bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pixel to Stroke Sketch Generation Using Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Haizhou , Tucker Conrad 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Many engineering design tasks involve creating early conceptual sketches that do not require exact dimensions. Although some previous works focus on automatically generating sketches from reference images, many of them output exactly the same objects as the reference images. There are also models that generate sketches from scratch, which can be divided into pixel-based and stroke-based methods. Pixel-based methods generate sketches as a whole, without any information of the strokes, while stroke-based methods generate sketches by outputting strokes in a sequential manner. Pixel-based methods are frequently used to generate realistic color images. Although the pixel-based methods are more popular, stroke-based methods have the advantages to scale to a larger dimension without losing high fidelity. An image generated from stroke-based methods has only strokes on the canvas, resulting in no random noise in the blank areas of the canvas. However, one challenge in the engineering design community is that most of the sketches are saved as pixel-based images. Furthermore, many non-pixel-based methods rely on stroke-based training data, making them ill-suited for generating design conceptual sketches. In order to overcome these limitations, the authors proposed an agent that can learn from pixel-based images and generate stroke-based images. An advantage of such an agent is the ability to utilize pixel-based training data that is abundant in design repositories, to train stroke-based methods that are typically constrained by the lack of access to stroke-based training data.
A Performance Comprehension of Various Numerical Estimators for Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis in Building Energy Simulations
Authors: Koosha Rasool , Shahsavari Fatemeh 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In the building energy performance simulation, the uncertainty analysis (UA) couples to the sensitivity analysis (SA) to handle ever-existing uncertainties; induced by the sources of uncertainty including random occupants behavior and degradation of building materials over time. As a building simulation tool reaches to a high level of complexity, it becomes more challenging for the sensitivity analysis to deliver reliable outputs; thus the accuracy of the SA results substantially depends upon the number of sample sets or the type of analysis performed. This paper describes a variance-based SA tool integrated into a building Resistance-Capacitance (RC) thermal model. Then, for a hypothetical residential building test case, three distinct first-order sensitivity index simulators and three total sensitivity index simulators are implemented and compared in terms of the dependency of results on the sample size, i.e., the demand for the computational cost.
A Physics-Based Formal Vocabulary of Energy Verbs for Function Modeling
Authors: Sen Chiradeep , Summers Joshua D. , Mao Xiaoyang 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Function modeling of complex systems relies on predefined vocabularies of functions and flows. These vocabularies are usually developed in a top-down approach, i.e., by starting with a survey of existing systems and identifying their functions empirically. These vocabularies, while highly useful in manual modeling due to their expressive power and coverage, can be unsuitable for computerized modeling and reasoning, esp. for physics-based reasoning. To this end, this paper presents a physics-based vocabulary of function verbs developed using the bottom-up approach, where the need for the verbs is identified through a survey of physics phenomena involving operations on various energy forms allowed in physics. This survey results in a minimal set of only six verbs and two logical nodes that are proposed here. Each term is formally defined as object-oriented classes derived from more foundational classes proposed in prior research. The paper shows many applications of these terms, for modeling both simpler devices and more complex engineered systems. Collectively, this new vocabulary provides sufficient coverage over modeling needs and ensures models that are logically consistent and physics-wise valid.
An Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis Tool for Building Thermal Energy Consumption: A Performance Comprehension of Static and Dynamic Response Analyses
Authors: Koosha Rasool , Shahsavari Fatemeh 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Recent literature on building energy performance simulation leans toward implementing uncertainty analysis (UA), instead of deterministic solutions, to handle ever-existing and pivotal uncertainties in building design decision-making process. Variations in weather temperature, degradation of building envelope material properties over time, and random behavior of occupants, among all, are the key sources of uncertainty in building energy consumption predictions. The UA couples to the sensitivity analysis (SA) to identify the most influential inputs on the uncertainties of the building energy consumption. This paper describes a newly-developed UA and SA predictive tool for building energy performance simulations. Energy performance simulations are based on a resistance-capacitance thermal model for the building.
For a hypothetical residential building in College Station, Texas, USA, the present work describes and compares predicted probability distribution and sensitivity indexes produced by the UA-SA tool using a transient (dynamic) response analysis (TRA) and static response analysis (SRA). For brevity, the analysis considers uncertainty only for the exterior walls’ parameters including thickness, thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient, density, and heat capacity; i.e., a five-dimensional problem is solved. Compared to the TRA, predictions from the SRA underestimate the annual energy consumption up to 30%; however, SRA is significantly faster. Nonetheless, sensitivity indexes from the SRA and TRA closely match.
