scholarly journals Investigation on the Mathematical Relation Model of Structural Reliability and Structural Robustness

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Qi-Wen Jin ◽  
Zheng Liu ◽  
Shuan-Hai He
Keyword(s):  
Structural Damage ◽  
Structural Reliability ◽  
Relational Model ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Variation Trend ◽  
Evaluation Indexes ◽  
Structural Robustness ◽  
Mathematical Relation ◽  
Relation Model ◽  
Random Variation

Structural reliability and structural robustness, from different research fields, are usually employed for the evaluative analysis of building and civil engineering structures. Structural reliability has been widely used for structural analysis and optimization design, while structural robustness is still in rapid development. Several dimensionless evaluation indexes have been defined for structural robustness so far, such as the structural reliability-based redundancy index. However, these different evaluation indexes are usually based on subjective definitions, and they are also difficult to put into engineering practice. The mathematical relational model between structural reliability and structural robustness has not been established yet. This paper is a quantitative study, focusing on the mathematical relation between structural reliability and structural robustness so as to further develop the theory of structural robustness. A strain energy evaluation index for structural robustness is introduced firstly by considering the energy principle. The mathematical relation model of structural reliability and structural robustness is then derived followed by a further comparative study on sensitivity, structural damage, and random variation factor. A cantilever beam and a truss beam are also presented as two case studies. In this study, a parabolic curve mathematical model between structural reliability and structural robustness is established. A significant variation trend for their sensitivities is also observed. The complex interaction mechanism of the joint effect of structural damage and random variation factor is also reflected. With consideration of the variation trend of the structural reliability index that is affected by different degrees of structural damage (mild impairment, moderate impairment, and severe impairment), a three-stage framework for structural life-cycle maintenance management is also proposed. This study can help us gain a better understanding of structural robustness and structural reliability. Some practical references are also provided for the better decision-making of maintenance and management departments.

Coherent random walks arising in some genetical models

1976 ◽  
Vol 351 (1664) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Random Walks ◽  
Markov Processes ◽  
Stochastic Models ◽  
Equilibrium Distribution ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Random Variation

Certain stochastic models used in population genetics have the form of Markov processes in which a group of N points moves randomly on a line, and in which an equilibrium distribution exists for the relative configura­tion of the group. The properties of this equilibrium are studied, with particular reference to a certain limiting situation as N becomes large. In this limit the group of points is distributed like a large sample from a distribution which is itself subject to random variation.

scholarly journals Delayed negative effects of prosocial spending on happiness

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (12) ◽  
pp. 6463-6468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Falk ◽  
Thomas Graeber
Keyword(s):  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Behavioral Experiment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Apparent Absence ◽  
Prosocial Spending ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Random Variation

Does prosocial behavior promote happiness? We test this longstanding hypothesis in a behavioral experiment that extends the scope of previous research. In our Saving a Life paradigm, every participant either saved one human life in expectation by triggering a targeted donation of 350 euros or received an amount of 100 euros. Using a choice paradigm between two binary lotteries with different chances of saving a life, we observed subjects’ intentions at the same time as creating random variation in prosocial outcomes. We repeatedly measured happiness at various delays. Our data weakly replicate the positive effect identified in previous research but only for the very short run. One month later, the sign of the effect reversed, and prosocial behavior led to significantly lower happiness than obtaining the money. Notably, even those subjects who chose prosocially were ultimately happier if they ended up getting the money for themselves. Our findings revealed a more nuanced causal relationship than previously suggested, providing an explanation for the apparent absence of universal prosocial behavior.

scholarly journals Distinguishing functional polymorphism from random variation in the sequences of >10,000 HLA-A, -B and -C alleles

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e1006862 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Robinson ◽  
Lisbeth A. Guethlein ◽  
Nezih Cereb ◽  
Soo Young Yang ◽  
Paul J. Norman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Polymorphism ◽  
Random Variation

Spatial Variation of Soil Organic Matter in Gully Bed with the Seabuckthorn Flexible Dam: A Case Study of EG1 in Zhun-Ge-Er County of Inner Mongolia, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 619-627
Author(s):  
Fang She Yang ◽  
Shu Zhen Su ◽  
Juan Juan Zhang ◽  
Ci Fen Bi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Spatial Autocorrelation ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Obvious Effect ◽  
Small Catchment ◽  
Variation Characteristics ◽  
Random Variation

In this paper, based on geostatistics and GIS techniques, spatial variation characteristics of soil organic matter (acronym: SOM) on a small scale were analyzed and discussed in east-one-branch gully (EG1) bed with the seabuckthorn flexible dam and the contrastive gully bed (which is non-vegetated any vegetation) located in zhun-ge-er county, Erdos, inner Mongolia, which belongs to the typical Pisha Sandstone area. The results show that the seabuckthorn can significantly increase SOM in the small catchment gully bed in the Pisha sandstone area, and the mean SOM content in gully bed with the seabuckthorn flexible dam is approximate 1.75 times that in the contrastive gully. Apparent spatial variation characteristics of SOM were found in the gully with the seabuckthorn flexible dam and the contrastive gully bed, moreover, the medium spatial autocorrelation of SOM was detected in gully bed with the seabuckthorn flexible dam, and the spatial variation of SOM was together led to by the structural and random variation at 1-6.5 m range, and of which the random variation accounts for 40%. Additional, the spatial autocorrelation of SOM in the contrastive gully bed is higher, the spatial variation of SOM was dominantly brought about by the structural variation at 1-4.5 m range, and of which the random variation accounts for 37%. Furthermore, the fractal dimension values reveal that dependence of SOM of the gully bed with the seabuckthorn flexible dam on spatial is weaker than that of the contrastive gully bed. It is judged that the seabuckthorn has an obvious effect on spatial distribution patterns and heterogeneity of SOM on a small scale.

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