Effects of hanging wall and footwall on demand of structural input energy during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

Systematic differences in the duration and frequency content of ground motions from the hanging wall and footwall during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake are investigated,focusing on the influence of these differences on structural input energy based on the elastic and inelastic energy responses of structures.A comparison of the input energy spectra between the hanging wall and the footwall reveal that the structural input energy on the hanging wall is not amplified due to the short duration and low peak ground velocity to acceleration ratio（V/A）.However,the larger demand of structural input energy on the footwall in the range of medium and long periods is observed and the demand increases up to 50% relative to the average level of structural input energy for rupture distances larger than 30 km.The importance of considering the footwall effect on structural input energy when comparing ground motions in the range of medium and long periods is recognized.

Study on comparison between absolute and relative input energy spectra and effects of ductility factor

Based on 266 strong ground motion records, an attenuation relationship was developed for both absolute and relative input energy spectra. The comparison of the two kinds of input energy spectra constructed from the attenuation relationship was made in this paper. The results show that there is little difference between the absolute input energy spectra and relative input energy spectra at the periods of 0.5-1.0 s for elastic systems and at the period of 0.5 s for inelastic systems. The absolute input energy spectra are much larger than relative input energy spectra in very short period range but some less than relative input energy spectra in long period range. It is also found that the ductility factor has a significant effect on both absolute and relative input energy spectra. The absolute input energy spectra increase with the increasing of ductility factor in the period range of less than 0.3 s but decrease in the period range of larger than 0.3 s. The absolute input energy spectra for different ductility factor are almost equivalent at the period about 0.3 s, but for relative input energy spectra, the period is about 0.5 s. The effect of ductility on the relative input energy spectra in the short period range is much larger than that on the absolute input energy spectra, especially on the softer site class.

Improving the estimate of wind energy input into the Ekman layer within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Based on the data and method offered by Liu et al. （2009）, the direct wind and Stokes drift-induced energy inputs into the Ekman layer within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current （ACC） area are reestimated since the results of the former have been proved to be underestimated. And the result shows that the total rate of energy input into the Ekman-Stokes layer within the ACC area is 852.41 GW, including 649.75 GW of direct wind energy input （76%） and 202.66 GW of Stoke drift-induced energy input （24%）. Total increased energy input, due to wave-induced Coriolis-Stokes forcing added to the classical Ekman model, is 52.05 GW, accounting for 6.5% of the wind energy input into the classical Ekman layer. The long-term variability of direct wind and Stokes drift-induced energy inputs into the Ekman layer within the ACC is also investigated, and the result shows that the Stokes drift hinders the decadal increasing trend of direct wind energy input. Meanwhile, there is a period of 4-5 a in the energy spectrums, as same as the Antarctic circumpolar wave.

Meta-analysis of CO_(2) conversion,energy efficiency,and other performance data of plasma-catalysis reactors with the open access PIONEER database

This paper brings the comparison of performances of CO_(2)conversion by plasma and plasma-assisted catalysis based on the data collected from literature in this field,organised in an open access online database.This tool is open to all users to carry out their own analyses,but also to contributors who wish to add their data to the database in order to improve the relevance of the comparisons made,and ultimately to improve the efficiency of CO_(2)conversion by plasma-catalysis.The creation of this database and database user interface is motivated by the fact that plasma-catalysis is a fast-growing field for all CO_(2)conversion processes,be it methanation,dry reforming of methane,methanolisation,or others.As a result of this rapid increase,there is a need for a set of standard procedures to rigorously compare performances of different systems.However,this is currently not possible because the fundamental mechanisms of plasma-catalysis are still too poorly understood to define these standard procedures.Fortunately however,the accumulated data within the CO_(2)plasma-catalysis community has become large enough to warrant so-called“big data”studies more familiar in the fields of medicine and the social sciences.To enable comparisons between multiple data sets and make future research more effective,this work proposes the first database on CO_(2)conversion performances by plasma-catalysis open to the whole community.This database has been initiated in the framework of a H_(2)0_(2)0 European project and is called the“PIONEER Data Base”.The database gathers a large amount of CO_(2)conversion performance data such as conversion rate,energy efficiency,and selectivity for numerous plasma sources coupled with or without a catalyst.Each data set is associated with metadata describing the gas mixture,the plasma source,the nature of the catalyst,and the form of coupling with the plasma.Beyond the database itself,a data extraction tool with direct visualisation features or advanced filtering functionalities has been developed and is available online to the public.The simple and fast visualisation of the state of the art puts new results into context,identifies literal gaps in data,and consequently points towards promising research routes.More advanced data extraction illustrates the impact that the database can have in the understanding of plasma-catalyst coupling.Lessons learned from the review of a large amount of literature during the setup of the database lead to best practice advice to increase comparability between future CO_(2)plasma-catalytic studies.Finally,the community is strongly encouraged to contribute to the database not only to increase the visibility of their data but also the relevance of the comparisons allowed by this tool.

