Automatic Blade Shape Optimization of a Three-Bladed Modified Savonius Turbine

In this study, the performance of a new wind turbine design derived from a conventional Savonius turbine is optimized by numerical simulation. The new design consists of three blades without passage between them (closed center). The coupling between the CFD codes (ANSYS Fluent) and the optimizer (OPAL) is used through an automatic procedure in-house codes, as documented, for example, in Thévenin et al.’s Optimization and Computational Fluid Dynamics (2008). A single-objective function (output power coefficient, Cp) is considered as the target of the optimization technique and the shape of the blade as an optimization parameter and relies on evolutionary algorithms. An optimal solution can emerge from this optimization study. By comparison between regular design (semi-cylindrical shape blades) and the optimal configuration, a considerable improvement (up to 7.13% at λ = 0.7) of the optimal configuration performance can be obtained in this manner.

Designing for circular fashion: integrating upcycling into conventional garment manufacturing processes

This paper summarises the results of a more than 5-year practice-led study on the use of upcycling design and production methods in garment mass production. The efficiency of upcycling design approach is described by analysing the generation and potential use of various types of fabric leftovers from garment manufacturing. The results of this research show that depending on the size of the factory the fabric leftovers and textile waste generated in garment production ranges from 25–40% of the total fabric used. Experiments show that 50% of that material can be upcycled into new garments and for some types of leftover—mainly spreading loss and excess fabric—it can even be up to 80%. Implementing upcycling on the industrial level requires transparency to understand the waste created in garment production and create designs that suite the production system. It is important to consider that the upcycling design process differs from regular design—a garment is designed based on the parameters of the waste materials.

Application of the ADINA Software for Tasks of Educational and Technical Practice

Development of the designing process in civil engineering brings the possibility for more complex analysis of the structures. Computational software can be helpful for regular design but also for identification and solving of more specified problems. Finite Element Method (FEM) became one of the most used numerical methods. Numerous commercial programs are based on this method. However, these programs are more complex and require skilled designer to fully utilize their potential. This article brings the lead to apply the FEM method implemented in commercial software ADINA to solve the problem of structural mechanics. It is necessary to connect the theoretical approach of FEM modeling and experience from real case problems. Skilled designer can calibrate the numerical model to obtain relevant outputs. However, certain cases still require a detailed and individual approach during designing that is verified by the in-situ monitoring and observation. Lead of the student to the flexible treatment of the design is one of the important tasks of the educational process. This involves the basic knowledge about appropriate analysis of the problem for effective utilization of the computational software for particular applications even for more complex solutions.

Algorithm for Computation of DCT and its Implementation using a Systolic Architecture

In this paper a new algorithm for computing N-point DCT, where N=4r, r>1 is presented. A new algorithm has been derived that can compute the 1D DCT and it is realized in systolic array that utilizes identical processing elements (PE’s). The proposed approach can be used to obtain other transform like Discrete Sine Transform (DST), Discrete Hartley Transform (DHT). The suggested algorithm requires reduced number of multiplications as compared to the other methods of computing DCT. This suggests structure meets the architectural challenge and it is simple, regular design and cost-effective for special-purpose system.

How adapted are built-environment professionals to flood adaptation?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how architectural practices have been considering flood-risk adaptation within regular design activities. It relies on the assumptions that floods are hybrid phenomena that require actions in both the anthropic and hydrological domains to be successfully managed, and that floods’ spatial dimension can be subject to design to minimize the impacts of disasters. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the conclusions of a research focussing on the design of flood-prone urban projects in Europe, within which 22 built-environment professionals (BEPs) were interviewed. The statements of these informants were examined through content analysis, as a means to reveal barriers and incentives that affect their perception and practice of dealing with floods through design. Findings Having different experiences with flood-related projects, the interviewees showed uneven degrees of sensitivity to manage floods through design. The analyses pinpoint that for BEPs to be up to the challenges associated with these projects, besides technical expertise, some soft skills are needed such as professional openness and a positive mindset. Originality/value This paper explores flood adaptation not only as a spatial challenge but also as a cultural change that needs to be embraced within flood risk management efforts.

