A boundary element method for the calculation of noise barrier insertion loss in the presence of atmospheric turbulence

Atmospheric turbulence is an important factor that limits the amount of attenuation a barrier can provide in the outdoor environment. It is therefore important to develop a reliable method to predict its effect on barrier performance. The boundary element method (BEM) has been shown to be a very effective technique for predicting barrier insertion loss in the absence of turbulence. This paper develops a simple and efficient modification of the BEM formulation to predict the insertion loss of a barrier in the presence of atmospheric turbulence. The modification is based on two alternative methods: (1) random realisations of log-amplitude and phase fluctuations of boundary sources and (2) de-correlation of source coherence using the mutual coherence function (MCF). An investigation into the behaviours of these two methods is carried out and simplified forms of the methods developed. Some systematic differences between the predictions from the methods are found. When incorporated into the BEM formulation, the method of random realisations and the method of MCF de-correlation provide predictions that agree well with predictions by the parabolic equation method and by the scattering cross-section method on a variety of thin barrier configurations.     

The synthesis,characterization, and weathering behavior of polycarbonates derived from bis(P-hydroxyphenyl) dimethylsilane (BPSI)

Polycarbonates and copolycarbonates based on BPSi and BPA were easily made using the standard interfacial technique. Molecular weight and NMR data indicate that up to 4 mol % of the BPSi decomposes during polymerization via a base-catalyzed rearrangement of BPSi to arylsiloxanes. Oxygen index studies show an increased flame resistance with increasing BPSi monomer content. DSC measurements show a decrease in glass transition with BPSi monomer concentration while TGA shows an increase in char residue with BPSi monomer content. In addition, TGA indicates no change in either thermal or thermooxidative stability with the relative BPSi/BPA concentrations. Outdoor weathering of BPSi PC and BPA PC films indicates that BPSi PC is ca. 5 times more weathering resistant than BPA PC. This latter result can be attributed to a combination of BPSi PC's lower UV absorptivity, higher water repellency, and lower likelihood for side chain photooxidation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

乌江流域沉积岩风化过程中稀土元素的富集与释放

以乌江流域石灰岩、白云质灰岩、白云岩、硅质岩、页岩和砂岩等沉积岩的13条风化剖面为对象，运用R型分层聚类分析和质量平衡计算方法，研究了这些岩石风化过程中稀土元素（REE）的富集与释放及其对植物生长和河水REE分布的影响，目的是为河水物质来源研究和为农业生产提供依据。结果表明：（1）乌江流域石灰土中REE的富集程度显著高于各自母岩、黄壤、上陆壳（UCC）、中国土壤（CS）和世界土壤（WS）；（2）沉积岩风化过程中REE的富集特征和机制可能与母岩中REE分布特征以及风化剖面中有机质、铁（氢）氧化物和粘土矿物的吸附有关；（3）沉积岩风化过程中释放的REE可为植物吸收利用；（4）石灰岩等沉积岩风化过程中REE和F。等元素的释放对河水溶解态REE的分布有重要影响。     

Modification of the resistance of two epoxy resins to accelerated weathering using calcium sulfate as a photostabilizer

Epoxy-timber composites have received increasing attention during the last decades because there are many advantages related to their uses as construction materials in applications such as timber bridges. However, the durability of epoxy-timber composites under outdoor conditions has become a concern for many epoxy resins. This study evaluated the chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of two cured epoxies, the product of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with 2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine (DGEBA-TMDA) and the analogous resin prepared with the hydrogenated diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (HDGEBA-TMDA), each mixed with 2?wt. % calcium sulfate (CS). We hypothesized that the use of CS, as an inorganic UV absorber, could decrease undesirable effects arising from exposure to UV light, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

An accelerated aging chamber simulated natural weathering for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6?months. Chemical changes in cured epoxy systems over time in the presence and absence of CS fillers were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thermal degradation profiles before and after exposure to accelerated weathering were followed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The glass transition temperatures (T_g) before and after accelerated weathering were measured, and the effect of accelerated weathering on the surface morphology of the epoxy systems was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the presence of CS, after 6?months accelerated weathering the tensile strength of DGEBA-TMDA reduced by 23.8?±?2.4%, compared to 46.5?±?5.5% in its absence, while the corresponding values for HDGEBA-TMDA were 21.4?±?2.1% and 28.7?±?1.8%.     

Application of the transmission line matrix method for outdoor sound propagation modelling – Part 1: Model presentation and evaluation

The present paper deals with an original time-domain approach applied to outdoor sound propagation under meteorological effects. The transmission line matrix method, based on the Huygens’ principle, had already been validated over impedant grounds and complex topography. The presented formulation proposes to take into account meteorological effects (wind speed and temperature) through the relative sound speed. The necessary wavefront direction is determined through the calculation of the averaged intensity vector direction. A good agreement is found between simulations of both the transmission line matrix and parabolic equation methods. A relevant use of the method is shown in the framework of environmental acoustics and initial applications are proposed in Part 2.     

