermal comfort and reduction of the use of heating and cooling equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. The simultaneous incorporation of PCM and fly ash (FA) can reduce the energetic consumption and the amount of materials landfilled. However, the addition of these materials in mortars modifies its characteristics. The main purpose of this study was the production and characterization in the fresh and hardened state of mortars with incorporation of different contents of PCM and FA. The binders studied were aerial lime, hydraulic lime, gypsum and cement. The proportion of PCM studied was 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of the mass of the sand. The content of fly ash added to the mortars was 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of the mass of the binder. It was possible to observe that the incorporation of PCM and fly ash in mortars caused differences in properties such as workability, microstructure, water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength and adhesion.

Studies have been conducted to investigate biomass accumulation of earthworms (Eisenia fetida andrei), cultivated in the soil media under various concentrations of the slaked lime. The group, which is cultivated on the media with lime concentration 0.1% is characterized by maximum biomass accumulation (average – 120 %). As a result we have discovered two phase kinetic dependence between biomass accumulation of earthworms and the amount of the slaked lime.

Wood is a renewable source of structural material with high relative strength/weight, low energy production, which kidnaps and stores carbon in its production. The large use of wood is due to its special qualities as raw material for other products manufactured in residential construction or major works such as bridges, has been widely used in roofing for industrial and commercial buildings. Commercially there are limitations on the length of the wood, resulting from the extraction of tree trunks, thus requiring the adoption of binding elements is the use of self-tapping screws efforts required by side and which can be axial, shear, tensile or compression. Whereas in Brazil does not yet exist and the promising future of the product, this research aims to study the behavior of self-tapping screws together with Brazilian reforestation species ofPinusoocarpaandLyptus(softwood and hardwood). Rothoblaas self-tapping screws had a good penetration in both woods without requiring pre-drilling, the species of Lyptus wood showed the highest values of strength and the inclination of the screws, at 45 degrees showed the best results on either species of wood.

The paper “Bacterial succession in bioheap leaching” [1] initiated the search for methods to analyze the microbial dynamics in bioleaching industrial processes as a key to advancing commercial bioheap applications. “Chemical and physical conditions within bioheaps change radically from the time the bioheap is stacked and inoculated until bioleaching is completed.” The results from a comprehensive monitoring program by culturing and molecular techniques in an industrial bioleaching process for Run-of-mine (ROM) low grade copper sulfide ore in Chile will be summarized. The analysis of the compiled information permits an understanding of changes in microbial substrates availability, chemical and physical conditions. The impact of other aspects on microbiology, such as the mining programme and the industrial design are also considered. The bacterial succession in bioheap leaching solutions allowed the leaching cycle stages to be describe as: i) Acid conditioning and soluble copper releasing, ii) Chalcocite Bacterial leaching (ferrous oxidation); iii) Chalcocite Bacterial leaching (ferrous and reduced sulfur compounds –RSC- oxidation); iv) Bacterial leaching of sulphide minerals with higher rest potentials (pyrite and covellite ), v) Bacterial oxidation of remnant sulfide minerals and RSC.

The mining districts located in the western mountain range in the south of Ecuador have gold minerals with refractory characteristics, which do not allow gold recovery by traditional methods used in Ecuador. Therefore, it is necessary to apply some technology that permits to obtain greater metal recovery. Bio-oxidation, as treatment of refractory ores that contain low grade of gold, offers an economic and sustainable alternative for this purpose. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of particle size, pulp density and concentration of inoculum and inducer (Fe+2) on the bio-oxidation of refractory gold minerals in order to maximize gold recovery of the bioleached minerals by means of a cyanidation process. The microbial consortium used in this work was collected and isolated from the Portovelo mining district corresponding mostly toAcidithiobacillus ferrooxidansandLeptospirillum ferrooxidansspecies. The Eh, final concentration of ferric ion, total iron and sulfates were measured. Finally, the bio-oxidized material was tested using cyanidation to determine the gold recovery. The results after the cyanidation tests showed that the highest gold recovery was obtained when the bio-oxidation step was conducted with 68-91 µm particle size, 15% pulp density, 20% v/v inoculum and 2 g/L of Fe2+as inducer. At those conditions, gold recovery was 68% compared to 26% obtained when no bio-oxidation step was performed, demonstrating that this process was favorable compared with traditional gold recovery processes

