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The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that it is necessary to accelerate the construction of digital China, and actively develop equipment intelligence, digitalization, and high‐end equipment manufacturing. With the construction of a new round of digital China, the safety of digital technology and high‐end equipment is particularly important for power grid. Transformer is an important link of power grid operation. The destructive thermal failure of transformer has become a hot research issue in the power industry. At the same time, there are more and more power electronic equipment in the power grid, which makes the regulation and control more and more complicated. Taking a 1000 kVA oil‐immersed transformer as an example, the magnetic, current, and thermal multi field coupling numerical analysis method is first used to simulate and analyse the operation status of the transformer. By comparing the simulation results with the monitoring data results, the error of the results is controlled within 5%. Finally, the multi‐state characteristic parameters of the transformer are monitored through sensors, and the numerical simulation analysis results are integrated with the state monitoring results to build a transformer thermal life loss assessment system. The method in this paper can evaluate and analyse the running state of transformer in real time, which is of great significance for the power company to formulate the treatment measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is part of the European RFCS "FISHWALL" project entitled "Fire and Seismic performances of hybrid fire walls in case of single‐storey industrial and commercial steel buildings". The aim of the project is to design a hybrid firewall solution using sandwich panels for single‐storey buildings connected with the unprotected steel structure by means of fusible links, made of aluminium bolts. In this respect, the paper shows the results of preliminary numerical analyses performed on existing case studies of single‐storey steel buildings located in low and moderate seismicity zones and they were used: i) to estimate the seismic forces acting on the fusible links and ii) to subsequently design the specimens to be tested in the laboratory. In this respect, several finite elements models were developed in order to consider the widest range of configurations of the firewall with respect to the direction of the portal frame composing the steel buildings, i.e. firewall parallel and orthogonal to the portal frames. Based on the estimated forces, the design of the six different specimens was performed and it is thoroughly shown in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The next generation of low observable (LO) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with highly autonomy to implement a penetration mission requires advanced methods for flyable and safe route planning (i.e., respecting physical capability of vehicle and threat coverage by hostile air defense radars) at a real‐time manner. Currently, the main challenge of real‐time route planning for LO UCAV is to achieve computationally efficiency under dynamic (pop‐up/moving) threats by air defense radars. In this paper, a real‐time planning paradigm in compliance with complex penetration requirements is proposed, and a complete modeling of route planning for LO UCAV's penetration as an optimal control problem is designed. The paper at first devises a direct method to transform the optimal control problem into a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem and then solves the formulated NLP problem under a moving planning horizon. The proposed method can give computationally efficient route planning results for LO UCAV's penetration under multiple kinds of radar threats. Numerical test results based on F‐16 uninhabited platform demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a novel stochastic inverse method that utilizes perturbation theory and advanced intelligence techniques to solve the multi‐parameter identification problem of concrete dams using displacement field monitoring data. The proposed method considers the uncertainties associated with the dam displacement monitoring data, which are comprised of two distinct sources: the first is related to stochastic mechanical properties of the dam, and the second is due to observation errors. The displacements at different measuring points generated by dam mechanical properties exhibit spatial correlation, while the observation errors at different points can be considered statistically random. In this context, the inversion formulas are derived for unknown stochastic parameters of the dam by combining perturbation equations and Taylor expansion methods. An improved meta‐heuristic optimization method is employed to identify the mean of stochastic parameters, while mathematical and statistical methods are used to determine the variance of stochastic parameters. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through numerical examples of a typical dam section under different conditions. Additionally, the paper discusses and demonstrates the applicability of this method in a practical dam project. Results indicate that this method can effectively capture the uncertainty of dam's mechanical properties and separates them from observation errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop and analyze a mathematical model for spreading malaria, including treatment with transmission‐blocking drugs (TBDs). The paper's main aim is to demonstrate the impact the chosen model for demographic growth has on the disease's transmission and the effect of its treatment with TBDs. We calculate the model's control reproduction number and equilibria and perform a global stability analysis of the disease‐free equilibrium point. The mathematical analysis reveals that, depending on the model's demography, the model can exhibit forward, backward, and even some unconventional types of bifurcation, where disease elimination can occur for both small and large values of the reproduction number. We also conduct a numerical analysis to explore the short‐time behavior of the model. A key finding is that for one type of demographic growth, the population experienced a significantly higher disease burden than the others, and when exposed to high levels of treatment with TBDs, only this population succeeded in effectively eliminating the disease within a reasonable timeframe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a novel approach has been proposed to produce ultrashort, fully coherent high-repetition-rate EUVand X-ray radiation by combining an energy recovery linac (ERL) with the angular-dispersion-induced microbunching methodology. It is critical to maintain microbunching when the beam passes through bending magnets between the undulators, which results in difficulties supporting multiple beamlines. In this paper, the design of a multiplexed emitting system consisting of multi-bend achromats, matching sections and radiators to facilitate the multi-beamline operation is presented. