Buckling of a Timoshenko beam on elastic foundation with uncertain input data

A monotone dependence of the critical buckling load of a simplysupported Timoshenko–Mindlin beam both on the shear correctionfactor and on the stiffness of foundation is proved. Then theworst-scenario method is employed to find the ‘most dangerous’input data.     

On a structural acoustic model with interface a Reissner-Mindlin plate or a Timoshenko beam

This paper is concerned with a model which describes the interaction of sound and elastic waves in a structural acoustic chamber in which one “wall” is flexible and flat. The model is new in the sense that the composite dynamics of the three-dimensional structure is described by the linearized equations for a gas defined on the interior of the chamber and the Reissner-Mindlin plate equations on the two-dimensional flat wall of the chamber, while, if a two-dimensional acoustic chamber is considered, the Timoshenko beam equations describe the deflections of the one-dimensional “wall.” With a view to achieving uniform stabilization of the structure linear feedback boundary damping is incorporated in the model, viz. in the wave equation for the gas and in the system of equations for the vibrations of the elastic medium. We present the uniform stability result for the case of a two-dimensional chamber and outline the method for the three-dimensional model which shows strong resemblance with the system of dynamic plane elasticity.     

Existence of the displacements field for an elasto-plastic body subject to Hencky's law and Von Mises yield condition

We give necessary and sufficient conditions on body and traction forces for the existence of the displacements field for an elasto-plastic body subject to Hencky's law and Von Mises yield condition.     

Model conversions of uncertain linear system using the improved block-pulse function approach

This paper presents an improved block-pulse function approach to convert a continuous-time (respectively, discrete-time) structured uncertain linear system into an equivalent discrete-time (respectively, continuous-time) structured uncertain linear model. The concept of the principle of equivalent areas is utilized for the uncertain model conversions. This allows the use of well-established theorems and algorithms in the discrete-time (respectively, continuous-time) domain to indirectly solve the continuous-time (respectively, discrete-time) domain problems. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

A strip yield model solution for an internally cracked piezoelectric strip

An analysis of the crack closure and fatigue crack growth rate have been carried out for an infinitely long poled piezoelectric ceramic strip weakened by a straight hair line internal crack. The ceramic under consideration is assumed to be mechanically more brittle. The crack faces are perpendicular to the poled direction of the strip. The crack faces open in Mode-I deformation on account of in-plane tension applied to the edges of the strip together with either an in-plane electric displacement prescribed on edges of the strip or a uniform constant electric field prescribed on its edges. As a result, a yield zone is formed ahead of each tip of the crack. The yield zones developed are then arrested by applying a normal, cohesive, linearly varying yield point-stress to their rims. For each case, the Fourier transform method is used to find a solution. The resulting integral equations are solved numerically. Expressions are derived for the crack opening displacement and the crack growth rate. The variations in these quantities are plotted in relation to the affecting parameters, viz., the strip thickness, the yield zone length, the electric displacement, and material constants. A case study is presented graphically for PZT-4, PZT-5H, and BaTiO₃ ceramics. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 647–664, September–October, 2008.     

Aircraft control for flight in an uncertain environment: Takeoff in windshear

The design of the control of an aircraft encountering windshear after takeoff is treated as a problem of stabilizing the climb rate about a desired value of the climb rate. The resulting controller is a feedback one utilizing only climb rate information. Its robustness vis-a-vis windshear structure and intensity is illustrated via simulations employing four different windshear models.Notations ARL aircraft reference line - D drag force, lb - g gravitational force per unit mass=const, ft sec^–2 - h vertical coordinate of aircraft center of mass (altitude), ft - L lift force, lb - m aircraft mass=const, lb ft^–1 sec² - O mass center of aircraft - S reference surface, ft² - t time, sec - T thrust force, lb - V aircraft speed relative to wind-based reference frame, ft sec^–1 - V _e aircraft speed relative to ground, ft sec^–1 - W _x horizontal component of wind velocity, ft sec^–1 - W _h vertical component of wind velocity, ft sec^–1 - x horizontal coordinate of aircraft center of mass, ft - relative angle of attack, rad - relative path inclination, rad - _e path inclination, rad - thrust inclination, rad - air density=const, lb ft² sec² Dot denotes time derivative.     

Reliable Solution of Parabolic Obstacle Problems with Respect to Uncertain Data

A class of parabolic initial-boundary value problems is considered, where admissible coefficients are given in certain intervals. We are looking for maximal values of the solution with respect to the set of admissible coefficients. We give the abstract general scheme, proposing how to solve such problems with uncertain data. We formulate a general maximization problem and prove its solvability, provided all fundamental assumptions are fulfilled. We apply the theory to certain Fourier obstacle type maximization problem.     

An analytical dynamic model for single-cracked beams including bending,axial stiffness,rotational inertia,shear deformation and coupling effects

This paper develops an analytical dynamic model for cracked beams including bending, axial stiffness, rotational inertia, shear deformation and the coupling of the last two effects. The damage is modelled using a rotational spring that simulates the crack based on fracture mechanics theory. The developed model is used to predict variations on natural frequencies for several crack sites and damage magnitude along the beam. The importance of this work lies in the development of an analytical model that has no approximation due to discretization of the displacement field. This initial theoretical approach describes the expected behaviour for changes in the natural frequencies for simply-supported and clamped-free beams with the precision that only analytical methods allow. The results provide a useful benchmark to compare with approximate numerical methods that can be used to model and analyse the problem. The model showed similar results for long span beams, but the inclusion of rotational inertia and shear deformation effects rendered improvements in the dynamic behaviour mainly in the case of slender and short span beams when compared with the simplified Euler–Bernoulli model.     

