Randomized Algorithms for Probabilistic Optimal Robust Performance Controller Design

Polynomial-time randomized algorithms were constructed to approximately solve optimal robust performance controller design problems in probabilistic sense and the rigorous mathematical justification of the approach was given. The randomized algorithms here were based on a property from statistical learning theory known as (uniform) convergence of empirical means (UCEM). It is argued that in order to assess the performance of a controller as the plant varies over a pre-specified family, it is better to use the average performance of the controller as the objective function to be optimized, rather than its worst-case performance. The approach is illustrated to be efficient through an example.

PERFORMANCE-BASED INTELLIGENT RESOURCE DESCRIPTION MODEL FOR INTERNET-BASED PRODUCT DESIGN

Issues on intelligent resource description and multiple intelligent resources integration for lntemet based collaborative design are analyzed. A performance-based intelligent resource description model for lnternet-based product design is proposed, which can help to create, store, manipulate and exchange intelligent resource description information for applications, tools and systems in Interact-based product design. A method to integrate multiple intelligent resources to fulfill a complex product design and analysis via lntemet is also proposed. A real project for improving the bearing system design of a turbo-expander with many intelligent resources in prominent universities is presented as a case study.

A Simple Mix Proportion Design Method Based on Frost Durability for Recycled High Performance Concrete Using Fully Coarse Recycled Aggregate

Durability design of recycled high performance concrete（RHPC） is fundamental for improving the use rate and level of concrete waste as coarse recycled aggregate（CRA）. We discussed a frostdurability-based mix proportion design method for RHPC using 100 % CRA and natural sand. Five groups of RHPC mixes with five strength grades（40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 MPa） were produced using CRA with four quality classes, and their workability, 28 d compressive strengths and frost resistances（measured by the compressive strength loss ratio and the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity） were tested. Relationships between the 28 d compressive strength, the frost resistance and the CRA quality characteristic parameter, water absorption, were then developed. The criterion of a CRA maximum water absorption limit value for RHPC was suggested, independent of its source and quality class. The results show that all RHPC mixes achieve the expected target workability, strength, and frost durability. The research results demonstrate that the application of the proposed method does not require trial testing prior to use.

Satellite constellation design with genetic algorithms based on system performance

Satellite constellation design for space optical systems is essentially a multiple-objective optimization problem. In this work, to tackle this challenge, we first categorize the performance metrics of the space optical system by taking into account the system tasks（i.e., target detection and tracking）. We then propose a new non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm（NSGA） to maximize the system surveillance performance. Pareto optimal sets are employed to deal with the conflicts due to the presence of multiple cost functions. Simulation results verify the validity and the improved performance of the proposed technique over benchmark methods.

Ground Motion and Site Effects on Performance-Based Design

The objective of Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering （PBEE） is the analysis of performance objectives with a specified annual probability of exceedance. Increasingly undesirable performance is caused by increasing levels of strong ground motion having decreasing annual probabilities of exceedance. The development of this methodology includes three steps： （1） evaluation of the distribution of ground motion at a site; （2） evaluation of the distribution of system response; （3） evaluation of the probability of exceeding decision variables within a given time period, given appropriate damage measures. The work has taken a systematic approach to determine the impact of increasing levels of detail in site characterization on the accuracy of ground motion and site effects predictions. Complementary studies have investigated the use of the following models for evaluating site effects： （1） amplification factors defined on the basis of generalized site categories, （2） one-dimensional ground response analysis, and （3） two-dimensional ground response analysis for surface topography on ground motion. The paper provides a brief synthesis of ground motion and site effects analysis procedures within a Performance-Based Design framework. It focuses about the influence on the evaluation of site effects in some active regions by different shear waves velocity measurements Down Hole （D-H）, Cross Hole （C-H）, Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Test （SDMT） and by different variation of shear modulus and damping ratio with strain level and depth from different laboratory dynamic tests for soil characterization： Resonant Column Test （RCT）, Cyclic Loading Torsional Shear Test （CLTST）.

Analysis on the development of chemically-improved soil in railway engineering

Purpose-Explore the development trend of chemically-improved soil in railway engineering.Design/methodology/approach–In this paper,the technical standards home and abroad were analyzed.Laboratory test,field test and monitoring were carried out.Findings–The performance design system of the chemically-improved soil should be established.Originality/value–On the basis of the performance design,the test methods and standards for various properties of chemically-improved soil should be established to evaluate the improvement effect and control the engineering quality.

