Reliability-based life-cycle cost seismic design optimization of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials

Reinforcement corrosion is the main cause of performance deterioration of reinforced concrete(RC)structures.Limited research has been performed to investigate the life-cycle cost(LCC)of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials.In this study,a reliability-based design optimization(RBDO)procedure is improved for the design of coastal bridge piers using six groups of commonly used materials,i.e.,normal performance concrete(NPC)with black steel(BS)rebar,high strength steel(HSS)rebar,epoxy coated(EC)rebar,and stainless steel(SS)rebar(named NPC-BS,NPC-HSS,NPC-EC,and NPC-SS,respectively),NPC with BS with silane soakage on the pier surface(named NPC-Silane),and high-performance concrete(HPC)with BS rebar(named HPC-BS).First,the RBDO procedure is improved for the design optimization of coastal bridge piers,and a bridge is selected to illustrate the procedure.Then,reliability analysis of the pier designed with each group of materials is carried out to obtain the time-dependent reliability in terms of the ultimate and serviceability performances.Next,the repair time of the pier is predicted based on the time-dependent reliability indices.Finally,the time-dependent LCCs for the pier are obtained for the selection of the optimal design.

决策树和Design to Cost在纺织品开发中的应用

采用决策树分析的方法,并应用Design to Cost的概念,对某服装公司产品成本进行了分析,找出了影响产品成本的关键因素,进而降低产品的成本,使产品在市场上更加具有竞争力。

决策树和design to cost在纺织品开发中的应用

本文采用决策树分析的方法，应用Design to cost的概念。对某服装公司产品成本进行了分析．从而找出影响产品成本的关键因素，进而降低产品的成本，使得产品在市场上更加具有竞争力。 决策树是用二叉树形图来表示处理逻辑的一种工具。决策树有一个决策图和可能的结果（包括资源成本和风险）组成，用来创建到达目标的规则。决策树建立并用来辅助决策，是一种特殊的树结构。 Design to cost理念使得人们认识在纺织品的开发中，上游的产品的设计与开发在对产品成本或者最终价格的影响最为重要，而不完全是后期物流、管理方面的花费。 本文巧妙的将这两种分析法结合运用在纺织品开发这样一个复杂的环节中，从而清晰了产品开发的思路，简化复杂的开发过程，最终提高产品的竞争力。

决策树和design to cost在纺织品开发中的应用

本文采用决策树分析的方法，应用Design to cost的概念，对某服装公司产品成本进行了分析，从而找出影响产品成本的关键因素，进而降低产品的成本，使得产品在市场上更加具有竞争力。决策树是用二叉树形图来表示处理逻辑的一种工具。决策树由一个决策图和可能的结果（包括资源成本和风险）组成，用来创建到达目标的规则。决策树建立并用来辅助决策，是一种特殊的树结构。Design to cost理念使得人们认识到在纺织品的开发中，上游的产品的设计与开发对产品成本或者最终价格的影响最为重要，而不完全是后期生产、物流、管理方面的花费。本文巧妙的将这两种分析法结合运用在纺织品开发这样一个复杂的环节中，从而清晰化产品开发的思路，简化复杂的开发过程，最终提高产品的竞争力。

决策树和Design to Cost在纺织品开发中的应用

本文采用决策树分析的方法,应用Design to cost的概念,对某服装公司产品成本进行了分析,从而找出影响产品成本的关键因素,进而降低产品的成本,使得产品在市场上更加具有竞争力。决策树是用二叉树形图来表示处理逻辑的一种工具。决策树有一个决策图和可能的结果(包括资源成本和风险)组成,用来创建到达目标的规则。决策树建立并用来辅助决策,是一种特殊的树结构。Design to cost理念使得人们认识到在纺织品的开发中,上游的产品设计与开发不仅影响后期物流、管理方面的花费,且对产品成本或者最终价格有着极为重要的影响。本文将这两种分析法结合运用在纺织品开发环节中,从而清晰了产品开发的思路,简化了复杂的开发过程,最终提高产品的竞争力。

A Wireless Sensor Network Ad-Hoc Designed as Anti-Theft Alarm System for Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have attracted increasing attention in last years as well as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which have been used in many application fields. In PV plants, especially in ground installations, a lot of thefts and damages occur due to the still high cost of the modules. A new experimental WSN ad-hoc has been designed to be an anti-theft alarm system. Each node of the network is directly installed under each PV string and it is equipped with an accelerometer sensor capable to detect a minimum displacement of the panel from its steady position. The WSN presents a star topology: a master node cyclically interrogates the slave nodes through RF link. It collects all the nodes responses and communicates though a RS-232 interface with a control PC checking the network status. When a slave node detects an alarm, continuous messages are sent to the control PC which turns on all the alarm signaling systems. The control PC is equipped with an open source operative system and software and provides for SMS, e-mail and sound-light signaling in case of alarm. It also communicates with a remote server where all the WSN information is stored. A first low cost experimental WSN has been already installed and it is working properly.

