Showing papers in "Sadhana-academy Proceedings in Engineering Sciences in 2006"

A survey of temporal data mining

Abstract: Data mining is concerned with analysing large volumes of (often unstructured) data to automatically discover interesting regularities or relationships which in turn lead to better understanding of the underlying processes. The field of temporal data mining is concerned with such analysis in the case of ordered data streams with temporal interdependencies. Over the last decade many interesting techniques of temporal data mining were proposed and shown to be useful in many applications. Since temporal data mining brings together techniques from different fields such as statistics, machine learning and databases, the literature is scattered among many different sources. In this article, we present an overview of techniques of temporal data mining. We mainly concentrate on algorithms for pattern discovery in sequential data streams. We also describe some recent results regarding statistical analysis of pattern discovery methods.

Solution of Fokker-Planck equation by finite element and finite difference methods for nonlinear systems

Abstract: The response of a structural system to white noise excitation (deltacorrelated) constitutes a Markov vector process whose transitional probability density function (TPDF) is governed by both the forward Fokker-Planck and backward Kolmogorov equations. Numerical solution of these equations by finite element and finite difference methods for dynamical systems of engineering interest has been hindered by the problem of dimensionality. In this paper numerical solution of the stationary and transient form of the Fokker-Planck (FP) equation corresponding to two state nonlinear systems is obtained by standard sequential finite element method (FEM) using C0 shape function and Crank-Nicholson time integration scheme. The method is applied to Van-der-Pol and Duffing oscillators providing good agreement between results obtained by it and exact results. An extension of the finite difference discretization scheme developed by Spencer, Bergman and Wojtkiewicz is also presented. This paper presents an extension of the finite difference method for the solution of FP equation up to four dimensions. The difficulties associated in extending these methods to higher dimensional systems are discussed.

Handwriting segmentation of unconstrained Oriya text

Abstract: Segmentation of handwritten text into lines, words and characters is one of the important steps in the handwritten text recognition process. In this paper we propose a water reservoir concept-based scheme for segmentation of unconstrained Oriya handwritten text into individual characters. Here, at first, the text image is segmented into lines, and the lines are then segmented into individual words. For line segmentation, the document is divided into vertical stripes. Analysing the heights of the water reservoirs obtained from different components of the document, the width of a stripe is calculated. Stripe-wise horizontal histograms are then computed and the relationship of the peak-valley points of the histograms is used for line segmentation. Based on vertical projection profiles and structural features of Oriya characters, text lines are segmented into words. For character segmentation, at first, the isolated and connected (touching) characters in a word are detected. Using structural, topological and water reservoir concept-based features, characters of the word that touch are then segmented. From experiments we have observed that the proposed “touching character” segmentation module has 96.7% accuracy for two-character touching strings.

Optimizing feed force for turned parts through the Taguchi technique

Abstract: The objective of the paper is to obtain an optimal setting of turning process parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) resulting in an optimal value of the feed force when machining EN24 steel with TiC-coated tungsten-carbide inserts. The effects of the selected turning process parameters on feed force and the subsequent optimal settings of the parameters have been accomplished using Taguchi’s parameter design approach. The results indicate that the selected process parameters significantly affect the selected machining characteristics. The results are confirmed by further experiments.

Effect of bulk modulus on performance of a hydrostatic transmission control system

Abstract: In this paper, we examine the performance of PID (proportional integral derivative) and fuzzy controllers on the angular velocity of a hydrostatic transmission system by means of Matlab-Simulink. A very novel aspect is that it includes the analysis of the effect of bulk modulus on system control. Simulation results demonstrates that bulk modulus should be considered as a variable parameter to obtain a more realistic model. Additionally, a PID controller is insufficient in presence of variable bulk modulus, whereas a fuzzy controller provides robust angular velocity control.