This paper presents the theoretical review of the importance of landscape design in the execution of green and sustainable buildings as a trend of current development concept. Instead of beautifying the environment, strategic landscape design may help to prevent from extensive building heat gain, reduce the energy and water consumption as well as produce the natural and healthy ambience to the surrounding. Landscape design in green buildings should be viewed as not just mere decorative afterthought but it must be well conceived as a multi-function factor that provides various critical green services for a building including water efficiency and energy efficiency. The framework covers two main aspects which are green wall or vertical landscape design and roof top garden. The aim of the paper is to highlight the demand for the proper landscape design that should be provided in any development of sustainable buildings. It is hoped that the paper will contribute to further enrich the landscape design innovation as part of green and sustainable building design.

Pneumatic mechanism widely used in industrial, automotive, aerospace, and etc. The principle of pneumatic like piston is move up and down due to the air pressure inside the piston. Mechanism of piston can be applied to the power plant that utilizes the ocean waves where as use of piston mechanism is very helpful in solving the problem of fossil fuel scarcity as a source of energy in power plants. In this study we will focus on the pneumatic system which utilizing ocean wave that moves longitudinally to encourage buoy that located on the piston shaft to up and down and then the pressing of air out of piston. Output of the piston will be forwarded to the generator (rotor and stator) to produce a voltage. In this paper is focused on the manufacture of pneumatic systems and processes to produce the rotation and voltage. Material of piston tube component made of aluminum and rubber, buoys made of plastic and generator such as of metal and copper coils. Output of the piston will be forwarded to the generator (rotor and stator) to produce a voltage. In this paper is focused on the manufacture of pneumatic systems and processes to obtained the rotation and voltage with aluminum for piston tube material, buoys made of plastic and magnet rotor and copper coils of stator include on the generator and get the results of ocean wave power plant using piston mechanism is 1400 rpm with a voltage of 36 volt.

This paper encompasses the work from numerical model by investigating the compression response of CFRP composite cylinder shells. The aim of this paper is to improve the reliability of NASA SP-8007 design guideline. The cylinder geometrical imperfections were tested through numerical modelling and validate with the experiment results. Good results comparison has been obtained through the work with small amount of errors. The cylinder shell load carrying capacity has been improved by average of 56% through imperfection study. This work builds confidence in the future use of non-linear finite element for the design of composite cylinder subjected to axial compression load.

Currently, finite element analyses are usually done by means of commercial software tools. Accuracy of analysis and computational time are two important factors in efficiency of these tools. This paper studies the effective parameters in computational time and accuracy of finite element analyses performed by ANSYS and provides the guidelines for the users of this software whenever they us this software for study on deformation of orthopedic bone plates or study on similar cases. It is not a fundamental scientific study and only shares the findings of the authors about structural analysis by means of ANSYS workbench. It gives an idea to the readers about improving the performance of the software and avoiding the traps. The solutions provided in this paper are not the only possible solutions of the problems and in similar cases there are other solutions which are not given in this paper. The parameters of solution method, material model, geometric model, mesh configuration, number of the analysis steps, program controlled parameters and computer settings are discussed through thoroughly in this paper.

Shipborne measurement and communication equipments are central parts of space measurement ship. Renewal of the equipments is very important for space measurement tasks. Also it is important to save cost for continual development. The paper proposes the problem of technical and economic analysis of the renewals. The maintenance and update with their analysis are introduced too. Finally schemes of the renewal and its decision-making method are presented. The renewals are motivated mostly by requirement of space missions at present. But for continual development the ratio of efficient and cost is important. The decision-maker may refer the paper and select scientific renewal scheme.

This paper mainly introduces a management information system about college teacher workload based on ASP.NET and ADO.NET technology. The system adopts B/S structure, benefits the using of client. And the system realized the digital and dynamical management, reduces the time of examination and approval, improves the efficiency and veracity of work. The paper analyses the theory of system development, function of system, and design scheme of system.

The urgency of moving towards optimization of existing energy distribution via Smart Grid (SG) is crucial due to promising opportunities such as energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and improved power reliability. This paper focuses on wireless communication network for smart meter linking Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to Smart Grid (SG). This paper also gives evidence that before smart meter is deployed, its communication infrastructure has to be precise to ensure proper operation, functionality and safety. This paper also provides an overview of how smart meter can contribute the penetration of Plug-In Hybrid Electrical Vehicle (PHEV) to the grid and its uncertain load.

