Simple Construction Research Articles

Numerical Modeling and Analysis of Steel Sheet Pile Cofferdams, Considering the Construction Sequence

The construction of steel sheet pile cofferdams is a systematic project. Simplified construction sequences are widely used to facilitate the numerical modeling of cofferdams, while the mechanical behaviors of cofferdams with different construction sequences have yet to be understood. In the present study, finite element models of steel sheet pile cofferdams with different construction sequences were established, based on the temporary cofferdam of the Shenzhen–Zhongshan Link. The mechanisms of simplified construction sequences on bending moment were revealed by analyzing the displacements and contact press of steel sheet piles. The distribution of bending moment with elevation demonstrates the importance of the layered backfill process in numerical modeling. In addition, a finite element model of the cofferdam considering steady-state seepage was also established. The comparison of the hydrostatic pressure results and the bending moment results obtained by engineering experience and seepage analysis were discussed. The analysis results showed that the empirical method overestimated the maximum bending moment of the inner side of piles, which led to a more conservative design of the cofferdam. This work can serve as a reference for numerical modeling of steel sheet pile cofferdams and contribute to risk assessment in related engineering projects.

Exploratory analysis of protein detection using refractive index in a one-dimensional ternary photonic crystal

Abstract This study investigates the highly sensitive detection capabilities of albumin using a defective one-dimensional photonic crystal. A novel biophotonic sensor is proposed featuring a cavity layer sandwiched between five identical periods of ternary layers composed of MgF₂/Si/PSi on each side. The transfer matrix method is employed to examine the sensing parameters based on the transmission characteristics of the proposed sensor. A defect mode emerges in the transmission spectrum when the sample infiltrates the cavity layer. The performance of the biosensor is evaluated by noting the shift in the position of the defect mode, which is dependent on the concentration and varies with the refractive index of the sample. The effects of variations in the incident angle and the thickness of the cavity layer for TM polarization are carefully investigated to achieve the highest sensor sensitivity. For the proposed structure, a high sensitivity of 2099.64 nm/RIU and a limit of detection of 9.698 × 10⁻⁷ are achieved, surpassing recent efforts in this research area. Additionally, the proposed device's affordability, real-time detection capabilities, and simple construction favour the development of an effective device using straightforward techniques.

Establishing the Connection between Valency and Passive Voice in the English Simple Sentence Constructions

A sentence is generally construed as a unit which is made up of one or more clauses. Hence, the English simple sentence, made up of a subject and a predicate, contains just a clause which makes a complete thought and expresses a single proposition. Against this backdrop, this study examines the connection between valency and passive voice in the English simple sentence constructions. It further analyses samples of the English simple sentences both from the literature and introspection. As emanations from the English simple sentences, the English passive voice may be devoid of the ‘by-agentive’ phrase. The point just made does not rule out the presence of a predicate in such expressions. Noticeably, both the active and passive voice are connected to the English simple sentences. Employing the approach of Corpus Linguistics to sentence analyses, samples of the English simple sentences gathered from introspection and related literature are considered for analysis. The study re-affirms that there is a connection between valency and passive voice in the English simple sentence constructions. The study further discovers that the presence of referring expressions in both the active and passive voice sentence constructions indicates the number of valency in such constructions. The paper concludes by recommending that valency and passive voice in English grammar be painstakingly taught to both native and non-native learners of English since the former can be used to explain the latter and vice-versa.

Design of compact microstrip high gain filtering antenna array based on SIW cavity

ABSTRACT The article has designed a single-mode, substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW), high-gain filtering array antenna. The proposed filtering antenna array is implemented on a stack of metal and dielectric substrate layers with SIW cavity and CPW feeding at the bottom layer to excite the single T E 201 mode. It acts as the first stage of the filter resonator, facilitating the four-way power distribution through the slots to the 2 × 2circular patch array acting as the second stage of the filtering resonator. With the advantages of the reutilisation of the existing high-order SIW cavities, the presented filtering array antenna offers low loss, very high gain, high efficiency, miniaturised size, and simple construction. A filtering array prototype with dimensions 1.081 λ x0.752 λ x0.023 λ has been fabricated using a multi-layer printed circuit board method and measured to validate the proposed design.The structure offers a peak gain of 12.6 dBi, fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 4.6%, and 96% peak radiation efficiency at the centre frequency of 13.68 GHz. An excellent correlation is observed between the measured and simulation results. The proposed design has immense potential in high-frequency and wide-ranging filtering arrays for radar and satellite in Ku band applications.

