Radial lip seals, thermal aspects

In this paper the influence of temperature on tne seal-snarc contact is studied, using coupled temperature-stress FEH analysis. A thermal network model is used to calculate the seal-shaft contact temperature for steady-state and transient conditions. Contact temperatures were measured under the seal lip, employing different measurement techniques. The experimental and numerical results show good correspondence. This study demonstrates that the thermal network theory provides a useful tool to predict the seal-shaft contact temperature

Vulnerability Study of Public Buildings Subjected to Earthquake Event

The present article addresses on the earthquake study due to performance of critical frame reinforced concrete building. The buildings are analysed using Finite Element Modeling (FEM) under different types of analyses including Free Vibration Analysis (FVA), and Time History Analysis (THA) with varies earthquake intensities. The performances of the structure are shown by the yield point at beam-column connections where the internal forces at beam elements exceed the design capacity of the beams. The performance of critical frame reinforced concrete building when subjected to earthquake motion (Near source: Acheh) was addressed. The level of the damage state (Minor, Moderate, Major, Collapse level) has been defined as well. As a result, a greater damage index means that the members yield earlier and the plastic rotation is larger and vice versa. In general, there are no significant damage occurred to the structure. However, some non-structural elements of the building are expected to experience minor damages. These two buildings has no structural response to the earthquake because both Damage Index are less than 1.000. The study indicates that more than 50% of the buildings produced dynamic amplification factors of slightly more than one indicating not much of a dynamic response to the buildings

Conjugate gradient algorithms and the Galerkin boundary element method

Original article can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/08981221 Copyright Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.camwa.2004.02.002Peer reviewe

Green Coastal Zones: Nodes and Connectors as Strategy of Urban Regeneration

[EN] The landscape of Valencian Community is a resource with great cultural and heritage value. The system of Green Infrastructure ensures a continuous network of unbuilt areas with high environmental, cultural and visual value that also serves as ecological and functional connectors. The ERAM research project `Strategies for sustainable regeneration of tourist settlements on the Mediterranean coast¿ (2012¿14) identifies and analyzes the different types of coastal tourist towns of the Valencian region considering their needs for urban regeneration. It proposes strategies for prospective actions that can serve as a model for the regeneration of coastal tourist resorts. The determination of Green Coastal Zones (GCZ) aims to define their potential for urban regeneration in order to establish criteria for regional planning and urban design processes that will foster innovation in mature tourist destinations. The results show the potential of the 11 ERAM areas whose nodal connectivity and multifunctional landscape defines the framework for adaptive design strategies that may present alternative scenarios for touristic settlements.The ERAM research project ‘Strategies for sustainable regeneration of tourist settlements on the Mediterranean coast’ (2012–14) identifies and analyzes the different types of coastal tourist towns of the Valencian region considering their needs for urban regeneration.Tuset Davó, JJ. (2017). Green Coastal Zones: Nodes and Connectors as Strategy of Urban Regeneration. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning. 12(3):488-497. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V12-N3-488-497S48849712

The economic value of landscape aesthetics in Albufera natural park through the analytic multicriteria valuation method

[EN] The effective definition of public intervention goals and resource allocation for natural resource management requires decision makers to understand the monetary values of the full range of goods and services provided by landscapes, in other words, their Total Economic Value (TEV). Aesthetic enjoyment (AE) can be considered as part of such TEV of landscapes. For the estimation of the economic value of AE in Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain), this paper applies the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). It is a combination of two established techniques: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and discount cash flow (DCF). The economic value of non-market benefits under AMUVAM is obtained indirectly, by comparing the relative degrees of importance attached to the different components of TEV. In this way, not only does it estimate a monetary value of AE but also its importance relative to TEV. Results express that AE represents 7% of the TEV in Albufera Natural Park and 24% of the EV in Albufera Natural Park ( 176 million). Results reveal distinct patterns in the valuation of TEV and existence value (EV). In this way, together with the average, a range of values which show the different sensitivities of society is provided. The comparison of the TEV obtained for Albufera Natural Park with previous studies conducted on wetlands suggests its similarity in scale.Estruch-Guitart, V.; Vallés-Planells, M. (2017). The economic value of landscape aesthetics in Albufera natural park through the analytic multicriteria valuation method. International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics. 12(3):281-302. doi:10.2495/DNE-V12-N3-281-302S28130212

Generalized Berreman's model of the elastic surface free energy of a nematic liquid crystal on a sawtoothed substrate

In this paper we present a generalization of Berreman's model for the elastic contribution to the surface free-energy density of a nematic liquid crystal in presence of a sawtooth substrate which favours homeotropic anchoring, as a function of the wavenumber of the surface structure $q$, the tilt angle $\alpha$ and the surface anchoring strength $w$. In addition to the previously reported non-analytic contribution proportional to $q\ln q$, due to the nucleation of disclination lines at the wedge bottoms and apexes of the substrate, the next-to-leading contribution is proportional to $q$ for a given substrate roughness, in agreement with Berreman's predictions. We characterise this term, finding that it has two contributions: the deviations of the nematic director field with respect to the corresponding to the isolated disclination lines, and their associated core free energies. Comparison with the results obtained from the Landau-de Gennes model shows that our model is quite accurate in the limit $wL>1$, when strong anchoring conditions are effectively achieved.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures; revised version submitted to Phys. Rev.

Uncertainty dynamics in a model of economic inequality

In this article, we consider a stylized dynamic model to describe the economics of a population, expressed by a Langevin-type kinetic equation. The dynamics is defined by a combination of terms, one of which represents monetary exchanges between individuals mutually engaged in trade, while the uncertainty in barter (trade exchange) is modelled through additive and multiplicative stochastic terms which necessarily abide dynamical constraints. The model is studied to estimate three meaningful quantities, the inequality Gini index, the social mobility and the total income of the population. In particular, we investigate the time evolving binary correlations between any two of these quantities

Agent-based modelling and inundation prediction to enable the identification of businesses affected by flooding

Flooding continues to cause significant disruption to individuals, organisations and communities in many parts of the world. In terms of the impact on businesses in the United Kingdom (UK), flooding is responsible for the loss of millions of pounds to the economy. As part of a UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded project on flood risk management, SESAME, research is being carried out with the aim of improving business response to and preparedness for flood events. To achieve this aim, one strand of the research is focused on establishing how agent-based modelling and simulation can be used to evaluate and improve business continuity. This paper reports on the development of the virtual geographic environment (VGE) component of an agent-based model and how this has been combined with inundation prediction to enable the identification of businesses affected by flooding in any urban area of the UK. The VGE has been developed to use layers from Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap, namely the Topography Layer, Integrated Transport Network Layer and Address Layer 2. Coupling the VGE with inundation prediction provides credibility in modelling flood events in any area of the UK. An initial case study is presented focusing on the Lower Don Valley region of Sheffield leading to the identification of businesses impacted by flooding based on a predicted inundation. Further work will focus on the development of agents to model and simulate businesses during and in the aftermath of flood events such that changes in their behaviours can be investigated leading to improved operational response and business continuity