Perylene-based profluorescent nitroxides for the rapid monitoring of polyester degradation upon weathering: An assessment

A profluorescent nitroxide possessing an isoindoline nitroxide moiety linked to a perylene fluorophore was developed to monitor radical mediated degradation of melamine-formaldehyde crosslinked polyester coil coatings in an industry standard accelerated weathering tester. Trapping of polyester-derived radicals (most likely C-radicals) that are generated during polymer degradation leads to fluorescent closed-shell alkoxy amines, which was used to obtain time-dependent degradation profiles to assess the relative stability of different polyesters towards weathering. The nitroxide probe couples excellent thermal stability and satisfactory photostability with high sensitivity and enables detection of free radical damage in polyesters under conditions that mimic exposure to the environment on a time scale of hours rather than months or years required by other testing methods. There are indications that the profluorescent nitroxide undergoes partial photo-degradation in the absence of polymer-derived radicals. Unexpectedly, it was also found that UV-induced fragmentation of the NO–C bond in closed-shell alkoxy amines leads to regeneration of the profluorescent nitroxide and the respective C-radical. The maximum fluorescence intensity that could be achieved with a given probe concentration is therefore not only determined by the amount of polyester radicals formed during accelerated weathering, but also by the light-driven side reactions of the profluorescent nitroxide and the corresponding alkoxy amine radical trapping products. Studies to determine the optimum probe concentration in the polymer matrix revealed that aggregation and re-absorption effects lowered the fluorescence intensity at higher concentrations of the profluorescent nitroxide, but too low probe concentrations, where these effects would be avoided, were not sufficient to trap the amount of polyester radicals formed upon weathering. The optimized experimental conditions were used to assess the impact of temperature and UV irradiance on polymer degradation during accelerated weathering.     

Wastes from Wood Extraction Used in Composite Materials: Behavior after Accelerated Weathering

New materials were obtained by incorporating in polypropylene (PP) matrix 60% wood wastes resulting after extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide, water, and ethanol. Structural, mechanical, thermal, and rheological characterizations, as well as moisture uptake of the composites, were evaluated before and after accelerated weathering. It was found that the extraction method influenced the composite properties due to the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance. The addition of extracted fibers results in an increase in hardness and tensile properties and a decrease of impact strength as compared to PP.     

Mercury forms and their transformation in pyrite under weathering

Pyrite is considered to be the major carrier of mercury in coal. Here, the chemical characteristics of two natural pyrite samples of different weathering degrees were characterized by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Thermal stability of Hg was also analyzed via temperature programmed desorption experiment (TPD). Characteristic ions such as S⁻, Fe⁺, FeS⁻, and FeS₂⁻ were detected on the surface of fresh pyrite. The release temperature of Hg ranged between 180°C and 300°C, and the characteristic peak of black HgS was recorded. In addition, abundant Fe₂O₃⁻, FeSO⁻, SO₄⁻, and HSO₄⁻ were detected on the surface of weathered pyrite, and the release temperature of Hg therein was mainly distributed at 260°C to 380°C and 520°C to 600°C, corresponding to the characteristic peaks of red HgS and HgSO₄, respectively. The results show that pyrite is acidified during weathering and that Hg forms in pyrite are transformed from the original state (HgS) to HgSO₄.     

Impact of average photon-energy coefficient of solar spectrum on the short circuit current of photovoltaic modules

The output energy of photovoltaic (PV) modules is influenced by the spectral irradiance distribution of the solar spectrum under outdoor conditions. To rate the precise output energy of PV modules, the correction of short circuit current (I_SC) based on actual environmental conditions is needed, because I_SC significantly depends on the shape of the spectral irradiance distribution. The average photon energy (APE) is a zero-dimensional index for spectral irradiance distribution, and APE value uniquely describes the shape of a solar spectrum. Thus, APE has an impact on I_SC of PV modules. In this contribution, the relationship between APE coefficient and I_SC of the multi-crystalline silicon, single-crystalline silicon, heterojunction intrinsic thin-layer, back contact, copper indium selenide and cadmium telluride PV modules has explored. It is revealed that APE value changes the I_SC of PV modules which appeared to have immense possibilities of I_SC correction using APE coefficient. This new approach can be very effective for precise rating the output energy of PV modules under actual outdoor conditions.     

Natural and artificial weathering characteristics of stabilized acrylic–urethane paints

Depth-profiling by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), microhardness and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations have been used to monitor degradation chemistries in two-package acrylic–urethane coatings when exposed to different exposure conditions. Three artificial and three natural weathering protocols (QUV, ASTM D5894, ISO20340, Pipady (south of France), Bandol (south of France) and Kure Beach (USA)) were selected for this study. The same chemical events were found to occur under all conditions, particularly under natural and artificial exposures. Both loss of the amide II band at 1520 cm⁻¹ and carbonyl growth occurred but at relatively low rate owing to the presence of hindered-amine light stabilizers in the film. A less typical loss of urea biuret linkages also occurs during all exposures and results in a change in the balance between urethane and urea links across the depth of the film during weathering. The chemical degradation of the polymer matrix involves the formation of species that are readily ablated from the surface and results in loss of gloss, increase in hardness and a rougher topology. The dramatic loss of gloss observed after Pipady and Bandol exposures show that loss of gloss should not be systematically correlated to the advance in chemical degradation.