Minimizing total costs of forest roads with computer-aided design model

Abstract: Advances in personal computers (PCs) have increased interest in computer-based road-design systems to provide rapid evaluation of alternative alignments. Optimization techniques can provide road managers with a powerful tool that searches for large numbers of alternative alignments in short spans of time. A forest road optimization model, integrated with two optimization techniques, was developed to help a forest road engineer in evaluating alternative alignments in a faster and more systematic manner. The model aims at designing a path with minimum total road costs, while conforming to design specifications, environmental requirements, and driver safety. To monitor the sediment production of the alternative alignments, the average sediment delivered to a stream from a road section was estimated by using a road erosion/delivery model. The results indicated that this model has the potential to initiate a new procedure that will improve the forest road-design process by employing the advanced hardware and software capabilities of PCs and modern optimization techniques.

Electronic circuit realization of the logistic map

Abstract: An electronic circuit realization of the logistic difference equation is presented using analog electronics. The behaviour of the realized system is evalu- ated against computer simulations of the same. The circuit is found to exhibit the entire range of dynamics of the logistic equation: fixed points, periodicity, period doubling, chaos and intermittency. Quantitative measurements of the dynamics of the realized system are presented and are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values. Some possible applications of such a realization are briefly dis- cussed.

Monte Carlo Filters for Identification of Nonlinear Structural Dynamical Systems

Abstract: The problem of identification of parameters of nonlinear structures using dynamic state estimation techniques is considered. The process equations are derived based on principles of mechanics and are augmented by mathematical Zodels that relate a set of noisy observations to state variables of the system. The set of structural parameters to be identified is declared as an additional set of state variables. Both the process equation and the measurement equations are taken to be nonlinear in the state variables and contaminated by additive and (or) multiplicative Gaussian white noise processes. The problem of determining the posterior probability density function of the state variables conditioned on all available information is considered. The utility of three recursive Monte Carlo simulation-based filters, namely, a probability density function-based Monte Carlo filter, a Bayesian bootstrap filter and a filter based on sequential importance sampling, to solve this problem is explored. The state equations are discretized using certain variations of stochastic Taylor expansions enabling the incorporation of a class of non-smooth functions within the process equations. Illustrative examples on identification of the nonlinear stiffness parameter of a Duffing oscillator and the friction parameter in a Coulomb oscillator are presented.

Detection of bearing defects in three-phase induction motors using Park's transform and radial basis function neural networks

Abstract: This paper investigates the application of induction motor stator current signature analysis (MCSA) using Park’s transform for the detection of rolling element bearing damages in three-phase induction motor. The paper first discusses bearing faults and Park’s transform, and then gives a brief overview of the radial basis function (RBF) neural networks algorithm. Finally, system information and the experimental results are presented. Data acquisition and Park’s transform algorithm are achieved by using LabVIEW and the neural network algorithm is achieved by using MATLAB programming language. Experimental results show that it is possible to detect bearing damage in induction motors using an ANN algorithm.

Effect of twin-screw extrusion parameters on mechanical hardness of direct-expanded extrudates

Abstract: Mechanical properties of cereal (starch-based) extrudates are perceived by the final consumer as criteria of quality. We investigate one of the important characteristics of extrudates, mechanical hardness, which is one of the main texture parameters. Texture quality has an influence on taste sensory evaluation, and thus on the acceptability of the product. Characteristics that have great influence on acceptability are crispness, elasticity, hardness and softness. These attributes are narrowly related to, and affected by, the process parameters. A 2-level-4-factor factorial experimental design was used to investigate the influence of temperature of expansion, screw speed, feed moisture content and feed rate, and their interactions, on the mechanical hardness of extrudates. Feed moisture content, screw speed and temperature are found to influence, while feed rate does not have significant effect on extrudate hardness. Mechanical properties of specimens were measured by means of compression testing, based on the concept of nominal stress, using a universal testing machine and special grips that were constructed for this purpose.