Organic Optocoupler with Simple Construction as an Effective Linear Current Transceiver.

In this study, it is shown that an efficient organic optocoupler (OPC) can be fabricated using commercially available and solution-processable organic semiconductors. The transmitter is a single-active-layer organic light-emitting diode (OLED) made from a well-known polyparavinylene derivative, Super Yellow. The receiver is an organic light-emitting diode (OLSD) with a single active layer consisting of a mixture of the polymer donor PTB7-Th and the low-molecular-weight acceptor ITIC; the receiver operates without an applied reverse voltage. OLED and OLSD have the same geometry and simple structure without any interlayers: glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/(active layer)/Ca/Al; the OPC is formed by OLED and OLSD which adhere tightly to each other. Despite its simple structure, the OPC showed a current transfer ratio of 0.13%, good linearity, and good dynamic performance: a three-decibel cutoff frequency of 170 kHz and response times to a step change in current at the OPC input of 2 μs. Compared to most organic OPC devices with similar performance parameters, where the transmitter and receiver have complex structures with additional interlayers between the active layers and electrodes and the need to apply a reverse voltage to the receiver, the simple design of our OPC reduces the number of fabrication steps and greatly simplifies the device fabrication process.

“Electrohydrodynamic Drying: A Comprehensive Review of Design Considerations and Quality Effects on Dried Fruits and Vegetables”

ABSTRACTElectrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying, an emerging non‐thermal technology, gains favor for its simple construction, energy efficiency, and superior dried product quality. Operating at ambient temperature, it preserves a product's original characteristics. This study delves into EHD drying's mechanism, electrode selection, and design considerations, emphasizing its impact on vitamins, color, and bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables. A comparative analysis with traditional and innovative drying methods is included, exploring combined and EHD‐assisted techniques for improved organoleptic and nutritional qualities. While, currently it is limited to lab‐scale, scaling up EHD drying holds promise for ensuring nutritional security, with considerations on various limiting factors and future potential.

Similitude laws for the vibroacoustic response of fluid-loaded plates under a turbulent boundary layer excitation.

The theory of similitudes provides simple laws by which the response of one system (usually of small size) can be used to predict the response of another system (usually larger). This paper establishes the exact conditions and laws of similitude for the vibrations and acoustic radiation of a panel immersed in a heavy fluid and excited by a turbulent boundary layer. Previous work on vibroacoustic similitude had not considered the problem of a panel radiating in heavy fluid, for which the radiation impedance of the structure must be scaled. The scaling parameters studied here are the dimensions and thickness of the structure, its material properties, the properties of the acoustic domain, and the convective velocity of the turbulent boundary layer. The corresponding scaling laws are derived analytically and verified numerically; in particular, material properties of scaled panels can be determined with simple geometrical constructions on the diagram of Ashby.

Recent innovations in in situ strategies to prepare metal-organic framework-based mixed matrix membranes.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer matrixes have garnered significant attention due to their potential to overcome the permeability-selectivity trade-off inherent in polymeric membranes. Nevertheless, the application and industrial production of MOF-based MMMs have been hindered by issues such as poor interfacial compatibility and cumbersome fabrication processes. Recently, in situ strategies have emerged as promising approaches for fabricating MOF-based MMMs, offering enhanced interfacial compatibility between MOF fillers and polymers, as well as a simplified construction process. Furthermore, these strategies enable the creation of cross-linked MMMs with significantly improved interfacial compatibility and mechanical properties, which are unattainable through traditional physical mixing methods. This feature article summarizes recent advancements in the in situ preparation of MOF-based MMMs, encompassing in situ MOF growth, in situ polymerization of polymer matrixes, combined in situ methods, and in situ post-treatment. Our contributions to the field of in situ strategies include the innovative design of efficient spray technology and the formation of asymmetric MMMs. These developments pave the way for the realization of high-performance MOF-based MMMs suitable for industrial applications.