In this paper, a new design optimization method-cross entropy methods for passenger flow routing in passenger hubs is employed, in order to develop rational and efficient passenger flow routing program, which will help improving the passenger flow organization. According to the description and characteristics of the problem, we transform the problem into a combinatorial optimization problem, so that it is convenient to explore the best solution. The numerical example declares that the method given above can obtain the optimal solution under the condition of fixed demand. Results show that the cross entropy method is effective, and can be well applied in passenger flow routing design problem. Systematic studying the passenger terminal passenger flow routing design optimization techniques and methods and developing rational and efficient passenger flow routing program will help improving the organization of passenger flow. According to the description of the problem and the characteristics of itself, the paper transforms the problem into a combinatorial optimization problem, so that it is convenient to explore the best solution. The paper also employs the cross entropy method to solve the problems. Numerical example declares that the method given above can obtain the optimal solution under the condition of fixed demand. Results show that the cross entropy method is effective, and this method can be well applied in passenger flow routing design problem.

One key issue of seafloor observatory network is to ensure that the whole system operates normally when some equipment failure exists. Branch Unit can cut off the connection between the failure parts and the backbone network automatically and protect other equipment of the network from the impact of equipment failure. This paper proposes a design of the Branch Unit. The Branch Unit uses zener diode to provide power for the control circuits and constructs DWDM system with the help of the OADM. One Branch Unit model was built in this paper. Experiments verify the principle and functions of the Branch Unit and prove the feasibility of the design. The design provides a reference for the realization of the seafloor observatory network.

The paper reports on the activities of the RILEM technical committee “Reinforcement of Timber Elements in Existing Structures”. The main objective of the committee is to coordinate the efforts to improve the reinforcement practice of timber structural elements. Recent developments related to structural reinforcements can be grouped into three categories: (i) addition of new structural systems to support the existing structure; (ii) configuration of a composite system; and (iii) incorporation of elements to increase strength and stiffness. The paper specifically deals with research carried out at the Bern University of Applied Sciences Switzerland (BFH), the University of Minho Portugal (UniMinho), and the University of Trento Italy (UNITN). Research at BFH was devoted to improve the structural performance of rounded dovetail joints by means of different reinforcement methods: i) self-tapping screws, ii) adhesive layer, and iii) a combination of selftapping screws and adhesive layer. Research at UNITN targeted the use of “dry” connections for timber-to-timber composites, specifically reversible reinforcement techniques aimed at increasing the load-bearing capacity and the bending stiffness of existing timber floors. At UniMinho, double span continuous glulam slabs were strengthened with fibre-reinforced-polymers. All three examples demonstrate the improved structural performance of timber elements after reinforcing them., The research on RDJ was funded by BFH and supported by the staff at the BFH " tech-park" Huesser Holzbau AG and ArundaR. The research at UNITN was carried out by the Timber Research Group (in particular by M. Piazza, R. Tomasi, I. Giongo) within the framework of the RELUIS Project 2011-2013, which is financed by the Italian Emergency Management Agency (Dipartimento della Protezione Civile) and supported by Rothoblaas srl.

MVC is a typical software architecture model The paper states the development principle and advantages of the MVC pattern, discusses the software development process based on the MVC pattern, and designs a Web application— library management system. On the basis of introducing books management system, this paper describes the system design and implementation method based on MVC pattern. The use of MVC model improves maintainability and reusability of the system. KeywordsMVC model; JSP; Servlets; Javabeans

Prediction and optimization of quality characteristics is an important means to improve the quality of laser cutting. Kerf width (KW) and material removal rate(MRR) are selected as the quality characteristics in this paper. The fitting response surface models (RSM) of KW and MRR are considered as the optimization objective function in pulsed Nd: YAG laser cutting of alloy steel for multi-objective optimization. An improved Pareto genetic algorithm is used in the optimization, and the significant factors have been found. The predicted results are basically consistent with the experimental. Therefore, the method used in this paper can be used for optimization of KW and MRR in pulse Nd: YAG laser cutting. The study can provide theoretical basis for the prediction and optimization of quality in laser cutting. Keywords-laser cutting; multi-objective optimization; RSM; improved Pareto genetic algorithm

Evacuation for a firefighter in complex fire scene is challenge problem. In this paper, we discuss a firefighters evacuation decision making model in ad hoc robot network on fire scene. Due to the dynamics on fire scene, we know that the sensed information in ad hoc robot network is also dynamically variance. So in this paper, we adapt dynamic decision method, Markov decision process, to model the firefighters decision making process for evacuation from fire scene. In firefighting decision making process, we know that the critical problems are how to define action space and evaluate the transition law in Markov decision process. In this paper, we discuss those problems according to the triangular sensors situation in ad hoc robot network and describe a decision making model for a firefighters evacuation the in the end.

