Efficient slope reliability and sensitivity analysis using quantile-based first-order second-moment method

This paper introduces a novel approach for parameter sensitivity evaluation and efficient slope reliability analysis based on quantile-based first-order second-moment method(QFOSM).The core principles of the QFOSM are elucidated geometrically from the perspective of expanding ellipsoids.Based on this geometric interpretation,the QFOSM is further extended to estimate sensitivity indices and assess the significance of various uncertain parameters involved in the slope system.The proposed method has the advantage of computational simplicity,akin to the conventional first-order second-moment method(FOSM),while providing estimation accuracy close to that of the first-order reliability method(FORM).Its performance is demonstrated with a numerical example and three slope examples.The results show that the proposed method can efficiently estimate the slope reliability and simultaneously evaluate the sensitivity of the uncertain parameters.The proposed method does not involve complex optimization or iteration required by the FORM.It can provide a valuable complement to the existing approximate reliability analysis methods,offering rapid sensitivity evaluation and slope reliability analysis.

Euler’s First-Order Explicit Method–Peridynamic Differential Operator for Solving Population Balance Equations of the Crystallization Process

Using Euler’s first-order explicit(EE)method and the peridynamic differential operator(PDDO)to discretize the time and internal crystal-size derivatives,respectively,the Euler’s first-order explicit method–peridynamic differential operator(EE–PDDO)was obtained for solving the one-dimensional population balance equation in crystallization.Four different conditions during crystallization were studied:size-independent growth,sizedependent growth in a batch process,nucleation and size-independent growth,and nucleation and size-dependent growth in a continuous process.The high accuracy of the EE–PDDO method was confirmed by comparing it with the numerical results obtained using the second-order upwind and HR-van methods.The method is characterized by non-oscillation and high accuracy,especially in the discontinuous and sharp crystal size distribution.The stability of the EE–PDDO method,choice of weight function in the PDDO method,and optimal time step are also discussed.

A POSTERIORI ERROR ESTIMATE OF THE DSD METHOD FOR FIRST-ORDER HYPERBOLIC EQUATIONS

A posteriori error estimate of the discontinuous-streamline diffusion method for first-order hyperbolic equations was presented, which can be used to adjust space mesh reasonably. A numerical example is given to illustrate the accuracy and feasibility of this method.

Fast First-Order Methods for Minimizing Convex Composite Functions

Two new versions of accelerated first-order methods for minimizing convex composite functions are proposed. In this paper, we first present an accelerated first-order method which chooses the step size 1/ Lk to be 1/ L0 at the beginning of each iteration and preserves the computational simplicity of the fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm. The first proposed algorithm is a non-monotone algorithm. To avoid this behavior, we present another accelerated monotone first-order method. The proposed two accelerated first-order methods are proved to have a better convergence rate for minimizing convex composite functions. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed two accelerated first-order methods.

Comparative Studies between Picard’s and Taylor’s Methods of Numerical Solutions of First Ordinary Order Differential Equations Arising from Real-Life Problems

To solve the first-order differential equation derived from the problem of a free-falling object and the problem arising from Newton’s law of cooling, the study compares the numerical solutions obtained from Picard’s and Taylor’s series methods. We have carried out a descriptive analysis using the MATLAB software. Picard’s and Taylor’s techniques for deriving numerical solutions are both strong mathematical instruments that behave similarly. All first-order differential equations in standard form that have a constant function on the right-hand side share this similarity. As a result, we can conclude that Taylor’s approach is simpler to use, more effective, and more accurate. We will contrast Rung Kutta and Taylor’s methods in more detail in the following section.

