Methodology for the accuracy improvement of FEM beam type T-junctions of buses and coaches structures

The analysis of structures with finite elements methods (FEM) represents a widely spread technique. For large tubular structures similar to the buses and coaches upper structures, beam type elements are utilized due to the fact that these elements provide satisfactory results at relatively reduced computational performances. However the beam type elements have a main disadvantage determined by the fact that the modeled joints have an infinite rigid behavior. This shortcoming determines a stiffer behavior of the modeled structures which translates into an error source for the structural simulations (up to 45%). To overcome this problem, a simple methodology was conceived and an alternative optimized equivalent beam model obtained. The methodology studies the behavioral characteristics of beam modeled T-junctions determining their limitations and comparing them to equivalent T-junctions modeled with shell and volume elements. This way an improved Tjunction has been obtained, in which the behavioral error was reduced to less than 5%. Furthermore the FEM obtained results were validated with real T-junctions.     

中国与海事经济：下一阶段

以时间和船只数目来量度，航运市场正处于两百年来最兴旺的时期。中国是这段兴旺时期的最大功臣，它的贡献已被广泛讨论。经过10年的快速增长，中国对海事行业的影响正进入一个新阶段，演变中的中国经济对整个世界海事行业和中国造船业带来新挑战。     

Towards comfort-optimal trajectory planning and control

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a method to analyse and evaluate different trajectory planning methods and controller types for usage in automated vehicles. Its application is shown by using a novel trajectory planning approach considering comfort aspects (based on Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (RRT)), two different controllers to follow the planned path (cascade controller and flatness based controller) and a simulation method to obtain resulting lateral vehicle accelerations. The method is used to plan and drive a trajectory through a roundabout. It can be seen that the lateral accelerations of the controller-driven vehicle are in the range of the values used for planning. However, the results of both controllers show differences in lateral deviation and in smoothness of lateral accelerations. The simulation results are then compared to real-world test drives in the same roundabout. The measured lateral accelerations are in the same range as well but show a smoother progression than the two controller models.     

Conditional modelling of tanker market risk using route specific freight rates

This paper provides statistical evidence in support of the view, widely held in the tanker industry, that there are systematic differences in the degree of risk involved in investing in tankers of different sizes, and in operating tankers in spot and time charter markets. The industry view, broadly supported by the results of this paper, is that larger vessels are 'risker' assets than smaller vessels, and operating vessels in the time-charter market is less risky than employing them on a spot basis. The results are obtained by using a method derived from the financial economics literature, which models both the conditional mean and variance of a variable, known as GARCH modelling. Only one other paper has applied this method to the tanker market, and these results provide confirmatory support of those findings.     

T��l��phoner au volant : impact sur la conduite et risque d��accident, une revue de la litt��rature

This paper gives a literature review from experimental, epidemiological and naturalistic studies, having tried to measure on the one hand, the impact of mobile phone use on driving and, on the other hand, the risk of accident associated with this practice. The overview of these studies allowed first of all to show that the driving task is altered during the period of mobile phone use, and to quantify the disturbance (experimental studies), then to verify that this disturbance can be at the origin of accidents and quantify this risk (epidemiological studies). The naturalistic studies, consisting in following-up fleet vehicles, give some more explanations and tend to confirm the results. Advantages and limits of each approach are also discussed.     

Evolution of research themes in Maritime Policy & Management—1973–2012

From its first issue in 1973, Maritime Policy & Management (MPM) has sought to be the main outlet for shipping and port research. During its 40-year development, it has indeed become the flagship journal in the field marked by its inclusion into the SSCI list in 2011. This paper examines how maritime research has developed over the last four decades by reviewing all the published papers in MPM. There has been a remarkable inflow of authors and institutions to MPM in recent decades especially from Asian countries. While ‘shipping’ research has been the most popular research area, a relative increase in ‘ports’ research has been observed in recent years. While economics has been a dominant disciplinary base, management-related disciplines contributed to the journal in the 2000s, increasing the disciplinary diversity of MPM. The study is useful not only for understanding the past and current state of maritime research, but also for developing a concrete foundation to discuss further development of MPM.