Prediction of Optimal Maintenance Alternative for Iraqi Pavement Management Based on Multi-Objective Optimization Technique and Constraint Genetic Algorithm

Pavement management systems (PMS) are widely used to assist the transportation agencies to support the decision makers to select the best maintenance alternatives. To maintain a pavement network under a performance-based efficiently and cost-effectively in a long-term horizon, the local related agencies such as SCRB, mayoralty of Baghdad and Ministry of Municipalities need to provide balance multiple objectives (e.g., cost minimum, performance maximum) which are often different from the requirements of the traditional asset preservation practices. Accordingly, the main objective of this research is to develop a multi-objective optimization model to support the multi-year decision making process of the Iraqi pavement maintenance management system. Two optimization objectives are considered; maintenance cost minimization and pavement condition maximization. This study selects the flexible pavement section (R4/B-Expressway No.1) as the study area. Different field measurements are carried out to estimate the pavement performance indicators (PPI) which included; Pavement Condition Index (PCI), International Friction Index (IFI), and International Roughness Index (IRI) to formulate multi-objective optimization models to select optimal maintenance alternative for the selected case study. Keywords: pavement management system, pavement maintenance, multi-objective optimization, genetic algorithm

Upgrading SIM–OFDM Using a Threshold for Correct Operation with Analytical Proofs

A new upgrade to the SIM–OFDM is suggested to solve a critical problem that crashes the system even over noiseless channel. This problem is the interference of the zeros at the IFFT output with the BOOK\u27s zeros that confuses the receiver during demodulation which leads to BER accumulation. The suggested solution is to use a threshold to differentiate the data carried by the BOOK from the IFFT\u27s symbols. The new system is called Threshold SIM–OFDM (TSIM–OFDM). The mathematical analysis of TSIM–OFDM proves it operates normally and meets the theoretical bounds. The TSIM–OFDM preserves the probability of 1 equal to 1/2. This preservation comes from the direct connection of the ON/OFF switching bits to the subcarrier which overrides the majority condition. This new switching technique simplifies the system operation resulting in higher transmission speed and increased spectral and power efficiency. A simple approach to derive the BER for the SIM–OFDM is presented which proves that the SIM–OFDM will never reach zero BER level unlike the TSIM–OFDM. The simulation results show that the TSIM–OFDM BER reaches zero level and the output power is almost half of the OFDM. Adding the threshold will increase the transmitted power slightly and tends to decrease with the increase of IFFT length

Prediction the Effect of Maintenance Alternative on Pavement Performance Indicators

A road pavement continues to deteriorate under the combined actions of traffic loading and the environment. The ability of the road to satisfy the demands of traffic and the environment over its design life is known as performance. The most common indicators of pavement performance are: pavement condition index (PCI), riding quality or (IRI) and skid resistance or (IFI). Understanding the maintenance effects can benefit pavement maintenance decision-making. Accordingly, this research presents the effect of maintenance alternative on pavment performance indicators.Using the right maintenance treatment at the right time will help to get the maximum benefit and keeping the pavement performance indicator's values in a good level. Keywords: pavement performance, pavement performance indicators, maintenance alternative, multi-objective optimization

Modified prediction approach of strength of high strength polyolefin fiber reinforced concrete corbels

This paper aims to investigate the effect of polyolefin fibers on high strength reinforced concrete corbels using twelve specimens with different quantities of fibers and shear span-to-span ratios, all corbels were only tested vertically. Due to the addition of polyolefin fibers, the ultimate load-carrying capacity of corbels was significantly improved, according to the findings of this study and other relevant data. The limitations and insufficiency of the three techniques were proven by a comparison of current test results and anticipated values by the ACI 318 Code -19 rules for the tested specimens, the Strut and Tie Model, and the proposed method. The ultimate shear load of polyolefin fiber reinforced high strength concrete corbels with was determined to be best predicted by applying the Strut and Tie Model technique to account for the fibers' contribution to strength

