Chain sampling inspection plans - ChSP-0,4 AND ChSP-1, 4 Technical report no. n-24

Two-stage chain sampling inspection plan

Feasibility Study for a Repetitive Member Factor for Cold-formed Steel Framing Systems

Cold-formed steel has become a preferred building material for structural framing in many different types of structures, commonly used as repetitive members such as floor joists, roof rafters, roof trusses and wall studs. For wood framed structures with repetitive members, a repetitive member factor increases the allowable bending stress from 1.00 to 1.50 times the reference design value, depending on both the type of material and the type of load. Currently, however, the bending strength of cold-formed steel repetitive members is not permitted to be increased, even though the method of framing is quite similar to that of wood except for the material properties. Typical light-frame wood construction consists of floor, roof , and wall systems, each with repetitive members connected by sheathing. A repetitive system is one of at least three members that are spaced not farther apar t than 24-inches connected by a load distributing element. The behavior of th e individual members, then, is affected by inclusion into this system. The effects of both composite action and load- sharing in a repetitive system increase the bending capacity of bending members. The same general principles of repetitive use should apply to cold- formed steel due to its similarity to wood construction. Based upon a preliminary analytical study of the effects of both composite action and load- sharing in cold-formed steel assemblies it has been concluded that a repetitive member factor for cold-formed steel memb ers is feasible and should be further investigated

Discovery of a Binary Centaur

We have identified a binary companion to (42355) 2002 CR46 in our ongoing deep survey using the Hubble Space Telescope's High Resolution Camera. It is the first companion to be found around an object in a non-resonant orbit that crosses the orbits of giant planets. Objects in orbits of this kind, the Centaurs, have experienced repeated strong scattering with one or more giant planets and therefore the survival of binaries in this transient population has been in question. Monte Carlo simulations suggest, however, that binaries in (42355) 2002 CR46 -like heliocentric orbits have a high probability of survival for reasonable estimates of the binary's still-unknown system mass and separation. Because Centaurs are thought to be precursors to short period comets, the question of the existence of binary comets naturally arises; none has yet been definitively identified. The discovery of one binary in a sample of eight observed by HST suggests that binaries in this population may not be uncommon.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, 1 table accepted for publication in Icaru

Hypervelocity impact facility for simulating materials exposure to impact by space debris

As a result of man's venturing into space, the local debris contributed by his presence exceeds, at some orbital altitudes, that of the natural component. Man's contribution ranges from fuel residue to large derelect satellites that weigh many kilograms. Current debris models are able to predict the growth of the problem and suggest that spacecraft must employ armor or bumper shields for some orbital altitudes now, and that, the problem will become worse as a function of time. The practical upper limit to the velocity distribution is on the order of 40 km/s and is associated with the natural environment. The maximum velocity of the man-made component is in the 14-16 km/s range. The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) has verified that the 'high probability of impact' particles are in the microgram to milligram range. These particles can have significant effects on coatings, insulators, and thin metallic layers. The surface of thick materials becomes pitted and the local debris component is enhanced by ejecta from the debris spectrum in a controlled environment. The facility capability is discussed in terms of drive geometry, energetics, velocity distribution, diagnostics, and projectile/debris loading. The facility is currently being used to study impact phenomena on Space Station Freedom's solar array structure, other solar array materials, potential structural materials for use in the station, electrical breakdown in the space environment, and as a means of clarifying or duplicating the impact phenomena on the LDEF surfaces. The results of these experiments are described in terms of the mass/velocity distribution incident on selected samples, crater dynamics, and sample geometry

Recurrence interval analysis of high-frequency financial returns and its application to risk estimation

We investigate the probability distributions of the recurrence intervals $\tau$ between consecutive 1-min returns above a positive threshold $q>0$ or below a negative threshold $q<0$ of two indices and 20 individual stocks in China's stock market. The distributions of recurrence intervals for positive and negative thresholds are symmetric, and display power-law tails tested by three goodness-of-fit measures including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistic, the weighted KS statistic and the Cram\'er-von Mises criterion. Both long-term and shot-term memory effects are observed in the recurrence intervals for positive and negative thresholds $q$. We further apply the recurrence interval analysis to the risk estimation for the Chinese stock markets based on the probability $W_q(\Delta{t},t)$, Value-at-Risk (VaR) analysis and VaR analysis conditioned on preceding recurrence intervals.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, 1 tabl

Radiative diffusivity factors in cirrus and stratocumulus clouds: Application to two-stream models

A diffusion-like description of radiative transfer in clouds and the free atmosphere is often used. The two stream model is probably the best known example of such a description. The main idea behind the approach is that only the first few moments of radiance are needed to describe the radiative field correctly. Integration smooths details of the angular distribution of specific intensity and it is assumed that the closure parameters of the theory (diffusivity factors) are only weakly dependent on the distribution. The diffusivity factors are investigated using the results obtained from both Stratocumulus and Cirrus phases of FIRE experiment. A new theoretical framework is described in which two (upwards and downwards) diffusivity factors are used and a detailed multistream model is used to provide further insight about both the diffusivity factors and their dependence on scattering properties of clouds

System for measuring passenger reaction to transportation-vehicle vibration

Equipment is capable of measuring frequencies from 0 to 50 Hz and is portable, light, inexpensive, and easily adaptable to field operations. System could be used in situations where it is necessary to record simultaneously subject response to other types of physical measurement or stimuli, such as temperature, noise, or pressure

Illuminating dark matter and primordial black holes with interstellar antiprotons

Interstellar antiproton fluxes can arise from dark matter annihilating or decaying into quarks or gluons that subsequently fragment into antiprotons. Evaporation of primordial black holes also can produce a significant antiproton cosmic-ray flux. Since the background of secondary antiprotons from spallation has an interstellar energy spectrum that peaks at \sim 2\gev and falls rapidly for energies below this, low-energy measurements of cosmic antiprotons are useful in the search for exotic antiproton sources. However, measurement of the flux near the earth is challenged by significant uncertainties from the effects of the solar wind. We suggest evading this problem and more effectively probing dark-matter signals by placing an antiproton spectrometer aboard an interstellar probe currently under discussion. We address the experimental challenges of a light, low-power-consuming detector, and present an initial design of such an instrument. This experimental effort could significantly increase our ability to detect, and have confidence in, a signal of exotic, nonstandard antiproton sources. Furthermore, solar modulation effects in the heliosphere would be better quantified and understood by comparing results to inverse modulated data derived from existing balloon and space-based detectors near the earth.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure

The design of an experiment to detect low energy antiprotons

The techniques to be used in a balloon borne experiment APEX to detect 220 MeV antiprotons are described, paying particular attention to potential sources of background. Event time history is shown to be very effective in eliminating this background. Results of laboratory tests on the timing resolution which may be achieved are presented