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations have been carried out and the results show that the microbunching and beam quality can be well maintained after four times of bending. Five radiation pulses with a central wavelength of 13.5 nm and peak power at theMW level have been produced by the same electron beam via this multiplexed emitting system. The proposed method holds potential in the multi-beamline operation of ERL- or storage-ring-based coherent light sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bidirectional power flow is becoming increasingly commonplace in modern distribution systems with the integration Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs). This has facilitated in bringing generation closer to end‐consumers, thus leading to the emergence and rapid growth of microgrids. Additionally, due to the technological revolution in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), innovative business models have developed where willing and able participants of the power system can participate in the electricity market. In line with this evolution of both the electric power system and its participants, Energy‐as‐a‐Service (EaaS) is emerging as an increasingly prominent business model to address electrical grid challenges economically. EaaS encourages electricity grid customers to play a more active role and participate in different electricity markets. This paper introduces and simulates a variant of a Transactive Energy (TE) trading algorithm for microgrids. The paper describes the model in brief how multiple microgrids assets can trade electricity to ensure more efficient and economical local resource utilization. The main motivations of this research paper is to validate and test the suitability of the TE trading algorithm for a variety of conditions. The coordinated TE trading model can optimize expansion and investment planning especially at the distribution level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Textile composites are advanced materials composed of preforms combined with matrix materials. The fiber structure in the preform has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the composite. Precise control over preform dimensions and internal fiber structural uniformity, termed ‘accurate shape control’, is essential to ensure reliable and stable composite component mechanical properties. This paper reviews current research progress on fabric deformation mechanisms, focusing on experimental characterization and numerical simulation. Experimental methods for fabric deformation include tensile, compression, bending, and shear deformation, whereas numerical methods encompass macroscopic continuum, discrete, and semi‐discrete models. The insights offered in this paper will aid a greater understanding of fabric deformation mechanisms, enabling an accurate prediction of complex shape molding and effective process parameter design, ultimately facilitating the structural design and engineering applications of textile composites. Recent trends and challenges in the study of fabric deformation mechanisms are presented. The experimental methods for fabric deformation were summarized and evaluated. Representative numerical modeling techniques and simulation methods are discussed. Some recommendations on potential future research directions are detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of lower coal roadway support under double gobs in close coal seams, there are problems such as the whole destruction of the lower coal seam and the intermediate strata, the thin roof of the lower coal roadway with the smaller support space, the upper rock of the lower coal roadway without anchor bearing layer, the roof falling, the anchor cable offing, and so on. On the basis of the engineering background of No. 11103 haulage roadway in Fenxi coal mine, the research methods of theoretical modeling analysis, numerical simulation analysis and field engineering test are comprehensively adopted. In this paper, the layout of the roadway with floor insertion in the lower coal seam, the distribution characteristics of surrounding rock deviatoric stress, the control principle of broken surrounding rock and the coupling support method of shed–cable–prop are systematically studied. The study shows that many measures are needed to ensure the stability of the surrounding rock in the strong mining roadway of the lower coal seam. The lower coal seam roadway section was modified from the original rectangular section to adopt an arched section to counteract the broken roof. The staggered position of the lower coal seam roadway layout was modified from the original coal roadway position to a coal–rock roadway, so as to avoid the area of high deviatoric stress in the coal pillar and the area of crushed coal body, and to leave an effective support space for the roof. The support scheme of the lower coal seam roadway was improved to use anchor cable and single prop to support the weak section of U‐type steel shed with local coupling, and realize unequal force coupling by adjusting the size of the force at different coupling points. In the field monitoring the deformation of the roadway is small, and the support effect is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional mooring systems contribute significantly to the cost of floating wind projects, and innovative solutions with cost‐saving potentials are desired. In the present paper, we investigate the fundamental dynamic behavior of an innovative tethered‐buoy mooring system for a prototype wind farm in which two spar floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are moored to five submerged tethered buoys. Numerical decay tests are used to characterize the fundamental frequencies and oscillatory modes of the system. The influence of net buoyancy is established through a parametric study. Finally, the dynamic response of the tethered‐buoy mooring system is compared against two alternative shared mooring configurations with catenary mooring lines. Time‐domain simulations are carried out for one accidental scenario with a parked and an operational FOWT, and one extreme scenario with two parked FOWTs. The results show that net buoyancy has a significant influence on platform motions and mooring loads. Compared to alternative configurations with catenary mooring lines, the tethered‐buoy mooring system exhibits substantially lower mooring tension loads and practically eliminates the threat of snap events. The reduction in the maximum characteristic fairlead tension is up to 85%. The mean positional offset of the wind turbines in the loading direction is larger, up to 36% of the water depth, however, the relative motions are comparable. The mean distance between the FOWTs is even smaller for the tethered‐buoy system. With the application of dynamic inter‐array cables, the proposed tethered‐buoy system can be a promising mooring solution for floating offshore wind farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of the structural behaviour of steel and steel‐concrete composite plate girders exposed to web shear buckling is essential when it comes to their implementation involving heavy loads and/or long spans. In this paper, numerical model of a benchmark steel‐concrete composite girder capable of capturing this phenomenon has been developed using the ABAQUS software. The developed finite element model, based on a series of large‐scale girders planned to be tested in the future, has been evaluated and elaborated on. That includes the implementation of appropriate analysis procedures, element types and contact behaviour in the study of the post‐critical buckling behaviour of steel and steel‐concrete composite plate girders. The advantages and disadvantages as well as recommendations for the future use of the investigated modelling strategies have been scrutinized. In the end, this study demonstrates the parameters with the most significant influence on the structural behaviour of composite girders exposed to shear loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the Y type perfobond shear connectors of steel‐concrete composite beams with the aim to investigate the influence of the structural parameter of the connection to the resistance and ductility of the structures. The Y shaped shear