bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pipe piles under mooring forces
Authors: Ramadan M. I.  , Butt S. D.  , Popescu R.
Published: February 2025

Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) Vessels are widely used in offshore oil and gas industry. In offshore Atlantic Canada, mooring piles driven in the seabed, in water depths ranging from 80 to 200 m, are used to moor these FPSOs. These mooring piles are subjected to oblique pull forces. In this paper, a 3D finite element method has been used to study the behaviour of steel pipe piles in saturated sand under mooring forces. The main objective of the present study is to check the validity of the available theoretical models in the literature. It has been found that most of the previous theoretical models should be modified to consider the prototype behaviour.
Administrative Report: TC 38 – Soil-Structure Interaction
Authors: Ulitsky Vladimir  , Lisyuk Michael
Published: February 2025

The Administrative report presents main activities of TC38 “Soil-Structure Interaction” during the period of 2005-2009. The main task of TC38 is to produce Guidelines on Soil-Structure Interaction by 2013. An important step towards this goal is collection and analyses of well documented case histories submitted by TC38 members.
Experimental study on mechanical characteristics of composite geo-material for recycling dredged soil and bottom ash
Authors: Kim Y.T.  , Han W.J.  , Kang H.S.  , Lee J.S.
Published: February 2025

The experimental results of composite geo-material indicated that the stress-strain relationship and the unconfined compressive strength are strongly influenced by mixing conditions such as air-foam content and bottom ash content. Maximum compressive strength of CGM increased with an increase in cement content, but decreased with an increase in air-foam content. Most of the failure types of specimens were general shear failure. Bulging failure, however, was shown in the specimen with high air-foam content. It was observed that the compressive strength as well as the stiffness of composite geo-material increased by adding bottom ash due to angular shape of bottom ash and the pozzolanic reaction in the mixture. The 28-day strength of composite geo-material was 1.5~2.3 times higher than the 7-day strength. The moist unit weight strongly depended on air-foam content as well as bottom ash content added to the composite geo-material. In composite geo-material, secant modulus (E50) also increased as its compressive strength increased due to the inclusion of bottom ash. Secant moduli of CGM were in the range of 185 to 480 times the value of unconfined compressive strength. The stiffness of CGM was greater than that of unreinforced lightweight soil due to the reinforcing effect of bottom ash.
Bearing behaviour of shallow foundations on clays – offshore and onshore, research and practice
Authors: Hossain M.S.  , Randolph M.F.
Published: February 2025

The paper presents a summary of investigations undertaken to explore shallow foundation response on single and double layer clays in the context of soil flow mechanisms, cavity depth and bearing capacity. Undrained response under concentric vertical loading has been considered. Commonly used design guidelines are assessed against recent results from centrifuge model tests, numerical analysis and closed form solutions including the authors' contributions from offshore applications. Specific attention is focused on the difference between onshore and offshore practice, emphasising fundamental differences in installation techniques.
Main features of two simple bond contact models for bonded granulates: PFC model and Jiang model
Authors: Jiang Mingjing  , Yan Haibin
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the main features of these two bond contact models by using the Distinct Element Method (DEM). The DEM study shows that: (1) PFC model can be described by the physical model in Jiang model, in which a rigid bond element is introduced into both tangential and normal models. (2) Their peak strength at a single contact is identical in tension, but different in tangential direction. (3) Their bonded samples demonstrate strain-softening and shear-dilatancy in biaxial compression tests, which cohesions increase with the increasing of bond strength. However, in contrary to PFC samples, the peak frictional angle of Jiang samples increases with the increasing of bond strength which is in good agreement with the experimental data.
Tensile strength changes under drying and its correlations with total and matric suctions
Authors: de Souza Villar Lúcio Flávio  , de Campos Tácio Mauro Pereira  , Azevedo Roberto Francisco  , Zornberg Jorge Gabriel
Published: February 2025

Experimental evidences show that the effect of matric suction on stress and hence on shear and tensile strength of soil can be considerable, but limited in dry soils by the onset of cracking (Favaretti, 1995). In the present paper, several laboratory results, obtained by means of the Brazilian test are shown. Results of tensile strength of a soil were obtained using the diametral compression test, or Brazilian test, following the technique proposed by Krishnayya & Eisenstein (1974), Maciel (1991); Das et al. (1995) and Favaretti (1995). These tests consist of transversally compressing cylinders of soil throughout its generating line to cause them to fail by tensile throughout the diameter of the transversal section. Various tests were carried out on different levels of humidity and the results were correlated with the physical indexes. The samples were prepared in the laboratory from slurry condition, saturated with two different fluids. Their moisture retention curves were also determined. It was verified a high level of osmotic suction, which allowed to analyze separately the influence of the matric and total suction in the tensile strength behavior. It was observed that the total suction seems to control the soil tensile strength rather than the matric suction.
Biopolymer soil stabilization for wind erosion control
Authors: Kavazanjian, Jr. E.  , Iglesias E.  , Karatas I.
Published: February 2025