Enhancing surface roughness of material extrusion additive manufacturing components via an innovative ironing process

ABSTRACT Extrusion-based 3D printing is widely used in various industries, enabling the rapid creation of prototypes and functional parts at a lower cost compared to traditional technologies. However, one limitation of this technology is the surface finish of the components, where the roughness is not optimal. This paper presents a solution to improve the surface finish of components by leveraging the principles of ironing and ball burnishing. The tool, appropriately heated and passed over the component, smooths out imperfections by uniforming the surface profile. Unlike the traditional ironing method, the use of this tool reduces processing times and enhances surface roughness with a simpler construction and control mechanism compared to a conventional hot-end. The average surface roughness obtained is Ra = 0.796 μm; these values are comparable to those obtained by grinding. The geometry of the tool tips can vary significantly based on specific applications.

소형 플레저보트 저항성능 향상을 위한 선형디자인 연구

This study was designed to propose a non-commercial “small pleasure boat” design of a catamaran with a vessel length of less than 12 meters, with relatively simplified construction procedures and safety inspection standards compared to general ships, in order to strengthen the design and design capabilities of small and medium-sized ships. Using the programs Rhino 4.0 & Maxsurf, stability and effective horsepower were calculated for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stages. A small pleasure boat design was proposed by applying a line with improved resistance. In order to propose a design to improve resistance performance, the resistance performance of symmetrical catamaran type A and asymmetric catamaran type B was calculated to calculate the required horsepower (EHP) for each ship speed and compare the resistance performance.

FULLY ANALYTICAL SOLUTION FOR THE FIRST SPECTRAL MOMENT OF A FLUOROPHORE IN SOLUTION

One of the common methods for assessing the solvation dynamics of a fluorescent system in a polar medium is the analysis of the first spectral moment behavior. So there is a need to build a model that takes into account important physical processes and at the same time is not demanding in terms of calculations. In this paper, an approach is proposed that considers the parameters of the exciting laser pulse and intramolecular vibrational relaxation for constructing the solvation dynamics. A method for building an analytical solution for the dynamics of the first spectral moment is presented. This model is free of numerical methods using, and it is a simple construction built by basics functions and an additional error function. The influence of all key parameters on the system relaxation is illustrated. It is shown that delocalization in time of the pump pulse suppresses the oscillatory behavior of the first moment and hides information about the damped intramolecular mode. The similar effect is also observed with the diffusion and inertial processes contribution insreasion to the reorganization energy at early stages of relaxation. The presented model can be generalized to take into account quantum transitions between vibrational sublevels of high-frequency intramolecular vibrations.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF WINDING TYPES AND ROTOR STRUCTURE IN SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR

Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) have attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to their simple construction, high efficiency and the fact that they do not require rare earth magnets. SynRMs produce torque by directing the magnetic flux through barriers in the rotor, making them a low-cost alternative. The performance of the motor can vary significantly depending on the design of the stator windings and rotor barriers. Different combinations of stator winding types and the number of rotor barriers directly affect the critical performance parameters of the motor such as torque, efficiency, torque ripple, output power, saliency ratio and copper consumption. In this study, SynRMs using six different stator winding types and two different rotor barrier structures (3 and 4 barriers) are analyzed. Output power, efficiency, torque, torque ripple, saliency ratio, d-q axis inductances depending on current phase angle, total losses and copper consumption are investigated. The effect of full pitch and shortened pitch configurations in winding structures on the performance is discussed comparatively. The effect of 3 and 4 barrier rotors on these parameters is also evaluated. These analyses aim to reveal the ways in which winding and rotor configurations in motor design can be used to optimize performance. SynRMs can provide energy efficiency and cost benefits in a variety of industrial applications, therefore selecting the proper configuration is of great importance from both an economic and performance perspective.

Cyclone Classification over the South Atlantic Ocean in Centenary Reanalysis

Since the beginning of the satellite era, only three tropical cyclones have been recorded over the South Atlantic Ocean. To investigate the potential occurrence of such systems since the 1900s, ERA20C, a centennial reanalysis, was utilised. This study first evaluates the performance of ERA20C in reproducing the climatology of all cyclone types over the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean by comparing it with a modern reanalysis (ERA5) for the period 1979–2010. Despite its simpler construction, ERA20C is able to reproduce key climatological features, such as frequency, location, seasonality, intensity, and thermal structure of cyclones similar to ERA5. Then, the Cyclone Phase Space (CPS) methodology was applied to determine the thermal structure at each time step for every cyclone between 1900 and 2010 in ERA20C. The cyclones were then categorised into different types (extratropical, subtropical, and tropical), and systems exhibiting a warm core at their initial time step were classified as tropical cyclogenesis. Between 1900 and 2010, 96 cases of tropical cyclogenesis were identified over the South Atlantic. Additionally, throughout the lifetime of all cyclones, a total of 1838 time steps exhibited a tropical structure, indicating that cyclones can acquire a warm core at different stages of their lifecycle. The coasts of southeastern and southern sectors of northeast Brazil emerged as the most favourable for cyclones with tropical structures during their lifecycle. The findings of this study highlight the occurrence of tropical cyclones in the South Atlantic prior to the satellite era, providing a foundation for future research into the physical mechanisms that enabled these events.

