Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 145

Abstract: A procedure derived from truss model was established to predict rapidly the failure mode of a reinforced concrete column in the design stage. Failure mode of an RC column can be classified as either shear or flexural failure. In general, an RC column can be assumed to be a beam-column member subjected to combined axial, flexural, and shear forces. It is difficulty to predict its overall failure behavior without a priori knowledge. Thus in this paper, the shear capacity is isolated independently from the complex behavior of a column based on the concept of well known truss model. The shear capacity can be viewed as the contribution of diagonal truss of a truss model while the longitudinal truss modeled the combined axial-flexural behavior. The obtained shear capacity using the proposed method can be compared with flexural capacity obtained from pushover analysis to predict whether shear failure or flexural failure will occur during cyclic test of an RC column. Five cyclic test results were compared to the predicted analytical results. All five failure modes are successfully predicted using the proposed procedure.

Abstract: Freshwater algal bloom is caused by rapid increases or accumulations of phytoplankton abundance due to the excess of nutrients in eutrophic lakes or reservoirs. The population dynamics in such ecosystem is difficult to explain and predict due to the high non-linearity of the relationship between phytoplankton abundance and water variables. Thus the capacity of model is a crucial point for system simulation and information abstraction about the target ecosystem. Recently relevance vector machine (RVM) has been reported to be able to work more effectively with simpler algorithm, faster convergence and better accuracy than other prediction approaches, such as artificial neural network (ANN). This work for the first time adopts the RVM to develop a prediction model for phytoplankton abundance given ten water parameters including temperature, turbidity, conductivity, nitrate, total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphate (PO₄^3-), total phosphorus (TP), TN/TP, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and water level in Macau Reservoir. The measured data are used to test and validate the model for predicting the phytoplankton abundance. The preliminary results show that the RVM based model is feasible in understanding the algal bloom problem and simulating the onset of algal bloom caused by phytoplankton abundance, thus providing a useful guide for practical algal bloom control.

Abstract: An equal leg angle with lips subjected to torsional moment will result in pure torsional shear, warping shear, and warping normal stresses. Evaluation of these torsion induced stresses is not a routine job for practicing engineers as one of major difficulties arises from the determination of sectional warping constant (C_w). Calculation of the warping constant (C_w) for the equal leg angle with lip steel section is a tedious and difficult task and thus presenting an obstacle to routine design. Although C_w formulas and values for selective cold-formed steel sections are available in the AISI manual, most practicing engineers have no idea how to evaluate C_w constants for sections that are not listed in the AISI manual. This paper provides a detailed step-by-step numerical procedure for evaluating the C_w value of the equal leg angle with lips steel open section. Comparison between the calculated values and those listed in the AISI manual shows virtually no differences, thus proving the reliability of our proposed procedure. Ultimately, we present an useful tool in computing the C_w for a equal leg angle with lips, without the use of sophisticated computer software.

Abstract: This paper studies and explores an innovative pattern for a new traffic information system based on Inter-Vehicle Communication Ad Hoc. The main characteristic of this pattern is that the functions for traffic information collection and transmission are realized with the use of the moving vehicle which integrates the average speed of the vehicle on the current road section with the average speed transmitted by other vehicles in the Ad Hoc through inter-vehicle communication and with no need for using fixed facilities for traffic information collection and transmission. The traffic information of the current road section within certain period can be transmitted by the moving vehicles. Because the moving vehicle constantly changes its Ad Hoc network and the vehicles traffic information can be transmitted interactively, the traffic information of every road section can quickly spread through the whole road network. In view of this pattern, this paper establishes relative math models of automatic collection and transmission, based on Ad Hoc, of the traffic information.

