Creep of polymer concrete in the nonlinear region

Two polyester-based polymer concretes with various volume content of diabase as an extender and aggregate are tested in creep under compression at different stress levels. The phenomenological and structural approaches are both used to analyze the experimental data. Common features of changes in the instantaneous and creep compliances are clarified, and a phenomenological creep model which accounts for the changes in the instantaneous compliance and in the retardation spectrum depending on the stress level is developed. It is shown that the model can be used to describe the experimental results of stress relaxation and creep under repeated loading. Modeling of the composite structure and subsequent solution of the optimization problem confirm the possibility of the existence of an interphase layer more compliant than the binder. A direct correlation between the interphase volume content and the instantaneous compliance of the composite is revealed. It is found that the distinction in nonlinearity of the viscoelastic behavior of the two polymer concretes under investigation can be due to the difference in their porosity. Submitted to the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000.) Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 147–164, 2000.     

A model for predicting the shear bearing capacity of FRP-strengthened beams

The shear failure of reinforced concrete beams needs more attention than the bending failure since no or only small warning precedes the failure. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to understand the shear bearing capacity and also to be able to undertake significant rehabilitation work if necessary. In this paper, a design model for the shear strengthening of concrete beams by using fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) is presented, and the limitations of the truss model analogy are highlighted. The fracture mechanics approach is used in analyzing the bond behavior between the FRP composites and concrete. The fracture energy of concrete and the axial rigidity of the FRP are considered to be the most important parameters. The effective strain in the FRP when the debonding occurs is determined. The limitations of the anchorage length over the cross section are analyzed. A simple iterative design method for the shear debonding is finally proposed. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 357–372, May–June, 2008.     

Gaussian Versus Optimal Integration of Analytic Functions

We consider error estimates for optimal and Gaussian quadrature formulas if the integrand is analytic and bounded in a certain complex region. First, a simple technique for the derivation of lower bounds for the optimal error constants is presented. This method is applied to Szeg?-type weight functions and ellipses as regions of analyticity. In this situation, the error constants for the Gaussian formulas are close to the obtained lower bounds, which proves the quality of the Gaussian formulas and also of the lower bounds. In the sequel, different regions of analyticity are investigated. It turns out that almost exclusively for ellipses, the Gaussian formulas are near-optimal. For classes of simply connected regions of analyticity, which are additionally symmetric to the real axis, the asymptotic of the worst ratio between the error constants of the Gaussian formulas and the optimal error constants is calculated. As a by-product, we prove explicit lower bounds for the Christoffel-function for the constant weight function and arguments outside the interval of integration. September 7, 1995. Date revised: October 25, 1996.     

Dynamical Spin Susceptibility in the t–J Model in the Superconducting Phase

Dynamical spin susceptibility is calculated for the t–J model in the superconducting phase using the memory function method in terms of the Hubbard operators. The self-consistent system of equations for the memory function is obtained within the mode-coupling approximation. Both itinerant hole excitations and localized spin fluctuations contribute to the memory function. Moreover, the itinerant contribution itself consists of two parts, i.e., the contribution of Bogoliubov quasiparticles and that of Cooper pairs. The spin dynamics is diffusive in the hydrodynamic limit, but the itinerant part does not contribute to the spin diffusion. In the high frequency region, spin–wave-like excitations continue to exist. We discuss our analytic results in the light of neutron scattering experiments performed on the cuprate superconductors.     

Variation of the structure and permeability of tensioned fiber layers during impregnation with a thermoplastic polymer melt

The influence of displacements of tensioned fibers on the impregnation of fibrous layers with a polymer melt and on the final composite structure is studied. Using computer simulation, it is shown that, during impregnation, the structure of tensioned fibrous layers changes considerably depending on the initial arrangement and tensioning of fibers. The consolidated regions formed under the melt front move inside the impregnated layer with the advancing melt front. Displacement of the tensioned fibers as well as the formation of “washouts” favors the impregnation of internal layers, but cause significant inhomogeneity of the polymer structure. The surface (on the side of the melt flow) regions are more saturated with the polymer than the internal ones. A difference in the melt percolation mechanisms at various impregnation regimes is revealed. The effective permeability coefficients of a tensioned fiber layer are not constant but depend on the conditions and regimes of impregnation. Submitted to the 11th Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000). Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 259–270, March–April, 2000.     

Worst-case robust Omega ratio

The Omega ratio is a recent performance measure proposed to overcome the known shortcomings of the Sharpe ratio. Until recently, the Omega ratio was thought to be computationally intractable, and research was focused on heuristic optimization procedures. We have shown elsewhere that the Omega ratio optimization is equivalent to a linear program and hence can be solved exactly in polynomial time. This permits the investigation of more complex and realistic variants of the problem. The standard formulation of the Omega ratio requires perfect information for the probability distribution of the asset returns. In this paper, we investigate the problem arising from the probability distribution of the asset returns being only partially known. We introduce the robust variant of the conventional Omega ratio that hedges against uncertainty in the probability distribution. We examine the worst-case Omega ratio optimization problem under three types of uncertainty – mixture distribution, box and ellipsoidal uncertainty – and show that the problem remains tractable.     