Laboratory experiments indicate that spray-applied biopolymer mixtures and biopolymer admixtures for compacted soil may offer cost effective means of mitigating wind-induced soil erosion. Mitigating wind-induced erosion can be a serious geotechnical consideration due to the associated soil loss and air and water quality impacts. Agricultural soil loss is a serious concern worldwide. Air quality problems due to wind-induced erosion of fine grained soil (fugitive dust) from construction sites are common in arid and semi-arid regions. Conventional techniques for wind erosion control include frequent watering of the soil, application of covering materials (e.g. geosynthetic rolled erosion control products), and application of chemical stabilizers (e.g. hydrocarbon emulsions or synthetic polymeric emulsions). All of these techniques have limitations: application of water may require continuous treatment, particularly in relatively hot and arid climates; covering with geosynthetic materials can be expensive; chemical stabilizers can be expensive and have adverse environmental impacts. Biopolymers may offer a cost-effective alternative to these conventional techniques. Laboratory testing shows that surface application of a biopolymer emulsion can significantly increase the resistance of sandy and silty soil to wind-induced detachment. Experiments also suggest that the crust formed by the application of the biopolymer emulsion may be relatively stable in the field for an extended period of time. Compaction of soil with a biopolymer admixture, though more expensive than surface application, can achieve similar results and may provide enhanced resistance to surface water-induced erosion. Furthermore, the impacts of introducing the biopolymer into the environment are expected to be relatively benign.
Fault Detection and Identification in a Fuel Cell System
Authors: Escobet Antoni  , Nebot Àngela
Published: February 2025

In this work a fault diagnosis system for non-linear plants based on fuzzy logic, called VisualBlock-FIR, is presented and applied to an energy generation system based on fuel cells. VisualBlock-FIR runs under the Simulink framework and enables early fault detection and identification. During fault detection, the fault diagnosis system should recognize that the system is not working properly. During fault identification, it should conclude which type of failure has occurred. The diagnosis results for some of the most frequent faults in fuel cell systems are presented.
Automatic Detection of Archaeological Sites using a Hybrid Process of Remote Sensing, GIS Techniques and a Shape Detection Algorithm
Authors: Di Iorio Alessio  , Bridgwood Ian  , Rasmussen Michael Schultz  , Sørensen Mikael Kamp  , Carlucci Renzo  , Bernardini Fabrizio  , Osman Ahmed
Published: February 2025

A method is presented for the automatic identification of lost or undiscovered archaeological sites in Egypt by using shape detection techniques on satellite imagery superposed in a GIS environment. For an area of interest, the EO data available from various satellites is pre-processed and from historical plans a shape file of the archaeological structure of interest is produced. A shape detection algorithm employing a shape matched operator is applied to the EO image to produce a detection image identifying the most probable location of the archaeological structure of interest. The shape-matched operator employed is the derivative of double exponential (DODE) operator. The final product is a GIS data set assembled as a list of required features and layers, all converted and processed in the same Geographical Reference System.
The work of professor Jan van Noortwijk (1961–2008): an overview
Authors: Kallen Maarten-Jan  , Kok Matthijs
Published: February 2025

We give an overview of the research and publications by professor Jan van Noortwijk starting from his graduation at the Delft University of Technology in 1989 up to his death on September 16, 2008. The goal of this overview is to list all of his scientific publications and to put these in a historical perspective. We show how his Ph.D. thesis was a stepping stone to the two primary fields in which he did most of his later work: maintenance optimization and the management of risks due to flooding.
Low-cost and Full-service carrier's effect
Authors: Carmona Benitez Rafael Bernardo  , Lodewijks Gabriel
Published: February 2025

The fare estimation model proposed in this paper was set up by analyzing the domestic United States air transportation market 2005 year database. A division analyses into seven different studies is presented. There exists substantial fare dispersion in the airline transportation industry for the full-service carrier market whilst very little dispersion can be found for the low-cost carrier market. Both airlines business models were also divided into four different markets. Major fare dispersion has been found for the routes dominated by full-service carriers without the presence of a low-cost carrier and the presence of low-cost carriers make full-service carriers low fares. Routes dominated by low-cost carriers without the presence of full-service carriers price routes with more dispersion than the routes fighting with full-service carriers.
The CAD-tool 2.0 morphological Scheme of non-orthogonal High-rises
Authors: Vollers Karel
Published: February 2025

Non-orthogonal high-rise buildings are emerging with an increasing degree of geometrical variation. As yet no scheme categorises data on the basis of the overall geometries of such buildings. The author proposes an easily accessible morphological scheme which for example, nables data to be retrieved on sustainable performance of the distinctive building shapes or façade build-up.
Effects of Overburning on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 2024 Aluminium Alloy and Ways and Means to avoid it
Authors: Akhtar S.
Published: February 2025

