Applying T.G. Page's scale for measuring base crisis response : a series of crises at the University of Missouri in fall 2015

This study extends theory in crisis communication by analyzing a series of crises that occurred at the University of Missouri (MU) in fall 2015 as a test case for applying T.G. Page's scale for measuring base crisis response. After applying the scale to seven crises that occurred at MU during the timeframe, several opportunities are identified for strengthening the reliability of the scale in evaluating a wider variety of crises. These include incorporating speed of base crisis response into the scale, more specifically defining the target audiences that should be considered when applying the scale, and the possibility of creating different objectives for crises in which continuity information is more applicable than safety information in the organization's base crisis response.

Влияние направления прозвучивания и собственной частоты преобразователей при испытании динасовых кирпичей ультразвуковым импульсным методом

Evaluating the quality of refractory materials is one of the important stages of production before these materials are handed over to the customer. One of the required parameters is to evaluate ultrasonic pulse velocity, as determined by measurements performed via the ultrasonic pulse method. Are presents findings on the influence of the direction of transmission and the natural frequency of transducers on ultrasonic pulse method measurements of silica refractory bricks. The findings reveal that the measurement requirements specified in standards for other building materials cannot be fully applied in the case of silica refractory bricks, and the assumption that ultrasonic pulse velocity increases with shorter measuring bases is not confirmed. The highest ultrasonic pulse velocities were measured during transmission across the width of the product, while the lowest velocities were measured over the thickness of the sample. In order to evaluate the quality of silica refractory bricks, it is necessary to unambiguously determine a uniform measuring base for transmission so as to ensure the reproducibility of the measurements performed by different laboratories.

Definition of setting total error value at centerless ball grinding

There is defined a total basing error arising during centerless ball grinding using driving disk helical grooves with different forms. On the basis of computations there is offered a design of a driving disk with the trapezoidal helical groove. A design of a supporting knife which allows carrying out efficiently an automatic position correction of the measuring base of operation size during ball grinding is offered.

Modal Analysis of Selected Measuring Bases and Their Impact on the Recorded Level of Surface Accelerations

In predicting the impact of vibrations propagated in a ground on newly designed construction objects, it is extremely important to reliably measure the time histories of velocity or acceleration at the site of the planned investment. As some studies show, the method of coupling accelerometers and geophones to the ground can affect not only the level of peak particle accelerations (PPA) or peak particle velocities (PPV)—commonly used in this type of evaluation—but also vibration frequency distribution of recorded signals. This makes it difficult to compare and analyze the results obtained by various research teams. Conclusions based on this type of comparison may be wrong. For this reason, it is extremely important that reliable dynamic measurements related to the propagation of ground surface vibrations should be carried out using not only appropriately selected measuring equipment (with the required sensitivity and measurement ranges—both in the time domain and frequency domain), but also the measurement bases/setups used for mounting various types of transducers, whose natural frequencies will be outside the frequency range relevant to the possible impact of vibrations on buildings and human beings inside. The paper presents the results of modal analyses carried out with the use of Ansys Engineering Simulation and 3D Design Software (based on the Finite Element Method) for three different types of measuring bases used to coupling accelerometers to the ground. Measuring bases selected for numerical analyses were in the form of a stiff steel spike of an X-shaped cross section (a measuring base No. 1) and two steel spikes of L-shaped cross-sections (a measuring bases No. 2 and No. 3). In the places of screwed accelerometers (three different types of IEPE/ICP transducers of varying sensitivity and a weight) point masses were attached to the measuring bases. As a result of the analyses, it was possible to determine the impact of individual methods of coupling of accelerometers to the ground on the reliability of recorded ground surface accelerations. Among others it was concluded that in each analyzed case the lowest natural frequencies of the measuring bases with attached accelerometers significantly exceeded 100 Hz. The widest frequency band free of resonance vibrations can be provided by the measuring base No. 3 (L50 × 50 × 5).

The effectiveness of monitoring as a necessary condition for the adoption of correct decisions on the security оf technosphere

This article discusses the issues of ensuring the effectiveness of monitoring for correct estimates of parameter manifestations (start time, intensity and severity) of catastrophic natural (earthquakes, floods and others) and man-made (water and air pollution) processes. Organizational structure of monitoring with reasonable time and address of the measurement mode taking into account the main features and stages of forming controlled natural and technogenic processes should ensure the acquisition of data needed for further calculations of the start time of earthquakes, territorial distribution and levels of water or air pollution, etc. Besides, the article outlines requirements for the relevant qualification of engaged staff capable of correctly interpreting the results of monitoring measurements and performing the necessary calculation of numerous parameters, for example, in the case of pollution evaluation. As a result, all this allows to ensure the compliance of obtained assessments with the real condition of monitored object, which is the basis for informed decisions on a set of actions to further ensure technosphere security. Along with this, the proposed monitoring approach allows to optimize the measuring base in order to achieve the necessary efficiency in assessing the status of controlled objects and the layout of the base in terms of the characteristics of buildings and their intrinsic properties, as well as the specificity of technogenic impact and natural processes on technosphere objects.

Block Thickness Measurement of Using the Structured Light Vision

A method for measuring block thicknesses is proposed by the machine vision measurement. Equations of the measuring base plane and the light plane are formed by calibration. Then, the equation of the light strip image, that is, the image of the intersection between the base plane and light one, is established by the projection relation. Equation of the image of the light strip on the measured plane can be determined by the fitting. Since the light strip on the measuring base plane is parallel to one on the measured plane, the thickness of the measuring block is measured by using the two equations. The experiment evaluates the measurement accuracy of the measurement method and analyzes the influence of some factors on the measurement results.