Robust stabilization for a class of uncertain dynamical systems with time delay

In this paper, a new and simple approach whereby we derive several sufficient conditions on robust stabilizability for a class of uncertain dynamical systems with time delay is presented. Some analytical methods and the Bellman-Gronwall inequality are employed to investigate these sufficient conditions. The notable features of the results obtained are their simplicity in testing the stability of uncertain dynamical systems with time delay and their clarity in giving insight into system analysis. Finally, several numerical examples are given to demonstrate the utilization of the results.The authors would like to acknowledge the many helpful comments provided by the reviewer. Particularly, in the light of these comments, the proof of Theorem 3.1 has been considerably shortened.     

Mathematical solution for bending of short hybrid composite beams with variable fibers spacing

In this study, the static response is presented for a simply supported functionally graded hybrid beam subjected to a transverse uniform load. Material properties of the beam are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. By varying the fiber volume fraction within a symmetric laminated beam and combining two fiber types to create a hybrid functionally graded material (FGM) can offer desirable increases in axial and bending stiffness. The equations governing the hybrid FGM beams are determined using the principle of virtual work (PVW) arising from the higher order shear deformation theories. Numerical results on the transverse deflection, axial and shear stresses in a moderately thick hybrid FGM beam under uniform distributed load are discussed in depth. The effect of power-law exponent on the deflection and stresses are also commented.     

A mini max theorem for the quasi-convex functional and the solution of the nonlinear beam equation

In this paper, a definition of a kind of quasi-convex functional was proposed and two properties of the quasi-convex functional were proved. A mini max theorem due to Stepan A. Tersian was generalized by using the properties of the quasi-convex functional. The existence and uniqueness of solution of the boundary value problem for the nonlinear beam equation was probed and an existence and uniqueness theorem was presented.     

Moments for a multivariate linear model with an application to the growth curve model

An extended growth curve model is considered which, among other things, is useful when linear restrictions exist on the mean in the ordinary growth curve model. The maximum likelihood estimators consist of complicated stochastic expressions. It is shown how, by the aid of fairly elementary calculations, the dispersion matrix for the estimator of the mean and the expectation of the estimated dispersion matrix are obtained. Results for Wishart, inverted Wishart, and inverse beta variables are utilized. Additionally, some asymptotic results are presented.     

Existence and global attractivity of positive periodic solution for an impulsive Lasota-Wazewska model

Sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence and global attractivity of periodic positive solution of an impulsive Lasota-Wazewska model for the survival of red blood cells.     

Periodic solution of a chemostat model with variable yield and impulsive state feedback control

In this paper, a chemostat model with variable yield and impulsive state feedback control is considered. We obtain sufficient conditions of the globally asymptotical stability of the system without impulsive state feedback control. We also obtain that the system with impulsive state feedback control has periodic solution of order one. Sufficient conditions for existence and stability of periodic solution of order one are given. In some cases, it is possible that the system exists periodic solution of order two. Our results show that the control measure is effective and reliable.     

Non-probabilistic convex models and interval analysis method for dynamic response of a beam with bounded uncertainty

This paper is concerned with the comparison of two non-probabilistic set-theoretical models for dynamic response measures of an infinitely long beam. The beam is on an uncertain foundation and subjected to a moving force with constant speed. The steady state vibration is analyzed with finite element method. The dynamic responses of the beam are approximated to the first-order respect of the uncertainty variables. As a rule, in convex models and interval analysis, the uncertainties are considered to be unknown, but they give out their allowable vector space. Comparing the convex models with interval analysis in mathematical proofs and numerical calculations, it’s shows that under the condition of transform an interval vector to an outer enclosed ellipsoid, the dynamic response of the infinitely long beam predicted by interval analysis is smaller than that by convex models; under the condition of transform a hyperellipsoid to an outer enclosed interval vector, the dynamic response of the infinitely long beam calculated by convex models is smaller than that by interval analysis method.     

Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for an elastic beam equation

This paper investigates the boundary value problem for elastic beam equation of the form

A robust optimization model for a cross-border logistics problem with fleet composition in an uncertain environment

Since the implementation of the open-door policy in China, many Hong Kong-based manufacturers' production lines have moved to China to take advantage of the lower production cost, lower wages, and lower rental costs, and thus, the finished products must be transported from China to Hong Kong. It has been discovered that logistics management often encounters uncertainty and noisy data. In this paper, a robust optimization model is proposed to solve a cross-border logistics problem in an environment of uncertainty. By adjusting penalty parameters, decision-makers can determine an optimal long-term transportation strategy, including the optimal delivery routes and the optimal vehicle fleet composition to minimize total expenditure under different economic growth scenarios. We demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of our model using the example of a Hong Kong-based manufacturing company. The analysis of the trade-off between model robustness and solution robustness is also presented.     

Ruin problems for an autoregressive risk model with dependent rates of interest

In this paper, we consider a discrete insurance risk model in which the claims, the premiums and the rates of interest are assumed to have dependent autoregressive structures (AR(1)). We derive recursive and integral equations for expected discounted penalty function. By these equations, we obtain generalized Lundberg inequality for the infinite time severity of ruin and hence for the infinite time ruin probability, consider asymptotic formula for the finite time ruin probability when loss distributions have regularly varying tails, and study some probability properties of the duration of ruin.