Probabilistic design criterion for best arrangement of bracing configuration in JTOP structures

Fixed marine structures is widely utilized as production or oil recovering platform in the shallow sea, and are also subject to random loading. Jacket structures subject to random loading pose difficulties in both analysis and design, with solutions commonly only viably acquired employing a numerical technique. Performance of offshore jacket platforms is highly related to configuration of the braces. In this regard, probabilistic scheme is a good option for evaluating jacket structures. In this paper, the performance of Resalat jacket structure located in the Persian Gulf with different kinds of bracing configuration is investigated. We present a new measuring index for optimum arrangement of bracing configuration which is defined as probabilistic design criterion. The Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method, which is a more advanced and appropriate form of the Monte Carlo simulation technique, is used to investigate different configurations. Hereof, probabilistic analysis is performed on different configurations of platform structure using the LHS method. The elastic modulus is employed as the random input variable for probabilistic analysis, and the maximum values of stress and horizontal displacement are selected as the random output variables. Also, at the end of the calculations, the optimum configuration can be found. It is demonstrated that the proposed probabilistic optimization algorithm is capable of effectively determining the optimum configuration of jacket platform structures. Therefore, an optimum bracing configuration can be useful in evaluating and designing the fixed marine structures

Internet Selling Expansion Inhibitors: A Mixed Method Approach

This research based on providing five questions has tried to identify and prioritize the main and sub inhibitors of internet selling boosting in Iran. A mixed method research (QUAN) has been used in this research. In the qualitative phase, individual in-depth interviews have been done with seven e-shop managers. In this phase, 45 detailed inhibitors have been detected. These 45 inhibitors have been categorized in nine sub categories and four main categories. In the quantitative phase a 51-items questionnaires has been designed including six demographical and 45 specialized questions. Findings of the quantitative phase reveal that the main obstacles include legal, cultural, infrastructural and managerial inhibitors. In addition, sub category inhibitors include legal, governmental, telecommunication, society, human resource, transportation, financial and customer related.     Keywords: e-selling, Iran, Inhibitors, Mixed method

The effects of targeted subsides on the prices of metal exchanging in the mercantile exchange

Abstract: One of the important matters performed by the government was making subsides targeted. After targeting subsides, a rise in the domestic price of metals occurred. Hence, some believed in a cause and effect relationship between targeted subsides and rising the domestic price of metals. Analyzing this issue, an econometric method to estimate the relationship between virtual variables of targeted subsides and price of metals exchanging in the mercantile exchange has been used. In the beginning, the characteristics of the available time series has been analyzed for evaluating the model based on its reliability and considering whether a unique root exists based on Generalized Dickey Fuller Test. Then, according to the reliability of variables, for assessing the effectiveness of targeted subsides, Auto Regression Model with Distributed Lags (ARDL) has been used. The results suggest that metal prices have not been affected by the targeted subsides

Explaining the Effects of the Rose Festival from the Perspective of Local Residents A Case Study of Kashan

Traditionally, the impacts of tourism can be studied as the social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts. The aim of this study is to provide a model to explain the effects of Rose festival in the county of Kashan. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran method as 200. To analyze the data, SPSS22 and AMOS22 were used. The results indicate that, the Rose festival affected in terms of environmental, physical, social and economic. Economic factors, is dedicated as playing the most important role in explaining the effects of Rose festival. Another important factor is the environmental factor that is influenced by Rose Festival and the development of tourism. This factor is accounted for the largest number of variables. Another important factor that is influenced by development of tourism and the Rose Festival is the physical factor. The last factor is social. Being of a minimum load factor compares to other factors indicates that the social texture of Kashan resist against change and this area still retains its local identity