China's Development Modeli:the Costs and Benefits of the Decentralization Approach to Transition

This article provides a coherent framework within which to understand China’s development model,as well as the successes and the failures of China’s decentralization approach to reform.The combination of political centralization and economic decentralization provide local government with enough incentives to develop local economies,in particular incentives to promote market privatisation locally.However,the relative evaluation-based incentive schemes lead to inter- regional market segmentation,increasing inter-regional development gaps and the unequal provision of certain public goods.The success of early-stage reform can be attributed to the benefits of the decentralization approach.The next stage reform should however focus on minimizing the associated costs.China’s gradualist reform can be seen as a mechanism design issue under the control of central government.Therefore,it is essential to take both the costs and benefits of the decentralization approach into account in the design of the next-stage reform package.

Application of Grey System Theory in Design For Cost (DFC)

Design For Cost (DFC) is a branch of Design For X (DFX). In this paper, wedefined DFC as a design method that analyzed and evaluated the product's life cycle cost (LCC), thenmodified the design to reduce the LCC. Nowadays it is a very difficult thing to obtain LCC data inChina or in developing countries. Statistical methods can not be used because available LCC data arefew. In order to solve this problem, we used grey system theory. Then relations of cost factorswere analyzed in LCC using grey relevant methods, and a GM(1,1) model between design parameters andLCC was established. Using this model, we can estimate and control LCC by changing design parametersat the beginning of the design stage.

Research on Optimal Delivery Days and Customer Satisfaction Based on Quality Costs

Customer satisfaction is an important index to evaluate the competitiveness and efficiency of an enterprise. Every enterprise is confront with the subject of supplying with the customer satisfactory products at the lowest costs and the highest manufacturing speed. Regarding the delivery days of a coach company as a design variable, this paper builds up an optimization model of customer satisfaction, and suggests an effective method to reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction based on analysis and research.

Highway Planning and Design in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau of China: A Cost–Safety Balance Perspective

Engineering designs for mountainous highways emphasize compliance checking to ensure safety. However, relying solely on compliance checking may lead designers to minimize costs at the expense of high risk indicators, since the overall risk level of the highway design is unknown to the designers. This paper describes a method for the simultaneous consideration of traffic safety risks and the associated cost burden related to the appropriate planning and design of a mountainous highway. The method can be carried out in four steps: First, the highway design is represented by a new parametric framework to extract the key design variables that affect not only the life-cycle cost but also the operational safety. Second, the relationship between the life-cycle cost and the operational safety risk factors is established in the cost-estimation functions. Third, a fault tree analysis (FTA) is introduced to identify the traffic risk factors from the design variables. The safety performance of the design solutions is also assessed by the generalized linear-regression model. Fourth, a theory of acceptable risk analysis is introduced to the traffic safety assessment, and a computing algorithm is proposed to solve for a cost-efficient optimal solution within the range of acceptable risk, in order to help decision-makers. This approach was applied and examined in the Sichuan–Tibet Highway engineering project, which is located in a complex area with a large elevation gradient and a wide range of mountains. The experimental results show that the proposed approach significantly improved both the safety and cost performance of the project in the study area.

Development of six sigma concurrent parameter and tolerance design method based on response surface methodology

Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), an optimizing model of concurrent parameter and tolerance design is proposed where response mean equals its target in the target being best. The optimizing function of the model is the sum of quality loss and tolerance cost subjecting to the variance confidence region of which six sigma capability can be assured. An example is illustrated in order to compare the differences between the developed model and the parameter design with minimum variance. The results show that the proposed method not only achieves robustness, but also greatly reduces cost. The objectives of high quality and low cost of product and process can be achieved simultaneously by the application of six sigma concurrent parameter and tolerance design.

Optimization for performance-based design under seismic demands, including social costs

Performance-based design in earthquake engineering is a structural optimization problem that has, as the objective, the determination of design parameters for the minimization of total costs, while at the same time satisfying minimum reliability levels for the specifi ed performance criteria. Total costs include those for construction and structural damage repairs, those associated with non-structural components and the social costs of economic losses, injuries and fatalities. This paper presents a general framework to approach this problem, using a numerical optimization strategy and incorporating the use of neural networks for the evaluation of dynamic responses and the reliability levels achieved for a given set of design parameters. The strategy is applied to an example of a three-story offi ce building. The results show the importance of considering the social costs, and the optimum failure probabilities when minimum reliability constraints are not taken into account.

