Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

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Artificial Neural Networks are information processing systems. Over the past several years, these algorithms have received much attention for their applications in pattern completing, pattern matching and classification and also for their use as a tool in various areas of problem solving. In this work, an Artificial Neural Network model is presented for predicting the tensile properties of cotton-covered nylon core yarns. Multilayer Feedforward network with Back Propagation learning algorithm was used to study the relationship and mapping among the process parameters, i.e. count of sheath part, count of core part, applying pretension to the core part, inserted twist to the core spun-yarn as well as tensile properties, i.e. breaking strength and breaking elongation. The results show that ANN is an effective method for the prediction of the tensile properties of these yarns. This is due to the fact that in each case, standard deviation of prediction error for test and train data was less than that obtained from the expreiments.

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Control of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems, which estimates unavailable state variables, is considered. A new approach for robust tracking control problem of satellite for large rotational maneuvers is presented in this paper. The features of this approach include a strong algorithm to estimate attitude, based on discrete extended Kalman filter combined with a continuous extended Kalman filter and attitude nonlinear model, and a robust controller based on sliding-mode with perturbation estimation. Estimation accuracy in this method is five times higher than other recent approaches based on Kalman filter. We have used sliding-mode controller in this paper. Not only the controller and the corresponding observer but also their composition must be robust. To make this controller robust against the uncertainty of parameters, the robust Kalman filter is used. Based on interval algebra, an upper bound and a lower bound are estimated for state variables of the system and considering these bounds in indicating the sliding conditions, stability of the controller in combination with the observer will be satisfied simultaneously. The simulation results show the capability of this method in spite of different uncertainty levels (up to %50).

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A novel version of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms for solving continuous space problems is presented in this paper. The basic structure and concepts of the originally reported ACO are preserved and adaptation of the algorithm to the case of continuous space is implemented within the general framework. The stigmergic communication is simulated through considering certain direction vectors which are memorized. These vectors are normalized gradient vectors that are calculated using the values of the evaluation function and the corresponding values of object variables. The proposed Gradient-based Continuous Ant Colony Optimization (GCACO) method is applied to several benchmark problems and the results are compared and contrasted with other population-based algorithms such as Evolutionary Strategies (ES), Evolutionary Programming (EP), and Genetic Algorithms (GA). The results obtained from GCACO compare satisfactorily with those of other algorithms and in some cases are superior in terms of accuracy and computational demand.

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Bridges are potentially one of the most seismically vulnerable structures in the highway system during earthquake events. It is known that the seismic performance of transportation systems plays a key role in the post-earthquake emergency management. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate both physical and functional aspects of bridge structures. The physical aspects of the seismic performance of bridges are evaluated by seismic fragility functions or damage probability matrices of transportation facilities. The fragility curves represent the probability of structural damage due to various levels of ground shaking. The fragility curve describes a relationship between a ground motion and a level of damage. In this paper, the fragility curves (F.C) are developed. The vulnerability of a railway prestreed concrete bridge is assessed using fragility curves derived from dynamic nonlinear finite element analysis. A software package is developed in MATLAB to study the results obtained. Modeling of the bridge using 3D nonlinear models and modeling of abutments, bearings, effect of falling of girder on its bearings, and nonlinear interaction of soil-structure are some of the advantages of this research compared to previous ones. Reliability curves developed in this study are unique in their own kind. The proposed method as well as the results are presented in the form of vulnerability and structural reliability relations based on two damage functions.

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Energy absorber systems like metallic dampers for controlling the structural vibrations due to earthquake have witnessed considerable development in the past few decades. Also there are some studies on the energy absorption of thin-walled tubes due to impact load. Thin-walled tubes have a large deformation capacity and are suitable energy absorbers in the structure during an earthquake provided that a suitable inelastic buckling mode obtains. This paper deals with the study of energy dissipation in accordion thin-walled tubes and their behavior due to axial cyclic loads. For this purpose, experimental and analytical studies have been performed. Experimental studies were conducted on specimens available in the market by dynamic tension and compression actuator. Analytical studies are based on finite element methods and nonlinear inelastic dynamic analysis. These studies are focused on the effects of mechanical and geometrical parameters of these tubes like shape, thickness, diameter, length and material type of tube on the amount of energy dissipation and axial stiffness. The results show that accordion thin-walled tubes exhibit satisfactory energy absorption behavior and that proper selection of the parameters yields the optimum design of this metallic damper.

