Search results for " Structural"
showing 10 items of 1751 documents
Applying Artificial Intelligence Methods to Detect and Classify Fish Calls from the Northern Gulf of Mexico
2021
Passive acoustic monitoring is a method that is commonly used to collect long-term data on soniferous animal presence and abundance. However, these large datasets require substantial effort for manual analysis
Path integral solution for nonlinear systems under parametric Poissonian white noise input
2016
Abstract In this paper the problem of the response evaluation in terms of probability density function of nonlinear systems under parametric Poisson white noise is addressed. Specifically, extension of the Path Integral method to this kind of systems is introduced. Such systems exhibit a jump at each impulse occurrence, whose value is obtained in closed form considering two general classes of nonlinear multiplicative functions. Relying on the obtained closed form relation liking the impulses amplitude distribution and the corresponding jump response of the system, the Path Integral method is extended to deal with systems driven by parametric Poissonian white noise. Several numerical applica…
A model for evaluating the environmental and functional benefits of “innovative” roundabouts
2015
This study looks at the singling out of a multi-parameter criterion for choosing conventional or innovative roundabout layouts, by taking functional, environmental and economic aspects into consideration. The performances of three conventional roundabouts (with different lane number at entries and through the ring), turbo-roundabouts and roundabouts with right-turn bypass lane on all the arms (flower roundabouts) have been compared in terms of vehicle delays and pollutant (carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particle pollution (PM10 and PM2.5)) emissions. By means of closed-form capacity models and with the help of COPERT IV© software, several traffic simulations have been carried out, referre…
Influence of coordinated traffic lights parameters on roadside pollutant concentrations
2009
Abstract The paper examines the effects of coordinated traffic lights on CO and C 6 H 6 roadside concentrations in an urban area of Palermo in Southern Italy. Traffic loop detectors and one pollution-monitoring are used to collect data for use in DRACULA traffic microsimulator software. CO and C 6 H 6 roadside concentrations associated with varying cycle and offset times of the coordinated traffic lights are estimated using a neural network. Two functions were set up describing the relations of pollutant concentrations in term of cycle and offset time.
Damage monitoring on carbonate stones: Field exposure tests contributing to pollution impact evaluation in two Italian sites
2017
During the last decades, many studies have been carried out on environmental monitoring in specific sites aiming at their protection and conservation; however, researches focused on the direct implications, in terms of quantitative evaluation of stone deterioration, of these monitoring actions are still scarce. This experimental work aims at monitoring the degradation processes affecting historical buildings constituted by carbonate stones. Specifically, specimens of Carrara marble and two limestones largely used in the Sicilian Baroque architecture, namely Noto and Comiso stones, were exposed outdoor in two Italian sites (Catania and Palermo), which are characterized by different environme…
Receiving water body quality assessment: an integrated mathematical approach applied to an Italian case study
2011
This study presents a basin-scale approach to the analysis of receiving water body quality considering both point and non-point pollution sources. In particular, this paper describes an extensive data gathering campaign carried out in the Nocella catchment, which is an agricultural and semi-urbanised basin located in Sicily, Italy. Two sewer systems, two wastewater treatment plants and a river reach were monitored during both dry and wet weather periods. A mathematical model of the entire integrated system was also created. Specifically, a detailed modelling approach was developed by employing three well known models: Storm Water Management Model, GPS-X and Soil and Water Assessment Tool. T…
Enhanced transport-related air pollution prediction through a novel metamodel approach
2017
Abstract This research proposes a novel approach to improve the ability to forecast low frequency extreme events of transport-related pollution in urban areas using a limited input data set. The approach is based on the idea of a self-managing model, able to adapt to unexpected changes in pollution level. In more detail, for a given combination of variables, it selects the most suitable prediction model within a set of alternative air quality models, estimated for a wider range of locations and conditions. In this study, the new approach is tested for the prediction of nitrogen dioxide concentration in the United Kingdom (UK), specifically in an air quality monitoring site of the Greater Ma…
Environmental and economic profile of six typologies of wastewater treatment plants
2011
The objective of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is to prevent pollution. However, it is necessary to assess their sustainability in order to ensure that pollution is being removed, not displaced. In this research, the performance of 24 WWTPs has been evaluated using a streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with Eutrophication Potential (EP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) as environmental indicators, and operational costs as economic indicators. WWTPs were further classified in six typologies by their quality requirements according to their final discharge point or water reuse. Moreover, two different functional units (FU), one based on volume (m(3)) and the other on eutrophication…
Three Hours Ahead Prevision of SO2 Pollutant Concentration Using an Elman Neural based Forecaster
2008
Abstract Indoor air quality near the industrial site is tightly joined to pollutant concentration level, since outdoor pollution heavily influences air quality and, consequently, inhabitants health. A pollution management system is essential for health protection. Automatic air quality management systems have became an important research issue with strong implications for inhabitants’ health. In this paper an automatic forecaster based on neural networks for SO 2 concentration prevision is proposed. The analyzed area covers different small towns near the industrial site of Priolo, in the south of the world. Among these towns, Melilli was the first town in Italy that was evacuated for high l…
Can crumb rubber modifier effectively replace the use of polymer- modified bitumen in asphalt mixture?
2021
Laboratory scale mechanical performances on six plant produced mixtures; three semi-dense surface courses and three dense binder courses modified with engineered crumb rubber (ECR) using the dry process are presented. The two types of mixtures produced and investigated fulfilled for the most part, the requirements of the Swiss and/or US standards regarding volumetric properties, water sensitivity and rutting. In advanced testing where no requirements exist, the dense ECR mixtures performed similar to the reference polymer modified mixtures and slightly worse for semi-dense mixtures in high temperature tests, where the binder becomes viscous in the rubber-binder composite and its ability to …