The aim of this work is to make an evaluation to the reliability and availability of an electrical power plant as special kind of production systems to assess its ability in providing power with acceptable quality at a given period of time. Markov model was used as an analytical tool in assessment of the reliability and availability of a production power plant in Iraq, and especially for its four new steam-power units, which considered as basic power units of this plant This model (Markov) was used for the first once in assessment of power production system in Iraq. and prove its ability to provide a general evaluation for the performance of the power plant during a period of time Since the method has too extensișe mathematical operatio

Substantial amounts of data concerning the-fatigue performance tests are presented. These data contain the information about results that are expressed by means of the fatigue equation parameters Different fatigue tess are included using different types of mixes. The collected information was not similar n all aspects. Some studies included variables. which were not considered by others. The different representations of the fatigue equation makes it necessary to find the relations between the parameters of these different equations in order to study all the data together. The colleeted data were examined statistically to check its consistency; that is to say, they belong to the same population. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for goodness of

Two types of steel alloys (St.17Mn1Si and st.22MnAl) and their fusion welded parts applying different thermal treatment techniques were tested electrochemically. Their electrochemical characteristic including: the electrochemical potential values and current density of the base metals, heat affected zones and welding pools are estimated. Correlations are developed to express the effect of the electrochemical potential of the heat affected zone as an additional independent variable of the models. Also the evaluation of corrosion resistance behavior of welded alloys used as corrosion medium 3% NaCI solution in presence of air, oxygen and carbon dioxide for 3300 hrs were investigated visually and experimentally using different techiniques.

Medium Access Control (MAC) spoofing attacks relate to an attacker altering the manufacturer assigned MAC address to any other value. MAC spoofing attacks in Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network are simple because of the ease of access to the tools of the MAC fraud on the Internet like MAC Makeup, and in addition to that the MAC address can be changed manually without software. MAC spoofing attacks are considered one of the most intensive attacks in the WiFi network; as result for that, many MAC spoofing detection systems were built, each of which comes with its strength and weak points. This paper logically identifies and recognizes the weak points
and masquerading paths that penetrate the up-to-date existing detection systems. Then the

Recently, the development and application of the hydrological models based on Geographical Information System (GIS) has increased around the world. One of the most important applications of GIS is mapping the Curve Number (CN) of a catchment. In this research, three softwares, such as an ArcView GIS 9.3 with ArcInfo, Arc Hydro Tool and Geospatial Hydrologic Modeling Extension (Hec-GeoHMS) model for ArcView GIS 9.3, were used to calculate CN of (19210 ha) Salt Creek watershed (SC) which is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, USA. Multi layers were combined and examined using the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcMap 2009. These layers are soil layer (Soil Survey Geographic SSURGO), 30 m x 30 m resolution of Digital Elevati

The finite element method has been used in this paper to investigate the behavior of precast reinforced concrete dapped-ends beams (DEBs) numerically. A parametric investigation was performed on an experimental specimen tested by a previous researcher to show the effect of numerous parameters on the strength and behavior of RC dapped-end beams. Reinforcement details and steel arrangement, the influence of concrete compressive strength, the effect of inclined load, and the effect of support settlement on the strength of dapped-ends beams are examples of such parameters. The results revealed that the dapped-end reinforcement arrangement greatly affects the behavior of dapped end beam. The failure load decreases by 25% when

    Heat exchanger is an important device in the industry for cooling or heating process. To increase the efficiency of heat exchanger, nanofluids are used to enhance the convective heat . transfer relative to the base fluid. - Al2O3/water nanofluid is used as cold stream in the shell and double concentric tube heat exchanger counter current to the hot stream basis oil. These nanoparticles were of particle size of 40 nm and it was mixed with a base fluid (water) at volume
concentrations of 0.002% and 0.004%. The results showed that each of Nusselt number and overall heat transfer coefficient increased as nanofluid concentrations increased. The pressure drop of nanofluid increased slightly than the base fluid because