As an important technical support platform of the next generation air traffic management concepts, Civil Aviation Wide Information Management System is responsible for providing various types of interactive information to relative business departments. This paper took SOA approach to analyze and design the function architecture of SWIM. And focused on the different technical approaches and deploying integration levels, it analyzed two kinds of SWIM technical architecture selections. This paper is funded by the National Science and Technology Supporting Program Civil Aviation Wide Information Management Technology and Platform (No. 2011BAH24B07) Project.

3DR-tree is an index method using the traditional R-tree to index moving objects. Its defect is that a cube generates when an object remains still for a period of time. For those objects that remain still for a long period of time, many strip cubes will generate. MBR will be overlong or overlarge, thus increasing a great deal of overlap and reducing index performance greatly. This paper is to improve the 3DR-tree model to enhance index performance. On the basis of 3DR-tree, this paper will put forward improving historical data index performance of 3DR-tree through node splitting. 3DR-tree is provided with the online data index function by means of tree splitting.

In microgrids operation, photovoltaic power generation system need to quickly and accurately for maximum power point tracking (MPPT), namely MPPT technology, because of the diversity of the control method, its control effect is different, a realization of process is also great difference. And because the current maximum power point tracking method is not enough accurate and mature, which led to the photovoltaic system power loss, this paper expounds the advantages and disadvantages of all kinds of tracking control method, in light of the maximum power point tracking control theory, and sums up the mathematical model of optimization, seeking the optimal control method. The paper is to explore maximum power point tracking control method development mentality, to look forward the research direction of the microgrids PV system. Keywords-Microgrids; PV system; Maximum power point tracking(MPPT) ; Power loss.

In view of the disfigurement that the former research mostly focus on the evaluation of the investment value before investment, not only this paper uses for reference to the former evaluation system, but also successfully integrates it into a unity that the evaluation before investment and after investment. This paper designs a set of evaluation criterion and a set of actual state evaluation system. Comparing both of them is the essential start of evaluation. Then according to it, and based on the grey correlation degree theory, this paper constructs a set of compositive evaluation index—growth imitating degree, The method provides a primary analysis frame for monitoring venture enterprise fostering. Keywords-venture enterprise; fostering; grey correlation degree; growth imitating degree

A novel approach is introduced in this paper to detect abnormal behavior based on global motion orientation. Compare to the normal behavior (walking, shaking hands etc.), abnormal behavior has different orientation. The method we introduced divides each frame into blocks, makes statistical analysis of the global motion direction histogram of all frame blocks and extracts characteristics. At last, behavior is detected with support vector machine (SVM). Experiment shows that the method proposed in the paper has certain robustness and can achieve real-time monitoring.

The Passive Location of Emitter based on Fuzzy Method.[Purpos The use of passive observation station to achieve the precise location has been an important topic of monitoring the electromagnetic spectrum resources and the environment. In order to locate the emitter accurately, a new method called fuzzy method is presented in this papers. [MethoBased on the distribution of points of intersections that are figured out by the LOB(Lines of Bearing), the paper put forward a fuzzy method for the passive location of emitter based on membership function to achieve the location of emitter. We compared this method with Pages method using 100 sets experimental data through the Monte Carlo simulated experiment. [Result The results showed that this method can effectively achieve the location of emitter, and improve the location accuracy. [Conclusion The positioning precision of this algorithm is obviously superior to Pages algorithm.

The paper introduces a device linkage system on firewall between the network side and the switch side of user host, and introduces the audit system connected in parallel between the hubs and switches. Then, the paper introduces a method based on HTTP packet recognition network security device linkage, which is a technology of information security intrusion detection and prevention based on the network. It is mainly used to solve the existing network security equipment linkage blocking technology limitation poor problem. Finally, the test result shows that the method is practical and effective.

