Study of RCM-based maintenance planning for complex structures using soft computing technique

To guarantee the efficiency of maintenance strategies for a complex structure, safety and cost limitations must be considered. This research introduces RCM-based (Reliability Centered Maintenance) life cycle optimization for reasonable maintenance. The design variable is the reliability of each part, which consists of a complex structure, while the objective is to minimize the total cost function in order to maintain the system within the desired system reliability. This research constructs the cost function that can reflect the current operating condition and maintenance characteristics of individual parts by generating essential cost factors. To identify the optimal reliability of each component in a system, this paper uses a Neuro-Evolutionary technique. Additionally, this research analyzes the reliability growth of a system by using the AMSAA (Army Material Systems Analysis Activity) model to estimate the failure rate of each part. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) and the failure rate of the whole system, which is responding to the individual parts, are estimated based on the history data by using neural networks. Finally, this paper presents the optimal life cycle of a complex structure by applying the optimal reliability and the estimated MTBF to the RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) algorithm.     

"卫星"号电动车组

介绍了俄罗斯“卫星”号电动车组的设计方案、技术特点以及所采用的设备     

The motion analysis of fire video images based on moment features and flicker frequency

In this paper, motion analysis methods based on the moment features and flicker frequency features for early fire flame from ordinary CCD video camera were proposed, and in order to describe the changing of flame and disturbance of non-flame phenomena further more, the average changing pixel number of the first-order moments of consecutive flames has been defined in the moment analysis as well. The first-order moments of all kinds of flames used in our experiments present irregularly flickering, and their average changing pixel numbers of first-order moments are greater than fire-like disturbances. For the analysis of flicker frequency of flame, which is extracted and calculated in spatial domain, and therefore it is computational simple and fast. The method of extracting flicker frequency from video images is not affected by the catalogues of combustion material and distance. In experiments, we adopted two kinds of flames, i.e. , fixed flame and movable flame. Many comparing and disturbing experiments were done and verified that the methods can be used as criteria for early fire detection.     

Multiple USV cooperative algorithm method for hunting intelligent escaped targets北大核心CSCD

[目的]针对无人艇协同围捕过程中逃跑目标具备智能性,现有无人艇策略难以围捕成功的问题,提出一种基于双层切换策略的多无人艇协同围捕算法。[方法]第1层围捕策略采用改进势点法,以无人艇与势点的总直线距离最小为优化目标,采用匈牙利算法为无人艇动态分配势点,并采用人工势场法实现无人艇的协同避碰;第2层围捕策略利用了阿波罗尼奥斯圆的性质,在两艘无人艇前往逃跑目标的目标点进行拦截,剩余无人艇运动方向保持与逃跑目标相同,以不断缩紧包围区域;为应对逃跑目标不同的逃跑方式,第1层围捕策略和第2层围捕策略可互相转化。[结果]仿真实验表明,该算法相较于顺序分配势点算法和极角分配势点算法,围捕时间更少或持平,证明了该算法的有效性和先进性。[结论]该多无人艇协同双层围捕算法,对具备典型智能性的逃跑目标具有围捕效果。     

Dynamic stochastic transit assignment with explicit seat allocation model

This paper proposes a stochastic dynamic transit assignment model with an explicit seat allocation process. The model is applicable to a general transit network. A seat allocation model is proposed to estimate the probability of a passenger waiting at a station or on-board to get a seat. The explicit seating model allows a better differentiation of in-vehicle discomfort experienced by sitting and standing passengers. The paper proposes simulation procedures for calculating the sitting probability of each type of passengers. A heuristic solution algorithm for finding an equilibrium solution of the proposed model is developed and tested. The numerical tests show significant influences of the seat allocation model on equilibrium departure time and route choices of passengers. The proposed model is also applied to evaluate the effects of an advanced public transport information system (APTIS) on travellers’ decision-making.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Not</Emphasis> driving alone? American commuting in the twenty-first century

This paper investigates recent commuting trends by American workers. Unlike most studies of commuting that rely on data from the American Community Survey this study utilizes the American Time Use Survey to detail the complex commuting patterns of modern-day workers. Changes in the price of gasoline in recent years suggest that the incidence of “driving alone” should be on the decline. Indeed, results show that the sensitivity of modal commuting with respect to changes in gasoline prices appears to be relatively large. We estimate the gasoline-price elasticity of driving alone to be 0.057 and the gasoline-price elasticity of carpooling to be 0.502. Additional factors also affect commuting, including socio-economic characteristics and social desires. However, it is changes in gasoline prices that appear to account for nearly all of the recent variation in the mode chosen for commuting.     

