碎石基层的塑性变形对混凝土路面力学行为的影响

在这项研究中,通过与旋转硬化概念的结合来修正基于广义SMP准则的原始改良Cam-Clay模型,模拟在水泥混凝土板下碎石基层的塑性变形的发展,称之为旋转硬化Cam-Clay模型.模型通过预测塑性变形累计曲线和对碎石基层循环加载的三轴压缩试验得到的试验值相比较来确认.模型成功地预测了试件塑性变形的发展,塑性变形在一开始时迅速增长,此后增长的速率减小.该模型与三维有限元模型 (3DFEM)结合,在足尺试验路面上进行模拟试验.试验发现,水泥混凝土路面的弯沉值随着荷载重复次数的增加而增加,表明在水泥混凝土板下由于基层的塑性变形而产生了缝隙.通过引入等效荷载次数的概念来模拟在合理的计算时间内施加大量循环荷载的塑性回应.模拟结果和试验数据比较表明该概念是有效的.此外,调查了由于基层缝隙而引起的水泥混凝土路面的力学响应(变形,压力以及弯沉).     

Novel coordinated algorithm for Traction Control System on split friction and slope road

A Traction Control System (TCS) is used to avoid excessive wheel-slip via adjusting active brake pressure and engine torque when vehicle starts fiercely. The split friction and slope of the road are complicated conditions for TCS. Once operated under these conditions, the traction control performance of the vehicle might be deteriorated and the vehicle might lack drive capability or lose lateral stability, if the regulated active brake pressure and engine torque can’t match up promptly and effectively. In order to solve this problem, a novel coordinated algorithm for TCS is brought forward. Firstly, two brake controllers, including a basic controller based on the friction difference between the two drive wheels for compensating this difference and a fuzzy logic controller for assisting the engine torque controller to adjust wheel-slip, are presented for brake control together. And then two engine torque controllers, containing a basic PID controller for wheel-slip control and a fuzzy logic controller for compensating torque needed by the road slope, are built for engine torque control together. Due to the simultaneous and accurate coordination of the two regulated variables the controlled vehicle can start smoothly. The vehicle test and simulation results on various road conditions have testified that the proposed method is effective and robust.     

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.     

Application of Optimal Control Theory to Inverse Simulation of Car Handling

The application of Optimal Control Theory to time-optimal inverse simulation of car handling was investigated. Time-optimal inverse simulation of car handling involves the calculation of driver actions required to perform specified manoeuvres, in as short a time as possible. Driver actions consist of time-histories of front wheel steer rate and longitudinal force. Optimal time-histories of these quantities were calculated using the Gradient method after formulating the problem as one of optimal control. Simulation results are presented for two different cars performing similar lane-changes. These results show significant differences in necessary driver actions for different cars and demonstrate the suitability of the approach taken.     

Scattering of oblique surface water waves by thin vertical barrier over undulating bed topography

The present study deals with the scattering of oblique surface water waves by small undulation on the bottom in the presence of a thin vertical barrier. Here, three different configurations of vertical barriers are investigated. Perturbation analysis is employed to determine the physical quantities, namely, the reflection and transmission coefficients. In this analysis, many different Boundary Value Problems (BVPs) are obtained out of which the first two bvps are considered. The zeroth order bvp is solved with the aid of eigenfunction expansion method. The first order reflection and transmission coefficients are derived in terms of the integrals by the method of the Green’s integral theorem. The variation of these coefficients is plotted and analyzed for different physical parameters. Furthermore, the energy balance relation, an important relation in the study of water wave scattering, is derived and checked for assuring the correctness of the numerical results for the present problem.     

All minutes are not equal: travel time and the effects of congestion on commute satisfaction in Canadian cities

Despite decades of research, it is unclear under which circumstances travel is most onerous. While studies have found that some individuals derive positive utility from aspects of commuting, others have shown that traffic congestion can entail important time, monetary, and mental stress costs. Moreover, responses to traffic congestion-related stressors differs by individual characteristics. In response, this research captures how exposure to traffic congestion events, the duration of this exposure, and individual trait susceptibility to congestion affect the utility of commuting. Working through the lens of individual satisfaction with the duration of their commute, we show that not every minute of travel is valued the same by car commuters in Canadian cities. Results suggest a complex relationship between travel time, congestion, and individual predisposition to congestion-related stress. While improvements in travel time matter for increasing commute satisfaction, it is reductions in travel in congested conditions that matter most, particularly among those susceptible to congestion-related stressors.     

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.     

Thermal exchanges at air-water interfacies and reproduction of temperature vertical profiles in water columns

For a 3-D eutrophication-diffusion macromodel of the central part of the Venice Lagoon, air-water heat fluxes are computed interpolating, through Fourier series expansion, meteoclimatic variables averaged over a thirty years survey. Also reproduced with the same interpolation methods, is the daily fluctuation of incident light as well as the annual variation of the photoperiod.With an interative procedure temperature values, to be assigned at each grid's point and corresponding to each hour of a reference year, are computed also accounting for the thermal inertia of water columns of varying depths. By statistical examination of temperature vertical profiles, depth varying diffusivities are also estimated, which enables, without assumption of an instantaneous mixing, the reproduction of heat diffusion from the surface to the bottom water cells.Procedures, preliminary refined and verified for a one-dimensional vertical system input, are next implemented on a three-dimensional submodel of reduced size provided of “open boundaries”: this last submodel, under a continuous input of energy and of matter is seen to attain a steady states as well as to be capable of simulating regime conditions. A further validation is performed, on a submodel of 43 × 47 × 20 cells, encompassing a limited portion of the macromodel and presenting the actual lagoon bathymetry.Macromodel's seasonalisation so achieved, enables for a more correct simulation of the periodical behaviour of light and of temperature, forcing functions governing the eutrophication phenomena.     

Labour/management relations in North American ports

Labour/management practices in North American ports are undergoing fundamental changes in their shift from confrontation to Cooperation. Cooperation is increasing to counter competitive threats from other ports arising from intermodalism and transportation deregulation. Technological advances in port operations are reducing the number of longshore forces required and changing the skills required of those which remain. A recent survey of North American container terminals provided a 'snapshot' of current approaches of improving labour/management relations. Focusing on growth and development needs of individual port workers enhances morale and motivation resulting in environment. Many ports are introducing new management techniques including improved communications and training to enhance the motivation and productivity of their longshore forces.