Vibration in dwellings from road and rail traffic — Part I: a new Norwegian measurement standard and classification system

Protection against vibration nuisance in order to maintain satisfactory conditions during work, sleep, rest and recreation in buildings was specified in the European Directive on Construction Products and introduced in the Norwegian Building Regulations in 1997. As a qualified vibration measurement method was lacking, work with a new standard, NS 8176, was initiated. An empirical method for determination of statistical maximum velocity, v_w,95 or alternatively acceleration, v_w,95, was introduced. The vibration measure is obtained as the 95-percentile of maximum weighted vibration velocities (or acceleration) from a minimum number of representative road and rail traffic events. The measurement procedure was evaluated by means of a Round Robin test. A classification system for dwellings was defined on the basis of the 1998 Norwegian Socio-vibrational Study. This study provided relationships between different values of the new vibration exposure measure, v_w95, and the strength of people's reactions.     

Vibration in dwellings from road and rail traffic — Part III: towards a common methodology for socio-vibrational surveys

While a range of international standards defining noise, vibration and other physical environmental measures have been established, common methodologies for measuring people's reactions to these same environmental effects are still in their infancy. This reduces the comparability of prevalence statistics and exposure-effect relationships developed by different researchers. The public authorities are served incompatible or seemingly conflicting information from different surveys when deciding on appropriate guidelines and limits. Drawing on experiences with the 1998 Norwegian Socio-vibrational Survey and a Swedish socio-acoustic survey supplemented with vibration measures, a new Nordtest Method: NT ACOU 106 Acoustics—Assessment of annoyance by vibrations in dwellings from road and rail traffic has been defined. The method describes sampling requirements, and proposes a mandatory verbal 5-point categorical annoyance scale and an optional 11-point numerical annoyance scale, both with lower anchoring point “Do not notice”. A survey data output format is specified to allow researchers to pool data from different surveys.     

Human reaction to vibrations from blasting activity – Norwegian exposure–effect relationships

Rock blasting may cause disturbances, fear, and annoyance in residential and community areas affected by such activities. These community reactions can be quite strong, even when the blasting activities and the resulting vibrations are unlikely to cause physical damage to building foundations or buildings. A socio-vibrational survey was undertaken to assess residential reactions to blasting activities. Vibration velocities were obtained for 520 respondent dwellings located in seven study areas, and compared to the residents’ assessments of environment quality. Even at low vibration values, many people report annoyance. Exposure–effect relationships with acceptable statistical error bands were obtained. The level of annoyance from long-term blasting activities (quarry blasting) was not higher than from finite periods of more intense blasting activities (road and rail tunnels). Providing information in advance of the blasting activities, can reduce community reactions. Self-reported sensitivity to vibrations was associated with significantly increased annoyance. Sensitivity to vibrations was uncorrelated with exposure to vibrations. Sensitivity to noise and sensitivity to vibration were moderately correlated.     

Calculation of kinetic energy terms for the vibrational Hamiltonian: Application to large-amplitude vibrations using one-, two-, and three-dimensional models

One-, two-, and three-dimensional models involving large-amplitude vibrations have been used to calculate kinetic energy terms. Principle G matrix elements as well as cross terms in the kinetic energy were determined. Calculations were done on models involving the ring-puckering and PH inversion vibrations for 3-phospholene and the ring-puckering, ring deformation, and SiH₂ in-phase rocking vibrations for 1,3-disilacyclobutane. Kinetic energy expansions for g₄₄ and g₄₅ type terms were determined. Calculations show a coordinate dependence of the principle G matrix elements as well as of the g₄₅ terms. The vectorial models used in these calculations make it possible to treat vibrations in a one-, two-, or three-dimensional model separate from the other vibrations without carrying out a coordinate transformation, which would be necessary for the Wilson GF high- or low-frequency separation.     

Theory of the effect of intermolecular interactions on the Raman spectra of liquid CHCl3 and CFCl3

A theory of weak intermolecular interactions is presented which indicates how association in the liquid state can manifest itself in vibration spectra. The theory is applied in this case to CHCl₃ and CFCl₃. The calculations predict which bands are most sensitive to the effects of intermolecular interaction. Previous experimental observations on the behaviour of the a ₁ vibrations of these molecules are reproduced. The calculations also predicted new features in the behaviour of the degenerate vibrations which were confirmed experimentally.

