Search results for "cost"
showing 10 items of 5421 documents
A generalized model of elastic foundation based on long-range interactions: Integral and fractional model
2009
The common models of elastic foundations are provided by supposing that they are composed by elastic columns with some interactions between them, such as contact forces that yield a differential equation involving gradients of the displacement field. In this paper, a new model of elastic foundation is proposed introducing into the constitutive equation of the foundation body forces depending on the relative vertical displacements and on a distance-decaying function ruling the amount of interactions. Different choices of the distance-decaying function correspond to different kind of interactions and foundation behavior. The use of an exponential distance-decaying function yields an integro-d…
Long-range interactions in 1D heterogeneous solids with uncertainty
2013
Abstract In this paper, the authors aim to analyze the response of a one-dimensional non-local elastic solid with uncertain Young's modulus. The non-local effects are represented as long-range central body forces between non-adjacent volume elements. Following a non-probabilistic approach, the fluctuating elastic modulus of the material is modeled as an interval field. The analysis is conducted resorting to a novel formulation that confines the overestimation effect involved in interval models. Approximate closed-form expressions are derived for the bounds of the interval displacement field.
The mechanically-based approach to 3D non-local linear elasticity theory: Long-range central interactions
2010
Abstract This paper presents the generalization to a three-dimensional (3D) case of a mechanically-based approach to non-local elasticity theory, recently proposed by the authors in a one-dimensional (1D) case. The proposed model assumes that the equilibrium of a volume element is attained by contact forces between adjacent elements and by long-range forces exerted by non-adjacent elements. Specifically, the long-range forces are modelled as central body forces depending on the relative displacement between the centroids of the volume elements, measured along the line connecting the centroids. Further, the long-range forces are assumed to be proportional to a proper, material-dependent, dis…
Mechanically-based approach to non-local elasticity: Variational principles
2010
Abstract The mechanically-based approach to non-local elastic continuum, will be captured through variational calculus, based on the assumptions that non-adjacent elements of the solid may exchange central body forces, monotonically decreasing with their interdistance, depending on the relative displacement, and on the volume products. Such a mechanical model is investigated introducing primarily the dual state variables by means of the virtual work principle. The constitutive relations between dual variables are introduced defining a proper, convex, potential energy. It is proved that the solution of the elastic problem corresponds to a global minimum of the potential energy functional. Mo…
One-dimensional heterogeneous solids with uncertain elastic modulus in presence of long-range interactions: Interval versus stochastic analysis
2013
The analysis of one-dimensional non-local elastic solids with uncertain Young's modulus is addressed. Non-local effects are represented as long-range central body forces between non-adjacent volume elements. For comparison purpose, the fluctuating elastic modulus of the material is modeled following both a probabilistic and a non-probabilistic approach. To this aim, a novel definition of the interval field concept, able to limit the overestimation affecting ordinary interval analysis, is introduced. Approximate closed-form expressions are derived for the bounds of the interval displacement field as well as for the mean-value and variance of the stochastic response.
Factors Influencing Accounting Outsourcing Practices among SMEs in Pakistan Context: Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) and Resource-Based Views (RBV) …
2014
Published version of an article from the journal:International Journal of Business and Management. Also available from the publisher:http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v9n7p19 The present study was conducted to identify factors that affect Pakistani manufacturing SMEs decisions to outsource management accounting practices in terms of transaction cost economics (TCE) and resource-based view (RBV). A survey of 302 SMEs was carried out using convenience sampling, a personal interview owners/managers/CFOs located in 9 major cities of Pakistan. Our multiple regression analysis revealed that the frequency of non-routine tasks, asset specificity, opportunism, trust in accountant and competition has a …
Convolution-based ensemble learning algorithms to estimate the bond strength of the corroded reinforced concrete
2022
Reinforced concrete bond strength deterioration is one of the most serious problems in the construction industry. It is one of the most common factors impacting structural deterioration and the major cause of premature decadence of reinforced concrete structures. Therefore, developing an accurate model with the lowest variance and high reliability for the bond strength of corroded reinforced concrete is very important. The current work evaluates the efficiency of convolution-based ensemble learning algorithms. To address these issues, convolution-based ensemble learning models are developed using a database collected from the previous experimental studies of relative bond strength for corro…
Steel-concrete bond in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete under monotonic and cyclic actions
2005
Experimental results of the local bond stress-slip relationship of reinforcing bars embedded in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete with expanded clay aggregates are presented. The effect of the following parameters were investigated: - dimension of specimens; - anchorage length; - percentages of hooked steel fibers; - geometrical ratio of transverse reinforcement; - confinement external transverse pressure. Prismatic specimens with deformed steel bars embedded for a fixed length equal to five and eight equivalent diameters were tested under both monotonic and cyclic reversal imposed displacements at the tip of the bars, in controlled displacement tests. The influence of the above mention…
Multidomain BEM for crack analysis in stiffened anisotropic plates.
2014
The present paper is concerned with the application of a boundary element model for the analysis of cracks in stiffened composite panels. The panel stiffeners are reduced to equivalent strips and the multidomain technique is used to model panel zones presenting different properties (skin and stiffeners equivalent strip). Also the crack is modeled exploiting the multidomain formulation. Evaluation of stress intensity factors is performed for representative problems.
One changing and challenging scenario: the treatment of cancer patients with bone metastases by bisphosphonates and denosumab, the cost-benefit evalu…
2022
Antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates and denosumab) have become the cornerstone of medical supportive treatment of bone metastases in solid cancer patients. In the beginning, the choice of available antiresorptive agents was limited to bisphosphonates and the treatment options restricted principally to monthly pamidronate and monthly zoledronic acid. Introduction of new antiresorptive therapies (monthly denosumab) and schedules (zoledronic acid every 3 months, upfront or after initial period of monthly infusion) in the last decade increased the range of available options, thus challenging treatment decision making. Direct and indirect costs of very different treatment options are difficult…