Most commonly, residents are always arguing about the satisfaction of sustainability and quality of their high rise residential property. This paper aim is to maintain the best quality satisfaction of the floor materials by introducing the whole life cycle costing approach to the property manager of the public housing in Johor. This paper looks into the current situation of floor material of two public housings in Johor, Malaysia and testing the whole life cycle costing approach towards them. The cost figures may be implemented to justify higher investments, for examples, in the quality or flexibility of building solutions through a long-term cost reduction. The calculation and the literature review are conducted. The questionnaire surveys of two public housings were conducted to make clear the occupants evaluation about the actual quality conditions of the floor material in their house. As a result, the quality of floor material based on the whole life cycle costing approach is one of the best among their previous decision making tool that was applied. Practitioners can benefit from this paper as it provides information on calculating the whole life costing and making the decisions for floor material selection for their properties.

This paper applies the emerging paradigm of Collaborative Networks (CNs) to the global mining supply chains (introducing the new concept of ‘global mining supply networks’) and demonstrates that the efficiency of the global mining projects initiated and managed by the global mining supply networks can be limited by the complexity of the supply network itself. This paper then presents methods and theoretical examples to calculate and reduce the structural complexity of the global mining supply networks and the complexity of creation of the global mining projects through applying the virtual brokerages to the global mining supply networks.

Retracted paper: This paper introduces a low-order system frequency response model (SFR). SFR model is simplified from other models, which can be used to estimate the frequency response of a large power system, or sudden load disturbance of the island.SFR model is based on the neglecting nonlinear power system of u the units equation, which is controlled by the steam turbine generator . This means that the generator inertia and reheat time constant make system average frequency response. In addition, because of the two time constant , the resulting frequency response can be calculated in the closed loop form, which provides a simple and accurate method to estimate the essential characteristics of the system frequency response.

This paper presents a review of developing of creep damage constitutive equations for high chromium alloy (such as P91 alloy). Firstly, it briefly introduces the background of creep damage for P91 materials. Then, it summarizes the typical creep damage constitutive equations developed and applied for P91 alloy, and the main deficiencies of KRH (Kachanov-Robatnov-Hayhurst) type and Xus type constitutive equations. Finally it suggests the directions for future work. This paper contributes to the knowledge for the developing creep damage constitutive equations for the specific material.

This two-part paper deals with the coordination of the control actions in a network of many interacting components, where each component is controlled by independent control agents. As a case study we consider voltage control in large electric power systems, where ever-increasing pressures from the liberalization and globalization of the electricity market has led to partitioning the power system into multiple areas each operated by an independent Transmission System Operator (TSO). Coordination of local control actions taken by those TSOs is a very challenging problem as poorly coordinated operation of TSOs may endanger the power system security by increasing the risk of blackouts. This coordination problem involves many other issues such as communication, abstraction and last but not least optimization. This first part of the paper is devoted to the principals of the coordination control, addressing some of those issues using as a case study the problem of coordination control for avoiding voltage collapse in large-scale multi-area power systems.

This two-part paper deals with the coordination of the control actions in a network of many interacting components, where each component is controlled by independent control agents. As a case study we consider voltage control in large electric power systems where ever-increasing pressures from the liberalization and globalization of the electricity market has led to partitioning the power system into multiple areas each operated by an independent Transmission System Operator (TSO). Coordination of local control actions taken by those TSOs is a very challenging problem as poorly coordinated operation of TSOs may endanger the power system security by increasing the risk of blackouts. This second part of the paper presents simulation results on a 12-bus 3-area test system, using the distributed model predictive control paradigm in order to design a coordinating model-based feedback controller. Coordination requires that each agent has some information on what the future evolution of its power flows to and from its neighbors will be. It will be shown that how the communication between agents can avoid voltage collapse in circumstances where classical uncoordinated controllers fail.

