Transient dynamic impact suppression of a Baja chassis using frontal and rear shock absorbers

This paper investigates the behaviour of impact loading on a Baja vehicle chassis with frontal and rear shock absorbers, using transient dynamic analysis under different assumptions of contact conditions. Using a Baja car, a transient dynamic impact is performed in ANSYS Workbench 14.0, where the maximum deformation, stress and strains are calculated over duration of the particular impact. The mathematical model of the chassis is derived based on Kelvin model in order to design the best parameters of stiffness and damping coefficient in shock absorbers to minimise the deformation of the frame with the same impact. To study the effects of shock absorber under loading on a vehicle chassis, multiple finite element simulations are performed with different methodologies. Each methodology uses a different assumption on loading and boundary conditions, which leads to different results

Bacterial foraging-optimized PID control of a two-wheeled machine with a two-directional handling mechanism

This paper presents the performance of utilizing a bacterial foraging optimization algorithm on a PID control scheme for controlling a five DOF two-wheeled robotic machine with two-directional handling mechanism. The system under investigation provides solutions for industrial robotic applications that require a limited-space working environment. The system nonlinear mathematical model, derived using Lagrangian modeling approach, is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink(®) environment. Bacterial foraging-optimized PID control with decoupled nature is designed and implemented. Various working scenarios with multiple initial conditions are used to test the robustness and the system performance. Simulation results revealed the effectiveness of the bacterial foraging-optimized PID control method in improving the system performance compared to the PID control scheme

Source Evaluation and Trace Metal Contamination in Benthic Sediments from Equatorial Ecosystems Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques

race metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) concentrations in benthic sediments were analyzed through multi-step fractionation scheme to assess the levels and sources of contamination in estuarine, riverine and freshwater ecosystems in Niger Delta (Nigeria). The degree of contamination was assessed using the individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). Multivariate statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and correlation test were employed to evaluate the interrelationships and associated sources of contamination. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations followed the pattern Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Ecological risk index by ICF showed significant potential mobility and bioavailability for Cu, Cu and Ni. The ICF contamination trend in the benthic sediments at all studied sites was Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb. The principal component and agglomerative clustering analyses indicate that trace metals contamination in the ecosystems was influenced by multiple pollution sources