Modeling transit technology selection in a linear transportation corridor

This paper proposes an analytical model for investigating transit technology selection problem from a perspective of transit authority. Given a transit technology alternative (e.g., metro, light rail transit, or bus rapid transit), the proposed model aims to maximize the social welfare of the transit system by determining the optimal combination of transit line length, number of stations, station location (or spacing), headway, and fare. In the proposed model, the effects of passenger demand elasticity and capacity constraint are explicitly considered. The properties of the model are examined analytically, and a heuristic solution procedure for determining the model solution is presented. By comparing the optimized social welfare for different transit technology alternatives, the optimal transit technology solution can be obtained together with critical population density. On the basis of a simple population growth rate formula, optimal investment timing of a new transit technology can be estimated. The proposed methodology is illustrated in several Chinese cities. Insightful findings are reported on the interrelation among transit technology selection, population density, transit investment cost, and transit line parameter design as well as the comparison between social welfare maximization and profit maximization regimes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of split injection,oxygen enriched air and heavy EGR on soot emissions in a diesel engine

The effects of split injection, oxygen enriched air, and heavy exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on soot emissions in a direct injection diesel engine were studied using the KIVA-3V code. When split injection is applied, the second injection of fuel into a cylinder results in two separate stoichiometric zones, which helps soot oxidation. As a result, soot emissions are decreased. When oxygen enriched air is applied together with split injection, a higher concentration of oxygen causes higher temperatures in the cylinder. The increase in temperature promotes the growth reaction of acetylene with soot. However, it does not improve acetylene formation during the second injection of fuel. As more acetylene is consumed in the growth reaction with soot, the concentration of acetylene in the cylinder is decreased, which leads to a decrease in soot formation and thus soot emissions. A combination of split injection, a high concentration of oxygen, and a high EGR ratio shows the best results in terms of diesel emissions. In this paper, the split injection scheme of 75.8.25, in which 75% of total fuel is injected in the first pulse, followed by 8°CA of dwell time, and 25% of fuel is injected in the second pulse, with an oxygen concentration of 23% in volume and an EGR ratio of 30% shows a 45% reduction in soot emissions, with the same NOx emissions as in single injection.     

A methodological approach for environmental characterization of ports

This paper introduces a methodology for the characterization of ports, employing specifically defined eco-efficiency indicators and combining typically available data (handled cargo, containers and passengers) with ship exhaust pollutants values (mainly NO_x, SO_x and PM) and anticipated external costs (ECs) due to emitted air pollutants to provide a collective overview of all port-related economic and environmental activities. The results from an applied case study allow a comparative evaluation of 16 selected ports based on 17 different evaluation criteria and denote that the employment of such an overall approach can allow port authorities to improve managerial aspects, potentially lower operational costs and promote reduced environmental effects.     

Real-time Monitoring of Subsea Gas Pipelines,Offshore Platforms,and Ship Inspection Scores Using an Automatic Identification System

The aim of this research is to develop an algorithm and application that can perform real-time monitoring of the safety operation of offshore platforms and subsea gas pipelines as well as determine the need for ship inspection using data obtained from automatic identification system (AIS). The research also focuses on the integration of shipping database, AIS data, and others to develop a prototype for designing a real-time monitoring system of offshore platforms and pipelines. A simple concept is used in the development of this prototype, which is achieved by using an overlaying map that outlines the coordinates of the offshore platform and subsea gas pipeline with the ship’s coordinates (longitude/latitude) as detected by AIS. Using such information, we can then build an early warning system (EWS) relayed through short message service (SMS), email, or other means when the ship enters the restricted and exclusion zone of platforms and pipelines. The ship inspection system is developed by combining several attributes. Then, decision analysis software is employed to prioritize the vessel’s four attributes, including ship age, ship type, classification, and flag state. Results show that the EWS can increase the safety level of offshore platforms and pipelines, as well as the efficient use of patrol boats in monitoring the safety of the facilities. Meanwhile, ship inspection enables the port to prioritize the ship to be inspected in accordance with the priority ranking inspection score.