Relative energy zero ratio-based approach for identifying pulse-like ground motions

Pulse-like ground motions are capable of inflicting significant damage to structures. Efficient classification of pulse-like ground motion is of great importance when performing the seismic assessment in near-fault regions. In this study, a new method for identifying the velocity pulses is proposed, based on different trends of two parameters: the short-time energy and the short-time zero crossing rate of a ground motion record. A new pulse indicator, the relative energy zero ratio(REZR), is defined to qualitatively identify pulse-like features. The threshold for pulse-like ground motions is derived and compared with two other identification methods through statistical analysis. The proposed procedure not only shows good accuracy and efficiency when identifying pulse-like ground motions but also exhibits good performance for classifying records with high-frequency noise and discontinuous pulses. The REZR method does not require a waveform formula to express and fit the potential velocity pulses;it is a purely signal-based classification method. Finally, the proposed procedure is used to evaluate the contribution of pulse-like motions to the total input energy of a seismic record, which dramatically increases the seismic damage potential.

High Speed Sintering:Assessing the Influence of Energy Input on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Polyether Block Amide(PEBA)Parts

High speed sintering,a new powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing technology,utilizes infrared lights(IR)to intensely heat and melt polymer powders.The presence of defects such as porosity,which is associated with particle coalescence,is highly dependdent on the level of energy input.This study investigate the influcence of energy input on porosity and its subsequent effects on the mechanical properties and microstructures of PEBA parts.The parts were manufactured with a variety of lamp powers,resulting in a range of energy input levels spanning from low to high.Subsequebtly,they underwent testing using Archimedes’method,followed by tensile testing.The porosity,mechanical characteristics,and energy input exhibit a strong correlation;inadequate energy input was the primary cause of pore formation.Using the reduced IR light power resulted in the following outcomes:porosity,ultimate tensile strength,and elongation of 1.37%,7.6 MPa,and 194.2%,respectively.When the energy input was further increased,the porosity was reduced to as low as 0.05%and the ultimate tensile strength and elongation were increased to their peak values of 233.8%and 9.1 MPa,respectively.

Structural Earthquake Resistance Design Using Energy Method

A summary of status of researches in the field of structural earthquake resistance design on energy concept is presented in three parts: earthquake input, demands on the structure and supplied capacity of the structure. A new approach is proposed for analysis of the seismic response and damage criteria based on the momentary input energy.

Energy budget of surface waves in the global ocean

Mechanical energy input from atmosphere and losses from wave-breaking dissipation of sea surface waves are estimated by a direct scheme. This scheme is based on the integration in the wavenumber space of the wind input and breaking dissipation source functions of the MASNUM wave model. The global amount of wind energy input, averaged in 2005, is about 57 TW, and the wave-breaking dissipation summed in deep-water is about 33 TW, over a half of the wind energy input. The residual may be dissipated by beach processes. Global distributions of the energy input and breaking dissipation concentrate in the westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere.

High concentration xylene decomposition and diagnostic analysis by non-thermal plasma in a DBD reactor

Dielectric barrier discharge（DBD） is utilized to decompose xylene vapor in mobile gas under normal atmospheric pressure.The plasma is generated by an AC power source with a frequency of 6 kHz.In the experiment,the discharge power on the DBD reactor was calculated by a Lissajous figure,and the specific input energy（SIE） of different discharge voltage or residence time was obtained.The concentrations of xylene,carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the gas were analyzed by gas chromatography.The spectra of DBD were diagnosed using a spectrometer.We calculated the conversion rate（CR）,mineralization rate（MR） and carbon dioxide selectivity.The relationship between these quantities and the SIE was analyzed.The experimental results show that high concentration xylene can be decomposed mostly by DBD plasma.The CR can reach as high as 90%with the main product of carbon dioxide.

An Extended Mild-Slope Equation

On the assumption that the vortex and the vertical velocity component of the current are small, a mild-slope equation for wave propagation on non-uniform flows is deduced from the basic hydrodynamic equations, with the terms of (V(h)h)(2) and V(h)(2)h included in the equation. The terms of bottom friction, wind energy input and wave nonlinearity are also introduced into the equation. The wind energy input functions for wind waves and swells are separately considered by adopting Wen's (1989) empirical formula for wind waves and Snyder's observation results for swells. Thus, an extended mild-slope equation is obtained, in which the effects of refraction, diffraction, reflection, current, bottom friction, wind energy input and wave nonlinearity are considered synthetically.

Investigation on the effects of fluid intensification based preconditioning process on the decarburization enhancement of fly ash

Fly ash(FA)is a complex and abundant solid waste created by humans,and has caused environmental issues,for which flotation is an effective technique employed before its comprehensive utilization.However,the complex and hydrophilic characteristics of FA particles cannot naturally fulfill the selective separation by common flotation.Therefore,this study aims to provide an insight into fluid intensification effects on flotation to achieve the enhancement of FA surface property and decarburization.The relevant effects and mechanisms are investigated,based on the measurements of zeta potential,infrared spectroscopy,contact/wrap angle,induction time,size distribution and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry.Experimental results manifested that the maximum unburned carbon recovery(73.25%)and flotation rate(0.2037 s^(-1)) were achieved with preconditioning energy inputs of 14.23 and6.57 W·kg^(-1) respectively.With increasing preconditioning energy inputs,fluid intensification effects could promote the inter-particle collision/attrition,detachment of hydrophilic existence and collector adsorption on particles.Correspondingly,absorbance of some hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional groups was strengthened and weakened respectively,which accounted for the improved interfacial properties,reflected as the increased contact and wrap angles,together with declined induction time.Overall,this article revealed the positive influences of fluid intensification based preconditioning process on rendering particle surface hydrophobic and improving separation performance.

