Load & Resistance Factors Calibration for Front Covered Caisson Breakwater

Calibration of load-resistance factors for the limit state design of front covered caisson breakwaters were presented. Reliability analysis of the breakwaters which are constructed in Korean coast was conducted. Then, partial safety factors and load-resistance factors were sequentially calculated according to target reliability index. Load resistance factors were optimized to give one set of factor for limit state design of breakwater. The breakwaters were redesigned by using the optimal load resistance factor and verified whether reliability indices larger than the target value. Finally, load-resistance factors were compared with foreign country’s code for verification.

Probabilistic Assessment Approach of the Aerostatic Instability of Long-Span Symmetry Cable-Stayed Bridges

The existing safety analysis methods for the assessment of the aerostatic stability of long-span symmetry cable-stayed bridges have difficulties in meeting the requirements of engineering applications. Based on the finite element method and the inverse reliability theory, an approach for the probabilistic safety analysis of the aerostatic instability of long-span symmetry cable-stayed bridges is proposed here. The probabilistic safety factor of aerostatic instability of long-span symmetry cable-stayed bridges was estimated using the proposed method, with Sutong Bridge as an example. The probabilistic safety factors for the aerostatic instability of Sutong Bridge were calculated using the finite element inverse reliability method, based on the FORM approach. The influences of the mean value and the coefficient of variation of random variables, as well as the iterative step length of finite difference, on the probabilistic safety factors of aerostatic instability of Sutong Bridge were analyzed. The results indicated that it is necessary to consider the uncertainties of random variables in probabilistic safety factor assessments of aerostatic instability in cable-stayed bridges using the proposed method, which could be recommended for the assessment of safety factors involved in the aerostatic instability of long-span symmetry cable-stayed bridges. The randomness of the parameters had an important influence on the probabilistic safety factor of the aerostatic stability of Sutong Bridge. Neglecting the randomness of these parameters may result in instability of the structure.

THE SAFETY OF SHIP BERTHING OPERATIONS AT PORT DOCK – A GAP ASSESSMENT MODEL BASED ON FUZZY AHP

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the safety of ship berthing operations at port dock. Based on the features of ship’s berthing operations and the relevant literature, the safety factors (SFs) of ship berthing at port docks are first investigated. A gap assessment model based on Fuzzy AHP is then proposed to assess the perceived differences on those SFs between port marine pilots and shipmasters. Finally, the ships’ berthing operations at Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan were employed to illustrate the model’s practical application. The result may provide practical information for both marine pilots and shipmasters to improve the safety performance of ship berthing operations at port docks.

Gender Differences in Law Enforcement Officer Stress and Coping Strategies

Law enforcement officers, like many professionals, are not immune to the effect of stress on their overall health. In fact, law enforcement officers may be particularly vulnerable to these effects due to unique and sometimes traumatic stressors inherent in their work. Further, male and female officers may experience the stressors of the law enforcement profession, and the coping strategies used in response to stress, differently. Using survey data collected from a sample of law enforcement officers in a large urban police agency in the southeastern United States, this research examines the differences between male and female officers in terms of perception of stressors in policing and coping strategies used in response to stress. The findings indicate that female officers have significantly higher mean stress scores on several items (particularly those regarding safety factors) and are significantly more likely to use positive coping strategies compared to male officers.