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In this paper, an analytical model based on Modified Slab Method is presented for rolling of clad sheet or double-layers in which the two layers are bounded prior to rolling. This model considers the general case of asymmetrical rolling due to unequal surface speed, different contact friction, roll diameters, flow stress, and thickness ratios of the two layers. Using this model, rolling parameters such as pressure distribution along the arc of contact of the rolls and the clad sheet, rolling force, and torque with respect to reduction in thickness can be easily calculated. The analytical rolling force and torque computed by the proposed model were compared with the analytical results of other researchers and were shown to be in good agreement. The proposed model is very suitable for online control application due to its completeness and its capability of predicting the rolling parameters

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There is a demand for reduced power consumption in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Coefficient of performance of window-air conditioners considerably decreases and power consumption increases under very hot conditions. These problems have encouragecl studies aimed at improving the performance of window-air-conditioners by enhancing the heat transfer rate in the condenser. In this article, a new design for application of evaporative cooling in the condenser of window-air conditioners is introduced and experimentally investigated. In this design, two pads equipped with a water injection system are located on both sides of the air-conditioner to cool down the air flow passing over the condenser. The experimental results showed that thermodynamic characteristics of the system considerably improved while power consumption decreased by about 15% and the coefficient of performance increased by about 55%.

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The effective parameters that influence in situ cast ferroTic composites were investigated. Centrifugal casting of specimens was carried out using ceramic & metallic molds. OM, SEM and XRD techniques were used to examine the existence of flows in the specimens. Results show that the control of chemical composition, processing, cooling rate and heat treatment has a promising effect on the quality of specimens. Also remelting process leads to the hemogeneity of matrix by uniform distribution of secondary phase.

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The formation of microporosity in modified Al-Si alloys has been reviewed in the present study. A major concern in modification is the increased tendency to form microporosity in the macro-shrinkage free Al-Si alloy castings. It has also been demonstrated that at low hydrogen contents (0.1cc/ 100g, Al), where only shrinkage porosity should occur, the effect of Sr-modification on porosity content is not considerable, indicating that the increase in porosity is due to an increase in gas porosity. Modification treatment, however, does not add hydrogen to the melt, nor does it increase the rate of regassing of the liquid, revealing that it can not enhance pore formation by increasing the melt hydrogen content. Modification treatment raises the freezing range (4-10 oC), but this increased freezing range exerts only a very small effect on microporosity formation, which cannot, by itself, explain the increased tendency to microporosity formation observed in modified alloys. The presence of modifiers slightly decreases the surface tension of the melt (5%), although this decrease in surface tension is not sufficiently high to considerably enhance pore formation in modified alloys. Many researchers have reported that modification treatment might favour the formation of porosity due to its effect on oxide use in the heterogeneous pore formation although the systematic observation of pores has shown that SrO does not take part in pore fomation in Sr-modified alloys. Strontium and other modifiers which increase pore formation (Na and Ca) in Al-Si alloys have a high chemical affinity to form complex intermetallic compounds with Si and Al. Systematic observation of pores have shown that Sr-rich intermetallics take part in pore formation. Thus, Sr-modification may increase the porosity content through the formation of Sr-rich compounds during solidification.

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It is empirically established that, due to a number of factors involved, a classical (linear) analysis of buckling pressure is impossible. Nonlinear theories of buckling are, therefore, required that involve effective factors such as imperfections and welding effects. In this study, models are developed which are as close to allowable standard deviations as possible. In the next stage, their buckling behavior is investigated both experimentally and numerically using finite element packages ADINA, ANSYS, COSMOS, and MARC based on specific capabilities of each. Results show that reasonable estimates of real buckling pressure will become possible when material and geometrical nonlinearities and initial imperfections are introduced into the analytical system. Finally, in the light of the results obtained, a submarine pressure hull is analyzed.