Structural Design of Asphalt Pavement for Low Cost Rural Roads

On the basis of the equivalent axle load action frequency, the traffic classifications of rural roads as well as their corresponding types are classified. The asphalt pavement structure, road surface types and thickness of the rural roads are suggested for the various action frequency of the equivalent axle load. Furthermore, the roadbase thickness graphs are provided according to different equivalent axle load action frequency with different roadbed modulus and road surface modulus taken into account.

CO_(2)and Cost-Based Optimum Design of Sustainable Metakaolin-Modified Concrete

Metakaolin is a highly reactive pozzolanic material that is widely utilized for enhancing the performance of concrete.This study offers a framework for the mixture design of sustainable metakaolin-modified concrete with low CO_(2)emissions and low costs.Different design strengths after 28 days are first formulated,with values such as 30,40,50,and 60 MPa.A genetic algorithm is then used to determine the optimal mixtures.Minimized CO_(2)and cost are set as the aims of the genetic algorithm.The strength of the concrete,its workability(slump),and carbonation service life with climate change are set as constraints of the genetic algorithm.Five design cases are considered:1)low-CO_(2)concrete with no carbonation,2)low-CO_(2)concrete with carbonation,3)low-material cost concrete with carbonation,4)low-total cost concrete with carbonation,and 5)low-total cost concrete with climate change.Based on the analysis,the following results are found:1)When the design’s strength is 30 MPa,to satisfy the requirement of carbonation durability,the concrete real strength should exceed 30 MPa.Moreover,after considering climate change,the concrete real strength should be further improved.2)When the design strength is 40,50,or 60 MPa for low-total-cost concrete,climate change has no impact on the optimal design because the concrete has sufficient carbonation resistance.3)Low-material-cost concrete has the same mixture as low-total-cost concrete because compared with the material cost,the CO_(2)emission cost is much lower.Moreover,for low-material-cost or low-total-cost concrete,the metakaolin content is at the lower limit because the price of metakaolin is much higher than that of cement.Summarily,the proposed model covered different aspects of sustainable concrete,such as cost and CO_(2)emissions,clarified various decisive factors of mix design,such as strength and carbon durability,and considered different conditions of climate change,such as no climate change and Representative Concentration Pathways(RCP)8.5.The proposed method is valuable for designing sustainable metakaolin-modified concrete with low CO_(2)emissions and costs.

The Design of Stall-Regulated Wind Turbine Blade for a Maximum Annual Energy Output and Minimum Cost of Energy Based on a Specific Wind Statistic

The design of a stall-regulated wind turbine to achieve a maximum annual energy output is still a formidable task for engineers. The design could be carried out using an average wind speed together with a standard statistical distribution such as a Weibull with k = 2.0. In this study a more elaborated design will be attempted by also considering the statistical bias as a design criterion. The wind data used in this study were collected from three areas of the Lamtakong weather station in Nakhonratchasima Provice, the Khaokoh weather station in Phetchaboon and the Sirindhorn dam weather station in Ubonratchathani, Thailand. The objective is to design a best aerodynamic configurations for the blade (chord, twist and pitch) using the same airfoil as that of NREL Phase VI wind turbine. Such design is carried out at a design wind speed point. Wind turbine blades were optimized for both maximum annual energy production and minimum cost of energy using a method that take into account aerodynamic and structural considerations. The work will be carried out by the program “SuWiTStat” which was developed by the authors and based on BEM Theory (Blade Element Momentum). Another side issue is the credibility of the Weibull statistic in representing the real wind measurement. This study uses a regression analysis to determine this issue.

Energy and Cost Analyses of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Microgeneration Systems for Different Climate Zones of Turkey

The environmental and energy problems that have arisen in Turkey because of the dramatically increase in energy consumption require the implementation of energy efficiency and microgeneration measures in the building sector which is the main sector of primary energy consumption. Since Turkey is highly dependent on exported energy resources, the basic energy policy approach is based on providing the supply security. In this regard, supporting for in situ energy production, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and the systems such as microgeneration systems in order to meet the energy requirements of buildings would be considered as a key measure for resolving the energy related challenges of Turkey and dealing with the sustainability issues. Turkey’s geographical location has several advantages for extensive use of most of the renewable energy sources such as especially solar energy. However, this huge solar energy potential is not being used sufficiently in residential building sector which is responsible for the great energy consumption of Turkey. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce a study which investigates, on a life cycle basis, the environmental and the economic sustainability of solar Photovoltaic (PV) microgenerators to promote the implementation of this system as an option for the renovation of existing residential buildings in Turkey. In this study, main parameters which were related to the distribution of modules to be installed in flat roofs and facades and the evaluation of the PV systems were taken into account. The effect of these parameters on energy generation of PV systems was analyzed in a case study considering different climate zones of Turkey;and the decrease in the existing energy consumption of the reference building was calculated.

