Estimation of global sensitivity indices for models with dependent variables

A novel approach for estimation variance-based sensitivity indices for models with dependent variables is presented. Both the first order and total sensitivity indices are derived as generalizations of Sobol? sensitivity indices. Formulas and Monte Carlo numerical estimates similar to Sobol? formulas are derived. A copula-based approach is proposed for sampling from arbitrary multivariate probability distributions. A good agreement between analytical and numerical values of the first order and total indices for considered test cases is obtained. The behavior of sensitivity indices depends on the relative predominance of interactions and correlations. The method is shown to be efficient and general.     

Effect of temperature and stoichiometry on the long-range 1:2 cation order in BaZn1/3Ta2/3O3

We report on the compositional stability range, the degree of atomic order and Raman and optical spectra of the off-stoichiometric BaZn_1/3Ta_2/3O₃ (BZT) within the BaO–ZnO–Ta₂O₅ ternary diagram. Almost all off-stoichiometric BZT compositions equilibrated at 1200?°C show significant degree of the long-range 1:2 cation order ranging from 60% to 80%. Ceramics equilibrated at 1550?°C and annealed at 1450?°C show strong effect of composition on the 1:2 order. The regions where an 1:2 atomic order is robust to the deviation from stoichiometry include the off-stoichiometric compositions along the BZT–Ba₄Ta₂O₉, BZT–Ba₃Ta₂O₈, BZT–BaTa₂O₆, BZT–Ta₂O₅, BZT–ZnTa₂O₆ and BZT–Zn₄Ta₂O₉ (pseudo) tie lines. At the same time ceramics formulated along the BZT–BaO, BZT–ZnO, BZT–BaZnO₂, BZT–Ba₂ZnO₃ tie lines and BZT–‘Ba₃ZnO₄’ pseudo tie line show complete disorder. There is a very close correlation between the degree of the 1:2 order on one hand and the unit cell volume and lattice distortion on the other hand. The ordered BZT show contraction of the unit cell whereas disordered ceramics show expansion of the unit cell in the off-stoichiometric region. The pronounced signatures of the order-disorder phase transition in the Raman and optical spectra are discussed.     

Industrial Electron-Beam Equipment for Deposition of Protective Coatings: Overview

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - The current development of industrial electron-beam equipment for the deposition of protective coatings on gas turbine blades by high-speed electron-beam...     

Misleading signals in joint schemes for the mean vector and covariance matrix

In multivariate statistical process control, it is recommendable to run two individual charts: one for the process mean vector and another one for the covariance matrix. The resulting joint scheme provides a way to satisfy Shewhart's dictum that proper process control implies monitoring both process location and spread. The multivariate quality characteristic is deemed to be out of control whenever a signal is triggered by either individual chart of the joint scheme. Consequently, a shift in the mean vector can be misinterpreted as a shift in the covariance matrix and vice versa. Compelling results are provided to give the quality control practitioner an idea of how joint schemes for the mean vector and covariance matrix are prone to trigger misleading signals that will likely lead to a incorrect diagnostic of which parameter has changed.     

Gaseous products of the thermolysis of brown coal impregnated with potassium hydroxide

The yields of gaseous products (H₂, CO, CO₂, and C _n H_2n + 2 at n = 1−4) from brown coal and brown coal-KOH compounds were determined under conditions of nonisothermal heating (4°C/min) to 800°C followed by an isothermal exposure (1 h, 800°C). It was found that, in the presence of the alkali, the yields of H₂, CO, C₂H₆, and C₃H₈ increased; the yields of CO₂ and CH₄ decreased; and the formation of isobutane was completely suppressed. Changes in the gas compositions were explained by the alkali degradation of C-C bonds in the organic matter of coal and by the thermally initiated dehydrogenation and dealkylation reactions of arene and alkane structural fragments, in which KOH molecules served as H-atom donors in the formation of H₂ and alkanes.     

Tragverhalten an Gurtdickensprüngen geschweißter Biegeträger

Gurtdickensprünge und Zusatzlamellen zählen zu den stahlbaulichen Standardausführungen zur Anpassung der Biegetragfähigkeit von Brückenträgern an veränderliche Momentenverläufe. Durch die lokale Steifigkeitsänderung im Querschnitt entstehen an solchen Verstärkungen Zusatzbeanspruchungen, welche durch die klassische baustatische Behandlung nach der Balkentheorie nicht im Detail erfasst werden können. Im Beitrag wird zum einen gezeigt, dass in den Halsnähten zwischen Steg und Gurtblech hohe lokale Schubbeanspruchungen sowie Querbeanspruchungen – auch in Stegebene – entstehen. Zum anderen entstehen in den Gurtblechen zufolge der Exzentrizität der Gurte lokale Biegebeanspruchungen in erheblicher Größe. Des Weiteren hat dies im Druckbereich auch Auswirkungen auf die lokale Beulstabilität. Obwohl diese Effekte grundsätzlich seit langem bekannt sind, hat deren korrekte Erfassung in den letzten Jahren zufolge der Tendenz zur Verwendung deutlich dickerer und breiterer Gurtbleche – bei gleichzeitiger Zunahme der verwendeten Stahlfestigkeiten und Ausnutzungsgrade – stark an Bedeutung gewonnen. Da jedoch die genannten Effekte in der praktischen baustatischen Berechnung üblicherweise nur pauschal erfasst werden können, wird anhand konkreter Beispiele ein realistisches Bild der tatsächlich auftretenden Beanspruchungen und der sich daraus ergebenden Konsequenzen auf die Gebrauchstauglichkeit, Ermüdungs‐ und Beulfestigkeit der Bauteile gegeben. Load carrying behaviour at flange thickness transitions in welded girders. Flange thickness transitions and cover plates constitute two of the most common constructional details used to adapt the flexural resistance of bridge girders to variable bending moment distributions. The sudden change of stiffness distribution within the cross‐section at these details causes additional local forces and stresses that cannot be properly taken into account by classical beam‐theory calculations. The study presented in this paper shows that on the one hand, the longitudinal welds between web and flange plates are subjected to additional longitudinal shear forces, as well as transversal forces in the web plate's plane. On the other hand, the usually eccentric disposition of the flange plates causes considerable local bending stresses in these plates. The latter also affects the buckling strength of the flange plates when these are loaded in compression. Although these effects have been known in principle for some time, their correct inclusion in practical calculations has gained significance over the last years due to the prevailing trend towards the use of thicker plates of higher steel grades designed with higher stress utilizations. The inclusion of these effects in current design procedures is, at present, treated with rather pragmatic approaches; therefore, the objective of this paper is to illustrate the realistic stresses in flange thickness transitions by means of case studies, and to discuss the effects that these stresses have on the serviceability, fatigue and buckling strength of the girders.     

Reconstruction of a Wavefront Distorted by Atmospheric Turbulence with Account for Optical Scheme of the Telescope

Optoelectronics, Instrumentation and Data Processing - Reconstruction of a wavefront containing turbulent distortions of optical radiation is considered. The Hartmann method based reconstruction is...     

A decade of quality steel production: Developing a production technology for steel used in metal-cord manufacture

The introduction of high-carbon wire-rod production at OAO Moldavskii Metallurgicheskii Zavod is considered, with particular attention to wire rod for the production of metal cord. The influence of various factors—the chemical composition of the steel, its content of nonmetallic inclusions, its macrostructure and microstructure, decarburization, surface defects, and the scale—on wire rod performance is considered, individually and in aggregate. An effective production technology is developed, including steel production, ladle treatment, casting, rolling, and thermomechanical treatment of the wire rod for metal-cord production.