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It is well known that the characteristics of concrete components greatly affect the durability of high strength/high performance (HS/HP) concrete against frost action. Undoubtedly, precise recognition of this relationship leads to appropriate selection of the type and proportions of concrete components in any particular project. In the current study, the aim is to investigate the possibility of developing some mathematical-experimental models to explain the frost resistance of high-performance concrete, regarding the role of some of its main components. To do so, the effects of four key elements, i.e. water, silica fume, coarse aggregate, and number of freeze-thawing cycles, were studied on the frost resistance of HS/HP concrete were studied. 24 concrete mix designs including 3 ratios of water to cementitious materials, i. e. 0.4, 0.3, and 0.25 4 ratios of silica fume to cementitious materials, i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent and 2 types of coarse aggregates, i. e. Limestone and Quartzite were utilized for HS/HP concrete. Overall, about 432 concrete cubes were cast, cured and tested under freeeze-thaw cycles. Finally, some models were proposed for describing the frost resistance of high strength concrete.

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In recent years, destructive earthquakes have shown the deficiencies of the existing buildings. One of the most effective mechanisms for dissipating the earthquake energy is inelastic deformation of the steel components. The objective of this research is to study the application of metallic dampers for dissipation of the earthquake energy and to investigate the behavior of concrete structures incorporating these dampers. Therefore, the metallic dampers and the behavior of concrete structures having these dampers are studied first. Afterwards, a typical metallic damper is used in four different types of concrete structure. The required dampers are designed and nonlinear earthquake analysis is applied to investigate the behavior of the structures. Finally, the buildings are subjected to various earthquakes to generalize the results. The results show that the incorporation of the metallic dampers significantly decreases the relative and absolute drift, the structure and the stories damage indices and, finally, the number of plastic hinges. Furthermore, the hysteretic energy dissipation demand also decreases in structural components. Despite the reduction in the inner forces of structural components, story shear forces slightly increase due to increase of lateral stiffness, but much of these forces will concentrate in dampers. Moreover, the combination of moment resisting frame, shear wall, and metallic dampers are studied. The results show a similar trend in the stated parameters- especially the drift and the hysteresis energy dissipation demand.

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Jacketing of reinforced concrete columns is a common and useful strengthening method. This method substantially improves mechanical properties of the column, such as flexural strength as well as shear and ductility. In this paper, the behavior of confined reinforced concrete columns are investigated. The results indicate that the method is more effective for slender columns in the region of their failure zone.

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The cross-stream migration of a deformable drop in two-dimensional Poiseuille flow at finite Reynolds numbers is studied numerically. In the limit of a small Reynolds number (<1), the motion of the drop depends strongly on the ratio of the viscosity of the drop fluid to the viscosity of the suspending fluid. For a viscosity ratio 0.125, the drop moves toward the centre of the channe while for the ratio 1.0, it moves away from the centre until halted by wall repulsion. The rate of migration increases with the deformability of the drop. At higher Reynolds numbers (5-50), the drop either moves to an equilibrium lateral position about halfway between the centerline and the wall according to the so-called Segre-Silberberg effect or undergoes oscillatory motions. The steady-state position depends only weakly on the various physical parameters of the flow but the length of the transient oscillations increases as Reynolds number is raised, the density of the drop is increased, or the viscosity of the drop is decreased. Once the Reynolds number is high enough, the oscillations appear to persist forever and no steady state is observed. The numerical results are in good agreement with experimental observations, especially for drops that reach steady-state lateral position.

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The continuum mechanic simulation of micro-structural damage process is important in the study of ductile fracture mechanics. In this paper, the continuum damage mechanics model formulation proposed by Lematire has been validated against ductile damage evolution experimentally measured in A533B-C1 steel under stress triaxiality conditions. First, a procedure to identify the model parameters from test was defined. Then, the finite element model was used to simulate the experiment carried out on a notched flat rectangular bar. Good agreement was observed between the experimental results and finite element predictions. Next, the identified parameters on A533B-C1 steel were used to simulate the results from a conventional tensile test by finite element method. The specimen was prepared according to ASTM E08 standard. The stresses at necking stage and ultimate load calculated by the damage based method were compared with those obtained from the test. The comparisons indicate a good agreement between the simulated and the experimental results.