Organisations are increasingly leveraging improved decision making processes during the establishment of project teams. Beyond the obvious advantages of accessing qualified, cost-effective project staff, the issues of sustainability and governance are addressed when the virtual teaming approach is used. Projects can proceed without people needing to travel to a co-located work-place, thus saving time, effort and expense while creating less environmental pollution. But there is a governance problem; running virtual projects, particularly complex projects involve a greater degree of difficulty than managing co-located projects. What is needed are effective, practical methods for managing virtual projects. This paper introduces a new Reference Model of Organisational Behavior (RMOB) for the Leadership of Complex Virtual Teams which is arguably an effective way to meet the challenges of virtual teaming. This paper also discusses the new issue of sustainable leadership with mention of the proposed Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Management indicators that point towards sustainable governance.

Climate change and energy efficiency are some of the most pressing issues facing China today. With its economic growth since the economic reforms in 1978 the government has struggled to contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy’s rapid transformation. With the rapid growth in population and urbanization the demand for housings escalated and thus existing houses are under threat of being demolished to make way for new construction. However there was a strong debate that existing houses should be maintained and upgraded instead of demolishing for new development as improvements to energy and water efficiency of existing homes can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease utility bills. This paper aims at reviewing the importance of existing houses and their environmental significance in conservation as opposed to demolition. This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results for the first two stages of a research project undertaken at the University of Technology Sydney to investigate environmental performance of historic housings in Xiao He Zhi Jie in Hangzhou, China.

This paper presents the findings of an investigation of the challenges Australian manufacturers are currently facing. A comprehensive questionnaire survey was conducted among leading Australian manufacturers. This paper reports the main findings of this study. Evidence indicates that product quality and reliability (Q & R) are the main challenges for Australian manufacturers. Design capability and time to market came second. Results show that there is no effective information exchange between the parties involved in production and quality control. Learning from the past mistakes is not proving to have significant effects on improving product quality. The technological innovation speed is high and companies are introducing as many as 5 new products in a year. This technological speed has pressure on the Q & R of new products. To overcome the new challenges, companies need a Q & R improvement model.

In this paper, the level of lean manufacturing implementation by Saudi manufacturing companies is investigated, the extent of application of lean manufacturing practice is identified and the benefits and barriers of Lean implementation are evaluated. The results reported in this paper are based on data collected from a survey using a standard questionnaire administered to 120 manufacturers in Saudi Arabia. Evidence indicates that large size companies are more likely to implement and gain the advantages of lean manufacturing than small and medium size companies. The most implemented lean manufacturing tools are Computerized Planning Systems, TQM, Maintenance Optimization and CIP. Main barriers against lean manufacturing implementation include the organization culture, lack of management commitment and lack of skilled workers. Results also show that benefits gained from lean manufacturing implementation are significant and are correlated with the level of implementation of lean strategies.

Main works on microstructure prediction on superalloys during hot forming processes deal with close die forging of 718 alloy. In this paper, we focused our interest towards incremental hot forming process. In that case, matters become more complex, due to the partially recrystallized microstructure we have to take into account at the beginning of each pass. An original method is presented in this paper, still using a phenomenological approach, according to Avrami formulation, with two main additional assumptions, in order to carry out computation on microstructure evolution during the process. Examples with comparisons between real and computed microstructure (recristallyzed fraction, different populations of grain size) enable us to valid our model for bar forging.

A method for simulating heat recovery systems using AirModel in implementations of the ASHRAE simplified energy analysis procedure was developed in this paper. AirModel, a simulation tool used to simulate the energy consumption of building heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, was developed by the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in the 1990’s. This program is capable of simulating single duct reheat systems and dual duct systems with economizer cycles. However, in certain buildings, energy savings techniques such as heat recovery systems are implemented but AirModel does not have a specific input to simulate this system. Presented in this paper is a method to simulate a heat recovery system using AirModel. An example of this methodology was used to simulate the HVAC system with a heat recovery system for the Biophysics and Biochemistry building on the TAMU campus.

5-axis ball-end milling processes are used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, die-mold and biomedical industries. 5-axis machining provides reduced cycle times and more accurate machining via reduction in machining setups, use of shorter tools due to improved tool accessibility. However, desired machining productivity and precision can be obtained by physical modeling of machining processes via appropriate selection of process parameters. In response to this gap in the industry this paper presents a cutting force model for 5-axis ball-end milling cutting force prediction. Cutter-workpiece engagement is extracted via developed solid modeler based engagement model. Simultaneous 5-axis milling tests are conducted on Al7075 workpiece material with a carbide cutting tool. Validation of the proposed model is performed for impeller hub roughing toolpaths. Validation test proves that presented model is computationally efficient and cutting forces can be predicted reasonably well. The result of validation test and detailed comparison with the simulation are also presented in the paper.

