Abstract: In critical situations such as floods and earthquakes, the relief forces require a refrigeration for pharmaceuticals and vaccines, which could operate without an electrical energy and the alternative energies, such as solar ...

Abstract: A probabilistic fracture mechanics model was developed for determining the risk of fatigue failure of steel highway bridges. The model consists of: (1) stochastic inputs for crack growth rate, fracture toughness, initial ...

Abstract: In-place nondestructive simulation evaluation of the remaining bending strength of wooden utility poles is vital to the continued and successful operation of the poles, viability of the electrical transmission and delivery ...

Abstract: A general theory that addresses the preloading effects on the strength of brittle solids as a consequence of the progressive cracking is developed within the framework of continuum damage mechanics theories. To accommodate ...

Abstract: Optimization of oil production from petroleum reservoirs is an interesting and complex problem which can be done by optimal control of well parameters such as their flow rates and pressure. Different optimization techniques ...

Abstract: This paper studies the leader–follower flocking of multi-agent systems for the linear second-order dynamics, subject to the external disturbance problem. It is assumed that the dynamic of the leader is Lipschitz-type. Also, ...

Abstract: Highway bridges may encounter various extreme events during their design lives, and the effect of accidental, natural, or artificial fire on bridges is one of the least investigated hazard types. To bridge this knowledge ...

Abstract: A water distribution system, represented as a spatially organized graph, is a complex network of multiple interconnected nodes and links. The overall robustness of such a system, in addition to the reliability of individual ...

Abstract: During the hydraulic jacking process, the preexisting joints in a rock mass under grout pressure that exceeds the in-situ normal stress become unstable. This process thus causes the tensile opening and crack growth of ...

Abstract: Vibration of highway bridges, although often ignored, is a serviceability issue that may contribute to concrete deck cracking and delamination. A recently constructed prestressed concrete bridge in the Dallas–Fort metroplex ...