Performance Analysis of Traffic Congestion Using Designated Neural Network Training Algorithms

A lot of neural network training algorithms on prediction exist and these algorithms are being used by researchers to solve evaluation, forecasting, clustering, function approximation etc. problems in traffic volume congestion. This study is aimed at analysing the performance of traffic congestion using some designated neural network training algorithms on traffic flow in some selected corridors within Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. The selected corridors were Oba Adesida road, Oyemekun road and Oke Ijebu road all in Akure. The traffic flow data were collected manually with the help of field observers who monitored and record traffic movement along the corridors. To accomplish this, three common training algorithms were selected to train the traffic flow data. The data were trained using Bayesian Regularization (BR), Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) and Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) training algorithms. The outputs/performances of these training functions were evaluated by using the Mean Square Error (MSE) and Coefficient of Regression (R) to find the best training algorithms. The results show that, the Bayesian regularization algorithm, performs better with MSE of 2.37e-13 and R of 0.9999 than SCG and LM algorithms.

Potentials of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) Fruit Shell Adsorbent in Recovery of Valuable Hydrocarbons for Spent Engine Oil

Inventory of spent engine oil continuously increase and indiscriminately disposed of at auto-mechanics garages. Adsorptive separation established to be indispensable in recovery of these hydrocarbons was carried out using Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) fruit shell – a renewable resource. In this study, clay pretreated spent engine oil was recovered in a fixed bed adsorption processes and the recovered adsorbate components determined by GC-MS analysis. The results showed African star apple fruit shell adsorbent effective in recovering n-hexane solubilized spent lubricating oil. The study concluded that using the developed African star apple fruit shell adsorbent, an agricultural waste adsorbent in the recovery of waste lubricating oil will enhance greatly the nation’s economy.

Numerical Investigation of FRP-Strengthened CHS Columns

The use of external CFRP jacket is examined as a retrofitting technique that improves the ductility and the load carrying capacity of the steel tube. The study focuses on the interaction between the steel and the jacket, which is treated as a contact problem. The contact conditions in the steel-CFRP interface are represented by interface laws. Finite element modeling is used to simulate the physical problem and the results of the numerical analysis are presented and discussed. CFRP-jacket is proved to be an effective strengthening method for hollow steel columns.

Study on Driving Behavior of Public Transport Drivers in Kerala

A lot of crashes involving heavy vehicles have been reported over the years in Kerala. Faulty driving behavior is widely regarded as the major cause of such crashes. This study considers the drivers’ perceptions and their socio-demographic background to understand the behavioral variations. The study is done based on a questionnaire survey on public transport operators from which their behavioral characteristics are noted. The study area is divided into three parts namely, North, Central and South Kerala with a fixed sample at each of these regions. The sample size is fixed based on Bill Godden’s method for infinite population. Accordingly, a sample of 384 vehicles was surveyed from each region. Thus, data for a total of 1,152 public transport vehicles were taken from all three regions namely North, South, and Central Kerala. From this sample, the variations in violations, errors and lapses among drivers are noted based on various causative factors. Analyses of these behavioral factors are done to study the influence on aberrant behavior and accident occurrence in public transport vehicle plying in Kerala. A linear regression model is developed to state the importance of causative factors in the occurrence of crashes.

Abrasion and Physical Properties of Rattan Cane (Calamus deeratus) Fibre Based Epoxy Composites

The effects of fibre content (5–30 wt%) and fibre treatment on abrasion, water absorption, specific gravity, and density properties of epoxy/rattan cane fibre composites were studied. Epoxy resin reinforced with the alkaline treated rattan cane fibre fibres was produced by compression technique in predetermined proportions. Abrasion and physical properties tests were carried out on the developed composites. The results showed that the reinforced composite samples have better enhancement in all the properties tested than the unreinforced control sample. Least Water Absorption (WA) value of 1.4 % were obtained within the 1 week and 2 week for the reinforced samples. Samples reinforced with 10 wt. % rattan fibres had the highest abrasion resistance, while the sample with 5 wt.% rattan fibre addition had the best water absorption resistance. The products of this research could find applications in automotive fields where exposure to moisture and wear are encountered.

Evaluation of Spark Ignition Engine Performance Using Ethanol as Doping Agent on Constant Speed Test

Engine knock is a critical phenomenon engine designers strive to minimize in the world today. Before now, this has made tetra ethyl lead (TEL) an option for minimizing knock. The basic essence of tetra ethyl lead is to enhance octane rating of petrol which is a vital factor to knocking ability. However, the health and environmental challenges associated with the use of tetra ethyl lead propel the desire to replace it with a better environmental and health friendly substance that will at the same time boost octane rating and give a smoother engine operation. Hence, ethanol was considered in this work at a constant speed test of 2000 rpm and compared to leaded petrol as baseline petrol. BSFC of 0.703 kg\kWhr was obtained with 20/80 compared to 0.709 kg\kWhr obtained with 0/100 as baseline fuel. Maximum brake power of 0.74 kW occurred at a bmep of 1.235 bar with 15/85 ethanol/petrol. Similarly, maximum brake thermal efficiency of 13.44% was obtained with 20/80 ethanol/petrol compared to 11.49% obtained with leaded petrol as baseline petrol. It is indicated that maximum power output, low BSFC and low petrol consumption was obtained with 20/80 ethanol/petrol blend. It is convincible that 20/80 blend ratio offer good alternative to other antiknock agents which are associated with harmful consequences to man and environment. The implication of this work is that a definite blend for optimum performance and more environmentally friendly antiknock agent is established.