2024 Aluminum alloy is widely used in aircraft structures, truck wheels, rivets, screw machine products, scientific instruments, vetniary and orthopedic braces and equipment. Normal composition of the alloy is Cu 4.0 %, Mn 0.7 % Mg 0.8 %, Si 0.5 % and balance Al. The heat treatment process used for this alloy is solution treatment at 495°C followed by quenching in flowing water and then natural aging at room temp for four days. Main phase that precipitates out upon natural aging after solution treatment is CuMgAl2and Mg2Si. If the quenching temp due to any reason goes beyond 500°C the over burning of the phase Mg2Si occurs. Over burning is grouped into three categories
Effect of Solidification Velocity on pore Morphology of lotus-type Porous Magnesium-5 wt.% Silicon Composite
Authors: Meratian M.  , Mohammadi M.  , Kabiri Y.
Published: February 2025

There has been a great interest in fabrication of porous metals as they open a new path for lightweight structural materials. Recently, a new emerged porous metallic media with long cylindrical pores aligned in one direction has been produced by unidirectional solidification.
Behaviour and Modelling of Aluminium self-piercing Riveted Connections
Authors: Hoang N.-H.  , Langseth M.  , Porcaro R.  , Hanssen A.-G.
Published: February 2025

In the present paper, the self-piercing riveting process by using an aluminium rivet to connect two aluminium plates was investigated. Aluminium in alloys 7108-T5 and 7278-T6 were chosen as rivet materials, while plate material was the alloy 6060 in W temper. Numerical analyses of the riveting process were also carried out by means of a 2D-axisymetric model. It transpired that the 2D model was able to predict the riveting process as well as the force-displacement behaviour with a reasonable accuracy. The mechanical behaviour of aluminium self-piercing riveted connections under quasi-static loading connections was also investigated experimentally. The strength of connections using aluminium rivets was finally compared with that of using steel rivets. The comparison showed that aluminium riveted joints can provide a good static strength in comparison with the steel ones.
Predicting Responsiveness of BDI Agent
Authors: Zhang Huiliang  , Shen Zhiqi  , Huang Shell Ying  , Miao Chunyan
Published: February 2025

A performance mark of a BDI agent is how fast it can react to and process incoming event sequences. To the best of our knowledge, few papers have been published about predicting an agent's average response time for an event sequence before the agent is applied in a real project. In this paper, we first introduce a simulation method. In simulation, a sequence of events with attributes, such as priorities and amounts of time needed to process the events, is input to the agent at designed insertion time. The events are processed by the agent according to the attributes. The statistics of processing time can be recorded. Then we make some theoretical analysis to estimate the average response time when an agent processes a sequence of events based on probability and queueing theory. Comparison experiments show that the results from analysis are quite matching with the results from simulation experiments. The analysis suggests a way to quickly estimate the performance of an agent if the attributes of the incoming event sequence are known in advance. The predicted average response time can help construct efficient BDI agents for various environments.
Safe Navigation on a Mobile Robot using Local and Temporal Visual Cues
Authors: Li Xiang  , Sridharan Mohan
Published: February 2025

An open challenge to the widespread deployment of mobile robots in the real-world is the ability to operate autonomously in dynamic environments. Such autonomous operation requires full utilization of the relevant sensory inputs to adapt to environmental changes. Despite being a rich source of information, vision is however, still under-utilized in robot domains because of the sensitivity to environmental changes and the computational complexity of visual input processing algorithms. This paper enables a mobile robot to better utilize the visual input to navigate safely in dynamic environments – it describes a novel algorithm that: (a) uses local image gradient cues to characterize target objects reliably and efficiently; and (b) uses temporal correspondence of visual cues for robust localization and tracking of environmental obstacles. Furthermore, the information extracted from these visual cues is merged effectively with information obtained from other visual cues and range sensors, using autonomously learned error models of the different information processing schemes. All algorithms are fully implemented and tested on a humanoid robot in dynamic indoor environments.
Smooth Autonomous Driving on Braunschweig's Inner Ring Road
Authors: Wille Jörn Marten  , Saust Falko  , Maurer Markus
Published: February 2025

With the announcement of the “Stadtpilot”-Project the Technische Universität Braunschweig accepts the challenge of guiding a vehicle fully autonomously in the complex environment of Braunschweig's entire ring road. Autonomous driving on this two-lane urban road includes interaction with traffic, behavior at intersections, lane change maneuvers at speeds up to 60 km/h as well as merging into moving traffic. The first part of this paper introduces the “Stadtpilot”-Project in the context of the Urban Challenge experience and identifies the differences to previous activities in this field of research.
Application of an Implicit and Explicit Integration Rules
Authors: Yang Yunming
Published: February 2025