Customized patient clothing and patient satisfaction

Purpose To respect the patients’ physical privacy, they should be provided with proper clothing that prevents the exposure of unnecessary parts of the body. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate patient satisfaction upon wearing customized, high-coverage, procedure-specific dresses. Design/methodology/approach New designs of clothing adapted for different kinds of procedures, and offering a good coverage of the body and easy access to the required parts were compared with regular patient clothing. Patients from six different wards of a university hospital filled out a questionnaire inquiring about general and demographic variables, and patient satisfaction was evaluated based on six main features of the clothing design. p<0.005 was considered as the level of statistical significance. Findings Overall, 256 patients were entered into the regular-design and new-design groups (n=128 in each). In Group 1 (regular design), the rate of dissatisfaction was about 98, 84, 84, 78, 77 and 38 percent for ease of wearing, comfort, design, material, coverage level and size, respectively. In Group 2 (new design), the highest satisfaction rates were associated with ease of wearing, size, coverage level, material, design and comfort as 93.7, 91.4, 89.9, 87.1, 86, and 80.5 percent, respectively. Originality/value The present study is the first to investigate customized patient clothing and demonstrated that these clothes can improve the patients’ satisfaction in terms of coverage, comfort, design and size.

An Optimization Design Method of Combination of Steep Slope and Sharp Curve Sections for Mountain Highways

As it was found steep slope and sharp curve sections account for 14% of the accident-prone sections according to the accidents data in Chongqing. Regular design indices with certain thresholds are found not enough for this kind of mountain highways. The goal of this paper is to find an optimization design method for combination of steep slope and sharp curve sections based on the analysis of vehicle driving stability. The overall safety model of steep slope and sharp curve combined section is established, and the relevant coordination relationship between design indices of the front and rear alignment unit is established by using the operating speed estimation model. Taking the maximum slope length corresponding to the specified design speed as the design condition of the front segment, the threshold values and variation rules of the design indices of the rear segment under different design speeds are calculated ensuring driving safety. The safety model is simulated by CarSim software, the trajectory offset and lateral acceleration are used to indirectly reflect the degree of lateral instability, and the results are compared to verify the effectiveness of the simplified safety model established in this paper.

Comparative analysis among standards of the area calculation of transversal reinforcement on reinforced concrete beams of high resistance subjected by shear force

High strength concretes (HSC) correspond to a characteristic compression strength between 55 e 90 MPa. With the growing use of HSC, studies about the regular design standards of elements made of it, specifically standards about design on shear, become necessary. Hence, the main aspects of the NBR, Model Code 1990 e 2010, Portuguese Standard and German Standard related to the design on shear are presented. From the numerical simulations, with the addition of Cladera and Marí’s experimental contributions, it is confirmed that the Brazilian design standard procedure produces lower transverse reinforcement areas in comparison to the ones predicted by the international codes; these, excepted by LoA III, do not consider the concrete contribution, in spite of being experimentally verified, leading to very conservative results.

Cavitation Modelling in Different Designs of Micro Kaplan Hydro-Turbine

The paper investigates the cavitation in micro-turbomachinery, using a small-sized water system. Unsteady numerical model is architected to predict cavitating flows through a 7.5 cm axial hydro-turbine working at 2.8 m water head. Based on the validated simulations, specific turbine designs (regular design and rim-drive turbines) are simulated with cavitating flow conditions including different rotation speeds (1000–5000 rpm) and outlet pressures (0, -24, -48, -96, kPa gage). Phase change interactions (liquid water and vapor) were considered by adding the physics models of Volume of Fluid (VOF) multiphase, cavitation, and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence. Records featured spatial variation in the cavitation pattern between the two designs. Rim-drive turbine stands against cavitation along the rim integration lines, but it starts the hub cavitation earlier than the regular turbine. The proposed rim-drive bests the regular geometry before cavitation, and the relative efficiency gap increased to be 16% at extreme cavitation condition.

Compact design strategies of cultural centres in South China

Purpose The number of cultural centres in South China shows an increasing trend. However, there is still a lack of research of this public building type and its related design strategy. This paper aims to identify general characteristics and presents design principles of cultural centres and thus enriches the theory of compact design strategies. Design/methodology/approach In total, 66 cases of cultural centres in South China have been investigated. The design patterns of these cultural centres projects are analysed by Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS). The theory of compact design strategies is thus used to emphasize the systemic characteristics of cultural centres. Findings Cultural centres mostly have an overall floor area between 20,000-40,000 square metres (m2). Much cultural centres consist of three to four functional components. Different functional blocks are intensively organized in parallel or in series along a horizontal or vertical direction. The combination of multiple functions is divided into four usual composition types. The most common type is the “synthetical integration”. There are a total of four different distribution modes of integrated layout. Each of these modes can express different narrative themes according its needs, and four kinds of narrative themes are summarized. Practical implications Appropriate compact design strategies may be applied to improve the quality of public buildings in a region with the problem of land use limitation. Applications of results of this paper may enhance design efficiency or lead to more appropriate works. Originality/value Compact design strategies can be a guide for appropriate architectural design. The findings of this research provide regular design patterns for designers and engineers to streamline their design process.