• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.3913-3934
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• 2021

Real-time prediction of Web service of quality (QoS) provides more convenience for web services in cloud environment, but real-time QoS prediction faces severe challenges, especially under the cold-start situation. Existing literatures of real-time QoS predicting ignore that the QoS of a user/service is related to the QoS of other users/services. For example, users/services belonging to the same group of category will have similar QoS values. All of the methods ignore the group relationship because of the complexity of the model. Based on this, we propose a real-time Matrix Factorization based Clustering model (MFC), which uses category information as a new regularization term of the loss function. Specifically, in order to meet the real-time characteristic of the real-time prediction model, and to minimize the complexity of the model, we first map the QoS values of a large number of users/services to a lower-dimensional space by the PCA method, and then use the K-means algorithm calculates user/service category information, and use the average result to obtain a stable final clustering result. Extensive experiments on real-word datasets demonstrate that MFC outperforms other state-of-the-art prediction algorithms.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2022

Welding is a significant part of the construction industry. Since most high-rise building construction structures rely on a robust metal frame welded together, welding defect can damage welded structures and is critical to safety and quality. Despite its importance and heavy usage in construction, the labor shortage of welders has been a continuous challenge to the construction industry. To deal with the labor shortage, the ultimate goal of this study is to design and develop an automated robotic welding system composed of a welding machine, unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), robotic arm, and visual sensors. This paper proposes and focuses on automated weaving using the robotic arm. For automated welding operation, a microcontroller is used to control the switch and is added to a welding torch by physically modifying the hardware. Varying weave patterns are mathematically programmed. The automated weaving is tested using a brush pen and a ballpoint pen to clearly see the patterns and detect any changes in vertical forces by the arm during weaving. The results show that the weave patterns have sufficiently high consistency and precision to be used in the actual welding. Lastly, actual welding was performed, and the results are presented.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

For long underground box utility tunnels, post-tensioned precast concrete is often used. Between precast tunnel segments, sealed waterproof flexible joints are often specified. Fault displacement can lead to excessive deformation of the joints, which can lead to reduction in waterproofing due to diminished contact pressure between the sealant strip and the tunnel segment. This paper authenticates utilization of a finite element model for a prefabricated tunnel fault-crossing founded on ABAQUS software. In addition, material parameter selection, contact setting and boundary condition are reviewed. Analyzed under normal fault action are: the influence of fault displacement; buried depth; soil friction coefficient, and angle of crossing at the fault plane. In addition, distribution characteristics of the utility tunnel structure for vertical and longitudinal/horizontal relative displacement at segmented interface for the top and bottom slab are analyzed. It is found that the effect of increase in fault displacement on the splice joint deformation is significant, whereas the effects of changes in burial depth, pipe-soil friction coefficient and fault-crossing angle on the overall tunnel and joint deformations were not so significant.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 2023

This paper examines a high-speed railway CRTS-II ballastless track-bridge system. Using the stationary potential energy theory, the mapping analytical solution between the bridge deformation and the rail vertical geometric irregularity was derived. A theoretical model (TM) considering the nonlinear stiffness of interlayer components was also proposed. By comparing with finite element model results and the measured field data, the accuracy of the TM was verified. Based on the TM, the effect of bridge deformation amplitude, girder end cantilever length, and interlayer nonlinear stiffness (fastener, cement asphalt mortar layer (CA mortar layer), extruded sheet, etc.) on the rail vertical geometric irregularity were analyzed. Results show that the rail vertical deformation extremum increases with increasing bridge deformation amplitude. The girder end cantilever length has a certain influence on the rail vertical geometric irregularity. The fastener and CA mortar layer have basically the same influence on the rail deformation amplitude. The extruded sheet and shear groove influence the rail geometric irregularity significantly, and the influence is basically the same. The influence of the shear rebar and lateral block on the rail vertical geometric irregularity could be negligible.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.426-431
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• 2011

The quality of performance evaluation on engineering consultants that provide design-related technical services is difficult to be measured, and only a handful of papers discussed the quality during the design stage. Although design cost is relatively far less than construction cost for a project, the decisions made in the design phase have a significant impact on the final products of the project, especially for large public construction projects. Therefore, this research focuses on reviewing and then establishing a performance evaluation framework for the consulting firms that execute detailed design and provide technical services for the Taipei Rapid Transit Systems (TRTS). By interviewing experts, this study first established a set of indicators to evaluate these firms' performance. Then, those indicators were incorporated into the four aspects of balanced scorecard (BSC) to establish the architecture of the evaluation mechanism. The weight of each indicator was calculated by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) from a survey conducted among experts. The results showed that the top-three indicators were quantity take-off, functions conformity, and budgeting. The framework of performance evaluation established by this study can be applied to measure service performance during the design stage. It not only facilitates the monitoring of consulting firms, but also helps to reduce unnecessary change orders and disputes during the construction stage.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.89-105
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• 2024

Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method has exhibited broad application prospects in the nondestructive detection of interfacial debonding in steel-concrete composite structures (SCCS). However, due to the structural diversity of SCCS and the high stealthiness of interfacial debonding defects, the feasibility of MASW method needs to be investigated in depth. In this study, synthetic parametric study on MASW nondestructive debonding detection for SCCSs is performed. The aim is to quantitatively analyze influential factors with respect to structural composition of SCCS and MASW measurement mode. First, stress wave composition and propagation process in SCCS are studied utilizing 2D numerical simulation. For structural composition in SCCS, the thickness variation of steel plate, concrete core, and debonding defects are discussed. To determine the most appropriate sensor arrangement for MASW measurement, the effects of spacing and number of observation points, along with distances between excitation points, nearest boundary, as well as the first observation point, are analyzed individually. The influence of signal type and frequency of transient excitation on dispersion figures from forwarding analysis is studied to determine the most suitable excitation signal. The findings from this study can provide important theoretical guidance for MASW-based interfacial debonding detection for SCCS. Furthermore, they can be instrumental in optimizing both the sensor layout design and signal choice for experimental validation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.353-369
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• 2020

Eight cold-formed thin-walled steel beams were performed to investigate the effect of corrosion damage on the flexural behavior of steel beams. The relationships between failure modes or load-displacement curves and corrosion degree of steel beams were investigated. A series of parametric analysis with more than forty finite element models were also performed with different corrosion degrees, types and locations. The results showed that the reduction of cross-section thickness as well as corrosion pits on the surface would lead to a decline in the stiffness and flexural capacity of steel beams, and gradually intensified with the corrosion degree. The yield load, ultimate load and critical buckling load of the corroded specimen IV-B46-4 decreased by 22.2%, 26% and 45%, respectively. The failure modes of steel beams changed from strength failure to stability failure or brittle fracture with the corrosion degree increasing. In addition, thickness damage and corrosion pits at different locations caused the degradation of flexural capacity, the worst of which was the thickness damage of compression zone. Finally, the method for calculating flexural capacity of corroded cold-formed thin-walled steel beams was also proposed based on experimental investigation and numerical analysis results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.611-625
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• 2020

Experimental investigation and finite element analysis of corroded cold-formed steel (CFS) columns are presented. 11 tensile coupon specimens and 6 stub columns of corroded CFS that had a channel section of C160x60x20 were subjected to monotonic tensile tests and axial compression tests, respectively. The degradation laws of the mechanical properties of the tensile coupon specimens and stub columns were analysed. An appropriate finite element model for the corroded CFS columns was proposed and the influence of local corrosion on the stability performance of the columns was studied by finite element analysis. Finally, the axial capacity of the experimental results was compared with the predictions obtained from the existing design specifications. The results indicated that with an increasing average thickness loss ratio, the ultimate strength, elastic modulus and yield strength decreased for the tensile coupon specimens. Local buckling deformation was not noticeable until the load reached about 90% of the ultimate load for the non-corroded columns, while local buckling deformation was observed when the load was only 40% of the ultimate load for the corroded columns. The maximum reduction of the ultimate load and critical buckling load was 57% and 81.7%, respectively, compared to those values for the non-corroded columns. The ultimate load of the columns with web thickness reduced by 2 mm was 53% lower than that of the non-corroded columns, which indicates that web corrosion most significantly affects the bearing capacity of the columns with localized corrosion. The results predicted using the design specifications of MOHURD were more accurate than those predicted using the design specifications of AISI.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.205-214
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• 2017

The Hydraulically driven test system and ${\Phi}100mm$ split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) test device were employed to research the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of concrete specimens which has been immersed for 60 days in sodium sulfate (group S1) and sodium chloride (group S2) solution, the evolution of their mass during corrosive period was explored at the same time, and the mechanism of performances lost was analyzed from the microscopic level by using scanning electron microscope. Results of the experimental indicated that: their law of mass both presents the trend of continuous rising during corrosive period, and it increases rapidly on the early days, the mass growth of group S1 and group S2 in first 7 days are 76.78% and 82.82% of their total increment respectively; during the corrosive period, the quasi-static compressive strength of specimens in two groups are significantly decreased, both of which present the trend of increase first and then decrease, the maximum growth rate of group S1 and group S2 are 7.52% and 12.71% respectively, but they are only 76.23% and 82.84% of specimens which under normal environment (group N) on day 60; after immersed for 60 days, there were different decrease to dynamic compressive strength and specific energy absorption, and so as their strain rate sensitivities. So the high salinity environment has a significant effect of weaken the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical performance of concrete.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.438-445
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• 2009

We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell lines treated with acetaminophen (APAP) in order to compare in vivo and in vitro profiles and to assess the feasibility of the two systems. During our analyses of gene expression profiles, we picked up several down-regulated genes, such as the cytochrome P450 family 51 (Cyp51), sulfotransferase family cytosolic 1C member 2 (Sult1c2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase 1 (Hmgcs1), and several genes that were up-regulated by APAP, such as growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 alpha (Gadd45a), transformation related protein 53 inducible nuclear protein 1 (Trp53inp1) and zinc finger protein 688 (Zfp688). For validation of gene function, synthesized short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for these genes were transfected in a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2, for investigation of cell viability and mRNA expression level. We found that siRNA transfection of these genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression and decreased cell viability. siRNA transfection for Cyp51 and others induced morphological alterations, such as membrane thickening and nuclear condensation. Taken together, siRNA transfection of these six genes decreased cell viability and induced alteration in cellular morphology, along with effective inhibition of respective mRNA, suggesting that these genes could be associated with APAP-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity, for better understanding of its mechanism.