This paper concerns the application of the generalized trapezoidal implicit integration rule and the automatic substepping explicit integration rule. By varying the value of α, the generalized trapezoidal rule (e.g Δϵp=λ[(1−α)Rn+αRn+1]) represents a few commonly used integration schemes. It is applied to an advanced bounding surface type of sand model. Its performance including convergence and integration accuracy, with various values of α, is investigated by using both consistent and continuum tangent stiffness operators. The automatic substepping explicit integration rule is characterized with robustness, and its robustness is demonstrated in a finite element analysis of footing behavior by using extraordinarily large loading increments. Its application to the yield vertex non-coaxial model is also discussed.
Gaussian basis sets for ab initio calculation of NLO properties of polyatomic molecules
Authors: Paschoal Diego  , Costa Marcello F.  , Junqueira Georgia M.A.  , Dos Santos Hélio F.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, basis sets for H, C, N and O atoms were adjusted to obtain electric properties of diatomic molecules. The dipole moment, polarizability and first-order hyperpolarizability were calculated for H2, CH+, CN-and CO molecules and the basis sets modified to reproduce the reference data available. A sequential methodology was used, where the basis set for H is firstly adjusted and then used to fit the basis set for C in the CH+molecule and so on. The final basis sets were (7s2p1d)→[3s2p1d] for H and (9s5p2d)→[5s3p2d] for C and O. In the case of N atom, the best basis set was found to be (9s5p1d)→[5s3p1d], where only one set of d polarization functions was needed. The atomic basis sets fitted were further utilized for calculation of geometry and electric properties of 36 benzene derivatives mono- and di-substituted by electron donor and acceptor groups attached at ortho, meta and para positions. The results were satisfactory for most of molecules. For instance, in the case of p-nitroaniline, an important push-pull benzene derivative, the first hyperpolarizability was predicted to be 9.4 × 10-30e.s.u. in excellent agreement with experimental value, 9.2 × 10-30e.s.u. Besides electric properties, our basis sets also gave good geometries for polyatomic molecules at reasonable computational cost. Therefore, the results reported in the present paper suggest the use of our modified basis sets for calculation of geometry and electric properties (linear and non-linear) of push-pull benzene derivatives like molecules.
View-Independent Human Gait Recognition Using CBR and HMM
Authors: Bakken Rune Havnung  , Gundersen Odd Erik
Published: February 2025

This concept paper describes a novel approach to view-independent human gait analysis. Previous work in computer vision-based gait analysis typically use silhouette images from one side-view camera as input to the recognition system. Our approach utilises multiple synchronised cameras placed around the subject. From extracted silhouette images a 3D reconstruction is done that produces a segmented, labelled pose tree. Features are extracted from the pose tree and combined into an input case to the Case-Based Reasoning system. The input case is matched against stored past cases in a case base, and the most similar cases are classified by a Hidden Markov Model. The advantages of this approach are that subjects can be captured in a completely view-invariant way and recognition is efficient because unlikely candidates can be quickly discarded.
The Advances in Everyday Geotechnics in Southern Africa over the Past 40 Years
Authors: Parrock Alan
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the author looks back at the developments in everyday investigations, testing and analysis that have taken place in geotechnical engineering during his 40 year career in the industry to date. Demonstrating how the use of public information freely available on the internet can allow geotechnical practitioners to reduce early project risk, the author goes on to discuss and explore modern equipment and techniques that allow important information to be more-readily and less-intrusively recovered and processed; providing substantially better strength information and predictions of behaviour under load. The use of the computer to reduce human error and involvement in testing is discussed, alongside the obvious benefits now routinely possible through broader and more sophisticated and representative analysis techniques. Looking forward on the basis of past and recent technological progress, the author attempts to explore and predict the developments in geotechnical engineering that we might be likely to see over the coming 4 decades.
Design of Soil Covers in Tropical Africa: A Perspective
Authors: Allotey Celestina  , Allotey Nii Kwashie
Published: February 2025

Soil cover systems are widely used for the containment of waste with the objective of limiting the ingress of precipitation and oxygen, and also providing a medium for vegetation growth. The positive aspect of soil covers is that they are a natural resource that supports vegetation used in land reclamation. In designing effective soil covers for the African region, it is important that the wide range of varying climatic conditions be taken into account in developing designs that are tailored to fit the local conditions. This paper argues the point that there are benefits for cover design in Africa to be based on a formalized design methodology, rather than based on generic designs
Modeling the Diversity of Spatial Information by Using Modular Ontologies and Their Combinations
Authors: Hois Joana
Published: February 2025

Ontologies can specify spatial information based on different aspects, for different purposes, with different formalization details, with different granularity levels, and thus from different perspectives. Spatial systems that formally describe spatial information often have to take into account this diversity in spatial representations. We propose that such a system's ontological representation should preserve the spatial diversity by making the different perspectives explicit. We use modularly designed spatial ontologies for reflecting different spatial perspectives and analyze which existing modularity techniques are relevant for combining the different modules.
Investigation and monitoring of reactivated landslides in flysch
Authors: Kopecky M.  , Ondrasik M.  , Sulovska M.
Published: February 2025