Dielectric Dependent Absorption Characteristics in CNFET Infrared Phototransistor

In future infrared photodetectors, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are considered as potential candidates due to their band gap, high absorption coefficient (104 - 105 cm −1), high charge carrier mobility and ease of processability. The SWCNT based Field Effect Transistors (CNFETs) are being seriously considered for applications in optoelectronics. In the proposed work optically controlled back gated CNFET is modeled in Sentaurus TCAD to observe the impact of high dielectric oxides on its photoabsorption. The model is based on analytical approximations and parameters extracted from quantum mechanical simulations of the device and depending on the nanotube diameter and the different gate oxide materials. A small deviation in SWCNT chirality shows significant change (more than 50 %) in channel current. Transfer characteristics of the device are analyzed under dark and illuminated conditions. CNFET integrated with HfO2 dielectrics exhibits superior performance with a significant rise in photocurrent current. Precise two dimensional TCAD simulation results and visual figures affirm that the ON state performance of CNFET has significant dependency on the dielectric strength as well as width of the gate oxide and its application in enhancing the performance of carbon nanotube based infrared photo detectors.

Effect of Section Size as a Measure of Cooling Rate on the Solidified Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Sand-Cast Al-Si Eutectic Alloy

Several factors contribute to the development of structure and properties of aluminiumalloy castings. This study investigated the singular effect of cooling rate on the as-cast structure andmechanical properties of an aluminum-silicon eutectic alloy, keeping other factors such as pouringtemperature, melt treatments, physical and thermal properties of the mould, and alloy compositionconstant. The rate of cooling was varied by employing different casting section sizes, based on thevariation of rate of heat extraction given by solidification time as predicted by the Chvorinov’s rule.Four test bars of section sizes 10, 20, 30, and 40 mm respectively were cast in sand mould using thesame gating system. Spectrometric analysis of the alloy formulated revealed that it could be specifiedapproximately as Al-12.8Si-1.0Cu alloy. The study showed that as section size decreased from 40mm to 10 mm; the solidification time reduced (i.e. the cooling rate increased), the microstructure gotfiner, the silicon flakes became more uniformly distributed, and the mechanical properties generallyimproved. The tensile strength, ductility, and hardness all increased in the order of decreasing sectionsize, i.e. increasing cooling rate. The mechanical properties were found to be linearly correlated withsection size or cooling rate. Whereas the elongations were lower than values for pure aluminium, thestrength and hardness were significantly higher than values for the pure metal. It is concluded thatthe cooling rate modifies the microstructure and improves the mechanical properties of as-cast Al–Sieutectic alloys

Thickness Optimization of Single Junction Quantum well Solar Cell Using TCAD

The efficiency increase by inserting quantum wells in a p-i-n solar cell has already been studied practically and theoretically over the years. Here we present a Multi-Quantum-well Single-Junction GaAs/GaSb solar cell which is simulated using Silvaco TCAD, where thicknesses of different layers have been varied to obtain the optimum thickness for maximum efficiency. Comparison is also presented for the same between the solar cells with and without the inclusion of quantum wells.

Numerical Investigation of Façade and Floor Glazing Systems

The use of point-supported systems in glass façades and floors has become widespread due to their excellent structural properties. The combination of glass and metal, frequently found in modern architectural norms and expressions, has highlighted the role of such systems and the need for constant optimization of their design. This research paper aims to examine the influence of modifying several geometrical parameters such as the thickness and the weight of the structural spider connectors, the arm-core ratio of the spider, the thickness of the glass panel and the spider arm cavities on the structural performance of a spider connector produced by one of the market-leading manufacturers. Therefore, a parametric finite element analysis is performed, where four alternative versions of the spider are constructed, in addition to the reference version, using ANSYS software program. The numerical model of the reference spider is verified against experimental data from the manufacturer of the structural spider connector. A total number of twelve case studies that consist of different combinations of spiders and glass’ thickness are examined, five for the façade and seven for the floor glazing system. The focus of the numerical investigation is placed on the spider itself and the results of the parametric finite element analysis are presented and discussed. The effectiveness of having core cavities and hollowed-out arms in spiders is proven. The use of stronger but heavier spiders is an acceptable alternative if they are connected to larger glass panels that results in reducing the number of spiders without increasing significantly the total weight of the glazing system.