connections are a new shape developed with the benefits of resisting a higher shear force by the transversal bars and a bigger area of the concrete dowels surrounded by the Y shaped plate. This type of shear connection has significant resistance against vertical separation. In this paper, an advanced finite element model for a push‐out test with a Y type perfobond shear connector has been developed and validated by the experimental test. The aim of this research is to investigate different parameters such as the concrete strength, perfobond yield stress, the existence of the transversal bars on the structural behavior. The results showed that the concrete strength has a major effect as using a higher concrete resistance gave a higher ultimate resistance with a higher ductility. The existence of the transverse bars shows a major effect on the ductility load level. On the contrary, the effect of changing the diameter of the bars on the ductility load level was slightly noticeable. While using deferent steel grades for the perfobond plate significantly affected the ultimate resistance, but not the ductility load level. In further studies more parameters will be checked, and a formula and a guideline could be developed for a design purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a Finite Element (FE) numerical analysis of an electromagnetic stirring system for composite plastic materials with ferromagnetic particles. The electromagnetic stirring process is ensured by the magnetic forces acting on the ferromagnetic particles spread in the plastic matrix. These forces are produced by the rotating magnetic field of the stator of a three‐phase induction motor supplied from an inverter. The analysis is carried out using the professional software package Flux for electromagnetic field computation based on the FE method. The 2D computations allowed to estimate the magnetic forces and their orientation acting on micrometric particles spread in a fluid plastic material. A preliminary experimental setup is also built for studying the proposed solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) pushes connectivity from human‐to‐things and things‐to‐things, to AI‐to‐things, has resulted in more complex physical networks and logical associations. This has driven the demand for Internet of Things (IoT) devices with powerful edge data processing capabilities, leading to exponential growth in device quantity and data generation. However, conventional data preprocessing methods, such as data compression and encoding, often require edge devices to allocate computational resources for decoding. Additionally, some lossy compression methods, like JPEG, may result in the loss of important information, which has negative impact on the AI training. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a two‐step attribute reduction approach, targeting devices and dimensions, to reduce the massive amount of data in the AIoT network while avoiding unnecessary utilization of edge device resources for decoding. The device‐oriented and dimension‐oriented attribute reductions identify important devices and dimensions, respectively, to mitigate the multimodal interference caused by the large‐scale devices in the AIoT network and the curse of dimensionality associated with high‐dimensional AIoT data. Numerical results and analysis show that this approach effectively eliminates redundant devices and numerous dimensions in the AIoT network while maintaining the basic data correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, fracture characterization of dissimilar materials adhesively bonded structures still generally refers to standards for fiber‐reinforced plastic composites. Moreover, the calculation methods of fracture energy release rate specified in these standards often lead to great deviation due to the differences in material properties and geometry. In this paper, dissimilar materials corrected beam theory with effective crack length (DM‐CBTE) method for calculation of mode II fracture energy release rate of dissimilar materials adhesively bonded structures was proposed. The differences in material properties and geometry as well as the effect of clamp were all considered. The experimental and J‐integral numerical analysis results showed that the maximum deviation of the GIIC calculated by the methods recommended in standard from the J‐integral result is 28% while that by the DM‐CBTE method is only 5%, which proved good feasibility of the DM‐CBTE method for evaluation of mode II fracture performance of dissimilar materials adhesively bonded structures. Highlights: DM‐CBTE method for GII of dissimilar materials adhesively bonded samples was proposed.The differences in material, geometry, and clamp correction were all considered.Good feasibility of the DM‐CBTE method for evaluation of GII was validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the ongoing revision of the Eurocodes, design provisions in EN 1999‐1‐1 on the buckling of longitudinally welded aluminium compression members have been subjected to a critical review. The numerical investigations described in part 1 of the paper were conducted because a need for improvement was identified. In part 2 of the paper, the main observations are presented in qualitative terms. Those observations are: the influence of the allocation of the materials to buckling classes, the influence of the imperfections plus the cross‐section geometry including the position and size of the HAZ within the cross‐section. Part 3 will conclude this paper by discussing the proposed design approaches in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a multiaxial macroelement for bridge abutments that can be included in the global structural model of a bridge to carry out nonlinear dynamic analyses with very much smaller computational effort than can be achieved using continuum representations of embankment and foundation soil behaviour. The proposed macroelement derives a constitutive force–displacement relationship within a rigorous thermodynamic framework and includes important features of non‐linearity and directional coupling in characterizing the interactions of the abutment with the soil. In a dynamic analysis, the frequency‐dependent response of the system is simulated through the combination of the macroelement with appropriate participating masses. The calibration procedure of the macroelement is based on the assessment of its ultimate capacity and of its response at small displacements, and it is shown that these ingredients can be derived through standardised procedures. In the paper, the macroelement response is validated against the results of fully coupled continuum numerical analyses for a reference soil–abutment system, under both static and seismic loading conditions. We show that the two models achieve similar predictions of maximum and permanent abutment deformations (less than 10–14% difference, respectively) for a suite of three‐axis seismic loading events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, attention is devoted to the analysis of the detection threshold based on the multi‐frame integration in heavy‐tailed clutter for the radar with high resolution and even smaller grazing angle. The closed‐form expressions of both the probability of the detection and the probability of false alarm for the heavy‐tailed clutter background, which can be used for the theoretical analysis of constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors, are derived with the multi‐frame integration technique. Accordingly, an improved CFAR detector is designed to work well with the presence of target‐like outliers in the heavy‐tailed clutter. In addition, the proposed CFAR detector is capable to alleviate the masking‐effect resorting to the additive feedback operation when a target is large enough to cross several cells in multi‐target case. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed CFAR detector based on multi‐frame integration can improve the signal‐to‐clutter rate of the targets exhibiting better performance than ones based on single frame in heavy‐tailed clutter background. It is validated from the simulations that the proposed CFAR detector with additive feedback operation can deal with masking‐effect for large target occupying several cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to separate Luer lock adapters during the external ventricular drainage (EVD) since they are often connected by a threaded connection, and the infusion needle put into the patient's body gets pulled out when extubation occurs unexpectedly. The paper described a new magnetic connection assembly made up of ring magnetic permanents and a Hall sensor that could be used to replace Luer lock adapters for quicker disconnection and reconnection of the drainage catheter. For the design and analysis of the device, the finite element method magnetics (FEMM) was used to estimate the size of magnetic permanents and the best detection site of the Hall sensor for detecting whether the magnetic permanents were closely attracted and/or pulled apart. Then an experiment was conducted to confirm our findings. Both simulation and experiment revealed that a pair of hollow cylindrical magnetic permanents, each with height 10 mm, outer diameter 8 mm, and inner diameter 4 mm, could achieve the same force as the Luer lock adapters held, and that the best Hall sensor detection position was in the middle of the permanent magnets, with a radial distance of about 2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fiscal governance framework includes the rules and regulations that discipline the preparation, approval, and implementation of public budgets. It results from the power struggle of the actors that participate in the process of allocating public resources. Despite relevant studies published on the subject, this study aimed to provide background information on determinant factors in the choice and effects of fiscal governance framework adopted by governments in the scholarly conversation. For this, the systematic literature review method was adopted with the development of five steps: selecting a review topic, searching the literature, gathering, reading, and analyzing the scientific papers published in the last 10 years on the subject. Results show that fiscal crises and pressures and rewards of external bodies were the preponderant factors for reforms in the framework of fiscal governance adopted by governments. In another view, impacts of this framework on national public finances were investigated primarily by analysis of numerical fiscal rules. The research gaps identified indicate directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the ongoing revision of the Eurocodes, design provisions in EN 1999‐1‐1 on the buckling of longitudinally welded aluminium compression members have been subjected to a critical review. Numerical investigations were conducted because a need for improvement was identified. This part 1 of the paper describes the individual steps of the revision and the modifications discussed, which include the introduction of longitudinally welded members. Before going into the numerical investigations in more detail, previous observations are presented regarding buckling classes and plateau lengths. In part 1 of the paper, explanations of the numerical investigations are limited to presenting the modelling of the geometry, the mechanical properties and the imperfections as well as their respective variation in the context of the parametric studies. The results of the numerical investigations and the proposed design approaches will be presented in detail in parts 2 and 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The QZ algorithm computes the generalized Schur form of a matrix pencil. It is an iterative algorithm and, at some point, it must decide when to deflate, that is when a generalized eigenvalue has converged and to move on to another one. Choosing a deflation criterion that makes this decision is nontrivial. If it is too strict, the algorithm might waste iterations on already converged eigenvalues. If it is not strict enough, the computed eigenvalues might not have full accuracy. Additionally, the criterion should not be computationally expensive to evaluate. There are two commonly used criteria: the elementwise criterion and the normwise criterion. This paper introduces a new deflation criterion based on the size of and the gap between the eigenvalues. We call this new deflation criterion the strict criterion. This new criterion for QZ is analogous to the criterion derived by Ahues and Tisseur for the QR algorithm. Theoretical arguments and numerical experiments suggest that the strict criterion outperforms the normwise and elementwise criteria in terms of accuracy. We also provide an example where the accuracy of the generalized eigenvalues using the elementwise or the normwise criteria is less than two digits whereas the strict criterion leads to generalized eigenvalues which are almost accurate to the working precision. Additionally, this paper evaluates some commonly used criteria for infinite eigenvalues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will lead to prolonged droughts in various regions of the world, which may significantly affect agricultural production. This is particularly problematic for soils with low water retention capacity, which cannot store sufficient water for crops. In this paper, we investigate how a change in the water‐holding capacity of the soil material, as could be achieved by increasing the soil organic carbon (SOC) amount, affects the components of the soil water balance (evaporation, transpiration, and groundwater recharge). Specifically, we state the hypothesis that an increased water‐holding capacity in a shallow soil layer, as it is achieved through SOC enrichment at the soil surface, will result in more water being stored near the soil surface and lost to unproductive evaporation, thereby reducing the amount of water available to plants and groundwater recharge. The hypothesis was tested by numerical simulations, employing the Hydrus‐1D program package to model the water balance in a soil–plant–atmosphere system for an arable crop in hydrologically contrasting years. The study considered soils with varying textures and different depths of a soil layer with increased SOC content. The soil hydraulic properties (SHP) of the soil material, including the effect of SOC on the SHP, were determined using a recently developed pedotransfer model based on data from over 500 samples. We showed that both the improved water retention by SOC and its vertical distribution affect the soil water balance in a complex manner. In sandy soils, increasing the water‐holding capacity in shallow layers up to 0.1 m led to enhanced evaporation and thus a decrease in water availability for crops. However, deeper incorporated SOC could ameliorate these negative effects. Our findings suggest that not only the amount but also the vertical SOC distribution should be considered if enrichment of SOC shall be applied to mitigate the effect of droughts. Core Ideas: Addition of soil organic carbon (SOC) alters soil material's hydraulic properties.This, in turn, impacts the water balance of soils under agricultural use.The depth at which SOC is incorporated into soils plays a crucial role in the partitioning of evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T).Deeper