In Slovakia there is intensive development of highway network in recent years. Most of the troubleless sections are already designed and prepared for construction or under construction or finished and put into operation. The remaining sections going through mountainous areas are rather complicated because of very complex geological and geotechnical conditions. As the most complicated obstacles seem to be huge landslides, especially those situated in Mesozoic and Paleogene geology. Most of the huge landslides were born and active by the end of Pleistocene, however some of them, especially those in the flysch areas, are reactivated due to recent changes of climate and intensive man activities. An example of such reactivated landslide located in route of designed highway in Chminany, Eastern Slovakia, is discussed in the presented paper. The landslide is under design investigation using field and laboratory methods like drilling, inclinometric and piezometric measurements, geophysical probing, rock and soil testing.
Elasto-viscoplastic modeling of soft rock time dependent behavior
Authors: Karaoulanis F.E.  , Chatzigogos Th.
Published: February 2025

In this article, the modeling of soft rock time dependent behavior is studied within the framework of the Finite Element Method, in a thermodynamically consistent manner. The well known Hoek-Brown failure criterion, which is a nonsmooth yet convex multisurface plasticity model, is adopted to define the yielding of the rock mass. The nonsmoothness of the elastic domain introduces severe numerical complexities, that are bypassed by integrating the constitutive equations in the principal stress space. Post-yield behavior is assumed to be characterized by perfect plasticity and the rate-dependent behavior is accomodated by a suitable generalization of the Duvaut-Lions viscoplastic model. Aspects referring to overstress functions, dilatancy and brittleness are also addressed. Two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate and validate the proposed model.
Study of swelling and strength characteristics of expansive soil treated with stone dust and flyash
Authors: Ramadas T.L.  , Darga Kumar N.  , Yesuratnam G.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, the test results such as index properties, Proctors compaction, swelling and unconfined compression strength obtained on expansive clays mixed at different proportions of fly ash and stone dust are presented and discussed. From the results, it is observed that at optimum percentages, i.e., 30% stone dust and 25% fly ash, it is found that the swelling of expansive clay is almost controlled and also noticed that there is a marked improvement in the strength of soil. The combination of stone dust and fly ash is more effective than the addition of stone dust alone to the expansive soil in controlling the swelling nature. The combination of 20% stone dust and 25% fly ash addition at the optimum moisture content to the expansive soil is found to be a suitable measure to reduce the swelling and increase the strength of the two expansive soils tested.
Bearing capacity of piles based on static load tests and calculation principles provided by EN 1997-1
Authors: Gwizdała K.  , Krasiński A.  , Brzozowski T.
Published: February 2025

Predicting the bearing capacity and settlement of piles continues to be a difficult task in engineering practice and scientific research. That is why static load tests are still an essential element in verifying predictions. A new factor, however, the introduction of Eurocode regulations and guidelines for Poland and Europe, has now necessitated current practice to be reviewed and submitted to detailed analysis. In the case of geotechnics and foundation engineering these guidelines and regulations are set out in Eurocode 7. With regard to the pile research and usage in Poland, so far two European standards have applied: PN-EN 1536:2001 for bored piles and PN-EN 12699:2002 for displacement piles. It is now a matter of urgency to properly analyse and harmonise current law and many years of practical experience with this new Eurocode. This article deals with problems concerning the conduct of static load tests and the interpretation of their results.
An elasto-plastic model to describe the undrained cyclic behavior of saturated sand with initial static shear
Authors: Chiaro G.  , De Silva L.I.N.  , Kiyota T.  , Koseki J.
Published: February 2025

With the aim of simulating the behavior of saturated sand with initial static shear (i.e., sloped ground) undergoing undrained cyclic loading, which leads to liquefaction and large cyclic shear strain development, an elasto-plastic constitutive model which can describe both monotonic and cyclic torsional shear behaviors of saturated sand under drained and/or undrained conditions is presented. It can simulate qualitatively the stress-strain relationship and the effective stress path, even after the specimen enters fully liquefied state. To verify its effectiveness, the proposed model is employed to simulate the results of a series of hollow-cylindrical torsional shear tests on loose Toyoura sand specimens with initial static shear stress under stress-reversal and non-reversal loading conditions.
Modeling of load reversals at very small strains in anisotropic soil with multilaminate constitutive models
Authors: Schädlich Bert  , Schweiger H.F.
Published: February 2025