The method lends itself to the study of solvent effects on vibration spectra in general.     

Intrinsic fragment spins generated in the reactions of 20Ne with 197Au and 238U at 12.6 MeV/nucleon

The average magnitude and alignment of the intrinsic spin of the heavy partner from the reaction of 252 MeV ²⁰Ne with ¹⁹⁷Au and ²³⁸U were determined as a function of Q-value. These spin values were extracted from sequential fission angular distributions obtained in coincidence with projectile-like products. For all Q-values a large out-of-plane anisotropy was observed, while for large negative Q-values an in-plane anisotropy was observed. A very large entrance-channel mass-asymmetry was chosen to provide a stringent test of equilibrium statistical model predictions for the spin alignment. The importance of determining the direction of the line-of-centers of the dinuclear system at scission is discussed. Large values of P_ZZ were deduced for all Q- values. P_XY was observed to be positive in the quasielastic region and negative in the deep-inelastic region. The extracted alignment data are compared to equilibrium statistical model calculations.     

The reactions of 12C with 12C AT 293 MeV

Energy spectra, angular distributions, and elemental yield distributions have been measured for products Z = 1?9 produced in the reactions of ¹²C on ¹²C. A total reaction cross section 1170_?100⁺¹⁷⁰ mb was determined from the measured elemental cross sections and the principle of charge conservation. This total reaction cross section is about 250 mb less than the geometric cross section and agrees with the Glauber-model calculations of DeVries and Peng. The experimental energy spectra, angular distributions, and yield distributions were compared with those from model calculations for the statistical decay of the products of fusion and of incomplete fusion reactions. For both types of calculations, a modified version of the code LILITA was used. By comparing the data to model calculations, an upper limit of 75 mb for the fusion cross section was determined. That limit corresponds to an upper limit of L_crit for fusion of 10? in the sharp-cutoff approximation. The dominant reaction mechanisms appear to be incomplete fusion processes.     

Electron-lattice coupling of F centers: Particular case of NaI: F

Absorption and magnetic circular dichroism studies of the F centers in NaI reveal a strong electron-lattice coupling with the vibration modes of Γ₁⁺ symmetry in comparison with those of Γ₃⁺ and Γ₅⁺ symmetry. On the other hand, the F electron exhibits in its first excited state a large spin-orbit coupling, in agreement with the value previously calculated. These results are confirmed by the Raman spectra which show a predominant intensity for the Γ₁⁺ modes, particularly for the resonant mode at 113 cm^?1.First and second-order Raman spectra have been calculated using a “quasi-resonant” theory in which the vibrations of the ions up to the fifth shell have been taken into consideration. We have been able to determine from these calculations absolute values for the contributions of the different types of vibration modes to the broadening of the F-absorption band.     

Vibrational properties of crystals with TlSe type structure

The lattice vibration spectra of TlS and TllnSe₂ crystals were investigated by infrared reflectivity in the wavenumber range from 20 to 5000 cm^?1. The frequencies of K = 0 phonons were determined by Kramers-Kronig analysis of the spectra. All five infrared active lattice vibrations predicted by the group theoretical analysis were identified. The normal coordinates of vibrations for five infrared active phonons were determined. In the approximation which does not take into consideration long range Coulomb interaction values of the force constant and effective changes are obtained for TlSe, TlS and TllnSe₂ crystals.     

A factorial analysis for the determination of an optimal train speed with a desired ride comfort

A new method of optimization of the N_MV is proposed. The comfort index N_MV was measured and analyzed in research carried out for the Greek Railway network. Factorial analysis was used for the calculation of the effect of each factor on the comfort index N_MV. ISO 2631-1 standards were also involved in this study for the design of the equivalent vibration dose lines as a function of the N_MV and the exposure time. Using the factorial model, the N_MV index for different values of a train’s speed and rail condition was predicted. Finally, an optimum speed value, as regards acceptable passenger comfort, was obtained by using the equal vibration dose lines.     