This paper describes two new developed detection processes for a modem over the public
switched telephone network. The modem is a synchronous serial system using a 16-point
QAM signal with a detector. The detector is preceded by an adaptive filter that is adjusted
to make the sampled impulse response of the channel and filter minimum phase. The idea
of these two new detectors is to transmit a known retraining data every specified interval
and make use of these known data to improve the conventional nonlinear equalizer and
near maximum likelihood detector.
Results of computer simulation tests are presented comparing tolerance to additive white
Gaussian noise with retraining and with out retraining. The detectors wi

In this work a study and calculation of the normal approach between two bodies, spherical and rough flat surface, had been conducted by the aid of image processing technique. Four kinds of metals of different work hardening index had been used as a surface specimens and by capturing images of resolution of 0.006565 mm/pixel a good estimate of the normal approach may be obtained the compression tests had been done in strength of material laboratory in mechanical engineering department, a Monsanto tensometer had been used to conduct the indentation tests.
A light section measuring equipment microscope BK 70x50 was used to calculate the surface parameters of the texture profile like standard deviation of asperity peak heights, centre lin

Surface modeling utilizing Bezier technique is one of the more important tool in computer aided geometric design (CAD). The aim of this work is to design and implement multi-patches Bezier free-form surface. The technique has an effective contribution in technology domains and in ships, aircrafts, and cars industry, moreover for its wide utilization in making the molds. This work is includes the synthesis of these patches in a method that is allow the participation of these control point for the merge of the patches, and the confluence of patches at similar degree sides due to degree variation per patch.  The model has been implemented to represent the surface. The interior data of the desired surfaces designed by M

The main aim of this research is to introduce financing cost optimization and different financing alternatives. There are many studies about financing cost optimization. All previous studies considering the cost of financing have many shortcomings, some considered only one source of financing as a credit line without taking into account different financing alternatives. Having only one funding alternative powers, restricts contractors and leads to a very specific financing model. Although it is beneficial for the contractor to use a long-term loan to minimize interest charges and prevent a substantial withdrawal from his credit line, none of the existing financial-based planning models have considered long-term loans in

Thrust blocks and restraint joints are the two most popular methods of counteracting the thrust force that generated at pipe fittings (bends, Tee, wye, reducers, dead ends, etc…). Both systems perform the same function, which is to prevent the joints from separating from the pipes. The aim of the study is to review previous studies and scientific theories related to the study and design of thrust blocks and restraint joints to study the behavior of both systems under thrust force and to study the factors and variables that affect the behavior of these systems. The behavior of both systems must be studied because they cannot be abandoned, as each system has conditions whose use is more feasible, scientific, and economic

In this study, a dynamic analysis of machine foundations under vertical excitations is carried out.
The effect of embedment and foundation geometry has been taken into account. The stiffness and
damping of soil are considered as frequency dependents. A computer program (CPESP) in FORTRAN POWER STATION has been coded to evaluate the stiffness and damping coefficients depending on excitation frequency and embedment depth. Results have shown that increasing the embedment depth leads to increasing the resonant frequency and decreasing the amplitude of vibration.

In this investigation, metal matrix composites (MMC_s) were manufactured by using powder technology. Aluminum 6061 is reinforced with two different ceramics particles (SiC and B₄C) with different volume fractions as (3, 6, 9 and 12 wt. %). The most important applications of particulate reinforcement of aluminum matrix are: Pistons, Connecting rods etc. The specimens were prepared by using aluminum powder with 150 µm in particle size and SiC, B₄C powder with 200 µm in particle size. The chosen powders were mixed by using planetary mixing setup at 250 rpm for 4hr.with zinc stearate as an activator material in steel ball milling. After mixing process the powders were compacted by hydraulic

In this paper thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics were investigated experimentally for a new type shell-helical coiled tube heat exchanger used as a storage tank of closed loop solar water heater system. Triple concentric helical coils were made of copper tubes of (12.5mm OD and 10mm ID) with coils diameter of (207, 152.2, 97mm) for outer, middle and inner coils respectively. The experiments were carried out during a clear sky days of (March and April 2012). The parameters studied in this work are: history of average temperature of shell side of the storage tank, collector heat gain, heat rejected from coils to shell side of the storage tank, collector efficiency, thermal effectiveness of the heat exchanger (storage tank), and pressure d