Abstract: The tradition RC building slab system is very rigid so the vibration and the will induce large noise often creates puzzle of the user. The slab vibration also will reduce the production fine proportion for high tech factory. So we must to enhance the RC slab energy absorbing capacity to reduce RC floor vibration. The rubber material has very good elasticity and energy absorbing capacity so is widely applied in many daily items. But the easy consuming characteristic will increase the waste process problem. If we can apply the high elasticity property in recycle rubber to RC slab so we can reduce the waste pollution and slab vibration behavior in the same time. The complex RC slab real behavior must be measure from test result. In this paper we want to get the dynamic behavior by pedestrian loading for rubber concrete RC slab by laboratory test. By the test results we can found the 5% rubber concrete will concentration to 7.2 Hz.

Abstract: Due to the reality of ninety five percent dependency of energy-importing, the diversification of kinds and sources of fuel like crude oil is making crucial and environmental issues in Taiwan. Efficient and zero emission fuel cell is a promising power source and expected to play a major role in the future energy supply. According to the fuel cell roadmap of the Bureau of Energy, Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the projected annual output will reach NTD 13,000 million in 2020, thus, a recognized specification and traceable metrology is necessary to maintain the product quality and trade equity once the market is emerged. In this paper, we review the current status of fuel cell development and standards in Taiwan and then propose a solid fuel cell metrology which can be traced to international standards.

Abstract: Friction of pavement is the most popular tropic which is concerned by drivers and engineers, surface texture are also widely regarded as key factor to influence it. The brief object of this study is to establish the relationship between 3 D texture and friction. In the study, the mixtures include Dense Grade Asphalt Concrete (DGAC), Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA), and Porous Asphalt (PA). High Definition Scan Texture Machine (HDSTM) with 2D Laser CCD was adopted to measure the 2 D texture of Asphalt concrete specimens, and British Portable Tester (BPN) was also used to evaluate friction of various mixture specimen surfaces. The study was attempted to further create initial 3 D model with data of HDSTM and Computer Simulation Program. Correlation coefficients between the ratio of Surface area in unit area (SA/A) and friction was up to 0.8. SA/A could be regards as the best feasible factor to estimate the mixture surface in the ability of skid resistance, and. Based on above results, 3D texture parameter is remarkable for evaluation of friction and is was worthy of further study.

Abstract: Construction contracts can be a complex subject if issues corresponding to their interpretation and administration are not handled properly. The need for clarity of construction contracts is eminent especially in the context of the construction industry. The paper holds that a better interpretation and understanding of construction contracts could offer a proactive approach to avoid the inevitability of conflicts occurring in a project. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual process flow model on how to clarify contract provisions in a contract. It is a subsequent development from the survey and case study that carried out for Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD) -203A (Rev. 10/83) Contract Form. The model is based on the results on the survey and case study, but it designed to render a generic approach of clarifying process for other contracts. Data Flow Diagram (DFD) method was selected to illuminate the process flow as the method focuses on object perspective and appropriate for this development. Certain limitations and recommendations of the model were highlighted. Ultimately, the model renders a useful guideline for future contract drafting and an important insight on clarity approach in contract administration for dispute avoidance.

Abstract: Accidents and adverse effects was the sixth leading cause of death in Taiwan in 2008 provided by Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan. Based on Statistics of Police Administration released by National Police Agency, Ministry of Interior, Taiwan, the case of intoxicated driving accidents accounts for more than 19% in fatal traffic accidents from 2006 to 2009. Moreover, the cause in intoxicated driving accidents ranks first among thirteen causes. As a result, intoxicated driving accident is one of the critical reasons to cause death and often results in serious casualties.

Abstract: This paper considers picker routing problem where the picking area consists of vertical and middle cross aisles, and has picking locations at some cross aisles. A graph optimization algorithm is developed to minimize total traveling distance for the unique layout. Because the dynamic programming-based graph optimization algorithm is very sensitive to the layout, it is not directly applicable to our aisle structure where has openings also in some cross aisles. Representing the rectangular picking layout as a graph of edges and vertices, the algorithm enumerates all picking tours by the principle of dynamic programming. We investigate the performance of the proposed algorithm through a practical case study in consumer packaged goods industry. For the given set of orders, the algorithm significantly reduces total distances than the current method. Its computing times are no longer than a second in spite of its apparent complexity.