Model Refinement for Offshore Platforms： Experimental Study

Offshore jacket platforms are widely used in offshore oil and gas exploitation.Finite element models of such structures need to have many degrees of freedom(DOFs) to represent the geometrical detail of complex structures,thereby leading to incompatibility in the number of DOFs of experimental models.To bring them both to the same order while ensuring that the essential eigen-properties of the refined model match those of experimental models,an extended model refinement procedure is presented in this paper.Vibration testing of an offshore jacket platform model is performed to validate the applicability of the proposed approach.A full-order finite element model of the platform is established and then tuned to meet the measured modal properties identified from the acceleration signals.Both model reduction and modal expansion methods are investigated,as well as various scenarios of sensor arrangements.Upon completion of the refinement,the updated jacket platform model matches the natural frequencies of the measured model well.

Evaluation of the Impact of Refined Quality Control Management Model on the Qualified Rate of Disinfection and Sterilization of Surgical Instruments in the Sterilization Supply Center

Objective:To evaluate the application value of a refined quality control management model for a sterilization supply center.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the work situation of the sterilization supply center from January 2021 to January 2023.The work situation before January 31,2022,was classified as the control group;a routine quality control management model was implemented,and the work situation after January 31,2022,was classified as the observation group.The quality of medical device management and department satisfaction between the two groups were compared.Results:The timely recovery and supply rate,classification and cleaning pass rate,disinfection pass rate,packaging pass rate,sterilization pass rate,and department satisfaction score in the observation group were all higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementing a refined quality control management model in the sterilization supply center can improve the quality management level of medical devices and department satisfaction and is worthy of promotion.

Refined mathematical model for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams due to overtopping failure

Overtopping is one of the main reasons for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams(CFSGDs).In this study,a refined mathematical model was established based on the characteristics of the overtopping breaching of CFSGDs.The model characteristics were as follows:(1)Based on the Renormailzation Group(RNG)k-εturbulence theory and volume of fluid(VOF)method,the turbulent characteristics of the dam-break flow were simulated,and the erosion surface of the water and soil was tracked;(2)In consideration of the influence of the change in the sediment content on the dam-break flow,the dam material transport equation,which could reflect the characteristics of particle settlement and entrainment motion,was used to simulate the erosion process of the sand gravels;(3)Based on the bending moment balance method,a failure equation of the concrete face slab under dead weight and water load was established.The proposed model was verified through a case study on the failure of the Gouhou CFSGD.The results showed that the proposed model could well simulate the erosion mode of the special vortex flow of the CFSGD scouring the support body of the concrete face slab inward and reflect the mutual coupling relationship between the dam-break flow,sand gravels,and concrete face slabs.Compared with the measured values,the relative errors of the peak discharge,final breach average width,dam breaching duration,and maximum failure length of the face slab calculated using the proposed model were all less than 12%,thus verifying the rationality of the model.The proposed model was demonstrated to perform better and provide more detailed results than three selected parametric models and three simplified mathematical models.The study results can aid in establishing the risk level and devising early warning strategies for CFSGDs.

Supporting feature model refinement with updatable view

In the research of software reuse, feature models have been widely adopted to capture, organize and reuse the requirements of a set of similar applications in a software do- main. However, the construction, especially the refinement, of feature models is a labor-intensive process, and there lacks an effective way to aid domain engineers in refining feature models. In this paper, we propose a new approach to support interactive refinement of feature models based on the view updating technique. The basic idea of our approach is to first extract features and relationships of interest from a possibly large and complicated feature model, then organize them into a comprehensible view, and finally refine the feature model through modifications on the view. The main characteristics of this approach are twofold： a set of powerful rules （as the slicing criterion） to slice the feature model into a view auto- matically, and a novel use of a bidirectional transformation language to make the view updatable. We have successfully developed a tool, and a nontrivial case study shows the feasi- bility of this approach.

An iterative refinement method combining detector geometry optimization and diffraction model refinement in serial femtosecond crystallography

Background Recent advances in serial femtosecond crystallography(SFX)using X-ray free electron lasers(XFELs)have facilitated accurate structure determination for biological macromolecules.However,given the many fluctuations inherent in SFX,the acquisition of SFX data of sufficiently high quality still remains challenging.Method Aimed at enhancing the accuracy of SFX data,this study proposes an iterative refinement method to optimally match pairs of the observed and predicted reflections on the detector plane.This method features a combination of detector geometry optimization and diffraction model refinement in an alternate manner,concomitant with a cycle-by-cycle peak selection procedure.Result To demonstrate whether this iterative method is convergent and feasible,both numerical simulations and experimental tests have been performed.The results reveal that this method can gradually improve overall quality of the integrated SFX data and therefore accelerate the convergence of Monte Carlo integration,while simultaneously suppressing correlations inherent in certain parameters and precluding outliers to some extent during the refinement.Conclusion We have demonstrated that our iterative refinement method is applicable to both simulated and experimental SFX data.It is expected that this method could provide meaningful insights into the refinement of SFX data and take the step forward toward more accurate Monte Carlo integration.