Although noticed very early in laboratory soil testing, anisotropic soil behavior at the small strain level is rarely taken into account in the analysis of geotechnical boundary value problems. While some recent studies (Schädlich and Schweiger 2010, Schweiger and Schädlich 2011) show that the impact of anisotropy in small strain stiffness is rather limited in typical geotechnical boundary value problems involving intermediate to large strains, the influence of anisotropy increases at smaller strains. This study focuses on modeling anisotropic small strain stiffness in multilaminate soil models and its dependency on strain history at load reversals. Evolution of strain history and load reversal is memorized in strain contours on multilaminate plane level, which enables the enforcement of all four Masing rules (Pyke 1979). Model predictions are compared with experimental data on cross-anisotropic Ham River sand at small load cycles.
Numerical modeling of hollow cylinder tests in London Clay
Authors: Ellison K.C.  , Soga K.  , Yeow H.
Published: February 2025

Recent hollow cylinder testing has highlighted the importance of anisotropy, localization and non-associativity to the deformation behavior of London Clay, a stiff, fissured and heavily overconsolidated clay of marine origins. Herein, two popular constitutive models for stiff clay, BRICK and the modified three-surface kinematic hardening model (M3SKH), are enhanced in order to replicate the laboratory results. BRICK is a strain space soil model consisting of many kinematic yield surfaces and M3SKH is a “bubble-type” critical state soil model in stress space comprised of two kinematic yield surfaces and a bounding surface. Both models have been modified to include stiffness anisotropy and other features of soil behavior. Finally, calibrations and predictions to the hollow cylinder data are presented using the original and enhanced versions of BRICK and M3SKH.
Mechanical properties of two lime stabilised pyroclastic soils
Authors: Cecconi M.  , Ferretti A.  , Russo G.  , Capotosto A.
Published: February 2025

Natural pozzolanas are very reactive with calcium oxide provided by lime, the effectiveness of the stabilisation mainly depending on the amount of low alkali alluminosilicate glass phase. Nevertheless little systematic research has been conducted on the suitability of pyroclastic soils to lime stabilisation, and the effects of the treatment parameters on the engineering properties of the stabilised material. In the paper some results of a large experimental research on lime stabilisation of pyroclastic soils are presented. Two pyroclastic soils have been considered in this study. The first is a sand with gravel belonging to a pyroclastic flow deposit of the Colli Albani volcanic complex, and the second is a silty sand originated by the late activity of the Somma-Vesuvius. The results on natural and lime stabilised samples allow an overview on the suitability and the effectiveness of lime stabilisation of pyroclastic soils.
Static pressure distribution beneath granular wedges sloped at angle of repose
Authors: Pipatpongsa Thirapong  , Heng Sokbil  , Iizuka Atsushi  , Ohta Hideki
Published: February 2025

Static friction in granular wedges can stabilize own weight on a horizontal plane without lateral supports. This sort of problem provides fundamental knowledge about pressure distribution along the foundation of earth works which have a long triangular shape in particular. The present study reviews the authors' recent development on an analytic model of a sand heap which adopted Nadai's hypothesis on the major principal stress orientation and a framework of below-yielding limit. Because deformation analyses of many geotechnical engineering problems often require the magnitude of coefficient of lateral earth pressure at-rest K0to describe in situ lateral earth pressure, emphasis is placed on the evaluation of stress ratio under the apex of sand heap which represents Jaky's basic assumption on the derivation of K0in the prismatic sand heap sloped at an angle of repose. Comparison of the analytical stress ratio along the central plane of granular wedge with Jaky's expressions was reported.
Pilot Experience
Authors: Escudeiro Nuno  , Escudeiro Paula  , Van Assche Kristien
Published: February 2025

One of the core aspects of a MUTW-like course unit is the students' project. To begin with, it should be some realistic product with a real interest to some group or community so that students feel they are really contributing with their work to some major goal. Additional care is required to assure that the system can be organized in a set of packages that are consistent with the workloads required from each of the team members. It should be taken into account that MUTW-like courses demand for a high effort on team management and this should also be accounted for when measuring workload. Another core issue is not to provide a full specification to students. The specification provided to students should have some unspecified issues to force and promote discussion and communication, thus contributing to the development of soft skills in students. In this chapter we present the main aspects related to the students' project that we have used in both editions of MUTW that ran during the pilot period, including a detailed description of the project specification that has been provided to students.
Principles of Communication and Negotiation
Authors: Costa Alexandra  , Rodrigues José  , da Conceição Viterbo Maria
Published: February 2025

In this chapter we outline the fundamentals of communication and negotiation in a group of people. Being aware of these generic principals greatly contributes to improve the effectiveness and the outcome of the meetings that MUTW students will be engaged in.
Molecular cytogenetic evidence for multistep tumorigenesis: Implications for risk assessment and early detection
Authors: Sen Subrata  , Hopwood Vicki
Published: February 2025