incorporation of SOC results in greater water availability for plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete flat slab projects usually require openings close to the columns for electrical and hydraulic installations. Since such openings reduce the punching shear of slabs, a comprehensive study is needed. In this paper, numerical models of slabs tested in literature were elaborated upon, using the commercial software in finite elements DIANA. The physical nonlinearity of the materials was considered. After the calibration and validation of the numerical parameters related to concrete and reinforcement, 62 numerical models were created for performing a parametric analysis. The numerical analysis aimed to study the effect of openings close to the columns and verify the punching resistance reduction. In this parametric study, the main variables were the compressive strength of the concrete, the bending reinforcement ratio, the number of openings, and the distance from the openings to the column's face. Finally, the numerical results obtained were compared with the punching strength values provided by the main structural design codes, viz., NBR 6118 (2014), Eurocode 2 (2004), ACI 318 (2019), fib Model Code (2010), and the next generation of Eurocode 2, which are constantly questioned in academic papers regarding their safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rail vehicle air spring bellows consisting of cord rubber composites are subject to a wide variety of stresses. It is therefore crucial to understand the fatigue behavior of such components, as the development process involves the use of empirical methods, which are both time‐consuming and costly. This paper outlines a methodology for assessing the fatigue strength of air spring bellows through representative specimen testing. Ten component tests and a validated numerical model of the air spring bellows are presented. The primary loading scenario investigated in this study is pure pulsating tensile stress with a strain ratio R in the range of 0–0.25. This scenario is considered to be highly damaging, leading to delamination. Comprehensive damage analysis of the specimen is performed using microcomputed tomography. To ensure the transferability of the results, a failure criterion is defined as 20% elongation of the specimen, based on the defined 10% internal pressure drop for the bellow. After statistical evaluation, the transferability of the specimen tests to the component is validated using a local fatigue approach. The correlation coefficient R2 is 0.84, indicating a sound agreement between model and tests with 7 points out of 10 within a scatter factor of 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we base our analysis on a seminal paper by Paul Germain (1973) in which the principle of virtual work is used to found microstructured continuum mechanics. Recently, it was shown that a particular considered microstructured continuum can be regarded as a second gradient continuum of the kind studied by Germain. To prove how these theoretical ideas can be useful in applications, we present the paradigmatic case of pantographic metamaterials, in which the deformation energy may depend only on placement second gradient being independent on placement first gradient. In this case, the numerical simulations become more efficient by introducing the Lagrange multipliers which are dual in work of the introduced kinematical constraint, so proving that the viewpoint about stress presented originally by Lagrange is the most fruitful one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite soil‐steel corrugated structures are well recognized and widely used for construction of culverts and pedestrian or animal crossings. Moreover, for the past decade corrugated soil‐steel structures because of their large span are also recognized and chosen for bridges and tunnels engineering. Record holder composite corrugated structure of 32.40 m span encourages new research in the development of innovations. This paper investigates innovative the deepest corrugation cross‐section strengthened with circular hollow section steel pipes influence on plate utilization of large span soil‐steel composite bridge. The numerical 2D model of 17.5 m span structure was developed for investigation. Parametric analysis indicated that introduction of circular pipes will reduce corrugated profile steel thickness because of reduction of buckling length of straight region of corrugation. Moreover, 3D numerical analysis of buckling shapes allowed to conclude that local buckling of the deepest corrugation of 500 × 237 mm could be controlled strengthening the plates with circular steel pipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a steel moment resisting frame (MRF) with a novel type of self‐centering (SC) base isolators, wherein superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) U‐shaped dampers (SMAUDs) work as core components. A two‐story steel MRF model equipped with two SMAUD‐based isolators was designed and built in the laboratory, and a series of shake table tests were conducted to examine the dynamic behavior and seismic performance of the frame. Throughout all the tests, no interventions, such as repair or replacement of frame or isolator members, were done. Shake table test results demonstrated that the SMAUD‐based isolators could withstand multiple strong earthquakes with stable SC behavior. The utilization of SMAUD‐based isolators provided effective protection for the frame, enabling it to restore its original position with minimal structural damage. A numerical model of the tested steel MRF with SMAUD‐based isolators was also built. The results obtained from the numerical analyses agreed with those of the shake table tests satisfactorily. A comparative study of the seismic performance between the MRF with SMAUD‐based isolators and the MRF with traditional steel U‐shaped damper‐based isolators was also conducted in the shake table tests. The results showed that SMAUD‐based isolators not only inherit the isolation function of conventional isolators to protect the frame but also possess an SC ability to eliminate residual isolator deformation effectively. Moreover, SMAUD‐based isolators demonstrate remarkable resilience to withstand multiple strong seismic events without any need for repair or replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In numerical analysis, the quadrature formulas serve as a pivotal tool for approximating definite integrals. In this paper, we introduce a family of quadrature formulas and analyze their associated error bounds for convex functions. The main advantage of these new error bounds is that from these error bounds, we can find the error bounds of different quadrature formulas. This work extends the traditional quadrature formulas such as the midpoint formula, trapezoidal formula, Simpson's formula, and Boole's formula. We also use the power mean and Hölder's integral inequalities to find more general and sharp bounds. Furthermore, we give numerical example and applications to quadrature formulas of the newly established inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights This paper presents the experimental, analytical, and numerical extensive investigation into the flexural creep performance of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (pGFRP) composites at elevated service temperatures. The experimental phase involved a physical testing program on pGFRP coupons in a four‐point bending setup covering a wide range of loads (12%, 24%, and 37% stress levels) and temperature conditions (20, 40, and 60°C) over a long test duration of 720 h. The analytical Burgers model was