The distributional dimension of fractals

In the book [1] H.Triebel introduces the distributional dimension of fractals in an analytical form and proves that： for Г as a non-empty set in R^n with Lebesgue measure ｜Г｜ = 0, one has dimH Г = dimD Г, where dimD Г and dimH Г are the Hausdorff dimension and distributional dimension, respectively. Thus we might say that the distributional dimension is an analytical definition for Hausdorff dimension. Therefore we can study Hausdorff dimension through the distributional dimension analytically. By discussing the distributional dimension, this paper intends to set up a criterion for estimating the upper and lower bounds of Hausdorff dimension analytically. Examples illustrating the criterion are included in the end.     

The Cauchy problem for ut=Δu+|∇u|

With q a positive real number, the nonlinear partial differential equation in the title of the paper arises in the study of the growth of surfaces. In that context it is known as the generalized deterministic KPZ equation. The paper is concerned with the initial-value problem for the equation under the assumption that the initial-data function is bounded and continuous. Results on the existence, uniqueness, and regularity of solutions are obtained.     

基于VAR风险指标的投资组合模糊优化

在二目标有价证券选择基础上 ,引入目前流行的风险指标 VAR,以收益率与风险损失为目标 ,将模糊概念运用于有价证券组合选择 ,按投资者给定的期望目标及容差 ,讨论了 S型隶属函数模型 .通过 VAR的给定 ,将投资者所能承受的最大损失锁定 ,更好地反映出投资者对目标值的取值意图 .依据深圳股票市场9只股票收益率数据 ,采用进化规划进行优化计算 ,并验证模型的有效性 .     

Strategic defense and attack for series and parallel reliability systems

A system of independent components is defended by a strategic defender and attacked by a strategic attacker. The reliability of each component depends on how strongly it is defended and attacked, and on the intensity of the contest. In a series system, the attacker benefits from a substitution effect since attacker benefits flow from attacking any of the components, while the defender needs to defend all components. Even for a series system, when the attacker is sufficiently disadvantaged with high attack inefficiencies, and the intensity of the contest is sufficiently high, the defender earns maximum utility and the attacker earns zero utility. The results for the defender (attacker) in a parallel system are equivalent to the results for the attacker (defender) in a series system. Hence, the defender benefits from the substitution effect in parallel systems. With budget constraints the ratio of the investments for each component, and the contest success function for each component, are the same as without budget constraints when replacing the system values for the defender and attacker with their respective budget constraints.     

基于偏序集的PROMETHEE方法优化研究

尽管PROMETHEE是当前最受欢迎的多准则决策方法之一,但在实践应用过程中,模型的应用范围与质量依然受制于指标权重问题。一些常用的赋权方法,不仅没有解决不确定权重问题,反而增加了决策风险。在偏序集相关定理的基础上,给出权重的定性信息即权重次序,由流出矩阵、流入矩阵和净流矩阵等定义,得到了PROMETHEE的偏序集表达形式。当流入和流出之和为常数时,证明了模型存在对偶性质。根据对偶性质,简化了PROMETHEE方法的分析步骤,删减模型冗余信息。应用偏序集表示的PROMETHEE,突破了模型没有具体权重便无法应用的思维定势,解决了模型赋权困难,增强了模型的鲁棒性,拓展了模型处理数据类型的范围。     

K-Harmonic means data clustering with tabu-search method

Clustering is a popular data analysis and data mining technique. Since clustering problem have NP-complete nature, the larger the size of the problem, the harder to find the optimal solution and furthermore, the longer to reach a reasonable results. A popular technique for clustering is based on K-means such that the data is partitioned into K clusters. In this method, the number of clusters is predefined and the technique is highly dependent on the initial identification of elements that represent the clusters well. A large area of research in clustering has focused on improving the clustering process such that the clusters are not dependent on the initial identification of cluster representation. Another problem about clustering is local minimum problem. Although studies like K-Harmonic means clustering solves the initialization problem trapping to the local minima is still a problem of clustering. In this paper we develop a new algorithm for solving this problem based on a tabu search technique—Tabu K-Harmonic means (TabuKHM). The experiment results on the Iris and the other well known data, illustrate the robustness of the TabuKHM clustering algorithm.     

Sur la détermination d'une relation binaire à partir d'informations locales

This paper deals with the problematic aspect of the reconstruction of binary relations: it includes all the questions raising the possibility or impossibility to determine a structure by gathering given substructures. It is the continuation of three studies: the first made by G. Lopez [9] in 1972 about the determination of a binary relation through the types of isomorphism of its restrictions, the second made by K. B. Reid and C. Thomassen [15] in 1976 about the strongly self-complementary tournaments (every subtournament is self-complementary), the third made by C. Thomassen [16] in 1989 about the cycle space of a tournament. In the second section, we use the notion of class of difference (which was introduced in [9]) to extend a study made in [16] to binary relations. Then, in the third section, we improve the result of this last study in the case of the tournaments. After noticing that the result of [15] inferred itself naturally from the approach developed in [9], we extend, in the fourth section, the study made in [15] to binary relations.     