Reuse Potential of Used Textiles for American Industries
Authors: Bashir Asad , Clarke-Sather Abigail R. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Increasing the recovery of textiles from municipal solid waste (MSW) is important for improving environmental sustainability. In 2015, over 10.5 million tons of textile waste was landfilled, which is 7.6% of total landfilled MSW according to the U.S. EPA. For all materials, recycling in the U.S. has increased over the past decade to 25.8% of the weight of the waste generated, textile recycling is below this level at 15.3%. This research quantifies the availability of used textiles by material type from Goodwill of Delaware (Goodwill-DE), a thrift store franchise, between 2012 and 2014. It examines the feasibility of recycling this amount of available discarded textiles, specifically cotton, into U.S. industrial subsectors that traditionally use new cotton textiles. A hybrid product model was created using EIO-LCA to compare economic and environmental impacts in the cut and sew apparel, airplane and automotive seating, upholstered furniture, and textile bag manufacturing industrial subsectors. Economic impacts on supply purchases and profits were considered. Environmental impacts in energy use and CO2 equivalent emissions were examined. As a result, utilizing all of Goodwill-DE’s annual discarded cotton textiles by the cut and sew apparel industrial subsectors would have positive impacts in terms of supply purchase and energy savings and reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions, but negative impacts on profits. Supply purchase savings are greater than the profit loss, resulting in a net economic gain for the cut and sew apparel industrial subsectors. Of the seven industrial subsectors considered, the U.S. cut and sew apparel industries would benefit the most from utilizing used cotton textiles.
Classification of Compliant Mechanisms and Determination of the Degrees of Freedom Using the Concepts of Compliance Number and Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model
Authors: Bagivalu Prasanna Pratheek , Midha Ashok , Bapat Sushrut G. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Understanding the kinematic properties of a compliant mechanism has always proved to be a challenge. A concept of compliance number offered earlier emphasized the development of terminology that aided in its determination. A method to evaluate the elastic degrees of freedom associated with the flexible segments/links of a compliant mechanism using the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) concept is provided. In this process, two distinct classes of compliant mechanisms are developed involving: (i) Active Compliance and (ii) Passive Compliance. Furthermore, these also aid in a better characterization of the kinematic behavior of a compliant mechanism. A more lucid interpretation of the significance of compliance number is provided. Applications of this method to both active and passive compliant mechanisms are exemplified. Finally, an experimental procedure that aids in visualizing the degrees of freedom as calculated is presented.
Evolution of Transferred Lubricant Distributions on the Slider Surface Under Ambient and Laser-Heating Conditions
Authors: Hetzel Ryan W. , Wang Shao , Lawry Jonathon R. , Alsafwani Ahmed H. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The dynamic equilibrium among the condensation, evaporation and shear flow of the lubricant on a slider has been modeled by solving a continuum-based partial differential equation, with temperatures obtained from a finite element model. Zero-flux and specified-flux boundary conditions were used to study the trailing pad of a slider. The results show that the average lubricant thickness on the trailing pad gradually approaches a steady state, and the steady-state value increases with increasing disk lubricant thickness. A reduction of the flying height leads to a reduced steady-state slider lubricant thickness. The temperature rise of the disk surface tends to promote the lubricant transfer to the slider in a region close to the trailing edge. However, this effect may be locally suppressed by the laser-induced local thinning of the lubricant film on the disk.
Design of a Magnetorheological Finishing Tool Manipulated by a Mechanical Magnetic Switch for Magnetic Field Assisted Finishing
Authors: Lee Ping-Hsun , Chang Jen-Yuan (James) 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In this study we proposed a finishing tool where a slurry composited of magnetorheological (MR) fluid and abrasive particle was utilized as the polishing medium such that the rheological property and corresponding abrasive property could be controlled by changing the magnetic field. The MR abrasive fluid is magnetized by a permanent magnet. With a design of a steel C-shape structure (C-Structure) the magnetic field generated by the magnet can be directed to the tool tip. With a movable slider as a gate of the C-Structure the magnetic field directed to the tip can be adjusted continuously. The slurry was supplied from the tail and reached the tip through a fluid channel in the center of the tool. While the tool rotates with its tip near a workpiece filled with the magnetized slurry, the finishing machining process can be achieved. The usage of this finishing tool was designed to be similar as a conventional milling cutter’s tool allowing for handling surfaces of complex 3D geometries.