Inter-cycle variation in whole-body vibration exposures of operators driving track-type loader machines

Whole-body vibration (WBV) measurements are an important aspect of performing risk assessments for those exposed to vibration. A large array of variables affect the outcome of a vibration measurement and its extrapolation to a daily dose measure: e.g. variability in driving style, road surface roughness, loading. The variability in vibration emission is an inherent property for most vibrating environments and there is a risk that a vibration measurement might not be representative of the long-term exposures. It is important to acknowledge the variation inherent to WBV exposure to help understand how this variation will affect health risk assessments. A field investigation was conducted in order to characterise the variation of WBV magnitudes between work cycles of track-type loaders. Six different track-type loaders were measured at four different work sites. The vibrations were measured at the operators seat in three translational axes (x-, y-, and z-axis) in accordance with ISO 2631-1 (1997). The findings indicate the worst axis of vibration for the track-type loaders was predominantly the fore-and-aft (x-axis), for most operations. The most severe emission values were measured for machine C at site 2 (1.12 ms⁻² rms) and machine D at site 2 (1.03 ms⁻² rms). These machines would exceed the action value of the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive within 2 h of exposure. All of the machines measured would exceed the exposure action value of the Directive within an 8 h working period. The lateral (y-axis) produced the greatest amount of variability between work cycles (coefficient of variation up to 20%). It is concluded that the inherent variability between work cycles and tasks reinforces the requirement to perform a full task analysis prior to measuring WBV exposures to ensure that all tasks are measured and that adequate cycles are measured to obtain a reliable indication of the vibration emission.     

Low-frequency optical lattice vibrations in Hg<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te alloys

The lattice reflection spectra of the Hg_{1 ? x} Cd _x Te (x = 0.06–0.70) alloys measured in the low-frequency range of optical vibrations (the region of the anomalous mode of Hg-Te vibrations in HgTe) at room temperature are interpreted. The low-frequency modes observed at frequencies of 98, 105, and 112 cm^?1 for all compositions of the Hg_{1 ? x} Cd _x Te alloy are assigned to the modes of Hg-Te vibrations, as was previously done for modes of Cd-Te vibrations in the quasi-molecular approximation. According to the double-well potential model for the Hg atom in the crystal lattice of the alloy, the Hg atom either can occupy the center of the anion tetrahedron or can be located in the off-center position. The fundamental strong mode of Hg-Te vibrations at a frequency of about 120 cm^?1 (at T = 300 K) corresponds to the vibrations of the off-center Hg atom, and the low-frequency vibration modes correspond to the vibrations of the Hg atom located at the center of the anion tetrahedron.     

Fission characteristics of 216Ra formed in heavy-ion induced reactions

A Kramers-modified statistical model is used to calculate the cross-section of the evaporation residue, fission cross-section, average pre-fission multiplicities of protons and α-particles for ²¹⁶Ra formed in ¹⁹F+?¹⁹⁷Au reactions and results are compared with the experimental data. To calculate these quantities, the effects of temperature and spin K about the symmetry axis have been considered in the calculations of the potential energy surfaces and the fission widths. It is shown that the results of the calculations using values of the temperature coefficient of the effective potential k?=?0.008±0.003 MeV^???2 and scaling factor of the fission-barrier height r _s?=?1.004±0.002 are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Mass-energy distribution of fragments within Langevin dynamics of fission induced by heavy ions

A stochastic approach based on four-dimensional Langevin fission dynamics is applied to calculating mass-energy distributions of fragments originating from the fission of excited compound nuclei. In the model under investigation, the coordinate K representing the projection of the total angular momentum onto the symmetry axis of the nucleus is taken into account in addition to three collective shape coordinates introduced on the basis of the {c, h, ??} parametrization. The evolution of the orientation degree of freedom (K mode) is described by means of the Langevin equation in the overdamped regime. The tensor of friction is calculated under the assumption of the reducedmechanismof one-body dissipation in the wall-plus-window model. The calculations are performed for two values of the coefficient that takes into account the reduction of the contribution from the wall formula: k _s = 0.25 and k _s = 1.0. Calculations with a modified wall-plus-window formula are also performed, and the quantity measuring the degree to which the single-particle motion of nucleons within the nuclear system being considered is chaotic is used for k _s in this calculation. Fusion-fission reactions leading to the production of compound nuclei are considered for values of the parameter Z ²/A in the range between 21 and 44. So wide a range is chosen in order to perform a comparative analysis not only for heavy but also for light compound nuclei in the vicinity of the Businaro-Gallone point. For all of the reactions considered in the present study, the calculations performed within four-dimensional Langevin dynamics faithfully reproduce mass-energy and mass distributions obtained experimentally. The inclusion of the K mode in the Langevin equation leads to an increase in the variances of mass and energy distributions in relation to what one obtains from three-dimensional Langevin calculations. The results of the calculations where one associates k _s with the measure of chaoticity in the single-particle motion of nucleons within the nuclear system under study are in good agreement for variances of mass distributions. The results of calculations for the correlations between the prescission neutron multiplicity and the fission-fragment mass, ??n _pre(M)??, and between, this multiplicity and the kinetic energy of fission fragments, ??n _pre(E _k )??, are also presented.     

