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This paper presents a general framework for estimating the state and unknown inputs at the level of a system subdomain using a limited number of output measurements, enabling thus the component-based vibration monitoring or control and providing a novel approach to model updating and hybrid testing applications. Under the premise that the system subdomain dynamics are driven by the unknown (i) externally applied inputs and (ii) interface forces, with the latter representing the unmodeled system components, the problem of output-only response prediction at the substructure level can be tailored to a Bayesian input-state estimation context. As such, the solution is recursively obtained by fusing a Reduced Order Model (ROM) of the structural subdomain of interest with the available response measurements via a Bayesian filter. The proposed framework is without loss of generality established on the basis of fixed- and free-interface domain decomposition methods and verified by means of three simulated Wind Turbine (WT) structure applications of increasing complexity. The performance is assessed in terms of the achieved accuracy on the estimated unknown quantities. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 150 ISSN:0888-3270 ISSN:1096-1216

The aim of this paper is to identify the local energy dissipation in a lab-scale structure by means of the energy flow analysis. In most of the existing approaches the damping is identified either in terms of the modal damping factors or at the material scale. In this paper, an alternative method to these global and material-based approaches by studying the energy flow around a certain part of the structure is proposed. The approach presented in this paper accounts for the energy flow through specific boundaries that surround the structural part of interest. Within this approach, the local energy dissipation can be calculated by isolating specific parts of the structure while taking into account the rest of the structure by means of the energy flux thorough the boundaries. This approach allows to identify both the total energy dissipation and the specific damping operator in the chosen part of the structure.

To gain insight in the startup of an incinerator, this article deals with piloted ignition. A newly developed model is described to predict the piloted ignition times of wood, PMMA and PVC. The model is based on the lower flammability limit and the adiabatic flame temperature at this limit. The incoming radiative heat flux, sample thickness and moisture content are some of the used variables. Not only the ignition time can be calculated with the model, but also the mass flux and surface temperature at ignition. The ignition times for softwoods and PMMA are mainly under-predicted. For hardwoods and PVC the predicted ignition times agree well with experimental results. Due to a significant scatter in the experimental data the mass flux and surface temperature calculated with the model are hard to validate. The model is applied on the startup of a municipal waste incineration plant. For this process a maximum allowable primary air flow is derived. When the primary air flow is above this maximum air flow, no ignition can be obtained.

Railway transition zones (RTZs) experience higher rates of degradation compared to open tracks, which leads to increased maintenance costs and reduced vailability. Despite existing literature on railway track assessment and maintenance, effective design solutions for RTZs are still limited. Therefore, a robust design criterion is required to develop effective solutions. This paper presents a two-step approach for formulation of a design criterion to delay the onset of processes leading to uneven track geometry due to operation driven permanent deformations in RTZs. Firstly, a systematic analysis of each track component in a RTZ is performed by examining spatial and temporal variations in kinematic responses, stresses and energies. Secondly, the study proposes an energy-based criterion to be assessed using a model with linear elastic material behavior, and states that an amplification in the total strain energy in the proximity of the transition interface is an indicator of increased (and thus non-uniform) degradation in RTZs compared to the open tracks. The correlation between the total strain energy (assessed in the model with linear material behaviour) and the permanent irreversible deformations is demonstrated using a model with non-linear elastoplastic material behavior of the ballast layer. In the end, it is claimed that minimising the magnitude of total strain energy will lead to reduced degradation and a uniform distribution of total strain energy in each trackbed layer along the longitudinal direction of the track will ensure uniformity in the track geometry.

In this paper, the energy dissipated in a tall building is identified by means of the energy flow analysis. This approach allows assessing energy dissipation within a specific domain or element of the structure. In this work, the focus is placed on the superstructure, which is the part of the building above the ground, and on the foundation. Damping operators for the superstructure and the foundation are formulated based on the identified energy dissipation in these parts of the building. The obtained damping operators are used to compute the modal damping ratios in a simplified model of the building. The modal damping ratios of the three lowest modes of vibration are compared to those identified in full-scale measurements by means of the half-power bandwidth method.

This study aims at shedding light on the mechanical behaviour of a prototype monopile–wind turbine tower connection, constituted by a slip joint. Selected examples of data set recorded during a long term monitoring campaign are illustrated and discussed. The data set encompass axial and hoop stresses measured over the slip joint area, relative displacements of the slip joint with respect to the monopile and acceleration levels recorded above the slip joint. In parallel, an ideal and simplified Finite Element model (FEM) of the slip joint is developed, in order to interpret the observed experimental data. Experiments first highlight the relevance of modelling the manufacturing imperfections of the overlapping steel sections. Subsequently, both experiments and FEM show that states of prestress need to be accounted for. Such prestress states first originate from the installation process, and subsequently from further loading events, triggering settlements of the slip joint. Finally, experiments and FEM showcase the force transfer mechanisms from the upper part to the lower part of the slip joint. Mechanics and Physics of Structures

As an environmentally friendly alternative for the production of high-performance modified asphalt by chemical reactions, a liquid-state polyurethane-precursor-based reactive modifier (PRM) was developed and employed in the asphalt modification. In contrast to the traditional solid bitumen modifier, for example, rubber and thermoplastic elastomers, the PRM as a liquid modifier has more significant advantages in reducing energy consumption and improving asphalt performance, which has attracted widespread attention. However, the aging resistance and its mechanism are not clear. In view of this, the aging performance of two PRM-modified bitumen (PRM-70 and PRM-90), under the short-term thermo-oxidative aging, long-term thermo-oxidative aging, and ultraviolet (UV) aging conditions, was investigated through chemical and mechanical methods. The results show that the PRM-90 is more susceptible to the thermos-oxidative aging and UV aging. The use of low-penetration-grade bitumen and ensuring an adequate reaction are beneficial to enhance the aging resistance of PRM-modified bitumen. The impact of aging on high-temperature performance of PRM-modified bitumen is great, followed by the low-temperature performance and the anti-fatigue performance. The mechanic-relevant rheological aging index (RAI) and fracture energy index (FEI) are recommended to evaluate aging properties for PRM-modified bitumen. This study not only provides support for further research on the relationship between the aging properties and mechanical performance of PRM-modified bitumen, but also provides a reference for conducting mechanism analysis.

AbstractIn this article a reliability‐based approach to determine the extreme response distribution of offshore wind turbines is presented. Based on hindcast data, the statistical description of the offshore environment is formulated. The contour lines of different return periods can be determined. Simulations are carried out for a prototype design of a 3 MW offshore wind turbine. Statistical methods are applied to determine the distribution of the extreme responses. Three approaches are used here. In the MAX approach, only the maximum of each simulation is taken into account. The POT (peak over threshold) approach takes also local maxima into consideration. The process model uses the statistical properties of the process to predict the extremes. All three methods show similar results, but POT and the process model require fewer simulations. Comparison is made for the 100 year response between these reliability‐based models and a deterministic model. For this specific turbine the deterministic model underestimates the maximum flap moment but overestimates the maximum overturning moment of the support structure compared with the estimates of the reliability‐based methods. The application of the reliability‐based model can be extended to include other extreme load situations and achieve a more efficient structural design. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.