Transient three-dimensional natural convection heat transfer due to the influences of heating from one side of an enclosure filled with a saturated porous media, whereas the opposite side is maintained at a constant cold temperature, and the other four sides are adiabatic, were investigated in the present work experimentally. Silica sand was used as a porous media saturated with distilled water filled in a cubic enclosure heated from the side,using six electrical controlled heaters, at constant temperatures of (60, 70, 80, 90, and 100oC). The inverse side cooled at a constant temperature of (24oC) using an aluminum heat exchanger, consisted of 15 channels feeded with constant temperature water. Eighty thermocouples were used to control t

Localization is an essential demand in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It relies on several types of measurements. This paper focuses on positioning in 3-D space using time-of-arrival- (TOA-) based distance measurements between the target node and a number of anchor nodes. Central localization is assumed and either RF, acoustic or UWB signals are used for distance measurements. This problem is treated by using iterative gradient descent (GD), and an iterative GD-based algorithm for localization of moving sensors in a WSN has been proposed. To localize a node in 3-D space, at least four anchors are needed. In this work, however, five anchors are used to get better accuracy. In GD localization of a moving sensor, the algo

In this paper, first and second order sliding mode controllers are designed for a single link robotic arm actuated by two Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs). A new mathematical model for the arm has been developed based on the model of large scale pneumatic muscle actuator model. Uncertainty in parameters has been presented and tested for the two controllers. The simulation results of the second-order sliding mode controller proves to have a low tracking error and chattering effect as compared to the first order one. The verification has been done by using MATLAB and Simulink software.

The present work covers the analytical design process of three dimensional (3-D) hip joint prosthesis with numerical fatigue stress analysis. The analytical generation equations describing the different stem constructive parts (ball, neck, tour, cone, lower ball) have been presented to reform the stem model in a mathematical feature. The generated surface has been introduced to FE solver (Ansys version 11) in order to simulate the induced dynamic stresses and investigate the effect of every design parameter (ball radius, angle of neck, radius of neck, neck ratio, main tour radius, and outer tour radius) on the max. equivalent stresses for hip prosthesis made from titanium alloy. The dynamic loading case has been studied to a stumbling ca

Numerous tests are recently conducted to assess vibration's role in accelerating the heat transfer rate in various heat exchangers. In this work, the enhancement of heat transfer by the effect of transfer vibration and inclination angles on the surface of a double pipe heat exchanger experimentally has been investigated. A data acquisition system is applied to record the data of temperatures, flow rates, and frequencies over the tests. A compound technique was adopted, including the application of a set of inclination angles of (0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°) under the effect of frequency of vibration ranging from sub-resonance to over-resonance frequencies. The results showed that the overall heat transfer coefficient enhan

This research is concerned with performance of different shapes (parallel plate, grid, corrugated) and materials (polystyrene, polypropylene, P.V.C, and steel) of packing for an air -water- cooling tower. A Mechanical forced draught counter current flow cooling tower of 300 mm x 300 mm, cross-sectional area and 1.65m height was constructed and studied theoretically and experimentally Air flow rates of 0.533,1.035, and 1.774 kg/m2.s were used in conjunction with water flow rates of 1.686, 2.218, and 2.66 kg/m2.s, and water temperature of 40,45,50 °C. The tower characteristics (KG a Z/L) and the volumetric mass and heat transfer coefficients (Kça, hoa and ha) are found to be a function of the water and air flow rates simultaneo

Uncoupled behaviour of a dam undd, earthquake loading is investigated. Three constitutive models are used:. The linear-elastic model where soil properties; shear modulus and damping ratio are strains ar d cycle independent.-The equivalent linear model where soil properties are strain dependent but cycle independert. The shear modulus tends to decrease as the shear strain increases, while the damping ratio tends to increase as the shear strain increases. - A non-linear model where soil properties tend to change not only with shear strain but also with the progression of cycles. In this work, the bounding surface model is used.For these studies, three kinds of umerical integration methods in the time domain are usel. namely, Newmark, Wilso

