scholarly journals Standard Test Methods for Rating of Solar Reflectance of Built-Up Surfaces and Potential Use of Satellite Remote Sensors

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6626
Author(s):  
Sofia Costanzini ◽  
Chiara Ferrari ◽  
Francesca Despini ◽  
Alberto Muscio
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Peak Load ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Remote Sensors ◽  
Solar Reflectance ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Satellite Sensors

More and more attention is being paid to the solar reflectance of built-up surfaces due to its influence on the summer heating of buildings and urban areas and the consequent effects on energy needs for air conditioning, as well as on the peak load of the electric grid. Several standard test methods are available for measuring solar reflectance in the laboratory or in the field, based on different devices and approaches. A convergence of some methods has been achieved by rating programs in the U.S. and, more recently, in Europe and other areas. However, laboratory or field measurements are impractical for characterizing a large number of urban surfaces—whether it is for identifying critical issues, developing policies, or verifying compliance with building requirements. In this regard, satellite remote sensors have recently become available, through which it is possible to estimate the reflectance of roof and pavement surfaces thanks to a spatial resolution that is suitable for identifying and characterizing individual built-up surfaces. In the present paper, the most-used standard test methods for rating of solar reflectance are reviewed. Subsequently, some publicly accessible satellite sensors are examined, through which comparable measurements could be obtained.

scholarly journals Predicting Excavation-Induced Tunnel Response by Process-Based Modelling

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Linlong Mu ◽  
Jianhong Lin ◽  
Zhenhao Shi ◽  
Xingyu Kang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Inverse Modelling ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Support Structures ◽  
Interaction Processes ◽  
Excavation Support ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Ann

Potential damages to existing tunnels represent a major concern for constructing deep excavations in urban areas. The uncertainty of subsurface conditions and the nonlinear interactions between multiple agents (e.g., soils, excavation support structures, and tunnel structures) make the prediction of the response of tunnel induced by adjacent excavations a rather difficult and complex task. This paper proposes an initiative to solve this problem by using process-based modelling, where information generated from the interaction processes between soils, structures, and excavation activities is utilized to gradually reduce uncertainty related to soil properties and to learn the interaction patterns through machine learning techniques. To illustrate such a concept, this paper presents a simple process-based model consisting of artificial neural network (ANN) module, inverse modelling module, and mechanistic module. The ANN module is trained to learn and recognize the patterns of the complex interactions between excavation deformations, its geometries and support structures, and soil properties. The inverse modelling module enables a gradual reduction of uncertainty associated with soil characterizations by accumulating field observations during the construction processes. Based on the inputs provided by the former two modules, the mechanistic module computes the response of tunnel. The effectiveness of the proposed process-based model is evaluated against high-fidelity numerical simulations and field measurements. These evaluations suggest that the strategy of combining artificial intelligence techniques with information generated during interaction processes can represent a promising approach to solve complex engineering problems in conventional industries.

scholarly journals Comparison of Two Intergranular Corrosion Tests on EN AW-6016 Sheet Material

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5294
Author(s):  
Peer Decker ◽  
Ines Zerbin ◽  
Luisa Marzoli ◽  
Marcel Rosefort
Keyword(s):  
Optical Microscopy ◽  
Intergranular Corrosion ◽  
Sheet Material ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Corrosion Depth ◽  
Corrosion Tests ◽  
Automotive Company ◽  
Test Parameters

Two different intergranular corrosion tests were performed on EN AW-6016 sheet material, an ISO 11846:1995-based test with varying solution amounts and acid concentrations, and a standard test of an automotive company (PV1113, VW-Audi). The average intergranular corrosion depth was determined via optical microscopy. The differences in the intergranular corrosion depths were then discussed with regard to the applicability and quality of the two different test methods. The influence of varying test parameters for ISO 11846:1995 was discussed as well. The determined IGC depths were found to be strongly dependent on the testing parameters, which will therefore have a pronounced influence on the determined IGC susceptibility of a material. In general, ISO 11846:1995 tests resulted in a significantly lower corrosion speed, and the corrosive attack was found to be primarily along grain boundaries.

The Urban Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

10.1068/c3p ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Kessides
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
National Development ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Urban Transition ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Sub Saharan

In this paper I ask how the ongoing processes of urban and local government development in Sub-Saharan Africa can and should benefit the countries, and what conditions must be met to achieve this favourable outcome. The region faces close to a doubling of the urban population in fifteen years. This urban transition poses an opportunity as well as a management challenge. Urban areas represent underutilised resources that concentrate much of the countries' physical, financial, and intellectual capital. Therefore it is critical to understand how they can better serve the national growth and poverty reduction agendas. The paper challenges several common ‘myths’ that cloud discourse about urban development in Africa. I also take a hard look at what the urban transition can offer national development, and what support cities and local governments require to achieve these results. I argue that, rather than devoting more attention to debating the urban contribution to development in Africa, real energy needs to be spent unblocking it.