Eye-in-Hand Robotic Gripper Vision Fusion for Object Recognition and Tracking
Authors: Liu Shih-Wei , Chang Jen-Yuan (James) 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
With the development of Automation industry, a new industrial model has been born, and traditional human resources have gradually been replaced by machines. The World Economic Forum (WEF) pointed out in “The Future of Jobs Report 2018” that the world is experiencing a “workplace revolution”, which means that machine will play a more important role in the future. In response to this situation, in this paper, techniques for object recognition and tracking on a conveyor using eye-in-hand gripper are presented, which are useful in production line for automatic object classification. The eye-in-hand configuration is the most suitable for camera and gripper application because the camera coordinate is the same as the gripper coordinate. The main advantages of eye-in-hand configuration are as follow: (1) occlusion avoidance (2) intuitive teleoperation (3) image from different angles (4) simple calibration. The main difference with eye-on-hand configuration is that it may be out of view sight when the camera is too close to the object. The experimental result is using the eye-in-hand robotic gripper to establish a tracking system to chase the target object. Preliminary results show that the speed of the conveyor can be calculated and the moving distance between the robot and the object is very close after a period of time. It means that the tracking system is successful.
An Electromagnetic Targeting System With Semi-Circular Configuration for Navigating Endo-Bronchoscope
Authors: Hsu Shao-Wei , Lin Ching-Kai , Chen Chin-Chung , Cheng Yun-Chien , Chang Chen-Wei , Chung Tien-Kan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In this paper, we present an electromagnetic targeting system with semi-circular configuration for navigating endo-bronchoscope. This system consists of a magnetic-flux emitting electromagnets-arrays fixed on a semi-circular mechanical-support, magnetic-flux receiving electromagnets, and a magnetic-flux concentrator (i.e., silicon-steel collar) which fixed on distal end of a guide sheath of the endo-bronchoscope. In initial state, when the emitting electromagnets produce magnetic flux in sequence, the receiving electromagnets receive the magnetic flux and consequently produce voltage outputs by the electromagnetic induction. When the silicon-steel collar with the guide sheath travels through the system, the magnetic flux is concentrated by the collar. Thus, the voltage outputs of the receiving electromagnets are changed. By analyzing the change of voltage outputs, the location of the silicon-steel collar with the guide sheath is obtained/targeted. This means that the location of the endo-bronchoscope is also targeted.
Examination and Analysis of Four-Phase Four-Fluid Flow Techniques in Offshore Pipelines
Authors: Odan Mohamed , Ben Rajeb Faraj , Rahman Mohammad Azizur , Aborig Amer , Imtiaz Syed , Zhang Yan , Awad Mohamed M. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Many offshore drilling sites are plagued by infrastructure break-downs and other issues due to the complexity of the systems required for the subsea extraction of oil and gas (O&G). For the most part, the O&G industry uses multi-phase and multi-component pipeline flows to move their product from one site to another or to different areas of the same site. In extreme environments, such as offshore or Arctic sites, the development of Sand particles along the pipelines can bring additional challenges to the project. The present work examines the practicality of applying a system of four-phase four-fluid flows for transporting a multi-phase flow (sand, water, oil and CO2) along subsea pipelines. As a means for precisely measuring and predicting the characteristics of thermo- and hydro-dynamic multi-component mixtures, models representing phase behavior and hydrate equilibrium are built and tested. Additionally, the study looks at heat transfer, mass and momentum in both the flow and pipe walls and develops equations to describe their interrelationships. Another focus of this work it to investigate four-phase multi-component flow systems in order to obtain a deeper understanding of transient flow in various types of pipes, including conditions around the system of four-phase four-fluid flows, and hydro-dynamic variable effects on flow.
An Efficient System Reliability Approach Against Mooring Overload Failures
Authors: Leong Darrell , Low Ying Min , Kim Youngkook 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
As exploration for hydrocarbon resources venture into deeper waters, offshore floating structures are increasingly required to be stationed at sites of highly uncertain environmental loading conditions. Driven by high historical mooring failure rates of severe consequences, the need for effective long-term structural reliability methods arises for mooring lines. However, system nonlinearities, high problem dimensionality, and the diversity of conceivable failure causalities their extremely low probabilities complicates the analysis. Variations on the Monte Carlo approach are robust in addressing these challenges, but at the expense of high computational costs. In this study, distributions of environmental parameters and their correlations are modelled into a joint probabilistic description. By classifying conceivable sea states across the domain, an efficient uniform sampling scheme is presented as an efficient means of assessing long-term reliability against extreme events. The proposed method was performed on a floating production unit case study situated in the hurricane-prone Gulf of Mexico, exposed to irregular wave loads. The analysis was found to provide probability estimates with negligible bias when validated against subset simulation, with significant variance reduction of mean estimators by eliminating the need to over-simulate non-critical environmental conditions. The resulting sampling density has an added advantage of being non-failure specific, enabling system reliability assessments across multiple modes and locations of failure without the need for re-analysis.
The Average Shape of Large Waves in the Norwegian Sea: Is Non-Linear Physics Important?