Parametric study on performance of bridge retrofitted by unseating prevention devices

Over the past decade, seismically induced damage to bridges has been widely reported following major earthquakes such as the 1994 Northridge, 1995 Kobe and 1999 Chi-Chi events. Since these earthquakes, restrainers and stoppers have been installed on bridges to prevent unseating and excessive displacements, respectively. Alternatively, column jacketing has also been proven to be effective. However, the enhanced shear strength may result in extra retrofitting works on the footing. For bridges damaged in the Chi-Chi earthquake, investigations revealed that most bridge columns experienced none-to-minor damage in the longitudinal direction. The reason for this unexpected performance was the construction practice of using a rubber bearing, which is an unbolted design that may slide under large lateral forces. In this paper, parametric studies on simply-supported bridges retrofitted by a restrainer or concrete shear key along the longitudinal and transverse axes were carried out. The research focuses on finding suitable combinations of the design force and gap spacing so the restrainer and concrete shear key can be used as an unseating prevention device, with respect to the allowable column damage in terms of displacement ductility under near-fault type earthquakes. A two-lane PCI-girder bridge was selected as the benchmark model. In the longitudinal direction, a total of nine combinations considering yielding strength and gap spacing for the restrainer were analyzed; while parameters for the concrete shear key were divided into three shear force levels and three gap spacings. In the transverse direction, a similar approach was adapted, except smaller gap spacing was used. For each of the above mentioned earthquakes, seven input ground motions were selected and their PGAs were adjusted to 0.36g and 0.45g as the Design earthquake and Maximum Considerable Earthquake, respectively. Based on the results of nonlinear time history analyses, proper parameters to design the restrainers and concrete shear keys are obtained. Responses obtained from numerical simulations under the Chi-Chi earthquake leaded to new implications to design those devices. Restrainer should not exceed its breaking strain and sufficient unseating length will be needed always. Concrete Shear key was determined by considering both displacement demand of the superstructure and displacement ductility of the column at the same time. Further study is needed to provide optimal design parameters for use in performance based bridge design.

Computer Assisted Designing System for Hands and Formability of Worsted Fabrics

Equations that can predict worsted fabrics’ properties such as bending, shearing, compression, surface and tension, were achieved by means of theoretical and experimental studies. By combining these equations with Kawabata’s hand and silhouette evaluation methods, a software system was established. Then the mechanical properties, hand and silhouette of a fabric can be predicted quickly and accurately in terms of fiber configurations, yarn and fabric structures. The predictive result if unsatisfied can be revised by the function of “Help for designing modification”.

Soil Uncertainties on Performance of Geotechnical Works

Performance-Based Design （PBD） is a more rational approach, particularly in seismic environments. In this approach it is relevant the performance required to structures and to geotechnical works, as well as the geotechnical constitutive models used to predict the performance. The parameters of the constitutive models are related in turn to soil properties. So soil properties are a key point for Performance-Based Design. Questions arising are： （i） which are the more relevant soil properties to solve a specific PBD geotechnical problem？ （ii） which are the more relevant model parameters and how they can be evaluated and/or correlated to soil properties？ （iii） which is the role of the soil parameters uncertainty in Performance-Based Design？ An answer to these questions is given in this paper, outlining the potential offered by the new advanced in-situ and laboratory tests and discussing the performance required by some geotechnical works.

Full-face excavation of large tunnels in difficult conditions

Following a few preliminary remarks on the tunneling methods at the beginning of the 20th century, thesuccessful applications of the full-face method also in difficult conditions are underlined. The attention isposed on the use of a systematic reinforcement of the face and of the ground, by means of fiber-glasselements. A selection of tunnels where this method was used successfully is reported with the purposeof illustrating the wide spectrum of ground conditions where it has been applied. Then, following adescription of the main concepts behind the method, the attention moves from the so-called “heavymethod”, where deformations are restrained, to the “light method”, where deformations are allowedwith the intention to decrease the stresses acting on the primary and final linings. The progress in theapplication of the “light method” is underlined, up to the development of a novel technique, which relieson the use of a yielding support composed of top head steel sets with sliding joints and specialdeformable elements inserted in the primary lining. The well-known case study of the Saint Martin LaPorte access adit, along the Lyon-Turin Base Tunnel, is described. In this tunnel, a yield-control supportsystem combined with full-face excavation has been adopted successfully in order to cope with the largedeformations experienced during face advance through the Carboniferous formation. The monitoringresults obtained during excavation are illustrated, together with the modeling studies performed whenpaying attention to the rock mass time-dependent behavior.