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The main objective of the present study is to utilize a novel linearization strategy to linearize the convection terms of the quasi-one-dimensional Euler governing equations on collocated grids and to examine its shock-capturing capabilities. To avoid a pressure checkerboard problem on the collocated grids, it is necessary to utilize two velocity definitions at each cell face. Similarly, we define two velocity expressions at cell faces known as convecting and convected velocities. We derive them from the proper combinations of continuity and momentum equations which, in turn, provide a strong coupling among the Euler discretized equations. To achieve this, we utilize an advanced linearization strategy known as Newton-Raphson to linearize the nonlinear convection terms. The key point in this linearization is to preserve the original physics behind the two velocities in the linearization procedure. The performance of the new formulation is then investigated in a converging-diverging nozzle flow. The results show great improvement in both the performance of the original formulation and in capturing shocks. The results also indicate that the new extended formulation is robust enough to be used as an all-speed flow solver.

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Fabrication and characterization of aluminum matrix composites containing different volume fractions of Ni3Al powder (5-40 Vol%) were investigated. Ni3Al powder was produced by mechanical alloying of elemental nickel and aluminum powder mixture. Al-Ni3Al composite parts were prepared using a powder metallurgy route involving two stages Al and Ni3Al powder mixtures were first compacted under 500MPa and then hot-pressed under 250MPa at 420 oC for 10min. The microstructure and hardness of consolidated parts were investigated by x-ray diffractometery, optical and scanning electron microscopy and hardness measurements. Results showed that consolidated Al-Ni3Al samples included no significant porosity with a nearly uniform distribution of Ni3Al particles. Additionally, structural examinations showed that no significant reaction between Ni3Al and aluminum matrix occurred during sintering process. Al-Ni3Al composites exhibited a higher hardness value compared with pure aluminum sample prepared under identical conditions. The hardness value of Al-Ni3Al composites increased linearly as Ni3Al content increased.

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An important consideration in control issues is control of nonlinear systems. Sliding control is among those nonlinear controllers that can control the system desirably in the presence of unstructured uncertainties of carelessness in specifying parameters of the system. In sliding control, also called Variable Structure Control, the main objectives of the controller are achieved by introducing a sliding surface. One of the fundamental problems which may occur in sliding control is the chattering phenomenon on unwanted oscillation around the sliding surface. Different solutions are introduced to eliminate chattering. One of the commonest solutions is using a constant boundary layer round the sliding surface. In this paper, efforts are made to reduce chattering and to increase stability of the system by varying the sliding controller with a constant boundary layer. Finally, the mathematical model of a pendulum/cart in the presence of uncertainty is developed and the result of the simulation of the introduced controllers are compared.

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A physical model of gabion overflow dams was studied to determine the velocity profile and Reynolds shear stress. Physical tests were done under two different conditions of dam crest, overflow dams with impermeable and with permeable crests. Instantaneous velocity components over dam crest were measured by an ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter) instrument. This instrument is capable of measuring instantaneous velocity components with frequencies up to 25 Hz. Average velocity components and bed shear stress were extracted from ADV measurements. The results of this research show the effect of crest permeability on velocity and Reynolds shear stress. The magnitude of Reynolds shear stresses, horizontal velocity components, and absolute value of vertical velocity components under the permeable scenario are bigger than those of the impermeable scenario. Velocity distribution over the dam crest is different from the universal logarithmic profile.

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Marine structures are one of the most important and susceptible facilities in Iran due to corrosion. The two methods of Cathodic Protection, namely, the cathodic protection with sacrificial anodes and cathodic protection using impressed current, are widely used for corrosion protection. According to the former, sacrificial anodes are installed at several points in the structure. Position of the anodes for achieving the required protection is a problem that engineers are very much interested in, and only empirical methods have so far been used to determine these positions. Empirical rules, however, might cause either overprotection or underprotection. A major goal of this research is to develop a systematic way for analysis and automated design of Cathodic Protection systems that not only deliver almost uniformly protected structures but also minimize the costs. To this end, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) routine is used to determine the optimal position of anodes on the structure such that a uniformly protected design with minimum cost is achieved. The percentage of protection in each design has been taken as its fitness criterion. To figure out the situation of corrosion protection on the structure, the entire offshore structure with its complex system at anodes and surrounding electrolyte is modeled and analyzed by a finite element algorithm. Employing GA gradually modifies the generation of designs. The design which completely protects the structure and whose cost is minimum is introduced as the optimum design. To show the capability of the proposed method in achieving the optimum design, two examples are offshore presented.