Data-Driven Modeling of Lateral and Cracking Loads in Confined Masonry Walls Using Machine Learning

Confined masonry (CM) is becoming a widely adopted construction building method even in earthquake-prone regions due to its economic viability, construction simplicity, and material availability. However, existing empirical models for predicting lateral and cracking loads often fall short due to varied material properties, detailing of confining elements and construction practices. In this study, machine learning (ML) algorithms, such as Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Random Forest (RF), and Extremely Randomized Tree (ERT), were employed to predict the seismic performance of CM walls, focusing on maximum lateral load capacity and cracking load based on an experimental dataset from 84 published studies, with 59 samples for training and 25 for testing. Different material, load, geometrical, and reinforcement detailing, related to the lateral load capacity of CM, were considered. This study also compares the performance of the existing empirical equations against the proposed ML models. The ML models demonstrated strong predictive capabilities, outperforming empirical equations in both maximum lateral load and cracking load predictions, with XGBoost yielding the highest accuracy, reflected by R2 values of 0.903 for lateral load and 0.876 for cracking load predictions, and lowest the RMSE (28.742 for lateral and 23.982 for cracking load). Additionally, a comparative analysis shows that while some empirical equations produce reasonably accurate predictions, most exhibit significant deviations from experimental results. This study finally employs Partial Dependence Plot (PDP) analysis to explain the importance and contribution of the factors that influence the lateral strength, and concludes that ML models, especially XGBoost, are highly effective in capturing the complex behavior of CM walls under vertical and lateral loads, making them valuable tools for enhancing the accuracy of seismic performance evaluations.

Aerodynamics of Paper Airplanes: From Basic Physics to Biomimicry Research

This study delves into the fundamental physics of paper airplanes and extends to the domain of biomimicry, drawing parallels between artificial and natural flight mechanisms. Focused on both theoretical and practical aspects, the investigation encompasses the design parameters crucial for the construction of paper airplanes—particularly, the choice of material, aerodynamic wing shapes, and the strategic balance between the center of gravity and lift forces. By experimenting with various designs, the impact on flight performance, including the achievable distance and stability, is thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, the research includes a qualitative comparison with avian flight data, aiming to uncover underlying natural flight strategies that could enhance artificial designs. The findings not only augment current aerodynamic theory but also offer new insights into the educational and engineering applications of paper airplanes, proposing innovative ways to integrate these simple yet profound constructs into more complex fields of study. This exploration not only broadens the understanding of paper aircraft but also fosters a deeper appreciation of biomimicry in modern engineering education Chapter.

Broadband tunable multi-functional polarization converter based on a graphene metasurface

In this paper, a tunable multi-functional polarization converter based on a graphene metasurface has been designed. For the chemical potential of 1 eV, the structure has a polarization conversion ratio higher than 0.9 in the frequency range of 8.08 to 8.29 THz and also in the wide frequency range of 10.28 to 12.56 THz. Therefore, broadband linear to linear polarization conversion has been obtained. Also, in four frequency ranges, linear to circular polarization conversion has been realized. In addition to linear to linear and linear to circular functions, the structure also has circular to linear and circular to circular polarization conversion capabilities. The effects of chemical potential, geometrical parameters, and incident and polarization angles on the polarization conversion performance have been investigated. By changing the chemical potential, the reflected wave switches between different polarizations. Moreover, the results show that polarization conversion is insensitive to the incident angle up to 40°. The physical mechanism and analytical methods of multiple interference theory and equivalent circuit model for the suggested polarization converter have been presented. The presented structure with appropriate features such as different polarization conversions, adjustability, switching capability between different polarizations, broad bandwidth, good incident angle stability, and simple construction has many applications in communication, biological detection, imaging, and sensing.