Elastic energy storage technology using spiral spring devices and its applications:A review

Harvesting and storing energy is a key problem in some applications.Elastic energy storage technology has the advantages of wide-sources,simple structural principle,renewability,high effectiveness and environmental-friendliness.This paper elaborates the operational principles and technical properties and summarizes the appli-cability of elastic energy storage technology with spiral springs.Elastic energy storage using spiral spring can realize the balance between energy supply and demand in some applications.Continuous input-spontaneous out-put working style can provide simple energy sources for short-time energy supply,and provide strong moment impact and rapid start,or realize the energy conservation for reciprocating movement.Uniform output working style can realize energy output with uniform speed for timekeeping and load-driving.Random input working style can harvest and store random mechanical energy or convert small torque into a large moment to drive external loads.Finally,this paper proposes new researches and developments of elastic energy storage technology on new materials and structures,mechanical properties and structural dynamics analyses,design and control for new functions.

Improving energy efficiency of apple production by reduced application of pesticides

A large number of apple orchards are treated over 20 times during the vegetation period with high application rates(over 1000 L/hm^(2))or medium application rates(500-1000 L/hm^(2))of pesticides which require significant energy input.Experimental research was carried out in the Serbian region of Vojvodina with the aim to show the possibilities to reduce energy usage in apple production by reducing pesticide application rates(200-500 L/hm^(2))and smaller controlled number of treatments with pesticides while maintaining the biological efficiency of apple chemical protection.Research results showed that the cumulative life cycle energy demand of apple production in Vojvodina,assuming a typical 22 annual treatments and relatively high pesticide application rate(1150 L/hm^(2)),was 48 GJ/hm^(2)and energy output was 94 GJ/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and lower pesticide application rates have a favorable impact on energy inputs associated with diesel fuel,machinery,chemicals,water and electricity consumption and usage,whereas other energy inputs remain unchanged.The energy input for 12 treatments with pesticide application rates of 381 L/hm^(2)was 36 GJ/hm^(2),which is a 25%reduction in comparison to 22 treatments with a pesticide application rate of 1150 L/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and pesticide application rate increased the energy use efficiency from 1.96 to 2.61,energy productivity from 0.82 kg/MJ to 1.09 kg/MJ,and net energy from 46 GJ/hm^(2)to 58 GJ/hm^(2).Results also suggest that applying the correct IPM approach can easily lead to a strong reduction in the number of treatments and a major energy saving.

Stability analysis of an aeroelastic system with friction

In this paper, harmonic balance method, exact formulation and numerical simulation method are adopted to study the effects of different friction stiffness on the stability of 1.5 degrees of freedom aeroelastic system. On this basis, the expressions of input energy and dissipated energy are deduced, and the energy method is used to reveal the mechanisms of the stable boundary and unstable boundary existing in the system and the effects of different friction stiffness on the stability of the system. Studies have shown that the stability region and the critical aerodynamic damping ratio of the system rise with the increase of the friction stiffness, while the friction stiffness has little effect on the stability boundary. In the analysis of the stability of system, the results of harmonic balance method, exact formulation and Newmark of numerical simulation method are in good agreement. Compared with exact formulation and numerical simulation method, the concept and conclusion of harmonic balance method are simple in the system stability analysis.

Microstructural evolution and hardness of as-cast Be-Al-Sc-Zr alloy processed by laser surface remelting

As-cast beryllium-aluminum(Be-Al)alloy exhibits a coarse microstructure with pore defects due to a large solidification interval,greatly limiting its mechanical properties.In this research,the relationship between laser surface remelting process and microstructure and hardness of as-cast Be-Al-Sc-Zr alloy was established.The experimental results demonstrated that a pore-free refined microstructure of remelted layer was obtained by controlling the parameter of effective laser energy input.The microstructure of as-cast Be-Al-Sc-Zr alloy consisted of equiaxed grains with Al phase forming a continuous frame wrapping Be phase,which was significantly refined in the remelted zone(from 25μm to 2μm).The Vickers hardness in the remelted zone(approximately 210 HV)was approximately 3 times that of as-cast Be-Al-Sc-Zr alloy.Analysis of the Vickers hardness and the Be phase size showed a good agreement with a Hall-Petch equation.In addition,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),auger electron spectroscopy(AES)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis evidenced that Sc and Zr elements formed a single blocky phase Be13(Scx,Zr1-x),which was also greatly refined from 8μm to 1.5μm in the remelted zone.The results obtained in this study indicate that the laser surface remelting allowed refining the microstructure and further strengthening the Vickers hardness of Be-Al-Sc-Zr alloy.