Design and Performance of an Improved Trapped Vortex Combustor

A trapped vortex combustor （TVC） has been a very promising novel concept for it offers improvements in lean blow out, altitude relight, operating range, as well as a potential to decrease NOx emissions compared to conventional combustors. The present paper discusses the improved designs of the new combustor over the prior ones of our research group, including that：a） the over-all dimensions, both axial and radial, are reduced to those of an actual aero-engine combustor; b） the air flow distribution is optimized, and especially 15% of the air is fed into the liner as cooling air; c） a straight-wall diffuser with divergence angle 9°is added. A series of experiments （cavity-fueled only, under atmospheric pressure） has been conducted to investigate the performance of the improved TVC. Experimental results show that at the inlet temperature of 523 K, the inlet pressure of 0.1 MPa, stable operation of the TVC test rig is observed for the Mach number 0.15-0.34, indicating good flame stability; the combustion efficiency obtained in this paper falls into the range of 60%-96%; as the total excess air ratio increases, the combustion efficiency decreases, while the increase of the inlet temperature is beneficial to high combustion efficiency; besides, the optimal Mach numbers for high combustion efficiency under different inlet conditions are confirmed. The outlet temperature profiles feature a bottom in the midheight of the exit. This paper demonstrates the feasibility for the TVC to be applied to a realistic aero-engine preliminarily and provides reference for TVC design.

THE DAVID LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER:HOW GREEN BUILDING DESIGN AND OPERATIONS CAN SAVE MONEY,DRIVE LOCAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY,AND TRANSFORM AN INDUSTRY

INTRODUCTION When the David L.Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh was completed in 2003,it was one of largest green buildings in the country.Its success proved that sustainability principles could be integrated into a breathtaking and high-performing design.Using almost a decade of performance data,this study,led by evolveEA,was commissioned to understand the level of building performance and the return on the initial investment in sustainability.With input from Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics,CJL Engineering,and Civil and Environmental Consultants,the Buildings-in-Operation(BiO)study demonstrates that.

终压变动对变转速汽轮机功率的影响

本文讨论变转速汽轮机终压变动时其功率变化的规律.通过在汽轮机机组上的试验,验证了导出的公式,这些公式具有推广意义.结论指出:变转速汽轮机功率的变化只受终压的影响.

Expected Sliding Distance of Vertical Slit Caisson Breakwater

Evaluating the expected sliding distance of a vertical slit caisson breakwater is proposed. Time history for the wave load to a vertical slit caisson is made. It consists of two impulsive wave pressures followed by a smooth sinusoidal pressure. In the numerical analysis, the sliding distance for an attack of single wave was shown and the expected sliding distance during 50 years was also presented. Those results were compared with a vertical front caisson breakwater without slit. It was concluded that the sliding distance of a vertical slit caisson may be over-estimated if the wave pressure on the caisson is evaluated without considering vertical slit.

Cyclone separation in a supercritical water circulating fluidized bed reactor for coallbiomass gasification： Structural design and numerical analysis

A new concept of a supercritical water （SCW） circulating fiuidized bed reactor is proposed to produce hydrogen from coal/biomass gasification. The cyclone is a key component of the reactor system, in this paper, cyclones with a single circular inlet （SCI） or a double circular inlet （DCI） were designed to adapt to the supercritical conditions. We evaluated the separation performance of the two cyclones using numerical simulations. A three-dimensional Reynolds stress model was used to simulate the turbulent flow of the fluid, and a stochastic Lagrangian model was used to simulate the particle motion. The flow fields of both cyclones were three-dimensionally unsteady and similar to those of traditional gas-solid cyclones. Secondary circulation phenomena were discovered and their influence on particle separation was estimated. Analyzing the distribution of the turbulence kinetic energy revealed that the most intensive turbulence existed in the zone near the vortex finder while the flow in the central part was relatively stable. The particle concentration distribution was non-uniform because of centrifugal forces. The distribution area can be divided into three parts according to the motion of the particles. In addition, the separation efficiency of both cyclones increased with the inlet SCaN velocity. Because of its perturbance flow, the DCI separator had higher separation efficiency than the SCI separator under comparable simulations. However, this was at the expense of a higher pressure drop across the cyclone.

Photoelectric characteristics of an inverse U-shape buried doping design for crosstalk suppression in pinned photodiodes

A design of an inverse U-shape buried doping in a pinned photodiode （PPD） of CMOS image sensors is proposed for electrical crosstalk suppression between adjacent pixels. The architecture achieves no extra fill factor consumption, and proper built-in electric fields can be established according to the doping gradient created by the injections of the extremely low P-type doping buried regions in the epitaxial layer, causing the excess electrons to easily drift back to the photosensitive area rarely with a diffusion probability; the overall junction capacitance and photosensitive area extensions for a full well capacity （FWC） and internal quantum efficiency （IQE） improving are achieved by the injection of a buried N-type doping. By considering the image lag issue, the process parameters of all the injections have been precisely optimized. Optical simulation results based on the finite difference time domain method show that compared to the conventional PPD, the electrical crosstalk rate of the proposed architecture can be decreased by 60%-80% at an incident wavelength beyond 450 nm, IQE can be clearly improved at an incident wavelength between 400 and 600 nm, and the FWC can be enhanced by 107.5%. Furthermore, the image lag performance is sustained to a perfect low level. The present study provides important guidance on the design of ultra high resolution image sensors.