Numerical Study on the Wave Attenuation Performance of a Novel Partial T Special-Type Floating Breakwater

Floating breakwaters (FBs) play an important role in protecting coastlines, marine structures, and ports due to their simple construction, convenient movement, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, the traditional box-type FBs are flawed due to their requiring large sizes for wave attenuation and their overly high level of wave reflection. In this paper, a novel partial T special-type FB with wave attenuation on the surface and flow blocking below the water has been presented. First, the User-Defined Function (UDF) feature in ANSYS Fluent was employed to compile the six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) motion model. A two-dimensional viscous numerical wave flume was developed using the velocity boundary wave-generation method and damping dissipation wave-absorption method, with fully coupled models of the FBs developed. A VOF multiphase flow model and a RANS turbulence model were employed to capture the free flow of gas–liquid two-phase flow. Then, the performance of wave attenuation of the new FB was compared with that of the traditional box-type FB of the same specifications. The simulation results showed that the transmission coefficient of the new FB is significantly lower than that of the box-type FB, and the dissipation coefficient is notably higher, demonstrating excellent performance of wave attenuation, particularly for long-period waves. As wave height increases, the novel FB benefits from its wave attenuation mechanism, with a lower reflection coefficient compared to the box-type FB. Finally, through parametric analysis, some design recommendations of the novel FB suitable for practical engineering applications in deep-sea aquaculture are presented.

Identifying Key Linguistic Variables of Second Language Speaking Proficiency Using Principal Component Analysis

This study conducted principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key linguistic factors distinguishing the speaking proficiency levels of Korean learners grouped by CEFR classifications. The PCA primarily focused on fluency, lexis, and complexity, with particular emphasis on syntactic complexity. The analysis revealed that PC1 explained the largest variance (31.6%) in proficiency levels, with syntactic complexity—measured as complex nominals per T-unit (CNT)—emerging as the most significant differentiating factor. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed statistically significant differences in CNT across proficiency levels, underscoring its critical role in evaluating grammatical ability. Fluency variables, such as articulation rate, and lexis variables, including lexical diversity, although statistically non-significant, provided valuable insights into learners’ broader proficiency development. The results also indicated that higher proficiency levels were associated with greater use of syntactically complex structures, highlighting the importance of grammatical sophistication in second-language speech. Additionally, learners at lower proficiency levels relied more on simple sentence constructions, which suggests a gradual progression in syntactic complexity as proficiency increases. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of syntactic complexity in assessing speaking proficiency and suggest that incorporating such measures into language evaluation frameworks could provide a more comprehensive and nuanced reflection of learners’ linguistic development. This, in turn, could facilitate the design of targeted instructional strategies and assessments that align more closely with learners’ developmental trajectories, addressing specific gaps in their linguistic skills.

A Study on the Flow Measurement Performance of the Plate Flowmeter and Its Effect on Channel Flow Velocity Distribution

The plate flowmeter offers a novel method for water flow measurement in small channels. Characterized by its simple construction, absence of siltation, and consistent relationship between the deflection angle and flow rate, this device possesses significant potential. Our study, employing rigorous experimental techniques, validated that the gate-hole outflow calculation model is effectively applicable to this plate flowmeter. Additionally, our research investigated the device’s impact on flow velocity distribution. Our findings reveal that the plate flowmeter can be effectively combined with the sluice gate outflow model. It has been verified that the maximum relative error is 14.57%, the minimum relative error is 0.35%, and most relative errors are below 10%. Both water level and flow rate contribute to the flat plate device’s relative head loss, with water level exerting a more significant effect. At various points along the channel, the plate flowmeter affects flow velocity distribution differently. Upstream, the device minimally impacts vertical flow velocity distribution, resulting in steady velocity changes. Conversely, downstream, the flat plate flow meter significantly alters flow velocity distribution, prompting redistribution that persists until 1.26 m downstream, where device influence ceases. These insights offer a solid theoretical foundation for enhancing the structural design of the plate flowmeter, thus improving its overall performance and efficacy.

On Quantified Splitting Proof System for Propositional Calculi

In this paper, some new quantified propositional proof system is introduced and compared by proof complexities with other quantified and not quantified propositional proof systems. It is proved that the introduced system 1) is polynomially equivalent to its quantifier-free variant and 2) has exponential speed-up by sizes over some variants of the quantified resolution system. As the introduced system has a very simple proof construction strategy, it can be very useful not only in Logic, and therefore in Artificial Intelligence, but also in areas such as Computational Biology and Medical Diagnosis.