employed to provide theoretical insights into the time‐dependent deformation behaviors, while the finite element analysis (FEA) simulations using derived reduction factor validated the accuracy of the proposed procedure. Burgers model was able to capture the experimental data very well and reached the ultimate strain failure limit within about 1.4–50 years depending on the case. The proposed simple FEA procedure yielded a pattern closely resembling the one observed from Burgers model in which they resulted in estimated endurance times with a roughly 15% difference between them. The higher stress and/or temperature, the longer the primary creep stage is. Burgers model is able to capture the experimental data very well in all conditions. Burgers general equation is able to predict failure within about 1.4–50 years. A proposed reduction factor based on Burgers model is utilized in FEA The FEA procedure shows a roughly 15% difference compared to Burgers model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In this paper, computational analysis of a Caputo fractional variable‐order system with inductor‐capacitor (LC) and resistor‐capacitor (RC) electrical circuit models is presented. The existence and uniqueness of solutions to the given problem are determined using Schaefer's fixed point theorem and the Banach contraction principle, respectively. The proposed problem's computational consequences are addressed and analyzed using modified Euler and Runge–Kutta fourth‐order techniques. Furthermore, the suggested model compares several orders, including integer, fractional, and variable orders. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed approach, computational simulations are carried out on LC and RC circuit models of various orders. Furthermore, a comparative analysis with previous investigations has been carried. For the given problem, the numerical solution results in high‐precision approximations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the first observation of quasi‐Bragg scattering from collimating Goebel mirrors in a real instrument. On the basis of the experimental data obtained and the numerical analysis performed, it is concluded that it is necessary to take into account the effect of quasi‐Bragg scattering when constructing real devices with multilayer mirrors for use in X‐ray diffractometry and in spectroscopy, especially for small‐angle scattering with position‐sensitive detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a spatiotemporal reaction–diffusion model for epidemics to predict how the infection spreads in a given space. The model is based on a system of partial differential equations with the Neumann boundary conditions. First, we study the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the model using the semigroup theory and demonstrate the boundedness of solutions. Further, the proposed model's basic reproduction number is calculated using the eigenvalue problem. Moreover, the dynamic behavior of the disease‐free steady states of the model for R0<1$$ {\mathcal{R}}_0<1 $$ is investigated. The uniform persistence of the model is also discussed. In addition, the global asymptotic stability of the endemic steady state is examined. Finally, the numerical simulations validate the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional tower‐style building (TTSB) is an innovative structural form constructed in modern cities imitating the overall appearance of ancient timber pagodas, and it is an extraordinarily cultured high‐rise construction. The limited stipulations for high‐rise TTSBs in the seismic design code pose challenges in assessing the reliable performance of the unique structure subjected to severe earthquakes. This paper presents the shaking table test and numerical analyses of a 1/15‐scale 13‐story TTSB specimen with an integral tower height of 5.36 m, which is a steel frame‐braced core‐tube structure consisting of seven bright floors (built‐out stories evident from the outside, BF) and six dim floors (built‐in stories not apparent from the outside, DF), with transition columns and stiffening trusses around the exterior perimeter. The experimental results showed that the tested tower‐style building had excellent seismic performance and reliable structural integrity. It only experienced minor damage when subjected to extremely high‐intensity motions. The interstory drift, dynamic strain, and floor acceleration response of the core‐tube region with eccentric steel braces were more significant under severe excitation than those with cross‐centered symmetric steel braces. The vertical reaction increased at the upper floor of the tower under vertical acceleration, and differences in the dynamic response of the middle and upper floors were much more apparent after the test. Moreover, 3D numerical simulation models of the tested tower were established and validated against the test responses. Successively, the validated numerical model was used to investigate the influence of the transition column at different floors on the peak interstory drift response and the relevant strain distribution, and the proposal for a proper position of the transition column was recommended at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐centering energy dissipative (SCED) braces are designed to limit the maximum story drifts in buildings during earthquakes and to nearly eliminate residual drifts. SCED braces that have been developed in the past face three major challenges: they require high levels of prestressing force, they have limited elongation capacity, and their energy dissipative systems have inadequate reliability or excessive complexity. This paper proposes a new SCED brace that addresses these three challenges with the use of a mild‐steel dissipative element that never experiences compression, so it will not buckle. The feasibility of the new system was demonstrated with a set of experiments in a configuration that uses a series combination of post‐tensioned steel tendon and Belleville springs for re‐centering. The paper develops equations that govern the brace's performance, identifies key parameters and develops a numerical modeling method. The design of an example building shows that the new brace only requires approximately 6% of the prestressing force required for existing SCED braces to achieve similar hysteretic relationships. Numerical analysis confirms that a braced frame equipped with the new brace would control the maximum response to about the same extent as would for existing SCED braces and buckling‐restrained braces, while effectively eliminating residual drift under severe earthquakes. Meanwhile, the new system generates 18–26% smaller axial forces than existing SCED braces and appears to have a large elongation capacity. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the proposed brace successfully addresses the major challenges of previous SCED braces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless power transfer (WPT) has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years for its ability to greatly improve the convenience of our lives. Moreover, WPT for Electric Vehicles (EVs) has become an important key to the spread of EVs. The efficiency of WPT using magnetic field resonant coupling can be evaluated by the kQ product, but the optimal coil design method to maximize the kQ product at a specific frequency has not yet been established. In this paper, taking the Test station GA‐WPT1 and the Test station VA‐WPT1/Z3 of SAE J2954, which is officially defined as the standard for WPT while the electric vehicle is stationary in October 2020, as examples, the coil parameters that maximize the kQ product in the case of the coreless are determined according to the proposed method. An efficiency of 99.13% was obtained with a transmission distance of 200 mm and the number of turns of N1 = 34 and N2 = 30. Also, since all analyses can be derived immediately except for the analysis of the Litz wire to be used, the optimization time could be reduced significantly compared with the electromagnetic field analysis. