Purpose Predictive current control (PCC) of three-to-five-phase direct matrix converters (DMCs) is computationally expensive. For this reason, this study aims to consider a reduced number of switching states of DMC in PCC algorithm to predict the control objectives, such as output current control and input reactive power control. Design/methodology/approach The switching sequences which yield the voltage vectors of variable amplitude at a constant frequency in space are considered for the prediction and optimization step of PCC algorithm. For the selected voltage vectors, the phase angles of the output vectors are independent on the phase angles of the input vectors. In a three-to-five-phase DMC, there are 243 valid switching states. Among the switching states, only 91 states are considered using the aforementioned concept of variable amplitude output at a constant frequency. This reduced number of switching states simplifies the computational complexity of MPC based current control of three-to-five-phase DMC. Findings The computational complexity of the proposed PCC based DMC is lower than the all 243 vectors based PCC. The current total harmonic distortion, transient current response and input reactive power control for the simplified 91 vector based PCC are similar to the all 243 vectors based PCC. Originality/value A reduced number of switching sequence is considered for the prediction and optimization step of PCC algorithm. Hence, PCC algorithm can be sampled at a high frequency in real-time applications. Then, the performance of the PCC will be improved.

PurposeA computational fluid dynamics based parametric analysis for shell and helical tube heat exchanger (SHTHE) using CuO/water and Al2O3/water nanofluids is the main purpose of the present work. The parameters having impact on the performance of a heat exchanger have been studied in depth. As the solid nanoparticle shows higher thermal conductivity compared to liquid particles, inclusion of this nanoparticle into the base fluid significantly enhances the thermal conductivity of the liquid. Incorporation of nanofluid in the heat exchanger can increase its performance.Design/methodology/approachThe simulation is performed in Solid-Works flow simulation, and the performance of SHTHE is observed by varying the pitch of helical tube from 0.013 to 0.018 m and coil diameter from 0.0813 to 0.116 m, keeping the other parameters constant. The tube side and shell side flow rate is kept as 2 LPM.FindingsThe results indicate that the effectiveness of the heat exchanger increases with the increase of pitch and coil diameter. The maximum effectiveness of 0.5022 for CuO/water and 0.4928 for Al2O3/water nanofluid is observed at a pitch of 0.018 m and the coil diameter of 0.116 m.Originality/valueIt is observed that CuO/water nanofluid shows better performance compared with Al2O3/water nanofluid. For a coil diameter of 0.116 m and pitch of 0.018 m, the SHTHE with CuO/water nanofluid shows 1.82% greater effectiveness compared to the effectiveness with Al2O3/water nanofluid.

PurposeThe ultra-thin white topping (UTW) is a cement concrete overlay of the thickness of 50–100 mm on bituminous concrete pavements with surface failures. This is a long-lasting solution without having short-term failures. This paper aims to design an ultra-thin cement concrete overlay using a developed critical stress model with sustainable concrete materials for low-volume roads.Design/methodology/approachIn this research paper, a parametric study was conducted using the ultra-thin concrete overlay finite element model developed with ANSYS software, considering the significant parameters affecting the performance and development. The non-linear regression equation was formed using a damped least-squares method to predict critical stress due to the corner load of 51 kN.FindingsThe parametric study results indicate that with a greater elastic modulus of bituminous concrete, granular layer along with 100 mm thickness of concrete layer reduces the critical corner stress, interface shear stress in a significant way responsible for debonding of concrete overlay, elastic strains in the pavement further the concrete overlay can bear infinite load repetitions. From validation, it is understood that the non-linear regression equation developed is acceptable with similar research work done.Originality/valueFrom the semi-scale experimental study, it is observed that the quaternary blended sustainable concrete overlay having a high modulus of rupture of 6.34 MPa is competent with conventional cement concrete overlay in terms of failure load. So, concrete overlay with sustainable materials of 100 mm thickness and higher elastic modulus of the layers can perform in a sustainable way meeting the environmental and long-term performance requirements.

PurposeContinuum robots modeling, be it from a hard or soft class, is giving rise to several challenges compared with rigid robots. These challenges are mainly due to kinematic redundancy, dynamic nonlinearity and high flexibility. This paper aims initially at designing a hard class of continuum robots, namely, cable-driven continuum robot (CDCR) and equally at developing their kinematic and dynamic models.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the CDCR prototype is constructed, and its description is made. Second, kinematic models are established based on the constant curvature assumption and inextensible bending section. Third, by using the Lagrange method, the dynamic model is derived under some simplifications and based on the kinematic equations, in which the flexible backbone’s elasticity modulus was identified experimentally. Finally, the static model of the CDCR is also derived based on the dynamic model.FindingsNumerical examples are carried out using Matlab software to verify the static and dynamic models. Moreover, the static model is validated by comparing the simulation’s results to the real measurements that have been provided with satisfactory results.Originality/valueTo reduce the complexity of the dynamic model’s expressions and avoid the numerical singularity when the bending angle is close to zero, some simplifications have been taken, especially for the kinetic energy terms, by using the nonlinear functions approximation. Hence, the main advantage of this analytical-approximate solution is that it can be applied in the bending angle that ranges up to 2p with reasonable errors, unlike the previously proposed techniques. Furthermore, the resulting dynamic model has, to some extent, the proprieties of simplicity, accuracy and fast computation time. Ultimately, the obtained results from the simulations and real measurements demonstrate that the considered CDCR’s static and dynamic models are feasible.