A statistically refined Bouc-Wen model for the identification of structures under tri-directional seismic excitations

This paper presents a statistically refined Bouc-Wen model of tri-axial interactions for the identification of structural systems under tri-directional seismic excitations. Through limited vibration measurements in the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taiwan conducting model-based experiments, the 3-D Bouc-Wen model has been statistically and repetitively refined using the 95% confidence interval of the estimated structural parameters to determine their statistical significance in a multiple regression setting. When the parameters＇ confidence interval covers the ＂null＂ value, it is statistically sustainable to truncate such parameters. The remaining parameters will repetitively undergo such parameter sifting process for model refinement until all the parameters＇ statistical significance cannot be further improved. The effectiveness of the refined model has been shown considering the effects of sampling errors, of coupled restoring forces in tri-directions, and of the under-over-parameterization of structural systems. Sifted and estimated parameters such as the stiffness, and its corresponding natural frequency, resulting from the identification methodology developed in this study are carefully observed for system vibration control.

Combined back-analysis method of ground stress based on refined geological modeling

A new back-analysis method of ground stress is proposed with comprehensive consideration of influence of topography, geology and nonlinear physical mechanical properties of rock on ground stress. This method based on non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) technology provides the means to build a refined three-dimensional finite element model with more accurate meshing under complex terrain and geological conditions. Meanwhile, this method is a back-analysis of ground stress with combination of multivariable linear regression model and neural network (ANN) model. Firstly, the regression model is used to fit approximately boundary loads. Regarding the regressed loads as mean value, some sets of boundary loads with the same interval are constructed according to the principle of orthogonal design, to calculate the corresponding ground stress at the observation positions using finite element method. The results (boundary loads and the corresponding ground stress) are added to the samples for ANN training. And on this basis, an ANN model is established to implement higher precise back-analysis of initial ground stress. A practical application case shows that the relative error between the inversed ground stress and observed value is mostly less than 10 %, which can meet the need of engineering design and construction requirements.

Semiparametric Regression and Model Refining

This paper presents a semiparametric adjustment method suitable for general cases.Assuming that the regularizer matrix is positive definite,the calculation method is discussed and the corresponding formulae are presented.Finally,a simulated adjustment problem is constructed to explain the method given in this paper.The results from the semiparametric model and G_M model are compared.The results demonstrate that the model errors or the systematic errors of the observations can be detected correctly with the semiparametric estimate method.

Refined modeling and experimental verification of a torque motor for an electro-hydraulic servo valve

The Permanent Magnet Torque Motor(PMTM)is the key electro-mechanical conversion device in an Electro-Hydraulic Servo Valve(EHSV).In this work,a refined model of a PMTM is developed,considering the non-working air-gaps between the upper or lower yoke and the armature,the fringing effect at the limiting holes,and the nonlinear permeability of soft magnetic material.Based on the refined model,the influences of various factors on the calculation accuracy of the magnetic flux at the pole surfaces of the armature and the output torque are investigated.For verifying the validity of the refined model,a Finite Element Analysis(FEA)of the PMTM is conducted,and a test platform is constructed.Compared with existing models,the refined model can better reveal the intrinsic mechanism of the PMTM,and its calculations are more consistent with the FEA results.The experimental results of the armature deflection displacement show that the refined model can accurately describe the output characteristics of the PMTM.

Development and evaluation of the refined zenith tropospheric delay(ZTD)models

The tropospheric delay is a significant error source in Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)positioning and navigation.It is usually projected into zenith direction by using a mapping function.It is particularly important to establish a model that can provide stable and accurate Zenith Tropospheric Delay(ZTD).Because of the regional accuracy difference and poor stability of the traditional ZTD models,this paper proposed two methods to refine the Hopfield and Saastamoinen ZTD models.One is by adding annual and semi-annual periodic terms and the other is based on Back-Propagation Artificial Neutral Network(BP-ANN).Using 5-year data from 2011 to 2015 collected at 67 GNSS reference stations in China and its surrounding regions,the four refined models were constructed.The tropospheric products at these GNSS stations were derived from the site-wise Vienna Mapping Function 1(VMP1).The spatial analysis,temporal analysis,and residual distribution analysis for all the six models were conducted using the data from 2016 to 2017.The results show that the refined models can effectively improve the accuracy compared with the traditional models.For the Hopfield model,the improvement for the Root Mean Square Error(RMSE)and bias reached 24.5/49.7 and 34.0/52.8 mm,respectively.These values became 8.8/26.7 and 14.7/28.8 mm when the Saastamoinen model was refined using the two methods.This exploration is conducive to GNSS navigation and positioning and GNSS meteorology by providing more accurate tropospheric prior information.