Characterization of Six Categories of Systematic 2^{<i>n</i>-(<i>n</i>-<i>k</i>)}Fractional Factorial Designs

Six categories of systematic 2n-(n-k) designs derivable from the full 2k factorial experiment by the interactions-main effects assignment are available for carrying out 2n-(n-k) factorial experiments sequentially run after the other such that main effects are protected against the linear/quadratic time trend and/or such that the number of factor level changes (i.e. cost) between the runs is minimal. Three of these six categories are of resolution at least III and three are of resolution at least IV. The three categories of designs within each resolution are: 1) minimum cost 2n-(n-k) designs, 2) minimum cost linear trend free 2n-(n-k) designs and 3) minimum cost linear and quadratic trend free 2n-(n-k) designs. This paper characterizes these six categories and documents their differences with regard to either time trend resistance of factor effects and/or the number of factor level changes. The paper introduces the last category of systematic 2n-(n-k) designs (i.e. the sixth) for the purpose of extending the design resolution from III into IV and also for raising the level of protection of main effects from the linear time trend into the quadratic, where a catalog of minimum cost linear and quadratic trend free 2n-(n-k) designs (of resolution at least IV) will be proposed. The paper provides for each design in any of the six categories: 1) the sequence of its runs in minimum number of factor level changes 2) the defining relation or its 2n-(n-k) alias structure and 3) the k independent generators needed for sequencing the 2n-(n-k) runs by the generalized foldover scheme. A comparison among these six categories of designs reveals that when the polynomial degree of the time trend increases from linear into quadratic and/or when the design’s resolution increases from III to IV, the number of factor level changes between the 2n-(n-k) runs increases. Also as the number of factors (i.e. n) increases, the design’s resolution decreases.

Improvement of the Life Cycle Costing Method in DesignStage Using KBIMS Library

With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution,the construction industry has undergone a paradigm shift.The smart construction technology market is expected to grow 12%annually in developed countries due to advanced technology investments.It is expected that businesses requiring highly sophisticated technology,for instance companies that need their old facilities upgraded,will become the main focus of the market.As building information modeling(BIM)design is becoming mandatory,such as in the Korea Public Procurement Service,researches regarding building automation,construction,and operation integration management systems based on BIM are conducted.In addition,for construction projects of over 10 billion won,design value engineering(Design VE)implementation,including life cycle cost(LCC)analysis,is mandatory at the design stage to improve quality and reduce the lifetime costs of buildings.In this study,we propose an improvement plan for LCC analysis at the design stage using the KBIMS library,which is an open BIM library developed by the Korean government and research groups.We analyze the existing LCC method,KBIMS library,and attribute information,and model the process that is applied in the LCC analysis system.This is expected to complement the LCC analysis system and improve work productivity.

Design and Development of a Competitive Low-Cost Robot Arm with Four Degrees of Freedom

The main focus of this work was to design, develop and implementation of competitively robot arm with en- hanced control and stumpy cost. The robot arm was designed with four degrees of freedom and talented to accomplish accurately simple tasks, such as light material handling, which will be integrated into a mobile platform that serves as an assistant for industrial workforce. The robot arm is equipped with several servo motors which do links between arms and perform arm movements. The servo motors include encoder so that no controller was implemented. To control the robot we used Labview, which performs inverse kinematic calculations and communicates the proper angles serially to a microcontroller that drives the servo motors with the capability of modifying position, speed and acceleration. Testing and validation of the robot arm was carried out and results shows that it work properly.

Molten Salts and Applications Ⅱ: 565℃ Molten Salt Solar Energy Storage Design, Corrosion, and Insulation

Excess energy from various sources can be stored in molten salts (MS) in the 565 °C range. Large containers can be used to store energy at excess temperatures in order to generate eight hours or more of electricity, depending on the container size, to be used during peak demand hours or at night for up to a week. Energy storage allows for a stable diurnal energy supply and can reduce the fluctuation due to weather conditions experienced at thermal solar power stations. Supported by Office of Naval Research (ONR), this paper discusses the design considerations for molten salt storage tanks. An optimal molten salt storage tank design layout is presented, as well as alternative designs for the storage tanks. In addition, the costs and corrosion effects of various molten salts are discussed in order to show the effects these considerations have on the design process.