Analytical model for erosion behaviour of impacted fly-ash particles on coal-fired boiler components

Abstract: Fly ash particles entrained in the flue gas from boiler furnaces in coal-fired power stations can cause serious erosive wear on steel surfaces along the flow path. Such erosion can significantly reduce the operational life of the boiler components. A mathematical model embodying the mechanisms of erosion on behaviour, has been developed to predict erosion rates of coal-fired boiler components at different temperatures. Various grades of steels used in fabrication of boiler components and published data pertaining to boiler fly ash have been used for the modelling. The model incorporates high temperature tensile properties of the target metal surface at room and elevated temperatures and has been implemented in an user-interactive in-house computer code (EROSIM-1), to predict the erosion rates of various grades of steel. Predictions have been found to be in good agreement with the published data. The model is calibrated with plant and experimental data generated from a high temperature air-jet erosion-testing facility. It is hoped that the calibrated model will be useful for erosion analysis of boiler components.

Entropy generation in a pipe due to non-Newtonian fluid flow: Constant viscosity case

Abstract: Non-Newtonian fluid flow in a pipe system is considered and a third grade non-Newtonian fluid is employed in the analysis. The velocity and temperature distributions across the pipe are presented. Entropy generation number due to heat transfer and fluid friction is formulated. The influences of non-Newtonian parameter and Brinkman number on entropy generation number are examined. It is found that increasing the non-Newtonian parameter reduces the fluid friction in the region close to the pipe wall. This in turn results in low entropy generation with increasing non-Newtonian parameter. Increasing Brinkman number enhances the fluid friction and heat transfer rates; in which case, entropy number increases with increasing Brinkman number.

On the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method

Abstract: Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is a popular method used to generate samples from arbitrary distributions, which may be specified indirectly. In this article, we give an introduction to this method along with some examples.

Simultaneous measurement of aerodynamic and heat transfer data for large angle blunt cones in hypersonic shock tunnel

Abstract: Aerodynamic forces and fore-body convective surface heat transfer rates over a 60 degrees apex-angle blunt cone have been simultaneously measured at a nominal Mach number of 5.75 in the hypersonic shock tunnel HST2. An aluminum model incorporating a three-component accelerometer-based balance system for measuring the aerodynamic forces and an array of platinum thin-film gauges deposited on thermally insulating backing material flush mounted on the model surface is used for convective surface heat transfer measurement in the investigations. The measured value of the drag coefficient varies by about +/-6% from the theoretically estimated value based on the modified Newtonian theory, while the axi-symmetric Navier-Stokes computations overpredict the drag coefficient by about 9%. The normalized values of measured heat transfer rates at 0 degrees angle of attack are about 11% higher than the theoretically estimated values. The aerodynamic and the heat transfer data presented here are very valuable for the validation of CFD codes used for the numerical computation of How fields around hypersonic vehicles.

White noise excitation of road vehicle structures

Abstract: Heave and pitch motions of road vehicle structures affect the comfort and the safety of passengers. Excitation of these vertical vibrations is due to road surface roughness. Road vehicle structures are modelled as mechanical systems characterized by their inertia, damping and stiffness, and represented as state equations. This paper deals with the influence of random road profiles on the vertical dynamics of road vehicles characterized by stochastic processes. Switching from road profile displacement to road profile velocity results in white noise excitation facilitating mathematical analysis. Some fundamentals of power spectral density analysis and covariance analysis are reviewed. A quarter car model is used to show the advantages of the covariance analysis resulting immediately in standard variations characterizing the vehicle’s performance.