PurposeThis study aims to focus on the effect of hall currents on the thermal stability of a couple-stress fluid with a uniform horizontal magnetic field.Design/methodology/approachThe thermal perturbation method is used for the analytical solution. The analysis is administered within the framework of linear stability theory and normal mode technique on the convection for a fluid layer contained between two boundaries for which an exact solution is obtained.FindingsFor the case of stationary convection, a dispersion relation governing the effect of hall currents magnetic field and couple stress are derived. Results from the current study concluded that magnetic field has stabilizing effect whereas hall currents are found to have a destabilizing effect on the system. Couple stress, however, has a dual character in contrast to its stabilizing effect in the absence of hall currents. The Oscillatory modes are introduced due to the presence of a magnetic field in the system. Graphs are plotted by giving numerical values to the parameters to depict the stability characteristics in each case.Originality/valueThis research paper is new and original.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effects of fragment impacts to shaped charge warheads in terms of shaped charge jet formation geometries and penetration performances. Design/methodology/approach In experimental process, a fragment was accelerated to a shaped charge warhead by means of a powder gun to a velocity more than 1,000 m/s, and this impact led to conical damage in the explosive of the warhead. Deformation on the warhead was visualized using X-ray technique to observe holes generated during fragment impact. Penetration test was performed against AISI 1040 steel plates with the damaged shaped charge warhead. Penetration performance of shaped charge jet, which deviated from the symmetry axis, was simulated by using SPEED software with 3-D Eulerian method to validate the numerical modelling method by comparing penetration test and simulation results of damaged warhead. Findings Simulation and test results showed good correlation for the warhead in terms of penetration depth and hole geometry at the impact surface of steel plates. In addition, the effects of the numbers and the geometries of fragment holes on shaped charge jet penetration performances were investigated with validated numerical methods. Simulation results showed that the increase in the number of fragment holes in the explosive of the warhead led to particulation of shaped charge jet that diminished penetration depth in the target plate. Additionally, simulation results also showed that the fragment hole geometry in the explosive after different fragment impact angles affected the amount of jet deviation from the symmetry axis as well as penetration depth in the target plate. Practical implications The results obtained from the current study revealed that fragment impact angle and different number of fragment impact reduced the penetration performance of shaped charge warhead by influencing the symmetry of shaped charge jet negatively. Originality/value The current study fulfils the need to investigate how fragment impact on the shaped charge warhead affect the formation symmetry of shaped charge jet as well as penetration performance by experimental and numerical methods. Penetration performance result of asymmetric jet is compared by experimental and numerical studies. A detailed methodology on numerically modelling of the effect of fragment impact angle and number of fragment impact on shaped charge jet performance is given in this study.

Purpose This research presents a design method for designing greenhouse structures based on topology optimization. Moreover, the structural design of a gothic greenhouse is proposed in which its structural strength has been improved by using this proposed method. In this method, the design of the structure is done mathematically; therefore, in the design process, more attention can be focused on the constraint space and boundary conditions. It was also shown how the static reliability and fatigue coefficients will change as a result of the design of the greenhouse structure with this method. Another purpose of this study is to find the weakest part of the greenhouse structure against lateral winds and other general loads on the greenhouse structure. Design/methodology/approach In the proposed method, the outer surface and the allowable volume as a constraint domain were considered. The desired loads can be located on the constraint domain. The topology optimization was used to minimize the mass and structural compliance as the objective function. The obtained volume was modified for simplifying the construction. The changes in the shape of the greenhouse structure were investigated by choosing three different penalty numbers for the topology optimization algorithm. The final design of the proposed structure was performed based on the total simultaneous critical loads on the structure. The results of the proposed method were compared in the order of different volume fractions. This showed that the volume fraction approach can significantly reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining its strength and stability. Findings Topology optimization results showed different strut and chords composition because of the changes in maximum mass limit and volume fraction. The results showed that the fatigue was more hazardous, and it decreased the strength of structure nearly three times more than a static analysis. Further, it was noticed that how the penalty numbers can affect topology optimization results. An optimal design based on topology optimization results was presented to improve the proposed greenhouse design against destruction and demolition. Furthermore, this study shows the most sensitive part of the greenhouse against the standard loads of wind, snow, and crop. Originality/value The obtained designs were compared with a conventional arch greenhouse, and then the structural performances were shown based on standard loads. The results showed that in designing the proposed structure, the optimized changes increased the structure strength against the standard loads compared to a simple arch greenhouse. Moreover, the stress safety factor and fatigue safety factor because of different designs of this structure were also compared with each other.

