Effect of tumble-home on roof strength of a vehicle

This study reports on the effect of vehicle tumble-home (side body inclination) on roof strength. The steep inclination of the side body of a vehicle increases its roof strength. Comprehensive analysis of the impact of high roof strength driven by the steep inclination on dynamic roof strength in rollover is described. Here, we have developed a numerical model using the ADAMS, which is capable of characterizing both of the static and the dynamic roof strength. According to the FMVSS 216 protocol, we achieve the strength to weight ratio (SWR; static roof strength) by applying loading plates to the roof of a vehicle. The Controlled Rollover Impact System (CRIS) allows us to quantitatively characterize the displacements of the top end of A-pillar and B-pillar, thus determining the dynamic roof strength by comparing the results. We demonstrated that the roof intrusion was one of the most critical causes which lead to injuries of occupants fastening seat belts. Our analysis revealed that the increase of the side body inclination of vehicles enhanced the static roof strength whereas it could not reduce the roof displacement (intrusion) in the dynamic rollover.     

Range Extender Module Transmission Topology Study

Range extender modules are one option to compensate for short drive ranges of electric vehicles. The close interaction of combustion engine and generator poses new challenges in development. A key requirement for range extender systems is to be light and virtually imperceptible in operation. High-speed electrical machines aim at increasing power density. However, their introduction in a range extender requires a gearbox. The combustion engine torque fluctuations can lead to rattle in the gearbox. The rattle can be overcome by a dual mass flywheel. An interdisciplinary model is developed and used to analyse three different range extender systems: one with a low speed generator without gearbox, one with a high-speed generator, and one with a high-speed generator and a dual mass flywheel. The efficiency was found to be higher for the system with a low speed generator, whereas the power density and the costs are beneficial for the high-speed concept. A dual mass flywheel eliminates the changes of torque direction in the gearbox. It reduces the speed fluctuations of the gearbox and generator by over 90 % compared to the low speed setup. But it increases rolling moment and subsequently chassis excitation compared to a setup with only a gearbox.     

Simplified Technique for Predicting Offshore Pipeline Expansion

In this study, we propose a method for estimating the amount of expansion that occurs in subsea pipelines, which could be applied in the design of robust structures that transport oil and gas from offshore wells. We begin with a literature review and general discussion of existing estimation methods and terminologies with respect to subsea pipelines. Due to the effects of high pressure and high temperature, the production of fluid from offshore wells is typically caused by physical deformation of subsea structures, e.g., expansion and contraction during the transportation process. In severe cases, vertical and lateral buckling occurs, which causes a significant negative impact on structural safety, and which is related to on-bottom stability, free-span, structural collapse, and many other factors. In addition, these factors may affect the production rate with respect to flow assurance, wax, and hydration, to name a few. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient method for generating a reliable pipe expansion design in the early stage, which can lead to savings in both cost and computation time. As such, in this paper, we propose an applicable diagram, which we call the standard dimensionless ratio (SDR) versus virtual anchor length (L_A) diagram, that utilizes an efficient procedure for estimating subsea pipeline expansion based on applied reliable scenarios. With this user guideline, offshore pipeline structural designers can reliably determine the amount of subsea pipeline expansion and the obtained results will also be useful for the installation, design, and maintenance of the subsea pipeline.     

用于预报离岸管线膨胀的简化技术（英文）

In this study, we propose a method for estimating the amount of expansion that occurs in subsea pipelines, which could be applied in the design of robust structures that transport oil and gas from offshore wells. We begin with a literature review and general discussion of existing estimation methods and terminologies with respect to subsea pipelines. Due to the effects of high pressure and high temperature, the production of fluid from offshore wells is typically caused by physical deformation of subsea structures, e.g., expansion and contraction during the transportation process. In severe cases, vertical and lateral buckling occurs,which causes a significant negative impact on structural safety, and which is related to on-bottom stability, free-span, structural collapse, and many other factors. In addition, these factors may affect the production rate with respect to flow assurance, wax, and hydration, to name a few. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient method for generating a reliable pipe expansion design in the early stage, which can lead to savings in both cost and computation time. As such, in this paper, we propose an applicable diagram, which we call the standard dimensionless ratio(SDR) versus virtual anchor length(LA) diagram, that utilizes an efficient procedure for estimating subsea pipeline expansion based on applied reliable scenarios. With this user guideline,offshore pipeline structural designers can reliably determine the amount of subsea pipeline expansion and the obtained results will also be useful for the installation, design, and maintenance of the subsea pipeline.     

Practically applicable devices for blocking the gap flow of a horn rudder to reduce rudder cavitation and their verification through numerical simulations

Rudder cavitation causes serious damage to the rudder and affects the safety and cost-effectiveness of a ship. In recent applications, a semicircular prismatic bar protruding beyond the concave surface of the horn facing the gap, located along the center-plane of the rudder, has been used to lessen the gap flow between the horn and the movable portion of the rudder system. Previous numerical studies with this single bar indicate that it can noticeably reduce rudder cavitation. In the present study, a pair of bars for blocking the vertical gaps, which are attached symmetrically to the center-plane on opposite convex surfaces of the movable portion, is suggested for circumventing the difficulties that arise in the practical application of single centre bars. Placed near the outer edges of the gap, the bars are are easily accessible at the maximum rudder angle to allow simple installation during routine ship maintenance. An additional blocking disk is inserted on top of the pintle block, blocking the horizontal gaps. Three-dimensional computations are conducted with these combined devices and the results show that the devices are remarkably efficacious in reducing rudder gap cavitation.     

Effects of household structure and accessibility on travel

The concept of accessibility has been widely used in the transportation field, commonly to evaluate transportation planning options. The fundamental hypothesis of many studies related to accessibility could be “greater accessibility leads to more travel”. However, several studies have shown inconsistent results given this common hypothesis, finding instead that accessibility is independent of the trip/tour frequency. In addition, empirical aggregate urban modeling applications commonly produce either non-significant or negative (wrong sign) relationships between accessibility and the trip/tour frequency. For this reason, many practitioners rarely incorporate a measure of accessibility into trip/tour generation models out of consideration of the induced demand. In this context, this study examined the effect of accessibility in urban and suburban residences on the maintenance and discretionary activity tour frequencies of the elderly and the non-elderly using household travel survey data collected in the Seoul Metropolitan Area of Korea. The major finding of this study is that a higher density of land use and better quality of transportation service do not always lead to more tours due to the presence of intra-household interactions, trip chaining, and different travel needs by activity type. This finding implies that accessibility-related studies should not unquestioningly accept the common hypothesis when they apply accessibility measures to evaluate their transportation planning options or incorporate them into their trip/tour generation models.     

Network performance analysis and manuever model for overtaking assistant service using wave

We present network requirements for an overtaking assistant service using wireless access in vehicular environment (WAVE). Currently, DNPW has been proposed as a representative overtaking assistant service with vehicle-tovehicle (V2V) communication. In order to analyze its network performance, we construct a maneuver model for an overtaking system. According to this model, we configured a scenario for network simulation based on the 802.11p WAVE standard. The results confirm that a radio range for overtaking needs only a single hop without routing methods. Moreover, we propose an additional safe distance for the communication delay generated by an increase in the numbers of neighboring vehicles. And for high priority activity of safety services, we present a proper access category (AC) of enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA). These analysis results should be tested considered in real safety service systems that use V2V communication.