Hydrodynamic modelling of flow over a spillway using a two-dimensional finite volume-based numerical model

Abstract: Spillway flow, a classical problem of hydraulics, is generally a gravity-driven free surface flow. Spillway flows are essentially rapidly varying flows near the crest with pronounced curvature of the streamlines in the vertical direction. Two processes simultaneously occur in the flow over the crest, that is, formation and gradual thickening of the turbulent boundary layer along the profile, and gradual increase in the velocity and decrease in the depth of main flow. Spillway hydrodynamics can be obtained through physical modelling or numerical modelling. Physical modelling of spillways is expensive, cumbersome and time-consuming. The main difficulties in solving the spillway problem numerically are: rapidly varying flow, existence of both subcritical and supercritical flows, development of turbulent boundary layers, unknown free surface and air entrainment. Numerical simulation of such flows over spillways in all flow regimes is a challenging task. This paper describes a numerical model and its application to a case study to investigate the hydraulic characteristics of flow over spillway crest profiles by simulating the velocity distribution, pressure distribution and discharge characteristics. Results of the numerical modelling are compared with those from the physical modelling and found to be satisfactory.

Shelf life assessment of Malaysian Pangasius sutchi during cold storage

Abstract: The findings of the present work yield useful information about the MalaysianPangasius sutchi concerning the marketing sector from the point of view of shelf life and storage temperature in the range of 0 to 10‡C. A fresh batch of typical samples, were stored similarly in four chillers of different temperatures for a period of 28 days. During the course of storage, the samples were periodically subjected to pH and sensory tests performed by trained panelists. Experimental observations were analysed and regressed to develop three correlations. The first one was between the sensory tests and the storage time and temperatures, while the second one related pH values to storage time and temperatures. Finally, a correlation between sensorial and pH values was developed as well. The first correlation is presented in tabular form to yield a simple guide to fish retailers, by which quality and shelf life of the displayed fish commodity may be estimated.

Topological Properties of Random Wireless Networks

Abstract: Wireless networks in which the node locations are random are best modelled as random geometric graphs (RGGs). In addition to their extensive application in the modelling of wireless networks, RGGs find many new applications and are being studied in their own right. In this paper we first provide a brief introduction to the issues of interest in random wireless networks. We then discuss some recent results for one-dimensional networks with the nodes distributed uniformly in (0,z). We then discuss some asymptotic results for networks in higher dimensions when the nodes are distributed in a finite volume. Finally we discuss some recent generalisations in considering non uniform transmission ranges and non uniform node distributions. An annotated bibliography of some of the recent literature is also provided.

Random eigenvalue problems revisited

Abstract: The description of real-life engineering structural systems is associated with some amount of uncertainty in specifying material properties, geometric parameters, boundary conditions and applied loads. In the context of structural dynamics it is necessary to consider random eigenvalue problems in order to account for these uncertainties. Within the engineering literature, current methods to deal with such problems are dominated by approximate perturbation methods. Some exact methods to obtain joint distribution of the natural frequencies are reviewed and their applicability in the context of real-life engineering problems is discussed. A new approach based on an asymptotic approximation of multi-dimensional integrals is proposed. A closed-form expression for general order joint moments of arbitrary numbers of natural frequencies of linear stochastic systems is derived. The proposed method does not employ the ‘small randomness’ assumption usually used in perturbation based methods. Joint distributions of the natural frequencies are investigated using numerical examples and the results are compared with Monte Carlo simulation.

Vibrations of stretched damped beams under non-ideal boundary conditions

Abstract: A simply supported damped Euler-Bernoulli beam with immovable end conditions are considered. The concept of non-ideal boundary conditions is applied to the beam problem. In accordance, the boundaries are assumed to allow small deflections and moments. Approximate analytical solution of the problem is found using the method of multiple scales, a perturbation technique.

Dynamic active earth pressure on retaining structures

Abstract: Earth-retaining structures constitute an important topic of research in civil engineering, more so under earthquake conditions. For the analysis and design of retaining walls in earthquake-prone zones, accurate estimation of dynamic earth pressures is very important. Conventional methods either use pseudo-static approaches of analysis even for dynamic cases or a simple single-degree of freedom model for the retaining wall-soil system. In this paper, a simplified two-degree of freedom mass-spring-dashpot (2-DOF) dynamic model has been proposed to estimate the active earth pressure at the back of the retaining walls for translation modes of wall movement under seismic conditions. The horizontal zone of influence on dynamic earth force on the wall is estimated. Results in terms of displacement, velocity and acceleration-time history are presented for some typical cases, which show the final movement of the wall in terms of wall height, which is required for the design. The non-dimensional design chart proposed in the present study can be used to compute the total dynamic earth force on the wall under different input ground motion and backfill conditions. Finally, the results obtained have been compared with those of the available Scott model and the merits of the present results have been discussed.