Peridynamics via finite element analysis

Peridynamics is a recently developed theory of solid mechanics that replaces the partial differential equations of the classical continuum theory with integral equations. Since the integral equations remain valid in the presence of discontinuities such as cracks, the method has the potential to model fracture and damage with great generality and without the complications of mathematical singularities that plague conventional continuum approaches. Although a discretized form of the peridynamic integral equations has been implemented in a meshless code called EMU, the objective of the present paper is to describe how the peridynamic model can also be implemented in a conventional finite element analysis (FEA) code using truss elements. Since FEA is arguably the most widely used tool for structural analysis, this implementation may hasten the verification of peridynamics and significantly broaden the range of problems that the practicing analyst might attempt. Also, the present work demonstrates that different subregions of a model can be solved with either the classical partial differential equations or the peridynamic equations in the same calculation thus combining the efficiency of FEA with the generality of peridynamics. Several example problems show the equivalency of the FEA and the meshless peridynamic approach as well as demonstrate the utility and robustness of the method for problems involving fracture, damage and penetration.     

Assessing science students’ attitudes to mathematics: a case study on a modelling project with mathematical software

This article reports the attitudes of students towards mathematics after they had participated in an applied mathematical modelling project that was part of an Applied Mathematics course. The students were majoring in Earth Science at the National Taiwan Normal University. Twenty-six students took part in the project. It was the first time a mathematical modelling project had been incorporated into the Applied Mathematics course for such students at this University. This was also the first time the students experienced applied mathematical modelling and used the mathematical software. The main aim of this modelling project was to assess whether the students’ attitudes toward mathematics changed after participating in the project. We used two questionnaires and interviews to assess the students. The results were encouraging especially the attitude of enjoyment. Hence the approach of the modelling project seems to be an effective method for Earth Science students.     

Pole placement controllers for linear time-delay systems with commensurate point delays

This paper investigates the exact and approximate spectrum assignment properties associated with realizable output-feedback pole-placement type controllers for single-input single-output linear time-invariant time-delay systems with commensurate point delays. The controller synthesis problem is discussed through the solvability of a set of coupled diophantine equations of polynomials. An extra complexity is incorporated to the above design to cancel extra unsuitable dynamics being generated when solving the above diophantine equations. Thus, the complete controller tracks any arbitrary prefixed (either finite or delaydependent) closed-loop spectrum. However, if the controller is simplified by deleting the above mentioned extra complexity, then the robust stability and approximated spectrum assignment are still achievable for a certain sufficiently small amount of delayed dynamics. Finally, the approximate spectrum assignment and robust stability problems are revisited under plant disturbances if the nominal controller is maintained. In the current approach, the finite spectrum assignment is only considered as a particular case to the designer‘s choice of a (delay-dependent) arbitrary spectrum assignment objective.     

Direct solution of an optimal layout problem for isotropic heat conductors with a volume fraction constraint

This paper considers the problem of the optimal layout of two isotropic heat conductors on a plane subject to a constraint on the overall volume fraction of the better conductor. The problem is solved initially using the traditionalG _m -closure technique. Later, the utility of the direct relaxation technique introduced in Ref. 1 is illustrated as we apply it to verify the original results.This paper is dedicated with gratitude by the author to his advisor K. A. Lurie. The author wishes to acknowledge discussions with D. Clomenil.     

Evolution of non-spreading Airy wavepackets in time dependent linear potentials

We report on the use of the algebraic methods to obtain the explicit form of the solution of the Schrödinger equation with a linear potential. We consider the case of the explicitly time dependent Hamiltonian and formulate the general conditions that allow for the solutions to be found that are expressed in terms of Airy functions, yielding non spreading wave packets. The relevant physical meaning of these solutions is analyzed and the examples of their applications are given. The role, played by the Airy transform and its relevance to the problems, involving linear potentials is discussed. Eventually, we present a thorough discussion on the analogy between the Airy and the Gauss-Weierstrass transform, often employed in the solutions of the heat type equations.     

The nonlinear and scaled growth of the ottoman and Roman empires

In this work, mathematical models for the growth of the Ottoman and Roman Empires are found. The time interval considered for both cases covers the time from the birth of the empire to the end of the fast expansion period. These empires are assumed to be nonlinearly growing and self-multiplying systems. This approach utilizes the concepts of chaos theory, and scaling. The area governed by the empire is taken as the measure of its growth. It was found that the expansion of each empire on lands, seas, and on both (i.e., lands+seas) can be expressed by power laws. In the Ottoman Empire, the nonlinear growth power of total area is approximately equal to the golden ratio, and the nonlinear growth power of the expansion on lands is approximately equal to the square root of 2. In the case of the Romans, some numbers associated with the golden ratio, or the square root of 2, appear as the power of the nonlinear growth term. The appearance of both the golden ratio and the square root of 2 show that both empires had intention on achieving stability during their growth.