Fuzzy stochastic generalized reliability studies on embankment systems based on first-order approximation theorem

In order to address the complex uncertainties caused by interfacing between the fuzziness and randomness of the safety problem for embankment engineering projects, and to evaluate the safety of embankment engineering projects more scientifically and reasonably, this study presents the fuzzy logic modeling of the stochastic finite element method （SFEM） based on the harmonious finite element （HFE） technique using a first-order approximation theorem. Fuzzy mathematical models of safety repertories were introduced into the SFEM to analyze the stability of embankments and foundations in order to describe the fuzzy failure procedure for the random safety performance function. The fuzzy models were developed with membership functions with half depressed gamma distribution, half depressed normal distribution, and half depressed echelon distribution. The fuzzy stochastic mathematical algorithm was used to comprehensively study the local failure mechanism of the main embankment section near Jingnan in the Yangtze River in terms of numerical analysis for the probability integration of reliability on the random field affected by three fuzzy factors. The result shows that the middle region of the embankment is the principal zone of concentrated failure due to local fractures. There is also some local shear failure on the embankment crust. This study provides a referential method for solving complex multi-uncertainty problems in engineering safety analysis.

First-order reversal curves of magnetic recording tapes

The interaction and its variation between magnetic grains in two kinds of magnetic recording tapes are investigated by first-order reversal curves （FORC） and the 5M method. The composition and microstructure of the samples are characterised by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The FORC diagram can provide more accurate information of the interaction and its variation, but the 5M curves cannot. The positive interaction field and the large variation of the interaction field have opposite effects on the δM curve.

Meshfree First-order System Least Squares

We prove convergence for a meshfree first-order system least squares(FOSLS) partition of unity finite element method(PUFEM).Essentially,by virtue of the partition of unity,local approximation gives rise to global approximation in H(div)∩H(curl). The FOSLS formulation yields local a posteriori error estimates to guide the judicious allotment of new degrees of freedom to enrich the initial point set in a meshfree dis- cretization.Preliminary numerical results are provided and remaining challenges are discussed.

Finite Element Approach for the Solution of First-Order Differential Equations

The finite element method has established itself as an efficient numerical procedure for the solution of arbitrary-shaped field problems in space. Basically, the finite element method transforms the underlying differential equation into a system of algebraic equations by application of the method of weighted residuals in conjunction with a finite element ansatz. However, this procedure is restricted to even-ordered differential equations and leads to symmetric system matrices as a key property of the finite element method. This paper aims in a generalization of the finite element method towards the solution of first-order differential equations. This is achieved by an approach which replaces the first-order derivative by fractional powers of operators making use of the square root of a Sturm-Liouville operator. The resulting procedure incorporates a finite element formulation and leads to a symmetric but dense system matrix. Finally, the scheme is applied to the barometric equation where the results are compared with the analytical solution and other numerical approaches. It turns out that the resulting numerical scheme shows excellent convergence properties.

Numerical Analysis of Upwind Difference Schemes for Two-Dimensional First-Order Hyperbolic Equations with Variable Coefficients

In this paper, we consider the initial-boundary value problem of two-dimensional first-order linear hyperbolic equation with variable coefficients. By using the upwind difference method to discretize the spatial derivative term and the forward and backward Euler method to discretize the time derivative term, the explicit and implicit upwind difference schemes are obtained respectively. It is proved that the explicit upwind scheme is conditionally stable and the implicit upwind scheme is unconditionally stable. Then the convergence of the schemes is derived. Numerical examples verify the results of theoretical analysis.

Linear Quadratic Optimal Control for Systems Governed by First-Order Hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations

This paper focuses on linear-quadratic(LQ)optimal control for a class of systems governed by first-order hyperbolic partial differential equations(PDEs).Different from most of the previous works,an approach of discretization-then-continuousization is proposed in this paper to cope with the infinite-dimensional nature of PDE systems.The contributions of this paper consist of the following aspects:(1)The differential Riccati equations and the solvability condition of the LQ optimal control problems are obtained via the discretization-then-continuousization method.(2)A numerical calculation way of the differential Riccati equations and a practical design way of the optimal controller are proposed.Meanwhile,the relationship between the optimal costate and the optimal state is established by solving a set of forward and backward partial difference equations(FBPDEs).(3)The correctness of the method used in this paper is verified by a complementary continuous method and the comparative analysis with the existing operator results is presented.It is shown that the proposed results not only contain the classic results of the standard LQ control problem of systems governed by ordinary differential equations as a special case,but also support the existing operator results and give a more convenient form of computation.

