BIM enabled optimisation framework for environmentally responsible and structurally efficient design systems

The present research investigates the potential for reducing the environmental impacts of structural systems through a more efficient use of materials. The main objective of this research is to explore and to develop a holistic and integrated methodology that utilises Building Information Modelling's (BIM) capabilities combined with structural analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as well as a two-staged structural optimisation solver that achieves efficient and environmentally responsible steel design solutions. The implemented workflow utilises Autodesk Revit-BIM, Tally-LCA and Autodesk Robot-Structural Analysis. RobOpt is the plug-in that has been established using the Application Programming Interface (API) of Robot and the .NET framework of C?, and it inherits several structural functionalities based on Robot Finite Element Method (FEM) engine. The proposed RobOpt application can be accessed via a graphic user interface (GUI) within the Robot software. The developed BIM-enabled optimisation methodology could be utilised as a design tool to inform early stage structural design solutions. A prototypical steel framed structural system under certain loads has been explored. The resulting bespoke I-beam sections from the custom genetic algorithm (GA) optimisation demonstrate that significant savings-up to 21%-can be achieved in all tested environmental indicators when compared to the standard UK catalogue of steel sections. Considering all, the proposed framework constitutes a useful and an intuitive workflow, which aims to quantify the environmental savings of structural systems by utilising, advanced computational analysis and common construction techniques

Observed Structure and Characteristics of Cold Pools over Tropical Oceans using Vector Wind Retrievals and WRF Simulations

No abstract availabl

Cryogenic systems for the Mirror Fusion Test Facility

This paper includes an in-depth discussion of the design, fabrication, and operation of the Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) cryogenic system located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Each subsystem discussed to present a basic composite of the entire facility. The following subsystems are included: 500kW nitrogen reliquefier, subcoolers, and distribution system; 15kW helium refrigerator/liquefier and distribution system; helium recovery and storage system; rough vacuum and high vacuum systems

Probing the physiology of ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans using electric current stimulation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98694/1/ApplPhysLett_99_053702.pd

The Temporal and Probabilistic Relationship between Lightning Jump Occurrence and Radar-Derived Thunderstorm Intensification

No abstract availabl

Exploring Lightning Jump Characteristics

This study is concerned with the characteristics of storms exhibiting an abrupt temporal increase in the total lightning flash rate (i.e., lightning jump, LJ). An automated storm tracking method is used to identify storm "clusters" and total lightning activity from three different lightning detection systems over Oklahoma, northern Alabama and Washington, D.C. On average and for different employed thresholds, the clusters that encompass at least one LJ (LJ1) last longer, relate to higher Maximum Expected Size of Hail, Vertical Integrated Liquid and lightning flash rates (area-normalized) than the clusters that did not exhibit any LJ (LJ0). The respective mean values for LJ1 (LJ0) clusters are 80 min (35 min), 14 mm (8 mm), 25 kg per square meter (18 kg per square meter) and 0.05 flash per min per square kilometer (0.01 flash per min per square kilometer). Furthermore, the LJ1 clusters are also characterized by slower decaying autocorrelation functions, a result that implies a less "random" behavior in the temporal flash rate evolution. In addition, the temporal occurrence of the last LJ provides an estimate of the time remaining to the storm's dissipation. Depending of the LJ strength (i.e., varying thresholds), these values typically range between 20-60 min, with stronger jumps indicating more time until storm decay. This study's results support the hypothesis that the LJ is a proxy for the storm's kinematic and microphysical state rather than a coincidental value

Integrating Space-Borne Lightning Characteristics and Ground Based Metrics for Assessing Thunderstorm Intensity

No abstract availabl

Chinese heritage tourists to heritage sites: what are the effects of heritage motivation and perceived authenticity on satisfaction?

Much of the literature on authenticity is Western-centric, while little work addresses the concept in the Asian environment. The literature relating to authenticity from Asian tourists’ point of view is even underdeveloped. This study therefore aims to fill the knowledge gap by investigating Chinese tourists’ perspective of authenticity. It also examines tourists’ perceived authenticity as a multi-dimensional construct in a consumer-based model, the relationship with heritage motivation and tourist satisfaction. Findings indicate that Chinese tourists’ perceptions of authenticity are closely related to objective and constructive authenticity. The study demonstrates that heritage motivation has a significant positive influence on perceived authenticity and that perceived authenticity has a strong ability to predict tourist satisfaction