There is strong evidence that multistep tumorigenesis begins with the acquisition of somatic mutations which promote genomic instability. Genomic instability is an important malignant trait because genomic instability can generate the genetic diversity that is necessary for the transforming cell to acquire increasingly variable and aggressive tumor phenotypes. Genomic instability often manifests in the form of chromosomal instability (CIN) leading to the induction of aneuploidy, a phenomenon identified by high resolution molecular cytogenetic techniques. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) are two high resolution molecular cytogenetic techniques that allow detection of chromosomal aneuploidyandstructuralrearrangementsoccurringinpre-malignantand malignantlesionsduringtumorprogression and invasion. These high resolution molecular cytogenetic techniques are used for genetic screening of single cells in pre-malignant and precursor malignant lesions as well as in exfoliated cells from body fluids and excreta. Consequently, molecular cytogenetic testing offers the promise of an extremely powerful method of risk assessment and early detection of cancer.
Challenges in the Design, Fabrication and Installation of Glass Structures Comprising of Super Jumbo Glass Sheets
Authors: Lenk Peter  , Lambert Harriet
Published: February 2025

The recent works at Apple Stores in Hamburg, Germany and SoHo, New York, USA have incorporated the installation of new internal glass structures: 12m straight stairs; 10m balustrades forming the atrium perimeter of the upper storey; and 5m bridges. The design of each project elegantly balances structural glass elements with connecting metal fittings through the choice of super jumbo glass panels and inserted laminated connections. An overview of these projects is presented focusing on challenges which have arisen during design, fabrication and installation. These include the global stability and dynamic behavior of the stair and bridge; matching the limited tolerances of large glass panels with movements of existing structure; and dealing with restraints imposed by building authorities.
How to Model Failure in Load-bearing Glass Elements? A Discussion Based on Analytical, Numerical and Experimental Considerations
Authors: Bernard Fabrice  , Fahsi Bouazza  , Krour Baghdad
Published: February 2025

Glass is a material that has been used for a long time in windows as a filling material and has much to offer in this regard due to its possibility to carry high compressive stresses. For several years, there has been a trend in architecture to use glass not only as a part of the building envelope, but also as material for load-bearing elements. This represents a special challenge because of the glass brittleness. Knowing how to model the failure of such structures is then a very important challenge and can contribute to a decrease of the partial safety coefficients used in the design. Most of time, such a modeling needs to be based on a statistical approach. This is the case for glass beams in current zones. The present contribution focuses, in a first part, on the modeling of failure in annealed glass single panes using Weibull model extended to take into account the subcritical cracking. Then, in a second part, the modeling of laminated glass beams with a SGP interlayer is presented. This modeling is performed with the FE software Abaqus and takes into account the mechanical contribution of the interlayer thanks to a Mooney-Rivlin model. The special challenge is here to reproduce the post-peak behavior of the laminated glass beam and then the remaining load carrying capacity of the structure. The third part of the paper deals with the failure in connection area. Thanks to a combination of FE modeling, experimental campaigns and microscopy observations (with optical and electronic microscopes) the deterministic aspect of the failure in these special zones is put into evidence. This important result enables to simplify the modeling of the mechanical behavior of such area.
Fire Resistance Without Fire Resistant Glazing
Authors: Csoke Csilla  , Koudijs Johan
Published: February 2025

Fire resistant glazing is a high tech product but it has its price. In some cases, for instance for buildings near transport routes of petrochemical products, large areas of façade have to be able to withstand heat from large pool fires in order to allow for the safe evacuation of these buildings. This paper will explain the loads of fire resistant glazing tested according to European standards and will compare these loads to facades exposed to pool fires. It will show an example of building developments near rail and waterways that led to research on a low budget solution to fireproof facades without using fire resistant glazing and will also show the results of this research.
Validation of Radical Engine Architecture Systems: The “DREAM” Research Project
Authors: Bone David
Published: February 2025

“DREAM” – validation of Radical Engine Architecture systems – is a Framework Programme 7 Call 2 project with a total budget of EUR 40 million and which is in its fourth and final year in 2011. This project comprised of 44 partners from 13 countries from the EU, Switzerland, Russia and Turkey and comprised of larger Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), SMEs, universities and research establishments. It is the response to commercial and environmental pressures that have come about mainly as a result of two main factors: the continued pressure to reduce CO2 and the future availability and cost of Jet A1 fuel. “DREAM” has studied designs for contra-rotating open rotors and has been developing novel systems to achieve, versus Year 2000 reference engines: (i) a reduction in CO2 by 27% (7% better than ACARE goals); (ii) a reduction in noise by 9 dB cumulative.
Knowledge Discovery in Web Access Log of E-commerce Site with FACT-Graph and Sequential Probability Ratio Test
Authors: Saga Ryosuke  , Letelier Mauricio  , Kaisaku Naoki  , Takayama Yukihiro  , Tsuji Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a case study of knowledge discovery from web access logs of an e-commerce site. It is important for e-commerce sites to analyze the behavior of visitors from web access log to increase sales and recurring users. In order to support the tasks, we use a visualization method both trend and relationships called FACT-Graphs with Sequential Probability Ratio Test for detecting trend change points. In an experiment for the data of a Web shop in Japan, we could extract 14 trend change points, visualize information both trend and relationships, and extract useful knowledge of the improvement of navigation for visitors.
Unsupervised Discretization Method based on Adjustable Intervals
Authors: Bennasar Mohamed  , Setchi Rossitza  , Hicks Yulia
Published: February 2025