The Numerical Accuracy Analysis of Asymptotic Homogenization Method and Multiscale Finite Element Method for Periodic Composite Materials

In this paper,we discuss the numerical accuracy of asymptotic homogenization method(AHM)and multiscale finite element method(MsFEM)for periodic composite materials.Through numerical calculation of the model problems for four kinds of typical periodic composite materials,the main factors to determine the accuracy of first-order AHM and second-order AHM are found,and the physical interpretation of these factors is given.Furthermore,the way to recover multiscale solutions of first-order AHM and MsFEM is theoretically analyzed,and it is found that first-order AHM and MsFEM provide similar multiscale solutions under some assumptions.Finally,numerical experiments verify that MsFEM is essentially a first-order multiscale method for periodic composite materials.

Free vibration and critical speed of moderately thick rotating laminated composite conical shell using generalized differential quadrature method

The generalized differential quadrature method （GDQM） is employed to con- sider the free vibration and critical speed of moderately thick rotating laminated compos- ite conical shells with different boundary conditions developed from the first-order shear deformation theory （FSDT）. The equations of motion are obtained applying Hamilton＇s concept, which contain the influence of the centrifugal force, the Coriolis acceleration, and the preliminary hoop stress. In addition, the axial load is applied to the conical shell as a ratio of the global critical buckling load. The governing partial differential equations are given in the expressions of five components of displacement related to the points ly- ing on the reference surface of the shell. Afterward, the governing differential equations are converted into a group of algebraic equations by using the GDQM. The outcomes are achieved considering the effects of stacking sequences, thickness of the shell, rotating velocities, half-vertex cone angle, and boundary conditions. Furthermore, the outcomes indicate that the rate of the convergence of frequencies is swift, and the numerical tech- nique is superior stable. Three comparisons between the selected outcomes and those of other research are accomplished, and excellent agreement is achieved.

Precise integration method for solving singular perturbation problems

This paper presents a precise method for solving singularly perturbed boundary-value problems with the boundary layer at one end. The method divides the interval evenly and gives a set of algebraic equations in a matrix form by the precise integration relationship of each segment. Substituting the boundary conditions into the algebraic equations, the coefficient matrix can be transformed to the block tridiagonal matrix. Considering the nature of the problem, an efficient reduction method is given for solving singular perturbation problems. Since the precise integration relationship introduces no discrete error in the discrete process, the present method has high precision. Numerical examples show the validity of the present method.

A note on a family of proximal gradient methods for quasi-static incremental problems in elastoplastic analysis

Accelerated proximal gradient methods have recently been developed for solving quasi-static incremental problems of elastoplastic analysis with some different yield criteria.It has been demonstrated through numerical experiments that these methods can outperform conventional optimization-based approaches in computational plasticity.However,in literature these algorithms are described individually for specific yield criteria,and hence there exists no guide for application of the algorithms to other yield criteria.This short paper presents a general form of algorithm design,independent of specific forms of yield criteria,that unifies the existing proximal gradient methods.Clear interpretation is also given to each step of the presented general algorithm so that each update rule is linked to the underlying physical laws in terms of mechanical quantities.

A New Modification of the Method of Lines for First Order Hyperbolic PDEs

A new modification of the Method of Lines is proposed for the solution of first order partial differential equations. The accuracy of the method is shown with the matrix analysis. The method is applied to a number of test problems, on uniform grids, to compare the accuracy and computational efficiency with the standard method.