Structure and lattice dynamics of PrFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Ab initio calculation

The crystal structure and phonon spectrum of PrFe₃(BO₃)₄ are ab initio calculated in the context of the density functional theory. The ion coordinates in the unit cell of a crystal and the lattice parameters are evaluated from the calculations. The types and frequencies of the fundamental vibrations, as well as the line intensities of the IR spectrum, are determined. The elastic constants of the crystal are calculated. A “seed” frequency of the vibration strongly interacting with the electron excitation on the praseodymium ion is obtained for low-frequency A₂ mode. The calculated results are in agreement with the known experimental data.     

Radiative strength functions for dipole transitions in 57, 59Co

Data on the (p, γ) reactions on ^{56, 58}Fe that were taken at proton energies of E _p =1.5–3.0 MeV and which were averaged over resonances are used to determine the absolute values of the radiative strength function at energies below 10 MeV. The results obtained in this way are compared with the results of the calculations that rely on the statistical approach and which take into account the temperature of the nucleus and its shell structure. Good agreement with experimental data is achieved without any variation of parameters.     

Structural stabilities and optical properties of SixGeyHz nanocrystals

Based on the high-throughput first-principles calculations with structural recognition, we have ystematically investigated the structural stabilities and optical properties of Si_xGe_yH_z nanocrystals(H-SiGeNCs), including various sizes, shapes and compositions. The total energies of H-SiGeNCs can be simply estimated by the bond energy model in high accuracy, where the error of test set is less than 0.5 meV per atom. According to the energy difference of Si/Ge in various bonding environments, we have determined the ground state structures by the geometry analysis, as is confirmed the convex hulls of formation enthalpy from the first-principles calculations. In addition, the energy gaps of H-SiGeNCs are modulated by the atomic distributions, as well as the vibrations of Si-H and Ge-H bonds at room temperature which is revealed by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.     

Fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled carbazole

The fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled carbazole molecules at vibrational temperatures of 55 and 80 K and the fluorescence spectrum of these molecules excited by radiation at the frequency of a pure electronic transition are measured. As the vibrational temperature increases, the excitation spectra exhibit a series of lines of the same symmetry, which are caused by the interaction of the active vibration with a subensemble of optically inactive vibrations. The final symmetry of the totally and nontotally symmetric vibrations is determined from the shape of the rotational contours of the lines of vibronic transitions. The values of a decrease in the frequency of the nontotally symmetric vibrations in the first excited electronic state S ₁ due to their interaction with the electronic state S ₂ are calculated to be up to 100 cm^?1. The frequencies of the pure electronic transitions in the absorption and fluorescence spectra coincide with each other and are equal to 30809 cm^?1, the frequencies of vibrations in the ground state S ₀ exceeding the frequencies of the corresponding vibrations in the excited state S ₁. The degree of polarization of the integral fluorescence is determined for a series of vibronic transitions of the a ₁ and b ₂ final symmetry that are observed in the fluorescence excitation spectra, and the contribution of the intensity with the borrowed polarization θ_⊥ to the integral fluorescence is calculated. It is found that the intensity θ_⊥ is higher for the transitions of the b ₂ symmetry and can reach ≈50%.     

Study of elastic properties of CeO2 by statistical moment method

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the temperature and pressure dependences of the elastic properties of cerium dioxide using the statistical moment method (SMM). The equation of states of bulk CeO₂ is derived from the Helmholtz free energy, and the pressure dependences of the elastic moduli like the bulk modulus, B_T, shear modulus, G, Young’s modulus, E, and elastic constants (C11, C12, and C44) are presented taking into account the anharmonicity effects of the thermal lattice vibrations. In the present study, the influence of temperature and pressure on the elastic moduli and elastic constants of CeO₂ has also been studied, using three different interatomic potentials. We compare the results of the present calculations with those of the previous theoretical calculations as well as with the available experiments.