Authors: Tang Tianning , Yelland Margaret J. , Adcock Thomas A. A. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Linear wave theory predicts that in a random sea, the shape of the average wave is given by the scaled autocorrelation function — the “NewWave”. However, the gravity wave problem is non-linear. Numerical simulations of waves on deep water have suggested that their average shape can become modified in a number of ways, including the largest wave in a group tending to move to the front of the group through non-linear dispersion. In this paper we examine whether this occurs for waves in the Norwegian Sea. Field data measured from the weather ship Polarfront is analysed for the period 2000 to 2009. We find that, at this location, the effect of non-linearity is small due to the moderate steepness of the sea-states.
Impact of the Swansea Bay Lagoon on Storm Surges in the Bristol Channel
Authors: Ma Qian , Moreira Tulio Marcondes , Adcock Thomas A. A. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The proposed Swansea Bay tidal energy lagoon is an example of a relatively small-scale tidal barrage demonstrator project. A key concern with this technology is that such structures may exacerbate other environmental problems. However, such structures might also create beneficial environmental effects in some areas, such as mitigating the impact of storm surges. In this paper we model the hydrodynamics of the Swansea lagoon and surrounding area using a depth-averaged numerical model. We simulate a number of storm surge events from the past 40 years and analyse how the presence of the Swansea Lagoon (under various operating strategies) modifies the resulting water levels.
A Semi-Analytical Method for Calculating the Hydrodynamic Force on Perforated Plates in Oscillating Flow
Authors: Mentzoni Fredrik , Kristiansen Trygve 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
A two-dimensional numerical analysis on the hydrodynamic force of perforated plates in oscillating flow is presented, and a new semi-analytical force model is proposed. Plates with ten different perforation ratios, τ, from 0.05 to 0.50 are simulated. The Keulegan–Carpenter numbers in the simulations cover a range from 0.002 to 2.2 when made nondimensional with the width of the plates. Resulting hydrodynamic added mass and damping coefficients are presented. All perforated plates with perforation ratios greater than or equal to 10% are found to be damping dominant. The numerical results are obtained using a two-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver (CFD), previously validated against dedicated 2D experiments on perforated plates. Furthermore, we present verification of the code against the analytical solid flat plate results by Graham. The presently obtained hydrodynamic coefficients are compared with the state-of-the-art semi-analytical method for force coefficient calculation of perforated plates by Molin, as well as the recommended practice for estimating hydrodynamic coefficients of perforated structures by DNV GL. Based on the CFD results, a new method for calculating the hydrodynamic force on perforated plates in oscillating flow is presented. The method is based on curve fitting the present CFD results for perforated plates, to the analytical expressions obtained for solid plates by Graham. In addition to its simplicity, a strength of the method is that coefficients for both the added mass and damping are obtained.
Airgap Assessment of Semi-Submersible Accounting for Simultaneous Occurrence of Wind Sea and Swell
Authors: Haver Sverre , Patiño Julio 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Necessary still water airgap in order to avoid major wave – deck impacts are considered at two target annual exceedance probabilities; 10−2 and 10−4. Major purpose of study was to investigate if joint modelling of wind sea and swell was required for a reliable estimation of necessary still water airgap. The assessment shows that for the selected position in the North Sea, swell sea could be neglected. An additional investigation of severity regarding airgap between wind sea from different directions is done. The study indicates that wind sea from the southern sector seems to govern airgap requirements. The reason being that the expected number of severe storms is highest for the southern sector. Additionally, stormy seas from South are more often associated with an unfavourable spectral peak period regarding airgap than storms from North.
Evaluation of Contact Forces in the Vertical Connection of a Flexible Riser in the Subsea Equipment
Authors: Coelho Del’ Sarto Yuri , Franciss Ricardo , Morooka Celso Kazuyuki 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Flexible risers are commonly used in ultra deepwater offshore fields to convey fluids from the subsea equipment to the floating production unit. During the development of the production systems, the flexible pipe installation is a critical operation. In this scenario, an operational procedure for the installation frequently used in offshore Brazil is known as Direct Vertical Connection. In this concept, the Vertical Connection Module (VCM) is connected to the flexible pipe through a flanged joint, and lowered in to the subsea equipment with assistance of an installing cable. During the installation procedure, excessive loads may occur in the VCM due to reaction loads induced by the flexible pipe.
The present paper aims to describe the Direct Vertical Connection installation and to propose a methodology to study the forces induced by the flexible pipe into the VCM during such operation. For this purpose, a numerical model is developed for the Direct Vertical Connection and it is represented to simulate the installation procedure through a commercial software OrcaFlex.
The dynamic behavior of the system is investigated by varying the payout velocity of the installing cable, and the results are shown in terms of bending moment, wall tension and shear forces acting in the flange of the VCM. Numerical simulation result in the present work allows to evaluate the range of loading which acts during the Direct Vertical Connection to help operational design of the installation process, and avoid failure of components during the procedure.