A deficit scaling algorithm for the minimum flow problem

Abstract: In this paper, we develop a new preflow algorithm for the minimum flow problem, called deficit scaling algorithm. This is a special implementation of the generic preflow algorithm for the minimum flow problem developed by Ciurea and Ciupala earlier. The bottleneck operation in the generic preflow algorithm is the number of noncancelling pulls. Using the scaling technique (i.e. selecting the active nodes with sufficiently large deficits), we reduce the number of noncancelling pulls to O(n2 log-c) and obtain an O(nm +n2 log-c) algorithm.

Design and performance analysis of transmission line-based nanosecond pulse multiplier

Abstract: Conventionally, Marx generators are used for the production of short duration, high voltage pulses but since many discharge gap switches are utilized for stepping up the voltage, there are many disadvantages. Here, an alternative and much simpler technique for the multiplication of nanosecond high voltage pulses has been presented in which multiplication takes place by switching single spark gap providing voltage gain of ‘nxV’ wheren is the subsequent number of stages. Stepped up high voltage pulse with fixed voltage gain of defined shape with fast rise time and good flat top is produced without using additional pulse-forming network. Its operation has been made repetitive by switching single spark gap. Multipurpose use, low cost, small size, light weight (weighing less than 50 kg) and portability are the additional benefits of the system. The reported nanosecond pulser has been made by cascading three stages of Blumlein. To cross check its performance the parasitic impedance of the system has been evaluated to realize its adverse effect on the voltage gain and pulse shape. Also its operation has been simulated by PSPICE circuit simulator program and good agreement has been obtained between simulated and experimental results. Applications of this pulse generator include X-ray generation, breakdown tests, ion implantation, streamer discharge studies and ultra wideband generation, among others.

Estimation of failure probabilities of linear dynamic systems by importance sampling

Abstract: An iterative method for estimating the failure probability for certain time-variant reliability problems has been developed. In the paper, the focus is on the displacement response of a linear oscillator driven by white noise. Failure is then assumed to occur when the displacement response exceeds a critical threshold. The iteration procedure is a two-step method. On the first iteration, a simple control function promoting failure is constructed using the design point weighting principle. After time discretization, two points are chosen to construct a compound deterministic control function. It is based on the time point when the first maximum of the homogenous solution has occurred and on the point at the end of the considered time interval. An importance sampling technique is used in order to estimate the failure probability functional on a set of initial values of state space variables and time. On the second iteration, the concept of optimal control function can be implemented to construct a Markov control which allows much better accuracy in the failure probability estimate than the simple control function. On both iterations, the concept of changing the probability measure by the Girsanov transformation is utilized. As a result the CPU time is substantially reduced compared with the crude Monte Carlo procedure.

Improving the performance of hysteresis direct torque control of IPMSM using active filter topology

Abstract: This paper describes an active filter topology to improve the performance of hysteresis direct torque control (HDTC) of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). The filter topology consists of an active filter and two RLC filters, and is connected to the main power circuit through a 1:1 transformer. The active filter is characterized by detecting the harmonics in the motor phase voltages and injecting equivalent harmonic voltages to produce almost sinusoidal voltage waveform to the motor terminals. The active filter uses hysteresis voltage controller while the motor main circuit uses hysteresis direct torque control. The simulation results of this combined control structure show considerable torque ripple reduction in the steady state range and adequate dynamic torque performance as well as considerable harmonic voltage and EMI noise reduction.