Some of the newly constructed highway pavements in Iraq have shown premature failures with consequential negative impacts on both roadway safety and economy. Major types of these failures are permanent deformation (rutting) and cracking. Fillers were suspected to be a major contributor to these failures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of new different fillers extracted from different local sources on the performance of asphalt mixtures. The effect of filler type and content on the failures potential of asphalt concrete as well as other mixes properties was investigated. A detailed laboratory study is carried out by preparing asphalt mixtures specimens using aggregate from Al-Taji quarry, (40-50) grade asphalt fr

Strengthening of the existing structures is an important task that civil engineers continuously face. Compression members, especially columns, being the most important members of any structure, are the most important members to strengthen if the need ever arise. The method of strengthening compression members by direct wrapping by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) was adopted in this research. Since the concrete material is a heterogeneous and complex in behavior, thus, the behavior of the confined compression members subjected to uniaxial stress is investigated by finite element (FE) models created using Abaqus CAE 2017 software.

The aim of this research is to study experime

An investigation has been made into the effect of residual stresses on the vibration, characteristics of thin rectangular plates clastically restrained against rotation along three edges and free on the fourth edge .General frequency equation with and without including the effect of residual stresses has been obtained. Exact frequency expressions including the eflect of residual stresses for the cascs: S-S-S-F,S-S-C-F.C-C-S-F.C-S-S-F. C-S-C-F.C-C-C-F were also obtained. The eflect of the position of welding along the width of the plate for all cases was also included. Actual plate models were testea and the results were compared with the theoretical predictions giving good agreement

Thermal buckling analysis of symmetric and antisymmetric cross-ply laminated hybrid composite plates with an inclined crack subjected to a uniform temperature rise are presented in this paper. The first-order shear deformation theory in conjunction with variational energy method is employed in the mathematical formulation. The eight-node Lagrangian finite element technique is used for obtaining the thermal buckling temperatures of hybrid composite laminates. The effects of crack size and lay-up sequences on the thermal buckling temperatures for symmetric and a antisymmetric plates are investigated. The results are shown in graphical form for various boundary conditions. Finally, from this paper, the following main results have been found

This investigation presents an extensive experimental study on the behaviour and strength of reinforced concrete T-beams before and after strengthening by using reinforced concrete jacket. Four full scale beams were first loaded to certain levels of ultimate capacity (0, 60%, 77%, 100% of failure load). Then, after formation of cracks or failure, they were repaired by reinforced concrete jacketing method and tested again up to failure. The main objective of this study is to restore the full ultimate capacity beams failed by flexure and to strengthen the cracked beam. Also, it is aimed to investigate the effect of loading condition on beam before repair on the ultimate capacity after repair. Extensive measurements of deformations, cr

Series compensation is frequently found on long transmission lines used to improve voltage stability. Due to the long transmission lines, voltage begins to decay as the line moves further from the source. Series compensation devices placed strategically on the line to increase the voltage profile of the line to levels near 1.0 p.u.. This paper presents a novel optimum location and optimum percentage compensation value of a series capacitor as a compensation method to enhance the voltage stability and loss reduction. The proposed method is applied to a 11-bus power system.The load flow analysis using Newton-Raphson approach for the 11-bus test system was designed and tested using MATLAB 7 programming language.

This study deals with the serviceability of reinforced concrete solid and perforated rafters with openings of different shapes and sizes based on an experimental study that includes 12 post-fire non-prismatic reinforced concrete beams (solid and perforated). Three groups were formed based on heating temperature (room temperature, 400 °C, and 700 °C), each group consisting of four rafters (solid, rafters with 6 and 8 trapezoidal openings, and rafter with eight circular openings) under static loading. A developed unified calculation technique for deflection and crack widths under static loading at the service stage has been provided, which comprises non-prismatic beams with or without opening exposed to flexure concentra

An iterative solution procedure necessarily involves pre- specified convergence criteria to stop teration. The Discrete Differential Dynamic Programming procedure to solve optimization problems formulated by the Dynamic Programming is an iterative solution procedure which, in its traditional form, involves two convergence criteria, namely, (a) and (B). The research used the optimum operation of an existing complex water resources system as a case study. The objective function was formulated as the maximum real monetary return. The formulated optimization model was run for a total of (194) different operation cases. Beside the traditional (a) and (B), seven new styles for a unique convergence criterion were examined in the solution. Consi