Sustainability of steel structures:towards an integrated approach to life-time engineering design

Nowadays,the construction sector is more and more oriented toward the promotion of sustainability in all its activities.The goal to achieve is the optimization of performances,over the whole life-cycle,with respect to environmental,economic and social requirements.According to the latest advances,the concept of sustainability applied to constructions covers a number of branches such as life-cycle costing,ecology,durability and even structural design.Several procedures and design tools have been implemented in the framework of international research.Indeed the current trend in civil engineering research is moving towards life-time engineering,with the aim to implement integrated methodologies to consider as a whole all the sustainability requirements according to time-dependent multi-performance-based design approaches.Following a general introduction of the concept of sustainability applied to constructions,this paper presents an overview of life-time engineering methodologies according to the current state-of-the-art.In particular the methods currently received by International Standards are discussed.A special focus is devoted to the durability design of metal structures with respect to the degradation phenomena able to impair the structural capacity over time.Finally a proposal towards an integrated approach to life-time engineering design of steel structures and needs for further advances are presented.

Editing landscapes:Experimental frameworks for territorial-based robotic fabrication

With the advent of on-site robotic tools,they can be deployed for editing landscapes e defined as the modulation of grounds with a high degree of sensitivity to matter and form.The paper contributes a theoretical grounding and two experimental frameworks for territorial-based robotic fabrication.Each experimental framework supports a robotic capacity for informing and forming grounds,demonstrated in relation to extreme territories using simulation setups.The frameworks include(1)a layer-sensitive modulation for protecting topsoil and(2)a performance-based robotic forming for creating wind barriers.For each framework,the paper proposes a setup,an exploration method,and an evaluation process.Drawing on the presented frameworks,the paper outlines three potentials of territorialbased robotic fabrication:the capability to modulate grounds vertically,the possibility to perform cross-scalar forming,and the opportunity to form dynamic,performative landscapes.The paper concludes with potential ways in which robotic tools could be leveraged for advancing precise landscape editing across scales.

Development and application of a throughflow method for high-loaded axial flow compressors

In this paper, a novel engineering platform for throughflow analysis based on streamline curvature approach is developed for the research of a 5-stage compressor. The method includes several types of improved loss and deviation angle models, which are combined with the authors' adjustments for the purpose of reflecting the influences of three-dimensional internal flow in high-loaded multistage compressors with higher accuracy. In order to validate the reliability and robustness of the method, a series of test cases, including a subsonic compressor P&W 3S1, a transonic rotor NASA Rotor 1B and especially an advanced high pressure core compressor GE E^3 HPC, are conducted. Then the computation procedure is applied to the research of a 5-stage compressor which is designed for developing an industrial gas turbine. The overall performance and aerodynamic configuration predicted by the procedure, both at design- and part-speed conditions, are analyzed and compared with experimental results, which show a good agreement. Further discussion regarding the universality of the method compared with CFD is made afterwards. The throughflow method is verified as a reliable and convenient tool for aerodynamic design and performance prediction of modern high-loaded compressors. This method is also qualified for use in the further optimization of the 5-stage compressor.

What is going on in magnesium alloys？

China has been developed into one of the most active regions in terms of both fundamental and applied research on magnesium （Mg） and its alloys in the world from a solid base laid by its prominent metallurgist and materials scientists over the past decades. Nowadays, a large number of young-generation researchers have been inspired by their predecessors and become the key participants in the fields of Mg alloys, which consequently led to the establishment of China Youth Scholar Society for Magnesium Alloys Research in 2015. Since then, the first two China Youth Scholars Symposiums on Mg Alloys Research had been held at Harbin （2015） and Chongqing （2016） China, respectively. A number of crucial research inter- ests related to fundamental and applied Mg research were discussed at the conferences and summarized in this short perspective, aiming to boost far-reaching initiatives for development of new Mg-based materials to satisfy the requirements for a broad range of industrial employments. Herein, four main aspects are included as follows： i） Plastic deformation mechanism and strengthening strategy, ii） Design and development of new Mg-based materials, iii） Key service properties, and iv） New processing technologies.