A Matlab code package for 2D/3D local slope estimation and structural filtering

Local slope is an important attribute that can help distinguish seismic signals from noise. Based on optimal slope estimation, many filtering methods can be designed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of noisy seismic data. We present an open-source Matlab code package for local slope estimation and corresponding structural filtering. This package includes 2D and 3D examples with two main executable scripts and related sub-functions. All code files are in the Matlab format. In each main script, local slope is estimated based on the well-known plane wave destruction algorithm. Then, the seismic data are transformed to the flattened domain by utilizing this slope information. Further, the smoothing operator can be effectively applied in the flattened domain. We introduce the theory and mathematics related to these programs, and present the synthetic and field data examples to show the usefulness of this open-source package. The results of both local slope estimation and structural filtering demonstrate that this package can be conveniently and effectively applied to the seismic signal analysis and denoising.

Exergy, Exergoeconomic, Exergoenvironmental, Emergy-based Assessment and Advanced Exergy-based Analysis of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant

The high amount of solar energy as clean and sustainable energy has increased awareness in solar energy concentration, especially in integrated concepts. One of the best and promising hybrid configurations for converting solar energy into power is an integrated solar combined cycle system (ISCCS). In this study, conventional and advanced analysis tools for the ISCCS located in Yazd (Iran) have been investigated. In this paper, thermodynamic simulation, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analysis based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) have been performed. In addition, an emergy-based concept, including emergoeconomic and emergoenvironmental assessment, has been performed. In-depth analysis of exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental modelling, advanced exergy analysis based on endogenous/exogenous and avoidable/unavoidable parts have been done. In this regard, MATLAB code has been developed for thermodynamic simulation, exergy, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironment, emergoeconomic and emergoenvironment analysis. Furthermore, THERMOFLEX (commercial software) applied for thermodynamic simulation and verification. The Sankey diagram based on each analysis tool has been constructed. Furthermore, the priority of improvement based on each analysis has been identified. The thermal efficiency and net power generation of ISCCS are 48.25% and 419600 kW, respectively. It was obsereved that in most equipment, less than 10% of exergy destruction and cost and environmental impact rates were avoidable/endogenous.

Fracture Modelling of a Cracked Pressurized Cylindrical Structure by Using Extended Iso-Geometric Analysis (X-IGA)

In this study, a NURBS basis function-based extended iso-geometric analysis (X-IGA) has been implemented to simulate a two-dimensional crack in a pipe under uniform pressure using MATLAB code. Heaviside jump and asymptotic crack-tip enrichment functions are used to model the crack’s behaviour. The accuracy of this investigation was ensured with the stress intensity factors (SIFs) and the J-integral. The X-IGA—based SIFs of a 2-D pipe are compared using MATLAB code with the conventional finite element method available in ABAQUS FEA, and the extended finite element method is compared with a user-defined element. Therefore, the results demonstrate the possibility of using this technique as an alternative to other existing approaches to modeling cracked pipelines.

A New Model for Shaft Design of Engine Using MATLAB-GUI

Shaft design is still has the most significant effect in design of machine elements as shafts are common elements in aircraft engines, gear boxes and mechanisms. In this paper, a MATLAB code is established to obtain the optimum shaft design automatically. A friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) is developed to receive all design parameters such as; rotational speed, transmitted power, shaft material…etc. the proposed GUI also receives design parameters of shaft components such as pulleys and gears. Two case studies are introduced to illustrate the proposed shaft design tool to confirm its validity. All reaction forces, bending moment diagrams and torque diagrams are obtained using the proposed MATLAB code. These results are consistent with manual traditional design calculations.

A Numerical Investigation to Determine the p–y Curves of Laterally Loaded Piles

This paper focuses on a numerical approach to finding the p–y curves for laterally loaded piles. The Drucker–Prager plastic model is employed and implemented within a finite element MATLAB code. The pre- and post-processing code for Gmsh and related numerical tools are established as well. The p–y curve results from this new approach have been validated and compared to the typical design equations of API (American Petroleum Institute) and Matlock. The validation reveals that the code leads to lower p–y curves than the API and Matlock equations when the horizontal displacement is less than 0.35 times the diameter of the pile (B). A sensitivity analysis of the number of elements and the interface thickness is presented. The results indicate that the obtained p–y curves are independent of the two factors. Finally, the influence of clay content on the p–y behavior is investigated by the implemented MATLAB code. When y < 0.15B, the same lateral capacity values are resulted at clay contents of 27.5% and 55%, and they are higher than the ones for 0% clay content. The p–y curves show a decreasing trend with increasing clay content after y > 0.15B.