This paper presents architecture design and field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) transceiver system. Systems that implement the W-CDMA standard must be flexible enough to accommodate changes with the standard, as well as improvements in capacity enhancement techniques such as adaptive antenna and multi-user detection schemes. FPGAs provide this flexibility. Altera high-density, high-performance programmable logic devices (PLDs) combined with intellectual property (IP) functions and the Quartus II development software provide a complete solution for the wireless communications application. The paper describes how to implement a W-CDMA system that conforms to the IMT-2000 standard using Altera FPGAs and IP functions.

The paper is related to the San Torcato Church, in Guimarães, Portugal. At the moment, the church has significant structural problems due to soil settlements. Cracks can be observed on the main and the lateral façades, the bell-towers are leaning, and the arches in the nave exhibit a failure mechanism with cracks and vertical deformations. Non-stabilized phenomena are present in the structure. To stabilize the damage, a structural intervention is planned to occur soon and the church is already monitored to follow the intervention. The paper clearly presents the problem with emphasis to the dynamic analysis carried out before the structural strengthening, namely: the experimental tests with output-only techniques for frequencies, damping and mode shapes estimation, FE model updating analysis and dynamic monitoring

Masks are widely used in different industries, for example, traditional metal industry, hospitals or semiconductor industry. Quality is a critical issue in mask industry as it is related to public health and safety. Traditional quality practices for manufacturing process have some limitations in implementing them in mask industries. This paper aims to investigate the suitability of Six Sigma quality control method for the manufacturing process in the mask industry to provide high quality products, enhancing the process capacity, reducing the defects and the returned goods arising in a selected mask manufacturing company. This paper suggests that modifications necessary in Six Sigma method for effective implementation in mask industry.

This paper presents an experimental methodology to determine a Friction Stir Welding (FSW) means of production based on the experimental study of the tool / material mechanical interactions generated during the plunging and welding stages. These two stages have been identified as being characteristic for the qualification of a FSW equipment. This paper presents the experimental results of the parametric study done on the plunging and welding phases. Ranges of forces and torques diagrams were established according to the processing parameters, in order to qualify a means of production and select the process parameters allowing the operation on the available FSW equipment.

Cracks in railway prestressed concrete sleepers are often caused by the infrequent but high magnitude impact forces. These impact forces are attributed to the wheel or rail abnormalities, e.g. wheel flat, corrugation, dipped joint, etc. The emphasis of this paper is placed on the corresponding fractures of railway prestressed concrete sleepers in track systems under the probabilistic impact loadings. The statistical data of impact loadings in Central Queensland have been obtained through the collaborative project under the research framework of the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies. It is found that for the heavy haul railway network, the track structures, especially the concrete sleepers, may experience the impact loading from 400kN up to 800kN. The corresponding probabilities of such load occurrences are ranging from one in twenty years to one in thousands of years. It is very important for the design and maintenance perspectives to investigate the impact behaviour of concrete sleepers under the impact loadings. This paper presents the impact fractures of railway prestressed concrete sleepers under the single impact loading associated with the probability of occurrence in the soft track environment. Visual interfacial cracks have been evaluated for the crack length and width along the sleepers in relation to the probability of load occurrence.

This paper presents the effect of Jatropha curcas biodiesel on the wear properties of mild steel, which was coated by preplacement of TiC particulate and melting it using a conventional TIG torch arc heat source. The aim of the study is to investigate the wear behaviour of surface modified AISI 4340 steel and the uncoated AISI 4340 steel which were performed using CSM tribometer at four different temperatures viz., 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, and 160 °C, with the presence of jatropha biodiesel. At the end of the tests, wear characteristics was investigated by weight loss measurements and changes of the exposed metal surface. Surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope and surface profilometry. EDX analysis was performed on the samples’ surface. Results showed that wear of alloy steel increases with increasing temperature. TiC coated alloy steel showed improved wear resistance as this alloy steel demonstrated lower wear volume loss as compared to the uncoated steel in presence of jatropha biodiesel at higher temperature.

