Liquefaction evaluation at a California substation site

A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, in conjunction with subsurface geologic investigations, was used to evaluate the liquefaction potential of sand layers at Western Area Power Adminstration's Tracy, California, substation site. The seismic hazard analysis evaluates the peak ground acceleration corresponding to a lower level earthquake with a 50-percent probability of occurrence in 150 years, and two upper level earthquakes with a 10-percent probability of occurrence in 50 and 100 years. Based on the results of the geologic investigations and seismologic studies, it was concluded that the potential of liquefaction at the site for the design earthquakes was low     

On the application of Harris hawks optimization (HHO) algorithm to the design of microchannel heat sinks

Engineering with Computers - A novel Harris hawks optimization algorithm is applied to microchannel heat sinks for the minimization of entropy generation. In the formulation of the heat transfer...     

Microstructure and Sliding Wear Behaviour of Ni(Cr)-TiB_2 Coatings Deposited by HVOF Spraying of SHS Powders

THERMAL SPRAYING provides a large range ofcoatings,which increase the wear resistance ofsubstrates[1].One of the major coating families is thecermet,composed of hard ceramic particles with ametallic binder.The most commonly used cermetcoatings in industrial applications are based on eitherthe WC-Co or the Cr3C2-Ni(Cr)systems with WC-17wt%Co and Cr3C2-25wt%Ni(Cr)being typicalcompositions[2,3].Although WC-Co deposits are hardand wear resistant at ambient temperatures their rangeof ap…     

Soft computing based on new interval-valued fuzzy modified multi-criteria decision-making method

In this paper, a new interval-valued fuzzy modified TOPSIS (IVFM-TOPSIS) method is proposed that can reflect both subjective judgment and objective information in real life situations. This proposed method is based on concepts of the positive ideal and negative ideal solutions for solving multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems in a fuzzy environment. The performance rating values and weights of criteria are linguistic variables expressed as triangular interval-valued fuzzy numbers. Furthermore, we appraise the performance of alternatives against both subjective and objective criteria with multi-judges for decision-making problems. Finally, for the purpose of proving the validity of the proposed method a numerical example is presented for a robot selection problem.     

The solution and duality of imprecise network problems

Duality properties have been investigated by many researchers in the recent literature. They are introduced in this paper for a fully fuzzified version of the minimal cost flow problem, which is a basic model in network flow theory. This model illustrates the least cost of the shipment of a commodity through a capacitated network in terms of the imprecisely known available supplies at certain nodes which should be transmitted to fulfil uncertain demands at other nodes. First, we review on the most valuable results on fuzzy duality concepts to facilitate the discussion of this paper. By applying Hukuhara’s difference, approximated and exact multiplication and Wu’s scalar production, we exhibit the flow in network models. Then, we use combinatorial algorithms on a reduced problem which is derived from fully fuzzified MCFP to acquire fuzzy optimal flows. To give duality theorems, we utilize a total order on fuzzy numbers due to the level of risk and realize optimality conditions for providing some efficient combinatorial algorithms. Finally, we compare our results with the previous worthwhile works to demonstrate the efficiency and power of our scheme and the reasonability of our solutions in actual decision-making problems.     

Investigation of deep drawing concept of multi-point forming process in terms of prevalent defects

Multi-point forming is a novel flexible process that is economically suitable for both rapid prototyping and batch production of sheet metal parts. This technique is established based on altering rigid dies by matrices of adjustable punch elements. In this paper, the basic principle of this technique is implemented on deep drawing process. A reconfigurable die was constructed to investigate the multi-point deep drawing process. AA 2024-O Aluminum alloy was designated as test material. The formed specimens were evaluated in terms of dimpling defect, rupture, thickness distribution and dimensional accuracy. The onset of rupture was predicted by integrating the forming limit diagram of employed material with finite element Code. The predicted results were in a reasonable agreement with the experimental tests. It was found that for complete elimination of dimpling defect and acquiring maximum drawing depth, the proper allocation of elastic layer parameters such as thickness and hardness was crucial. The conducted investigations indicated that, in general, dimensional accuracy of formed parts was acceptable. However, for areas with sharp changes in geometry such as corners and side walls, deviation from desired geometry was evident. This phenomenon was remarkably dominant for manufactured parts utilizing softer elastic layer.     