Real-Time Deformation Measurements Using Single Image Photogrammetry

Most photogrammetric measurements are currently based on image acquisition in the field and subsequent processing in office environment with certain temporal delay. However, in some cases it is necessary to process the data real-time, or at least in-situ. Bridge load testing is an example of measurement processing directly at the place of imaging, where almost immediate information about the current state or change of the object is required. An algorithm is developed for these purposes, including a camera controlling software and a MATLAB code that identifies and quantifies the shifts of the observed points in the image plane. The observed points are in the shape of black disks on a white background. Using a horizontal camera position individual epochs are captured. Each image is immediately transferred to a computer via Wi-Fi. The MATLAB code then loads the image and binarizes it. Binarization of the image is performed by the Canny edge detector. Using normalized 2-D cross-correlation, the algorithm determines the approximate coordinates based on a target template. A function performs least squares ellipse fitting and determines the center of the target in sub-pixel accuracy, the semi-major axis, the semi-minor axis and the rotation angle of the ellipse. The target detection is executed in a while cycle loop, which compares the point coordinates from each epoch to the initial state, thus quantifying the deformations in pixels. If the next image is not yet available, the loop restarts. The deformations are calculated based on the known scale of each target. This paper presents a detailed description of the development of the algorithm, the results achieved and the proposed improvements going forward.

Supplemental Material: Morphologic signatures of autogenic waterfalls: A case study in the San Gabriel Mountains, California

Supplemental text with methods, six figures, four tables, and MATLAB code.<br>

Supplemental Material: Morphologic signatures of autogenic waterfalls: A case study in the San Gabriel Mountains, California

Supplemental text with methods, six figures, four tables, and MATLAB code.<br>

RUBubbles as a novel tool to study categorization learning

Grouping objects into discrete categories affects how we perceive the world and represents a crucial element of cognition. Categorization is a widespread phenomenon that has been thoroughly studied. However, investigating categorization learning poses several requirements on the stimulus set in order to control which stimulus feature is used and to prevent mere stimulus–response associations or rote learning. Previous studies have used a wide variety of both naturalistic and artificial categories, the latter having several advantages such as better control and more direct manipulation of stimulus features. We developed a novel stimulus type to study categorization learning, which allows a high degree of customization at low computational costs and can thus be used to generate large stimulus sets very quickly. ‘RUBubbles’ are designed as visual artificial category stimuli that consist of an arbitrary number of colored spheres arranged in 3D space. They are generated using custom MATLAB code in which several stimulus parameters can be adjusted and controlled separately, such as number of spheres, position in 3D-space, sphere size, and color. Various algorithms for RUBubble generation can be combined with distinct behavioral training protocols to investigate different characteristics and strategies of categorization learning, such as prototype- vs. exemplar-based learning, different abstraction levels, or the categorization of a sensory continuum and category exceptions. All necessary MATLAB code is freely available as open-source code and can be customized or expanded depending on individual needs. RUBubble stimuli can be controlled purely programmatically or via a graphical user interface without MATLAB license or programming experience. Graphical abstract

Static Analysis of Laminated Composite Plate Using First Order Shear Deformation Theory

Composites are used comprehensively in constructional company. Instead of conventional materials engineers are experimenting new materials every day in which composites are providing solution to many structural applications. MATLAB software is used in the investigation of static performance of laminated plates. Designing of composite laminate is very complex and requires lot of computational effort. It is very difficult to solve composite numerical problems manually. Developing MATLAB code for the analysis of laminated composite plate using finite element analysis. To determine the deflection and transverse shear stress of square laminated plate which is simply supported and subjected to uniform pressure. To explore the influence of modular ratio on deflection and transverse shear stress for different materials. Development of MATLAB code for the interpretation of first order shear deformation theory. Keywords: Laminated plate, composites, MATLAB, shear deformation theories, Finite element analysis