Electro-mechanical impedance method is emerging as an important and powerful technique for structural health monitoring (SHM). Active elements of the technique are Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensor (PWAS) bonded on the structure. Modeling and simulation of PWAS and host structure play an important role in the SHM applications with PWAS. For decades finite element method has been extensively applied in the analysis of piezoelectric materials and structures. In this paper, piezoelectric element and a host metallic structure were modeled using Ansys finite element software to find the Electromechanical Impedance (EMI) according to the signal frequency. After that, the EMI signature of the beam was found for different position of the PWAS patch. The study shows that sensor position may directly control the EMI signature.

RETRACTED PAPER: The fabrication of nanospinel zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) crystals by the means of thermal treatment method from an aqueous solution containing metal nitrates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and deionized water was described in this study. The samples were calcined at various temperatures ranging from 773 to 973 K for the decomposition of the organic compounds and crystallization of the nanocrystals. PVP was used as capping agent to control the agglomeration of the particles. The characterization studies of the fabricated samples were carried out by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). The corresponding peaks of Zn, Cr and O were observed in the EDX spectrum of the sample which confirms the formation of ZnCr2O4. The XRD patterns also confirmed the formation of the single faced nanocrystallines of spinel ZnCr2O4 with a face-centered cubic structure. The average particle size of the synthesized crystals was also determined from the XRD patterns using the Scherers formula which shows that the crystallite sizes increases with increase in calcination temperature and was in good agreement with the TEM images which shows cubical ZnCr2O4 nanocrystals with uniform morphology and particle size distributions. The ESR spectra confirmed the existence of unpaired electron in the fabricated samples and the increase in g-factor and decreases in resonant magnetic field (Hr) were observed as the calcination temperature increases.

For the purpose of obtaining the characteristic parameters of the asphalt mixture aggregate particles, a viable method using two-dimensional image was put forward in this paper. The automatic detection system of asphalt mixture aggregate characteristic parameters is developed based on VC++. A series of processing are done on the collected aggregate images, including image edge detection, image segmentation, morphological processing, region-labeling, contouring and so on .The region-labeling algorithm is improved ending with low complexity, high robustness. Database technology is used to deal with the storage, query of the results and several other operations. The whole system is characterized with perfect function, user-friendly interface and stable performance, which provides a practical and accurate method for the characteristic detection of asphalt mixture aggregate particles.

This paper shows a comparison between two different MOSFET structures: a conventional layout (CM) and Diamond (DM - enclosed layout transistor), as tolerance to the Single Event effect - SEE. Both CMOS 0.35μm technology devices types have the same geometric factor (W/L) and during irradiation were monitored continuously to detect and acquire the SEEs applying a new approach with a PXI test system. For this work was used heavy ion beams produced at the São Paulo 8 UD Pelletron accelerator.

Nowadays, demand for automated Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is growing and consequently need for intelligent systems is increased to ensure the accuracy of the procedure. To date, welding pool geometry has been the most used factor in quality assessment of intelligent welding systems. But, it has recently been found that Mahalanobis Distance (MD) not only can be used for this purpose but also is more efficient. In the present paper, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) has been used for prediction of MD parameter. However, advantages and disadvantages of other methods have been discussed. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was found to be the most effective algorithm for GMAW process. It is known that the number of neurons plays an important role in optimal network design. In this work, using trial and error method, it has been found that 30 is the optimal number of neurons. The model has been investigated with different number of layers in Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) architecture and has been shown that for the aim of this work the optimal result is obtained when using MLP with one layer. Robustness of the system has been evaluated by adding noise into the input data and studying the effect of the noise in prediction capability of the network. The experiments for this study were conducted in an automated GMAW setup that was integrated with data acquisition system and prepared in a laboratory for welding of steel plate with 12 mm in thickness. The accuracy of the network was evaluated by Root Mean Squared (RMS) error between the measured and the estimated values. The low error value (about 0.008) reflects the good accuracy of the model. Also the comparison of the predicted results by ANN and the test data set showed very good agreement that reveals the predictive power of the model. Therefore, the ANN model offered in here for GMA welding process can be used effectively for prediction goals.

The selection of a desirable machine is an important concern for the manufacturing firm. The selection process contains some critical selection attributes and the task of this process is to choose the desirable machine from a number of candidate machines. Then the machine selection problem is actually a multi-attribute decision making problem. This paper will develop a preference selection index method to solve the problem of machine selection in a flexible manufacturing cell. A case study is used to demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and feasible.