Discretization is a process applied to transform continuous data into data with discrete attributes. It makes the learning step of many classification algorithms more accurate and faster. Although many efficient supervised discretization methods have been proposed, unsupervised methods such as Equal Width Discretization (EWD) and Equal Frequency Discretization (EFD) are still in use especially with datasets when classification is not available. Each of these algorithms has its drawbacks. To improve the classification accuracy of EWD, a new method based on adjustable intervals is proposed in this paper. The new method is tested using benchmarking datasets from the UCI repository of machine learning databases; the C4.5 classification algorithm is then used to test the classification accuracy. The experimental results show that the method improves the classification accuracy by about 5% compared to the conventional EWD and EFD methods, and is as good as the supervised Entropy Minimization Discretization (EMD) method.
Scheduling a hybrid flowshop with parallel machines for aircraft assembly production
Authors: Briggs J.  , Jin Y.  , Price M.  , Burke R.
Published: February 2025

The new P2/HFS|Prec|Cmaxscheduling problem is found within an aerospace fuselage manufacturing environment and is a combinatorial problem addressed using dispatching rules. A newly proposed dispatching rule, named ‘batch and match’, was created by exploiting the combined elements of a) product assembly characteristics and b) processing time on a shared resource, is used to find solutions for minimizing makespan and waiting time for ten fuselage sets. A new manufacturing tool incorporates models for calculation of makespan and waiting time in the system. The best schedule, found using the new dispatching rule and a weighting system for ranking makespan and waiting time, was DCAB (LI), this schedule gives a reduced makespan of 2.61% against the benchmark longest imminent operation rule. The DCAB (LI) schedule also shows a reduction in waiting time of 53.5% per fuselage set created. This ‘batch and match’ dispatching method performs better than other rules and offers a solution to shared resources that limit processing in hybrid flowshops with precedence constraints.
Creation of HMM-based Speech Model for Estonian Text-to-Speech Synthesis
Authors: Nurk Tõnis
Published: February 2025

The article describes the creation of Hidden Markov Model based speech models for both male and female voice for Estonian text-to-speech synthesis. A brief overview of text-to-speech synthesis process is given, focusing on statistical parametric synthesis in particular. System HTS is employed to generate voice models. The creation of speech corpus of Institute of the Estonian Language is analyzed. The process of adapting Estonian-related training data and linguistic specification to HTS is described, as well as experiments carried out on data from different speakers, subcorpora and linguistic specifications. The findings from speech model evaluation are given and possible courses of action to improve the quality of HMM-based speech models trained are proposed.
Embankments and dams, slope stability and landslides: General report
Authors: Soriano A.
Published: February 2025

The General Reporter presents the papers from the Authors, along with some personal contributions on the subjects discussed. Embankments are classified by their use. Different kinds of slope failure and remedial measures are dealt with, as well as investigations for material characterisation and selection.
Detecting and Rating Dementia of Alzheimer Type through Lexical Analysis of Spontaneous Speech
Authors: Thomas Calvin  , Kešelj Vlado  , Cercone Nick  , Rockwood Kenneth  , Asp Elissa
Published: February 2025

Current methods of assessing dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) rely on structured interviews, which attempt to capture the complex nature of deficits suffered. One of the most significant areas affected by the disease is the capacity for functional communication as linguistic skills break down. These methods often do not capture the true nature of language deficits in spontaneous speech. This issue is addressed by exploring novel automatic and objective methods for diagnosing patients through analysis of spontaneous speech. We detail several lexical approaches to the problem of detecting and rating DAT. The approaches explored rely on character n-gram-based techniques, which are shown to perform successfully in a different, but related task of automatic authorship attribution. We also explore the correlation of usage frequency of different parts of speech and DAT. We achieve a high 95% accuracy of detecting dementia when compared with a control group, we achieve 70% accuracy in rating dementia in two classes, and 50% accuracy in rating dementia into four classes. These results show that purely computational solutions offer a viable alternative to standard approaches to diagnosing the level of impairment in patients, and they present a significant step forward toward automatic and objective means to identifying early symptoms of DAT in older adults.
Cover sheets considered harmful
Authors: Tonkin Emma L.  , Taylor Stephanie  , Tourte Gregory J.L.
Published: February 2025

The spread of the cover sheet is a divisive phenomenon. Their appearance is geographically bound and their content situated in the local political and financial context. In this article we discuss the arguments for and against the coversheet in its guise as a fixture on institutional repository preprints, exploring the issue through statistical information gathered from survey material. We lay out the reasoning behind the use of cover sheets in the United Kingdom and discuss their prevalence and the underlying trends.