P-and S-wavefield simulations using both the firstand second-order separated wave equations through a high-order staggered grid finite-difference method

In seismic exploration, it is common practice to separate the P-wavefield from the S-wavefield by the elastic wavefield decomposition technique, for imaging purposes. However, it is sometimes difficult to achieve this, especially when the velocity field is complex. A useful approach in multi-component analysis and modeling is to directly solve the elastic wave equations for the pure P- or S-wavefields, referred as the separate elastic wave equa- tions. In this study, we compare two kinds of such wave equations： the first-order （velocity-stress） and the second- order （displacement-stress） separate elastic wave equa- tions, with the first-order （velocity-stress） and the second- order （displacement-stress） full （or mixed） elastic wave equations using a high-order staggered grid finite-differ- ence method. Comparisons are given of wavefield snap- shots, common-source gather seismic sections, and individual synthetic seismogram. The simulation tests show that equivalent results can be obtained, regardless of whether the first-order or second-order separate elastic wave equations are used for obtaining the pure P- or S-wavefield. The stacked pure P- and S-wavefields are equal to the mixed wave fields calculated using the corre- sponding first-order or second-order full elastic wave equations. These mixed equations are computationallyslightly less expensive than solving the separate equations. The attraction of the separate equations is that they achieve separated P- and S-wavefields which can be used to test the efficacy of wave decomposition procedures in multi-com- ponent processing. The second-order separate elastic wave equations are a good choice because they offer information on the pure P-wave or S-wave displacements.

An Optimization Model for the Strip-packing Problem and Its Augmented Lagrangian Method

This paper formulates a two-dimensional strip packing problem as a non- linear programming （NLP） problem and establishes the first-order optimality conditions for the NLP problem. A numerical algorithm for solving this NLP problem is given to find exact solutions to strip-packing problems involving up to 10 items. Approximate solutions can be found for big-sized problems by decomposing the set of items into small-sized blocks of which each block adopts the proposed numerical algorithm. Numerical results show that the approximate solutions to big-sized problems obtained by this method are superior to those by NFDH, FFDH and BFDH approaches.

Structural Reliability Assessment by a Modified Spectral Stochastic Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin Method

This study presents a new tool for solving stochastic boundary-value problems. This tool is created by modify the previous spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method using the MLPG5 scheme. This modified spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method is selectively applied to predict the structural failure probability with the uncertainty in the spatial variability of mechanical properties. Except for the MLPG5 scheme, deriving the proposed spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin formulation adopts generalized polynomial chaos expansions of random mechanical properties. Predicting the structural failure probability is based on the first-order reliability method. Further comparing the spectral stochastic finite element-based and meshless local Petrov-Galerkin-based predicted structural failure probabilities indicates that the proposed spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method predicts the more accurate structural failure probability than the spectral stochastic finite element method does. In addition, generating spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin results are considerably time-saving than generating Monte-Carlo simulation results does. In conclusion, the spectral stochastic meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method serves as a time-saving tool for solving stochastic boundary-value problems sufficiently accurately.

Damper placement for seismic control of super-long-span suspension bridges based on the first-order optimization method

To ensure the anti-earthquake performances of super-long-span suspension bridges, effective devices should be employed to control the seismic response of key sections. In this paper, four kinds of assessment functions for seismic response control effect are formulated based on the mechanism of seismic response control with dampers and the seismic response characteristics of long-span suspension bridges. A new optimal placement method of dampers using penalty function and first-order optimization theory is then proposed. Runyang suspension bridge (RSB) with a main span of 1490 m is then taken as an example. After seismic response time-history analyses on RSB using different placements of dampers, the analysis results are optimized by employing the optimal placement method and the optimal placements of dampers with the four assessment functions are then achieved respectively. Comparison of the four optimal control effects show that different assessment functions can lead to different optimal placements when the number of dampers is certain, but all placements of dampers can reduce the seismic response of RSB significantly. The selection of assessment functions and damper optimal placement should be determined by the structural characteristics and by what is considered in the structures. Results also show that the first-order optimization is an effective method on determining the optimal placement of dampers.