Trajectory optimization to minimize the environmental impact of departing and arriving aircraft

The aviation industry faces the challenge of reducing its climate eects. This paper aims to determine whether optimizing flight trajectories can reduce the environmental impact of aircraft during the climb and descent phases. It addresses the research gap in sustainable flight trajectory optimization by combining state-of-the-art research on...

Optimal condition-based maintenance of asphalt concrete pavements

Maintenance is a necessary measure to keep the asset, in this case a road network, in good condition. Spending too much on maintenance is clearly not efficient, while not spending enough may cause the condition to drop below a desired value; moreover, it will almost always cost more to correct the emerging damages afterwards. <br/>In this report...

Surrogate Based Optimisation for hull shapes with DAKOTA toolkit

The thesis proposes a methodology for a Surrogate Based Optimisation (SBO) study and its application in the Naval Architecture field using the open-source software DAKOTA. Surrogate Based Optimisation is a useful and powerful way of reducing time and costs in hull shape optimisation. It allows the employ of exploratory data analysis techniques...

Optimisation Framework for the Design of Multilayered Cord-Rubber Hoses

In this thesis a design optimisation framework was developed, with the aim of reducing the cord usage in TANIQ’s Large Bore Hose product family. To decrease the finite element analysis time, an axisymmetric finite element model was developed using ABAQUS’s rebar method, where the directional cord properties are smeared in hoop direction. The two...

Computational Method for Early-Stage Design Optimization of Naturally Ventilated Terminals

This thesis focuses on the development of a computational model for early-stage design decision support of naturally ventilated terminal structures. The model is developed in a parametric Rhino Grasshopper environment paired with Python coding and CFD analyses through OpenFOAM. Optimization of air distribution parameters is performed with...

Optimal Sizing of Stand-Alone Renewable Energy Systems for Electricity and Fresh Water Supply

Remote areas throughout the world often face great difficulties with regards to a cost-effective production of electricity and drinking water. To date, it is mostly done by means of diesel generators which are however subject to volatile market prices, high operational cost, logistical supply problems and environmental concerns. Stand-alone...

Layout Optimization of Offshore Wind Farms affected by Wake effects, Cable topology and Support Structure variation

As part of the effort to reduce the cost of offshore wind energy, this MSc Thesis deals with the layout optimization of an Offshore Wind Farm affected by wake effects, cable topology and support structure variation. The main objective of the current MSc Thesis is to investigate how important each of these aspects for the layout optimization is....

Density Tapering for Sparse Planar Spiral Antenna Arrays

Increasing demands for mobile internet access have led to exponential developments in mobile communications technologies. The next generation mobile technology is expected to exploit electronic beam steering and to have a higher operating frequency to facilitate a higher bandwidth. This places a heavy burden on the base station antenna arrays,...

A Computational Intelligence Approach to Voltage and Power Control in HV-MTDC Grids

An ever increasing interest in renewable energy sources (RES) in order to reduce global carbon emissions and alleviate problems posed by climate changes has lead to dramatic increase particularly in offshore wind energy projects. Several different projects are currently being executed and so many are being planned for the future. The location of...

Automated Implant-Processor Design

As we move towards an aging population, it is likely that an increasing number of people will require an increasing diversity of implants, but at a lower cost to the society. Also, as computer technology progresses, smaller, more powerful, and less battery intensive implants can be designed. However, present implant design methodology is highly...

Study on optimal Trajectories and Energy Management Capabilities of a Winged Re-Entry Vehicle during the Terminal Area

The unpowered entry of a winged re-entry vehicle, such as the HORUS-2B, consists of a hypersonic atmospheric re-entry phase, a Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM) phase and a approach and landing phase. The TAEM is the subject of this thesis study. During the TAEM, the vehicle is brought to the correct interface position with the landing...