A New Analytical Model for SIM–OFDM Contradicts the Previously Claimed Features

The Subcarrier Index Modulation OFDM (SIM–OFDM) appeared in 2009 promising a –3 dB transmitted power reduction without affecting the system performance. Therefore, it became an attractive choice to upgrade the communication systems with researchers’ increasing interest. Despite the research efforts in SIM–OFDM field, there was no in-depth investigation for such transmitted power reduction or the system’s performance. The claimed power reduction relies on probabilistic assumptions that were not validated considering system operation concepts. This paper provides a new analytical model that characterizes the actual SIM–OFDM behavior. The contribution of this model is the inclusion of the majority condition in the derivation of 1’s pmf which modifies the 1’s pmf into a complex nonlinear function that is always higher than 1/2. The new pmf effect upon the power reduction, synchronization, and the overall Bit Error Rate (BER) is investigated. The new analytical model shows that the –3 dB power reduction cannot be achieved. Also, no successful synchronization can be established unless extra subcarrier is added that will create a frame like communication system. Such scheme increases BER if the carrier is falsely detected creating a Frame Error Rate (FER) which might lead to serious problem

Optimized image processing and clustering to mitigate security threats in mobile ad hoc network

Since there are provisions of many attributes that are not possible or difficult to follow by networks conventionally, mobile ad-hoc networks are extensively deployed. This application starts through the defense sectors, the sensory node presents in the hostile territories down to the gadgets for congestion communication in traffic by general transportation when travelling for adequate provision of infrastructure during disaster recovery. As a lot of importance related to (mobile ad hoc network) MANET application, one important factor in ad-hoc networks is security. Using image processing for securing MANET is the area of focus of this research. Therefore, in this article, the security threats are assessed and representative proposals are summarized in ad-hoc network’s context. The study reviewed the current situation of the art for original to security provision called mobile ad hoc network for wireless networking. The threats to security are recognized while the present solution is observed. The study additionally summarized education erudite, talks on general issues and future instructions are recognized. Also, in this study, the forecast weighted clustering algorithm (FWCA) is employed as a cluster head over weighted clustering algorithm (WCA) is examined as quality in cluster-based routing, service is highly significant with MANET

Missed Gastric Injuries in Blunt Abdominal Trauma : Case report with review of literature

Hollow viscus injuries of the digestive tract are an uncommon occurrence in blunt abdominal trauma. We report a 39-year-old male who was hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian and admitted to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2015. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy which revealed injuries to the distal stomach, liver and descending colon. Postoperatively, the patient was febrile, tachycardic and hypotensive. Abdominal examination revealed distention and tenderness. The next day, a repeat laparotomy identified a gastric injury which had not been diagnosed during the initial laparotomy. Although the defect was repaired, the patient subsequently died as a result of multiorgan failure. Missed gastric injuries are rare and are associated with a grave prognosis, particularly for trauma patients. Delays in diagnosis, in addition to associated injuries, contribute to a high mortality rate

Load Frequency Control for Hydropower Plants using PID Controller

Many development republics began to get rid of conventional energy and towards to use renewable energy like hydropower system, solar cells and wind turbines as soon as possible. Load Frequency Control (LFC) problem is coming to be the main topics for mentioning schemes due to not corresponding between main power system inputs such as change load demand and change in speed turbine settings. This paper illustrates a selftuning control of hydropower system that suggested and confirmed under Automatic Generation Control (AGC) in power scheme. The suggested power system involves one single area. The suggested self-tuning control system is employed in performing the automatic generation control for load frequency control request and compared it with conventional control structure. The power system dynamic modeling has regularly built in several essential parameters which have a significant influence According to frequency limitation. The main problem with all controllers is an exaggerated reaction to minor errors, producing the system to oscillate. The output response results for hydropower system obviously proved the benefit of using maximum load demand by tuning PID controller. Whereas, tuning PID controller has got properly more rapid output response and minimal overshoot

Load Frequency Control for Hydropower Plants using PID Controller

Many development republics began to get rid of conventional energy and towards to use renewable energy like hydropower system, solar cells and wind turbines as soon as possible. Load Frequency Control (LFC) problem is coming to be the main topics for mentioning schemes due to not corresponding between main power system inputs such as change load demand and change in speed turbine settings. This paper illustrates a selftuning control of hydropower system that suggested and confirmed under Automatic Generation Control (AGC) in power scheme. The suggested power system involves one single area. The suggested self-tuning control system is employed in performing the automatic generation control for load frequency control request and compared it with conventional control structure. The power system dynamic modeling has regularly built in several essential parameters which have a significant influence According to frequency limitation. The main problem with all controllers is an exaggerated reaction to minor errors, producing the system to oscillate. The output response results for hydropower system obviously proved the benefit of using maximum load demand by tuning PID controller. Whereas, tuning PID controller has got properly more rapid output response and minimal overshoot