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the use of time‐varying piecewise quadratic functions is investigated to characterize the finite‐time stability of state‐dependent impulsive dynamical linear systems. Finite‐time stability defines the behavior of a dynamic system over a bounded time interval. More precisely, a system is said to be finite‐time stable if, given a set of initial conditions, its state vector does not exit a predefined domain for a certain finite interval of time. This paper presents new sufficient conditions for finite‐time stability based on time‐varying piecewise quadratic functions. These conditions can be reformulated as a set of Linear Matrix Inequalities that can be efficiently solved through convex optimization solvers. Different numerical analysis are included in order to prove that the presented conditions are able to improve the results presented so far in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the boundary conditions, defined as the thermal expansion restraint imposed by the external uniaxial compressive load in plain concrete subjected to high temperatures, is discussed. A numerical mesoscopic investigation uncoupled the load induced thermal strain (LITS) into three main components (aggregates and matrix strain contributions and the effect of the thermal expansion restraint). The analyses demonstrate that LITS depends on the materials properties (viscous‐plastic behavior) and also on the boundary conditions, which is function of the test setup and seems to be not related to the material properties. In this paper, the role of the boundary conditions on 1‐phase (homogeneous) and 2‐phase (matrix + aggregates) numerical analyses are investigated. A LITS semi‐empirical model is incorporated in the numerical modeling to account for the stiffness degradation. It is demonstrated that in 1‐phase models, the effect of the boundary conditions is absent, which is not true for mesoscale analyses. In this case, the effect of the boundary conditions should be taken into account and subtracted from the results to avoid an overestimation of the material response. It is important mentioning that the analyses of concrete behavior at elevated temperatures and transient creep experimental procedures completely neglect the role of the boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the propagation of ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) along the structure to inspect has amply proven to be an excellent strategy for the health monitoring of isotropic and composite structures (SHM—structural health monitoring). For the proper development of the SHM system, the finite element method (FEM) must be mentioned, since the possibility to study the UGW in very complex structures, even characterized by different materials. Successfully locating any possible damage and identifying its severity are key factors in SHM, thus allowing to reduce the design costs. Numerically, the damage can be modeled with several approaches but it is still not clear which is the best solution to accurately reproduce the UGW mechanisms in a faulty structure. The objective of this paper is to study the various effects that different severities of damage can have on UGW propagation. For the scope, various numerical approaches are considered and the results are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and numerical optimization of oil‐lubricated spiral grooved thrust bearing (SGTB) for its application at high speed and axial loading conditions. A numerical model is developed using nonlinear incompressible Reynold's equation and is solved using the finite volume method (FVM) to determine the static characteristics over the bearing surface. Further, the influence of groove parameters such as spiral angle, groove angle, film thickness ratio, number of grooves and speed on the static characteristics of the bearing has been investigated. The result shows that the designed oil‐lubricated SGTB can operate at high‐speed conditions and withstand high axial load. Further, the characteristic data sets acquired from the numerical analysis are trained using an artificial neural network (ANN), and their performance is evaluated through the computation of the regression coefficient. Then adaptive neuro‐fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) surface plot is obtained to determine the optimum bearing parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent collapses of existing bridges occurred worldwide demonstrated the need of risk mitigation strategies. The failure of existing bridges can be attributed to many reasons: unexpected external actions due to both natural and anthropogenic catastrophes, materials degradation, increased traffic loads, inadequate original design or construction, lack of maintenance. In this context, it is remarkable that a significant percentage of the existing infrastructures has reached its nominal service life, requiring the allocation of relevant resources for their assessment, repair and upgrading. This study investigates the structural performance of a Maillart bridge built in 1960s in the South‐East of Italy. Due to its exposure close to the sea, the bridge has been subjected to a significant degradation, which asked strengthening interventions over the years. A detailed survey and tests were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of structural materials and detailing. A structural analysis was led by considering the original configuration and the retrofitted one. The results of the numerical analyses are shown and discussed in the paper, also by assessing the safety levels of the bridge and the effectiveness of the strengthening interventions occurred during the service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a mathematical model that analyzes cancer treatment via radiotherapy and proposes ways to control its progression. To identify preventive measures for cancer in its early stages, scientists have studied both risk factors and protective factors. In our model, we consider the disease‐free equilibrium points, namely, the trivial equilibrium (TE), healthy cell absenteeism equilibrium (HCAE), cancer cell absenteeism equilibrium (CCAE), and cancer cell incidence equilibrium (CCIE). We use nonlinear analysis techniques and the spectral radius method to study the stability and instability of systems. Since the reproduction number plays a critical role in stability analysis, we use the spectral radius method to evaluate it. We have also added a control function to the model to enhance it by including interactions between healthy and cancer cells. Optimization techniques are used to identify the limitations and needs of the problem and derive the best solutions to control the tumor. We conduct sensitivity analysis with respect to various parameters to study the model's robustness. To validate our methods and results, we provide simulations and numerical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T‐stubs and L‐stubs loaded in tension are generally assumed in contact with a rigid foundation. The prying force and stiffness of these components depend on this hypothesis. For double web angle riveted connections, the angle rests on deformable beam/column web. The objective of the present paper is to take into account the effects of this deformability on the