Search results for " Structural"
showing 10 items of 1751 documents
Single thermal zone balance solved by Transfer Function Method
2005
We present an algorithm that uses the Z-transform operator to face the problem of heat transmission in a single thermal zone composed by multilayered walls. The method is very flexible and could be adopted to calculate the transfer function coefficients able to simulate the thermal behaviour of a room in free floating. Knowing the transfer function coefficients, it is possible to simulate the dynamic profile of each inner surfaces temperature and furthermore of the inner air temperature. The proposed algorithm is fully described granting maximum clarity. The explicitness of all steps of the calculus make possible the definition of a method that is able to vary all of the calculus parameters…
A cellular automaton based model simulating HVAC fluid and heat transport in a building. Modeling approach and comparison with experimental results
2010
A discrete model characterizing heat and fluid flow in connection with thermal fluxes in a building is described and tested against experiment in this contribution. The model, based on a cellular automaton approach, relies on a set of a few quite simple rules and parameters in order to simulate the dynamic evolution of temperatures and energy flows in any water or brine based thermal energy distribution network in a building or system. Using an easy-to-record input, such as the instantaneous electrical power demand of the heating or cooling system, our model predicts time varying temperatures in characteristic spots and the related enthalpy flows whose simulation usually requires heavy comp…
Combination of modal responses consistent with seismic input representation
2004
The well-known modal superposition method for the evaluation of seismic response by the complete quadratic modal combination rule (CQC) is revisited. The most widely used version of the CQC rule utilizes correlation coefficients derived for white-noise excitation and neglects the influence of peak factor variation on the response. Here a simplified procedure for evaluation of correlation coefficients and peak factors consistent with the power spectral density of seismic excitation is proposed. The procedure is based on an approximate analytic expression for direct evaluation of the power spectral density of the excitation consistent with any prefixed response spectrum, and the evaluation of…
Applicability of over-coring technique to loaded RC columns
2014
Stress determination is a very important step in the assessment of the safety of existing reinforced concrete structures. In rock mechanic this goal is achieved with the over-coring technique. The main idea behind such a technique is to isolate a material sample from the stress field in the surrounding mass and monitor its re-equilibrium deformation response. If the materials remains elastic, and elastic properties are known, stresses may be obtained from the corresponding measured strains. The goal of this paper is to evaluate if the over-coring technique is applicable to reinforced concrete members. The results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of compressed concrete colum…
New Expression of the Hydraulic Jump Roller Length
2012
AbstractThis paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the roller length of both classical and B-jumps on smooth beds. Using the measurements conducted in this investigation and those available in the literature, a new relationship is proposed for estimating the roller length of classical and B-jumps on smooth beds. Finally, it is demonstrated that the proposed equation is also applicable to estimate the roller length of hydraulic jumps on rough horizontal beds.
A novel solar trigeneration system integrating PVT (photovoltaic/thermal collectors) and SW (seawater) desalination: Dynamic simulation and economic …
2014
Abstract The paper investigates the integration of renewable energy sources and water systems, presenting a novel solar system producing simultaneously: electrical energy, thermal energy, cooling energy and domestic water. Such system is designed for small communities in European Mediterranean countries, rich in renewable sources and poor in fossil fuels and water resources. The polygeneration system under analysis includes PVT (photovoltaic/thermal solar collectors), a MED (multi-effect distillation) system for SW (seawater) desalination, a single-stage LiBr–H2O ACH (absorption chiller) and additional components, such as storage tanks, AHs (auxiliary heaters) and BOP (balance of plant) dev…
Stability analysis of clay brick masonry columns: numerical aspects and modelling strategies
2014
Stability analysis of masonry piers and columns is one of the most frequently treated subjects in the field of structural engineering. This attention is probably due to the challenge to solving the problem including different effects, which play an important role in evaluating the response of eccentrically-loaded columns. In this connection, accurate stability analysis of masonry piers and columns has to take into account the non-linear stress–strain law of masonry in compression, the limited tensile strength, the induced slenderness due to crack formation and geometrical non-linearity. Different theoretical models and numerical approaches were developed in the past to analyze the combined …
Simultaneous zonation and calibration of pipe network parameters
2003
A procedure for simultaneously zoning and calibrating pipe network parameters is proposed and applied to the determination of pipe resistance coefficients. The methodology is aimed at grouping the parameters of all the pipes into a small number of zone parameters, constrained to keep the difference between the computed and the measured water heads below a given tolerance. It is shown that, in the case of nonlooped networks, the methodology leads to a linear minimization problem where the objective function is a measure of the heterogeneity of the estimated parameters. In the case of looped networks an iterative procedure, where the linear problem is coupled with a nonlinear problem having a…
Why do older drivers reduce driving? Findings from three European countries
2003
The objective of this study was to find out the reasons, which lead drivers to reduce their driving in varying cultural settings. Data on the prevalence of reduced driving, the reasons for and factors associated with reduced driving were obtained from Finnish, German and Italian home-dwelling active drivers (n=710) aged 55 and older. The subjects were interviewed in autumn 1995 at their homes with a standardized questionnaire as a part of the European project Keeping the Elderly Mobile: Technology to Meet Their Outdoor Mobility Needs. In the Finnish and German samples 62% and in the Italian sample 44% of the active drivers stated that they had reduced their driving. These persons drove fewe…
Assessment of seismic resistance of masonry structures including boundary conditions
2002
The paper is devoted to the investigation of seismic response of the masonry structure and describes experiences with modelling of boundary conditions during the test of large heavy model on 6DOF shaking table. The main aim of the research was how to increase dynamic resistance capacity of old masonry buildings including the medium and strong seismic effects. The results of theoretical and numerical analyses are compared including initial forecasting calculations made before any test started. The emphasis is given to the boundary conditions reached during the excitation of the large masonry model via shaking table. Strengthening and retrofitting procedures and their effects are discussed wh…