An ant colony optimization algorithm for the bi-objective shortest path problem

Multi-objective shortest path problem (MOSP) is an extension of a traditional single objective shortest path problem that seeks for the efficient paths satisfying several conflicting objectives between two nodes of a network. MOSP is one of the most important problems in network optimization with wide applications in telecommunication industries, transportation and project management. This research presents an algorithm based on multi-objective ant colony optimization (ACO) to solve the bi-objective shortest path problem. To analyze the efficiency of the algorithm and check for the quality of solutions, experimental analyses are conducted. Two sets of small and large sized problems that generated randomly are solved. Results on the set problems are compared with those of label correcting solutions that is the most known efficient algorithm for solving MOSP. To compare the Pareto optimal frontiers produced by the suggested ACO algorithm and the label correcting algorithm, some performance measures are employed that consider and compare the distance, uniformity distribution and extension of the Pareto frontiers. The results on the set of instance problems show that the suggested algorithm produces good quality non-dominated solutions and time saving in computation of large-scale bi-objective shortest path problems.     

A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model for firms competence evaluation

In this paper, we present a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to evaluate the competence of the firms. According to the competence-based theory reveals that firm competencies are recognized from exclusive and unique capabilities that each firm enjoy in marketplace and are tightly intertwined within different business functions throughout the company. Therefore, competence in the firm is a composite of various attributes. Among them many intangible and tangible attributes are difficult to measure. In order to overcome the issue, we invite fuzzy set theory into the measurement of performance. In this paper first we calculate the weight of each criterion through adaptive analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach (A³) method, and then we appraise the performance of firms via linguistic variables which are expressed as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. In the next step we transform these fuzzy numbers into interval data by means of α-cut. Then considering different values for α we rank the firms through TOPSIS method with interval data. Since there are different ranks for different α values, we apply linear assignment method to obtain final rank for alternatives.     

Combined quasi-static backward modeling and look-ahead fuzzy control of vehicles

Vehicle modeling can play an important role in vehicle power train design, control and energy management investigation. This paper presents a method for vehicle power train modeling. The key feature of the method is its presentation of the dynamic of vehicle based on the road information. This ability makes the method suitable for look-ahead energy management and fuel economy optimal control problems. With the aid of a road slope database, road geometry ahead of the vehicle is extracted. A fuzzy controller is developed that receives this information and controls the velocity of the vehicle with respect to its fuel consumption. In order to maintain the operation of the combustion engine near its efficient region, the fuzzy controller commands a continuously variable transmission. Simulations are carried out using real road data. The results are presented and discussed.     

A new FMEA method by integrating fuzzy belief structure and TOPSIS to improve risk evaluation process

Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) model is a technique used to evaluate the risk. This paper aimed to propose a new FMEA model combining technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and belief structure to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional index of FMEA. In this paper, the fuzzy belief TOPSIS method is combined with FMEA to introduce a belief structure FMEA to describe the expert knowledge by a number of linguists as a grammatical phenomenon. Moreover, the weights of components in FMEA index can be different from each other. Therefore, the flexibility of assigning weight to each factor in this method is more compatible to the real decision-making situation. In other word, TOPSIS method is applied to determine the preference of alternatives versus risk criteria. Using linguistic terms in the fuzzy belief approach, the risk factors described a more meaningful value and decision-makers’ judgment is assigned with belief degrees through evaluation of factors. Finally, a numerical case study about the preference of cause failures of steel production process is provided to illustrate the process of proposed method, and then result and discussion is performed for each case.