development of the contact area, the rivet forces and the tensile stiffness. An enhanced theory of beam in contact with a tensionless Winkler foundation is adopted in the contact and lift‐off areas. The axial and bending flexibilities of rivets are also considered. A numerical analysis is also performed with ANSYS in order to validate the analytical model. A sensitivity study is conducted on the influence of the thickness of the horizontal leg. The analytical and the numerical results are in good agreement, which confirms the accuracy of the proposed mechanical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the development and validation of an advanced FE model that can predict the overall behaviour and failure modes of blind bolted T‐stub to unfilled tube (UT), concrete‐filled tube (CFT) and foam‐filled tube (FFT) joints in tension. The joints investigated were made of S355 Square Hollow Sections (SHS) either empty or with concrete or polyurethane infill, connected to a rigid T‐stub using HB 10 hollow bolts. Associated experimental results are used for model validation purposes. The main modelling assumptions and relevant simulation strategies in terms geometric and material modelling are discussed and the resulting models are shown to accurately replicate the experimentally observed response in terms of yield load, failure load, observed failure modes and available ductility of the connections. The favourable performance of connections employing SHS with a polyurethane infill compared to the empty and concrete filled SHS in terms of both strength and ductility is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is rapidly expanding to all research areas due to its multiple advantages, such as the freedom and flexibility in achieving any geometry. By using AM as a fabrication technique, the design process has almost no limitations, blending considerably well with the irregular geometries that may result from topology optimization, which can produce optimal material configuration. Therefore, Topology Optimization can combine greatly with Additive manufacturing. A suitable AM method concerning geometry, speed and shape is Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). In this paper, a hollow square t‐joint is modelled and evaluated by the application of two optimization methods with various parameters to find an optimal geometry; numerical analysis (FEM) on non‐optimized and optimized models; and experimental assessments on non‐optimized and optimized printed t‐joints to validate the entire process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of design by finite element analysis (FEA) is becoming increasingly prevalent in applied engineering; however, codified provisions remain scarce. The vision of CEN/TC 250/SC 3 was to develop a new comprehensive document based on the existing provisions currently distributed throughout the different Eurocode 3 parts, and with extension where necessary to cover all fields of structural steel design. Within the development process, two documents are being prepared: (i) the code, prEN 1993‐1‐14 and (ii) a Technical Report. The new code aims to provide rules on the use of finite element analysis and other numerical methods for verifying ultimate limit states, serviceability limit states and fatigue. In parallel, the Technical Report will provide background information and explanations of all aspects of the code, as well as benchmark cases and design examples to support the correct application of the prEN1993‐1‐14 design rules and the necessary benchmarking required for model validation. The assumed stakeholders are mainly designers who can find direct guidance for design by finite element analysis in daily engineering practice. This current paper gives an overview of the new code and accompanying Technical Report, as well as the development process and harmonisation within the current Eurocode 3 framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research the effect of prebuckling in‐plane deflections on the critical moment to lateral‐torsional buckling of beams is investigated. Though this topic is already discussed in the literature, the relevant papers show that there are some discrepancies in the proposals and results from the various authors. In this paper a numerical parametric study is reported, conducted on doubly symmetric simple supported I‐shaped beams. The critical moment values were calculated with and without considering the effect of prebuckling deflections. Various methods were considered, including analytical formulae, thin‐walled beam finite element, and shell finite element calculations. The results justify that the in‐plane deflection has a positive effect on the critical moments, and that the effect is essentially determined by the ratio of in‐plane and lateral rigidities. However, the results highlight that the moment‐increasing effect of the prebuckling deformations can be much smaller compared to the prediction of the analytical formulae, if a shell finite element model is employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade there is an increasing awareness towards sustainable construction solutions. The reason of this shift is that the construction sector contributes to approximately 40 % of the global output of CO2 emissions, thus making it essential to act in lowering this high amount. A key aspect in the successful implementation of sustainable construction solutions is the use of construction materials that can be 100% recycled, such as steel, and that come from renewable sources, such as timber. Therefore, the interest in using steel‐timber composite (STC) elements and connections has grown since they can provide a robust alternative construction technique to traditional ones. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structural performance of a bolted STC shear connection using finite element analysis. The connection under study consists of two dahurian larch glulam elements that are bolted to the flanges of an H‐profile steel element by means of four M6 bolts for each timber component. The numerical model has been validated using the results of an experimental study where a pull‐out test of the same connection is performed [1]. Overall, the numerical results have shown good accuracy. The bolt failure has occurred when 47.5 kN of force had been applied. This amount of load is about 12% less than the failure load found in the experiment. The slip of the numerical model has been found equal to 5.4 mm whereas the slip measured in the experiment has been measured equal to 7.5 mm. In addition, the failure mode that has developed in the numerical model is governed by the formation of two hinges on the bolts which coincides to the experimental one. To sum up, the numerical model has managed to capture to a great extent the structural performance of the composite connection as presented in the experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on the behavior of bolted 3D beam‐to‐column joints, when the secondary beams are attached to the weak axis of the column by two additional plates welded between the column flanges. In this joint configuration the component column web in tension is modifying by the presence of the additional plates that must be considered in the stiffness evaluation. Moreover, the stiffness of this component is different in case of double‐sided and single‐sided joints. Therefore, based on the result of a parametric study with finite element models, two different mechanical models for the stiffness of the component column web in tension are proposed for double‐sided and single‐sided joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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