Integral transform solution for fluid force investigation of a flexible circular cylinder subject to vortex-induced vibrations

In the present paper, fluid force distribution of a long flexible cylinder subject to vortex-induced vibrations is investigated by Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT). This method is using experimental response data as input, and then implementing GITT to transfer the governing differential equations to ordinary differential equations. Therefore, the selection of truncation order could be analyzed to avoid the error induced by the high-mode response. Once each mode contribution of fluid force is obtained, the analytical inversion transfer recovers the fluid force. An experiment was carried out in a towing tank and the experimental response was accurately measured and used as input, then GITT was performed to calculate the fluid force distribution of the long flexible cylinder. The comparison between the numerical results from GITT and the experimental results from load cell verified the capability and availability of the proposed method. If one can use this method for lower modes, then one certainly can extend the method for higher modes. Two experimental cases from the literature were evaluated and good agreement was obtained based on the spatio-temporal evolutions of the lift coefficient and the mode numbers. Since this method is easy to implement, it could be an alternative method to investigate fluid force of such slender structures.     

Experimental study on piston- and sloshing- mode moonpool resonances

An experimental study was performed on the piston- and sloshing-mode moonpool resonances of offshore structures. Two different geometries were considered to investigate the flow characteristics in a plain moonpool and a moonpool with a cofferdam. To examine the efficiency of a cofferdam for reducing the flow in a moonpool, three cofferdam geometries were tested. The plain moonpool presented violent flows as a result of the piston- and sloshing-mode resonances. However, the moonpool with the cofferdam introduced violent sloshing waves instead of the ascent and descent of the water column in the piston-mode moonpool resonance. Among three different cofferdam geometries, the model with a right triangle facing to the left on the top of the cofferdam was most effective in reducing the flow in the moonpool when compared with the other models.     

Motion response prediction by hybrid panel-stick models for a semi-submersible with bracings

A diffraction-radiation analysis is usually required when the hydrodynamic interactions between structural members occur in short waves. For bracings or small cylindrical members, which play important roles in the vicinity of the natural frequency of a floating platform, special care should be taken into account for the effect of viscous damping. Two hybrid panel-stick models are, therefore, developed, through the combination of the standard diffraction-radiation method and the Morison’s formulae, considering the effect of small members differently. The fluid velocity is obtained directly by the panel model. The viscous fluid force is calculated for individual members by the stick model. A semi-submersible type platform with a number of fine cylindrical structures, which is designed as a floating foundation for multiple wind turbines, is analyzed as a numerical example. The results show that viscous force has significant influence on the hydrodynamic behavior of the floating body and can successfully be considered by the proposed hybrid models.     

The stabilization control of underactuated surface vessels

The problem of stabilization control of underactuated surface vessels with two independent control inputs is in vestigated inthis paper. Through transformation, a cascade property of the system is revealed. And the original nonlinear system could be divided into two subsystems: a linear subsystem and a nonlinear subsystem. The stabilization laws are derived for the two subsystems separately. A smooth time - varying feedback stabilization law with exponentially convergence rate is obtained. The proposed stabilization law guarantees all the system states converge to the equilibrium exponentially. The aim of stabilization control of underactuated surface vessels is achieved. At last, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by simulation tests.     

Special requirements for alumina ceramic of ESG electrode bowl

At present ESG (Electrostatic Suspended Gyro) is the most precise inertia element in the world. The electrode bowl, which has direct effect on the precision of ESG, is a key part to ESG. Through the analysis of the function and characteristic of the electrode bowl in hollow rotor ESG and the present situation of new material development in the world, the alumina ceramic is regarded as the best material for the electrode bowl of hollow rotor ESG. By analyzing the present situation of alumina ceramic in the world, main technique requirements have been put forward for the alumina ceramic of ESG electrode bowl which is also fit for solid rotor ESG.     

Factors associated with bicycle ownership and use: a study of six small U.S. cities

As a means of transportation and as a form of physical activity, bicycling generates benefits to the bicyclist as well as to the community as a whole. Bicycling now accounts for less than 1 percent of all trips for all purposes in the U.S., but evidence from other western countries suggests that under the right conditions, bicycling levels can be significantly higher. Indeed, the experiences of some U.S. cities suggest that it is possible to create conditions conducive to higher levels of bicycling even in the U.S. However, the extent to which bicycle investments have contributed to bicycling levels in these communities has not been rigorously assessed. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of the determinants of bicycle ownership and use as a basis for identifying ways to promote bicycling. A cross-sectional study of six cities was designed to test the importance of bicycle infrastructure and other physical environment factors relative to individual factors and social environment factors, using a nested logit model to examine ownership and use decisions jointly. The results show strong effects of individual attitudes and physical and social environment factors on bicycle ownership and use.     

Mass transit systems of Beijing: governance evolution and analysis

Developing a more efficient mass transit system, in highly populated cities, improves the mobility, decreases the dependency of private cars, alleviates traffic congestion, and provides a more environmentally friendly means of travel. Recently, the city of Beijing decided to have a target of becoming as a ‘public-transport city’ with a fascinating mass transit system within a larger plan, of building humanistic, scientific and technological, and green public-transport systems. This work discusses the governance evolution of the mass transit system of Beijing between 1949–2008, comprised of two groups of transit systems, the road surface public-transport system (bus, tram, trolley, etc.), and the subway public-transport system. In addition, a time-series analysis is introduced in an attempt to examine the effect of governance evolution on the two transit systems, and of the impacts of the governance structural changes on the mass transit system. The time-series model is introduced using the annual statistics data of the period 1949–2008. The outcome of the analysis is viewed with precaution because of the incompleteness of the many endogenous and exogenous factors to affect the public-transport demand. Generally speaking it is concluded that the governance evolution provides beneficial effect of the Beijing mass transit activity; however, for satisfying the significant increase of the Beijing city’s travel demand and maintaining sustainable development, the governance-involvement pattern needs to be reformed.     

Exploring public transport usage trends in an ageing population

An ageing population remains one of the most significant challenges for Western society in the 21st century. Whilst public transport use has attractive sustainability features for older generations there is mixed evidence with regard to trends in travel and public transport use in ageing societies. This paper explores public transport trip rates amongst older age groups using travel survey evidence collected from a household travel survey in Melbourne, Australia for the period 1994 to 1999. A particular aim of the research was to establish trends in trip rates so as to explore the impact of the ageing Baby Boomer generation on travel by public transport. The results suggested that compared to those aged below 60, those aged over 60 years demonstrated 30% lower trip making overall and 16% lower public transport trip rates. Longitudinal trends in trip rates showed those aged over 60 had a very small decline in trip rates by public transport (−0.004 average daily trips per annum) but increasing rates for car trips. A further analysis showed a small but significant increase in longitudinal trip rates of public transport use amongst Baby Boomers (0.004 daily trips p.a., p < .05) while car usage for Baby Boomers was steady. The implication of these findings is that trends in the existing over 60s population are not necessarily going to flow through to behaviour patterns in the Baby Boomer generations. The Baby Boomer age group showed longitudinal trends in travel behaviour which contrasted with those of the existing over 60s generation notably with a trend towards increased public transport usage.