Serviceability Assessment of a Printed Finish on T-Shirts

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Reannan Riedy ◽  
Meredith McQuerry
Keyword(s):  
Abrasion Resistance ◽  
Dimensional Change ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Performance Expectations ◽  
Agricultural Worker ◽  
Soil Release ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Typical Consumer ◽  
Change Material

To improve the comfort of agricultural workers, a T-shirt with a printed active cooling finish was evaluated to determine if it would meet the wash life durability and performance expectations of such an arduous application. Six shirts with a printed phase change material (PCM) finish and six shirts without (control) were washed 50 times to replicate a typical consumer wash life. Shirts were evaluated for absorbency, dimensional change, colorfastness, crocking, abrasion resistance, soil release, and smoothness retention according to AATCC and ASTM standard test methods. Testing was conducted before laundering and after 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 consumer laundry (CL) cycles. Absorbency and dimensional change were significantly influenced by the PCM finish. Results demonstrate the appropriateness of adopting such a finish technology for agricultural worker clothing applications.

Development of standard test methods for unmanned and manned industrial vehicles used near humans

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Bostelman ◽  
Richard Norcross ◽  
Joe Falco ◽  
Jeremy Marvel
Keyword(s):  
Test Methods ◽  
Standard Test

The wildland - urban interface fire problem - current approaches and research needs

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Mell ◽  
Samuel L. Manzello ◽  
Alexander Maranghides ◽  
David Butry ◽  
Ronald G. Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
The United States ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Wildland Urban Interface ◽  
Fuel Treatment ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Exposure Conditions

Wildfires that spread into wildland–urban interface (WUI) communities present significant challenges on several fronts. In the United States, the WUI accounts for a significant portion of wildland fire suppression and wildland fuel treatment costs. Methods to reduce structure losses are focussed on fuel treatments in either wildland fuels or residential fuels. There is a need for a well-characterised, systematic testing of these approaches across a range of community and structure types and fire conditions. Laboratory experiments, field measurements and fire behaviour models can be used to better determine the exposure conditions faced by communities and structures. The outcome of such an effort would be proven fuel treatment techniques for wildland and residential fuels, risk assessment strategies, economic cost analysis models, and test methods with representative exposure conditions for fire-resistant building designs and materials.

scholarly journals A Study on Factors Influencing the Determination of Moisture Content of Fibrous Peat

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pui Tau Shien ◽  
Seneviratne H.N. ◽  
Dygku Salma Awg Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Particle Density ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Test Procedure ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Moisture Loss ◽  
Fibrous Peat ◽  
Saturated Sample

Fibrous peat is an undrained peat that usually possesses very high moisture content. However, not all experimental procedures are applicable for determination of moisture content of fibrous peat. This research is aimed at examining the determination of insitu moisture content of fibrous peat using field measurements. The peat soil samples were collected at shallow depths from Asajaya at Kota Samarahan and Taman Kopodims at Matang , Kuching Sarawak by using peat auger. The laboratory tests such as determination of moisture content, fiber content, particle density and ash content were conducted on the collected samples in order to establish relationships between the parameters. Undisturbed peat samples from Matang were subjected to falling head permeability test to determine the saturated permeability. The saturated sample were then allowed to drain freely to simulate the moisture loss possible during sampling when samples were brought out of boreholes. The test results showed that moisture content varies according to the drying temperature and position of the soil sample (top, middle and bottom) during sampling. Comparing samples from both locations, peat soil from Kota Samarahan possessed higher moisture content. The saturated permeability of peat sample was in the range of 2.62 – 3.05 cm/s. The free draining trial showed that moisture loss during sampling significantly influence the moisture content measurement. The variation in value of moisture content for fibrous peat may occurs due to several factors such as existing ground water table, sampling method by boring, existing standard test procedure which is not suitable for peat soils requirement and also because of the physical properties which varied according to depth of soil.

scholarly journals Derived Interaction Parameters for the TSAI-WU Tensor Polynomial Theory of Strength for Composite Materials

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. DeTeresa ◽  
Gregory J. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Fiber Composite ◽  
Strength Criterion ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Transverse Compression ◽  
Strength Parameters ◽  
Carbon Fiber Composite ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stability Limits

Abstract It is shown that the two interactive strength parameters in the Tsai-Wu tensor polynomial strength criterion for fiber composites can be derived in terms of the uniaxial or non-interacting strength parameters if the composite does not fail under practical levels of hydrostatic pressure or equal transverse compression. Thus the required number of parameters is reduced from seven to five and all five of the remaining strength terms are easily determined using standard test methods. The derived interactive parameters fall within the stability limits of the theory, yet they lead to open failure surfaces in the compressive stress quadrant. The assumptions used to derive the interactive parameters were supported by measurements for the effect of hydrostatic pressure and unequal transverse compression on the behavior of a typical carbon fiber composite.

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