Gaussian Copula-based Bayesian network approach for characterizing spatial variability in aging steel bridges

Finite Element (FE) modeling often requires unavoidable simplifications or assumptions due to a lack of experimental data, modeling complexity, or non-affordable computational cost. One such simplification is modeling corrosion phenomena or material properties, which are usually assumed to be uniform throughout the structure. However, e.g.,...

A model for the initial stiffness of the face plate component

The component method for joint analysis relies on the formulation of stiffness and strength of individual parts to derive the global properties of the joint. One of these components is the web of an open I-section, or the face of a rectangular hollow section, hereby referred to as face plate. It is currently not codified despite its frequent...

Design of pin connections between steel members

The design of pin connections between steel members has been established for many years in design codes. However, recently, in the scope of the revision of Eurocode 3, Part 1–8 (EN 1993–1-8), questions were raised concerning the safety of the corresponding design verifications. This paper identifies two main aspects that require revision,...

Automated calibration of fem models using LiDAR point clouds

In present work it is pretended to estimate elastic parameters of beams through the combined use of precision geomatic techniques (laser scanning) and structural behaviour simulation tools. The study has two aims, on the one hand, to develop an algorithm able to interpret automatically point clouds acquired by laser scanning systems of beams...

Multiprobe characterization of plasma flows for space propulsion

Plasma engines for space propulsion generate plasma jets (also denominated plasma plumes) having supersonic ion groups with typical speeds in the order of tens of kilometers per second, which lies between electron and ion thermal speeds. Studies of the stationary plasma expansion process using a four-grid retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA...

Seasonal Dependence of Geomagnetic Active-Time Northern High-Latitude Upper Thermospheric Winds

This study is focused on improving the poorly understood seasonal dependence of northern high-latitude F region thermospheric winds under active geomagnetic conditions. The gaps in our understanding of the dynamic high-latitude thermosphere are largely due to the sparseness of thermospheric wind measurements. With current observational...

Seasonal dependence of northern high-latitude upper thermospheric winds: A quiet time climatological study based on ground-based and space-based measurements

This paper investigates the large-scale seasonal dependence of geomagnetically quiet time, northern high-latitude F region thermospheric winds by combining extensive observations from eight ground-based (optical remote sensing) and three space-based (optical remote sensing and in situ) instruments. To provide a comprehensive picture of the...

Isolation of polyphenols from spent coffee grounds and silverskin by mild hydrothermal pretreatment

In this study, a new method for isolation of polyphenols (PP) from spent coffee grounds (SCG) and coffee silverskin (CS) is described. The method consisted of a mild hydrothermal pretreatment at 120°C, for 20 min, using a liquid-to-solid ratio of 20 mL/g. PP (determined as gallic acid equivalents, GAE) were the most abundant components in the...

Force scheme applied to flux reconstruction in the numerical simulation of nonlinear acoustic problems

Nonlinear acoustic waves have many applications in very different fields of industry. The problem considered in this work consists of predicting the behaviour of gas filling a one dimensional tube when suffering the action of very high frequency waves. The numerical technique applied to solve this problem is a third order finite volume method...