The cracking of the pre-/post-casting UHPC joint in the steel-UHPC composite bridge deck system can lead to continuous tensile damage in the UHPC layer, reducing its ability to stiffen the steel deck. This study aims to clarify the cracking mechanism of the segmented-casting UHPC joint, and to provide design recommendations for cracking control. Axial tension tests on full-scale composite deck specimens were conducted, in which the influence of with and without joint, and varying reinforcement ratios on cracking response were identified. Moreover, the nonlinear numerical model for the composite deck, where the UHPC-UHPC interface was simulated in three methods, i.e. unbonded case, cohesive zone model (CZM), and perfectly bonded case, was developed and validated to simulate the crack initiation and propagation of the UHPC layer. Based on the validated numerical model incorporating CZM, improving the bond strength of CZM is more effective in controlling crack opening at the interface than increasing the failure displacement. Finally, optimized reinforcement arrangement and joint shape recommendations were provided to enhance construction convenience, minimize stress concentration, and limit crack opening.

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Problem definition: Warranty reserves are funds used to fulfill future warranty obligations for a product. In this paper, we investigate the warranty reserve planning problem faced by a manufacturing firm who manages warranties for multiple products. Academic/practical relevance: It is nontrivial to determine a proper amount of reserves to hold, because warranty expenditures are random in nature and reserving either excess or insufficient cash would incur losses. How can warranty reserve levels be optimized and promptly adjusted is a focal issue, especially for firms selling multiple products. Methodology: Inspired by the general pattern of empirical warranty claims data, we first develop an aggregate warranty cost (AWC) forecasting model for a single product by coupling stochastic product sales and failure processes, which can be used to plan for warranty reserves periodically. The reserve levels are then optimized via a distributionally robust approach, because the exact distribution of AWC is generally unknown. To reduce the losses generated from managing the funds, we further investigate two potential loss-reduction approaches: demand learning and funds pooling. Results: For the demand learning algorithm, we prove that, as the sales period grows, the optimal learning parameter asymptotically converges to a constant in a fairly fast rate; our simulation experiments show that the performance of demand learning is promising and robust under general warranty claim patterns. Moreover, we find that the benefits of funds pooling change over different stages of the warranty life cycle; in particular, the relative pooling benefit in terms of reserve losses is nonincreasing over time. Managerial implications: This study offers guidelines on how manufacturers should adaptively forecast and dynamically plan warranty reserves over the warranty life cycle.

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Supplementary control (SC) technology is widely leveraged by power supply companies in active distribution networks (ADNs) to improve their stability and dynamic characteristics. Yet, the existed SCs are generally implemented from inside the converter controllers of distributed generators (DGs) or active loads, so there is a need to redesign the internal physical structure of the existing controller, resulting in the increasing work amount of assembling and workability. This paper studies the specific R & D process of a novel external coupling type SC (ECSC), which is based upon current source injection (CSI-ECSC) for improving the dynamic characteristics of ADN. The SC current signals are coupled to the current sampling loop from outside the converter controller. And the employment of the existing current sample makes it unnecessary to redesign the internal physical structure of the existing controller. As a result, the SC assembling is simplified and its workability is improved. In this paper, a detailed exemplary ADN with direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is firstly set up in math for full eigenvalue analysis. Then, the CSI-ECSC is designed with its control loop, interface circuit, and parameter setting. Furthermore, by using PSCAD/EMTDC, groups of case studies are conducted in ADNs where photovoltaics (PVs) and energy storage (ES) are included. Finally, the real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing validates the functionality of the realized CSI-ECSC in RTDS.

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This paper addresses the flexible formation problem for unmanned surface vehicles in the presence of obstacles. Building upon the leader-follower formation scheme, a hybrid line-of-sight based flexible platooning method is proposed for follower vehicle to keep tracking the leader ship. A fusion artificial potential field collision avoidance approach is tailored to generate optimal collision-free trajectories for the vehicle to track. To steer the vehicle towards and stay within the neighborhood of the generated collision-free trajectory, a nonlinear model predictive controller is designed. Experimental results are presented to validate the efficiency of proposed method, showing that the unmanned surface vehicle is able to track the leader ship without colliding with the surrounded static obstacles in the considered experiments.@en

With the increasing demand and limited production, China has to import a large amount of soybeans. However, soybean has been chosen as one target of the recent trade war between the US and China. It is therefore critical to assess the sustainability of soybean supply in China. Under such a circumstance, this study aims to fill such a research gap by using an emergy accounting approach from both spatial and temporal perspectives and at provincial-level. The impact of trade war on soybean imports and production is simulated by one GTAP (Global Trade Analysis Project) model. The results of Emergy Sustainability Indices (ESI) show that it is urgent to improve the sustainability of soybean planting in Heilongjiang, while Yunnan is the most appropriate place for planting soybean. For the international supply, the EER (Emergy Exchange Ratio) of China has decreased by 72% and the decrease of EERs at provincial level ranged from 59% to 86% during 2000–2015. The simulation results indicate the necessity of adjusting spatial structure of soybean planting and applying reasonable economic instruments to encourage sustainable soybean production.

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This paper presents a methodology to support decision making based on the tram wheel-rail interface condition. The methodology relies on the following measurements: tram failure log-files regarding wheel-sliding events, monitored acoustics data and open source weather information. The proposed methodology consists of three stages: 1) data collection and pre-processing, 2) spatial analysis based on clustering, and 3) decision support based on the extracted information. For clustering, the Density-Based Algorithm (DBSCAN) is used for the analysis of wheel-sliding events. Self-organizing maps (SOMs) are employed for the analysis of acoustics data. A real-life case study is used to show how use of the methodology can find interesting hotspots that are candidates for further monitoring and maintenance actions. The measurements were obtained from the tram system in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.@en