Reliability analysis methods are used to evaluate the safety of reinforced concrete structures by evaluating the limit state function 𝑔(𝑋𝑖). For implicit limit state function and nonlinear analysis , an advanced reliability analysis methods are needed. Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) can be used in this case however, as the number of input variables increases, the time required for MCS also increases, making it a time consuming method especially for complex problems with implicit performance functions. In such cases, MCS-based FORM (First Order Reliability Method) and Artificial Neural Network-based FORM (ANN FORM) have been proposed as alternatives. However, it is important to note that both MCS-FORM and ANN-FORM can also be time-consuming methods in their own right. MCS-FORM involves running multiple MCS, and the time required increases with problem complexity and desired precision. ANN-FORM, on the other hand, can be faster for repetitive reliability assessments, but the training phase can be computationally expensive, and accuracy depends on training data quality and quantity. To address this computational challenge and enhance the efficiency of reliability analysis, a novel method is proposed in this paper. This method leverages the capabilities of ABAQUS, in combination with MATLAB. The key objective of this proposed approach is to automate and streamline the repetitive tasks involved in reliability analysis, thereby significantly reducing the computational time required for such analyses. The method is based on the development of a custom ABAQUS Python script file, which interfaces with MATLAB. The script serves as a bridge between the finite element analysis capabilities of ABAQUS and the data processing and analysis capabilities of MATLAB. An illustrative example was considered to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. In this example, a deteriorated simply supported concrete beam with an implicit performance function was analysed. The objective was to assess the reliability of the beam under the given conditions. To perform this reliability analysis, the two methods were employed: MCS-FORM and ANN-FORM. Both of these methods were implemented in conjunction with the newly developed approach that integrates ABAQUS and MATLAB. The results of this analysis were quite promising. Both MCS-FORM and ANN-FORM successfully estimated the reliability of the concrete beam, and they exhibited a high level of agreement in their assessments. This presented method demonstrates its suitability for the application of reliability analysis in scenarios such as the one presented. Its efficiency in automating repetitive tasks not only simplifies the analysis process but also facilitates the generation of multiple simulations. By doing so, it significantly minimizes the time and computational resources required for reliability assessments.
Alpha-tocopherol acetate is one of the most important vitamin E derivatives,that were used as antioxidants. Adsorbents like kaolin, magnesium carbonate, and microcrystalline cellulose were used successfully to incorporate oily alpha-tocopherol acetate into an acceptable powder dosage form. The results revealed that microcrystalline cellulose as an adsorbents gave the best results with 50% loading capacity at time, 8 minutes before and after incubation period (3 months at 30C°), while kaolin and magnesium carbonate have been shown a significant difference before and after incubation. Addition of 1% w/w magnesium carbonate to the kaolin enhanced the loading capacity by decreasing the time of adsorption from 20 to 6 minutes and 47
... Show MoreIn this study, six square reinforced concrete flat plates with dimensions of (1500×1500×100) mm were tested under a concentrated load applied on a column located at the center of the slabs. One of these slabs was the control specimen, whereas, in the others, steel angles (steel collars) were used, fixed at the connection region between the slab and the column to investigate the effect of the presence of these collars on punching shear strength. Five thicknesses were used (4, 5, 6, 8, 10mm) with constant legs of angles (75×75) mm of the steel collars to investigate the effects on the punching shear resistance with respect to the control slab. The results of the experimental study show that the punching shear resistance increased b
... Show MoreThe possibility of using activated carbon developed from date palm seeds wastes as a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to remove copper from polluted shallow groundwater was investigated. The activated carbon has been developed from date palm seeds by dehydrating methods using concentrated sulfuric acid. Batch tests were performed to characterize the equilibrium sorption properties of new activated carbon in copper-containing aqueous solutions, while the sandy soil (aquifer) was assumed to be inert. Under the studied conditions, the Langmuir isotherm model gives a better fit for the sorption data of copper by activated carbon than other models. At a pilot scale, One-dimensional column experiments were performed, and an integrated model ba
... Show MoreIn Computer-based applications, there is a need for simple, low-cost devices for user authentication. Biometric authentication methods namely keystroke dynamics are being increasingly used to strengthen the commonly knowledge based method (example a password) effectively and cheaply for many types of applications. Due to the semi-independent nature of the typing behavior it is difficult to masquerade, making it useful as a biometric. In this paper, C4.5 approach is used to classify user as authenticated user or impostor by combining unigraph features (namely Dwell time (DT) and flight time (FT)) and digraph features (namely Up-Up Time (UUT) and Down-Down Time (DDT)). The results show that DT enhances the performance of digraph features by i
... Show MoreThis paper presents a vibration suppression control design of cantilever beam using two piezoelectric patches. One patch was used as an actuator element, while the other was used as a sensor. The controller design was designed via the balance realization reduction method to elect the reduced order model that is most controllable and observable. the sliding mode observer was designed to estimate six states from the reduced order model but three states are only used in the control law. Estimating a number of states larger than that used is in order to increase the estimation accuracy. Moreover, the state estimation error is proved bounded. An optimal LQR controller is designed then using the estimated states with the slid
... Show MoreIndustrial and urban development has resulted in the spread of plastic waste and the increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from the cement manufacturing process. The current research aims to produce green (environmentally friendly) concrete by using plastic waste as coarse aggregates in different proportions (10% and 20%) and nano silica sand powder as an alternative to cement in different proportions (5% and 10% by weight). The results showed that compressive strength decreased by 12.10% and 19.23% for 10% and 20% plastic waste replacement and increased by 12.89% and 20.39% for 5% and 10% silica sand replacement respectively at 28 days. Flexural strength decreased by 12.95% and 19.64% for 10% and 20% plastic waste r
... Show MoreAggression is a negative form of an anti-social behavior. It is produced because of a particular reason, desire, want, need, or due to the psychological state of the aggressor. It injures others physically or psychologically. Aggressive behaviors in human interactions cause discomfort and disharmony among interlocutors. The paper aims to identify how aggressive language manifests itself in the data under scrutiny in terms of the pragmatic paradigm. Two British literary works are the data; namely, Look Back in Anger by John Osborne (1956), and The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter (1957). This paper endeavors to answer the question of how aggressive language is represented in literature pragmatically? It is hoped to be significant to
... Show MoreThe sorption of Cu2+ ions from synthetic wastewater using crushed concrete demolition waste (CCDW) which collected from a demolition site was investigated in a batch sorption system. Factors influencing on sorption process such as shaking time (0-300min), the initial concentration of contaminant (100-750mg/L), shaking speed (0-250 rpm), and adsorbent dosage (0.05-3 g/ml) have been studied. Batch experiments confirmed that the best values of these parameters were (180 min, 100 mg/l, 250 rpm, 0.7 g CCDW/100 ml) respectively where the achieved removal efficiency is equal to 100%. Sorption data were described using four isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Radke-Prausnitz). Results proved that the pure ads
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