PurposeScarcity in the construction aggregates necessitated the use of suitable alternative materials such as recycled aggregates. However, the higher porosity of recycled aggregates due to the presence of adhered mortar affects its quality resulting in limited utilization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of Bacillus subtilis to enhance the properties of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA). The strains of the bacterial species were collected from the Gene bank, Chandigarh, and cultured to 105 cells/ml to treat the RCA.Design/methodology/approachThe concrete mixtures are prepared with 0%, 50% and 100% of treated and untreated RCA by mortar mixing approach. The concrete specimens are tested for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and elastic modulus at 7, 14 and 28 days, respectively.FindingsMicrobial treatment to RCAs increased the weight of the aggregate and decreased the water absorption of the aggregates. The optimal replacement of RCA was observed to be 50% and the strength of the concrete with 50% of treated RCA was comparable to the normal aggregate concrete. The CaCO3 precipitation by bacterial species fills the pores on the RCA and thus increasing the strength of the concrete.Originality/valueThe originality of the research is to produce concrete with waste recycled aggregate treated by bacteria to overcome the problem of scarcity in construction materials.

PurposeThis study is part of the valorization of local materials and the reuse of industrial waste in construction. This study aims to improve the physical-mechanical properties of sand concrete. This work is a continuation of previous studies conducted on sand concrete, the purpose of which is to introduce industrial waste into this material. For this purpose, a glass waste in powder form is added.Design/methodology/approachThis study is focused on the effect of adding glass powder (GP) whose mass percentage varies from 0 to 40% with an interval of 10% to target the right composition that ensures the best compromise between the characteristics studied.FindingsThe results found show that the workability and density of the studied concretes decreased with increasing GP dosage. Indeed, the optimal addition which constitutes the best compromise between the studied properties is 10% of GP. Improvements of up to about 9% in the case of flexural strength and about 18% in the case of compressive strength. The thermal conductivity has been reduced by 12.74%, the thermal diffusivity which characterizes the notion of thermal inertia has been reduced by about 4% and the specific heat mass has been reduced by 7.80%. Also, the shrinkage has been reduced by about 20%. The microstructure of the studied composite shows a good homogeneity between the aggregates. Finally, the addition of GP to sand concrete gives very encouraging results.Originality/valueThe interest of this study is in two parts. The first one is the exploitation of local materials: dune sand, river sand and limestone filler to meet the growing demand for construction materials. And the second one is the reuse of glass waste, in the form of powder (GP), to solve the environmental problem. All this participates in the improvement of the physical-mechanical properties of sand concrete and the extent of its response to the development of an economical structural concrete.

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the effect of fin geometry on mechanisms of flow induced vibration. Finned tube arrays are used in a heat exchanger to increase its efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effect of geometric parameters of the fin fluid elastic instability and vortex shedding. In this paper, the effect of fin height, fin density and tube pitch ratio for parallel triangular tube array on fluid elastic instability and vortex shedding is analyzed.Design/methodology/approachExperimental analysis was carried out on a parallel triangular finned tube array with a pitch ratio of 1.79 subjected to water crossflow. The experimentation aims to study fluid elastic instability and vortex-induced vibration mechanism responsible for flow induced vibration for finned tube array. A fully flexible finned tube array of the copper tube was used with its base diameter of 19.05 mm and thickness of 2 mm. Over the tube surface, crimped fins of height 6 mm and the same material are welded spirally with fin density 8.47 mm and 2.82 mm. Experimental analysis was carried out on a test setup developed for the same. The results obtained for the finned tube array were compared with those for the plain tube array with the same base tube diameter.FindingsFor parallel triangular tube array of copper material, test results show that critical velocity increases with an increase in fin pitch density for low pitch tube array. Before the occurrence of instability, the rate of growth in tube vibrations is high for plain tubes compared to that with fin tubes. The results based on Owen’s hypothesis show vortex shedding before the occurrence of fluid elastic instability. The effect of fin geometry on vortex-induced forces is analyzed. For the tube array pattern understudy, the values of Conner’s constant K for coarse fin-tube and fine fin tube array are obtained, respectively, 6.14 and 7.25.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills the need for research on the effect of fin geometry on fluid elastic instability and Vortex shedding on a tube array subjected to water cross flow when the pitch ratio is less than two, i.e. with a low pitch ratio.