Refined model analysis of basement rock degradation mechanism of heavy-haul railway tunnel

This study investigated the degradation mechanism of the surrounding rock of a heavy-haul railway under a water-rich condition,based on the construction of the Taihangshan tunnel for the Wari Railway,a heavy-haul railway that used standard construction practices for axle loads of 30 t.Remote monitoring demonstrated that the coupling effect between the dynamic load of a heavy-haul train and the groundwater leads to the deterioration and hollowing of the surrounding rock.This study clarified the void evolution process and deterioration mechanism of the basement rock under the comprehensive influence of the groundwater–train dynamic load using a refined discrete element numerical simulation.The results revealed that the groundwater was the primary influencing factor in the deterioration of the lower part of the heavy-haul railway tunnel.Rock particles were gradually lost under the effects of long-term erosion due to groundwater and heavy-haul trains,which inevitably damaged the basement rock after the construction was completed.Based on this observation,the critical conditions for the deterioration and attenuation law of the physical parameters of the basement rock were obtained.The results of this study can provide ideas and serve as a reference for the forecasting and disaster treatment of basement rock damage in heavy-haul railway tunnels.

Large-scale two-dimensional nonlinear FE analysis on PGA amplification effect with depth and focusing effect of Fuzhou Basin

Based on the explicit finite element(FE) method and platform of ABAQUS,considering both the inhomogeneity of soils and concave-convex fluctuation of topography,a large-scale refined two-dimensional(2D) FE nonlinear analytical model for Fuzhou Basin was established.The peak ground motion acceleration(PGA) and focusing effect with depth were analyzed.Meanwhile,the results by wave propagation of one-dimensional(1D) layered medium equivalent linearization method were added for contrast.The results show that:1) PGA at different depths are obviously amplified compared to the input ground motion,amplification effect of both funnel-shaped depression and upheaval areas(based on the shape of bedrock surface) present especially remarkable.The 2D results indicate that the PGA displays a non-monotonic decreasing with depth and a greater focusing effect of some particular layers,while the 1D results turn out that the PGA decreases with depth,except that PGA at few particular depth increases abruptly; 2) To the funnel-shaped depression areas,PGA amplification effect above 8 m depth shows relatively larger,to the upheaval areas,PGA amplification effect from 15 m to 25 m depth seems more significant.However,the regularities of the PGA amplification effect could hardly be found in the rest areas; 3) It appears a higher regression rate of PGA amplification coefficient with depth when under a smaller input motion; 4) The frequency spectral characteristic of input motion has noticeable effects on PGA amplification tendency.

THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON REFINED FLOW MODELLING AND TURBULENCE MEASUREMENTS

The Fourth International Symposium on Refined Flow Modelling and TurbulenceMeasurements organized by International Association for Hydraulic Research(IAHR),and co-sponsored by a group of Chinese Institutes headed by Wuhan University ofHydraulic & Eiectric Engineering and Chinese Institute of Water Conservancy andHydroelectric Power Research is to be held on September 20-23,1990 at Wuhan City,People’s Republic of China.The Symposium is intended for presentation discussion and exchange of viewsbetween international colleagues on a wide scope of frontier problems regardingrefined flow modelling and turbulence measurements.The main topics are:

Advanced modeling of embedded piezo-electric transducers for the health-monitoring of layered structures

The present paper presents an innovative approach for the numerical modeling of piezo-electric transducers for the health-monitoring of layered structures.The numerical approach has been developed in the frameworks of the Carrera Unified Formulation.This computa-tional tool allows refined numerical models to be derived in a unified and efficient fashion.The use of higher-order models and the cap-ability to connect different kinematic models using the node-depen-dent kinematic approach has led to an efficient modeling technique for global-local analysis.This approach can refine the model only in those regions where it is required,e.g.,the areas where piezo-electric transducers are placed.The model has been used to study embedded and surface-mounted sensors.The accuracy of the pre-sent model has been verified by comparing the current results with numerical and experimental data from the literature.Different mod-eling solutions have been developed,mixing one-,two-and threedimensional finite elements.The results show that the use of the present modeling technique allows the computational cost to be reduced with respect to the classical approaches preserving the ccuracy of the results in the critical areas.

Pull-through capacity of bolted thin steel plate

The loading capacity in the axial direction of a bolted thin steel plate was investigated.A refined numerical model of bolt was first constructed and then validated using existing experiment results.Parametrical analysis was performed to reveal the influences of geometric parameters,including the effective depth of the cap nut,the yield strength of the steel plate,the preload of the bolt,and shear force,on the ultimate loading capacity.Then,an analytical method was proposed to predict the ultimate load of the bolted thin steel plate.Results derived using the numerical and analytical methods were compared and the results indicated that the analytical method can accurately predict the pull-through capacity of bolted thin steel plates.The work reported in this paper can provide a simplified calculation method for the loading capacity in the axial direction of a bolt.