Mesh distortion immunity of finite elements and the best-fit paradigm

Abstract: It has been known for some time that distorted finite elements produce relatively (and, sometimes, dramatically) poor results. This has been related to the completeness condition. In this paper, we investigate this issue and propose that the abstract mathematical viewpoint represented by the completeness condition is actually a statement of the physical need for a finite element computation to recover accurate stresses in the metric space. This follows from the projection theorem describing finite element analysis which shows that the stresses computed by the displacement finite element procedure are abest approximation of the true stresses at an element as well as global level. The simplest possible element is used to elucidate the principles.

Effects of adding illegal storeys to structural systems

Abstract: Earthquakes in Turkey are frequently occurring disasters, causing much loss of life and property. It is tragic indeed that earthquakes should share the agenda with amnesty laws for illegal buildings. Illegal buildings are those constructed without authorization, legal bureaucratic sanction and, in most cases, without normal engineering control and checks. Buildings may become illegal for a variety of reasons. The very prospect of a waiver bill for illegal buildings spurs further illegal construction. The status of illegal buildings may legally change in time. What is an illegal building today may well be legal tomorrow under these circumstances.

New methodology for a person identification system

Abstract: Reliable person identification is a key factor for any safety measure. Unlike other biometrics such as the palm, retina, gait, face and fingerprints, the characteristic of the iris is stable in a person’s lifetime. Iris patterns are chaotically distributed and well suited for recognizing persons throughout their lifetime with a single conscription. This paper proposes a new approach to person recognition based on iris patterns, which works with indoor outdoor conditions, spectacles contact lens wearing persons and diseased eyes. A challenge-response method is used for eye aliveness checking that puts off artificial sources from entering the iris database. The proposed algorithm can work with 84 statistical iris features that are extracted from an individual. Space and time complexity of the proposed approach is lesser than the existing methods. This algorithm has been implemented and results have been analysed on 2500 different iris patterns acquired in India under different real-time conditions. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed method has been easily espoused in elections, bank transactions and other security applications.

Enhancement of Damage Indicators in Wavelet and Curvature Analysis

Abstract: Damage in a structural element induces a small perturbation in its static or dynamic displacement profile which can be captured by wavelet analysis. The paper presents the wavelet analysis of damaged linear structural elements using DB4 or BIOR6·8 family of wavelets. An expression is developed for computing the natural frequencies of a damaged beam using first order perturbation theory. Starting with a localized reduction of EI at the mid-span of a simply supported beam, damage modelling is done for a typical steel beam element. Wavelet analysis is performed for this damage model for displacement, rotation and curvature mode shapes as well as static displacement profiles. Damage indicators like displacement, slope and curvature are magnified under higher modes. Instantaneous step-wise linearity is assumed for all the nonlinear elements. A localization scheme with arbitrararily located curvature nodes within a pseudo span is developed for steady state dynamic loads, such that curvature response and damages are maximized and the scheme is numerically tested and proved.

Numerical analysis of choked converging nozzle flows with surface roughness and heat flux conditions

Abstract: Choked converging nozzle flow and heat transfer characteristics are numerically investigated by means of a recent computational model that integrates the axisymmetric continuity, state, momentum and energy equations. To predict the combined effects of nozzle geometry, friction and heat transfer rates, analyses are conducted with sufficiently wide ranges of covergence half angle, surface roughness and heat flux conditions. Numerical findings show that inlet Mach and Nusselt numbers decrease up to 23.1% and 15.8% with surface heat flux and by 15.13% and 4.8% due to surface roughness. Considering each convergence half angle case individually results in a linear relation between nozzle discharge coefficients and exit Reynolds numbers with similar slopes. Heat flux implementation, by decreasing the shear stress values, lowers the risks due to wear hazards at upstream sections of flow walls; however the final 10% downstream nozzle portion is determined to be quite critical, where shear stress attains the highest magnitudes. Heat transfer rates are seen to increase in the streamwise direction up to 2.7 times; however high convergence half angles, heat flux and surface roughness conditions lower inlet Nusselt numbers by 70%, 15.8% and 4.8% respectively.