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This study aims to propose a new non-isolated Multi-Input Zeta-SEPIC (MIZS) dc–dc converter for renewable energy sources integration with different voltage levels (low-voltage source, high-voltage source). The chosen configuration of the converter is capable of performing bucking as well as boosting operations in various modes of operation.

Parameters of the selected MIZS converter are designed using the time-domain analysis. The selected converter belongs to the sixth-order family with two switches and six energy storage elements. State-space model of the converter is developed for each mode of operation, and using these individual state-space models, an average state-space model of the converter useful to carry out detailed analysis for different operating conditions is developed. Analysis related to operational stability of the converter is also carried out using Participation Factor (PaF)-based Eigen value analysis.

Using the PaF-based Eigen analysis, participation of the various state variables in different Eigen modes and vice versa is carried out. Performance of the converter for different parameter variations in the allowable range is determined and the same has been used to find the operational stability of the converter under different modes of operation. The selected converter has low inductor ripple currents and output voltage ripples when delivering the power to load.

Because operational stability of the converter under various operating conditions is one of the key performance indicators for selecting a particular type of converter, PaF-based Eigen value analysis has been carried out using the average state-space model developed for the selected MIZS converter. Operational stability analysis of the converter is carried out for parameter variations also. In addition, participation of the various states in each Eigen mode and vice versa have been analyzed for designed parameter values and also variation within the specified range of variations.

The kinematic response (including plastic deformation, failure initiation and fracture) of a soft‐skinned vehicle (represented by a F800 series single‐unit truck) to the detonation of a landmine shallow‐buried in (either dry or saturated sand) underneath the vehicle’s front right wheel is analyzed computationally. The computational analysis included the interactions of the gaseous detonation products and the sand ejecta with the vehicle and the transient non‐linear dynamics response of the vehicle. A frequency analysis of the pressure versus time signals and visual observation clearly show the differences in the blast loads resulting from the landmine detonation in dry and saturated sand as well as the associated kinematic response of the vehicle. It is noted that the dominant vehicle structural response to the blast is similar to the first torsional structural mode shape obtained through an eigenvalue analysis of the system. Tailoring the vehicle modal response may result in more desirable modes of failure.

The purpose of this paper is to mainly review the state-of-the-art developments in the field of hydrodynamics of offshore pipelines, identifying the key tools for analysis of pipeline free spans, their applications, their qualifying characteristics and capabilities and limitations.

These different analytical, numerical and semi-empirical tools available for predicting such hydrodynamic loads and their effects include VIVANA, PIPESIN, VIVSIM, SIMULATOR, FATFREE, amongst others. Inherent in these models are current effects, wave effects and/ or pipe–soil interactions.

Amongst these models, the most attention was given to the new VIVANA model because this model take into account the vortex-induced effects with respect to free-spanning pipelines (which have dominant effect in the span analysis in deep water) better than other semi-empirical models (such as Shear 7). Recent improvements in VIVANA include its ability to have arbitrary variation in speed and direction of current, as well as the ability for calculation of pure IL and combined IL-CF response. Improvements in fatigue assessments at free spans, i.e. pipe–soil interaction have been achieved through the combined frequency domain and non-linear time domain analysis methodology adopted. Semi-empirical models are still the de facto currently used in the design of free-spanning pipelines. However, there is need for further research on free-span hydrodynamic coefficients and on how in-line and cross-flow vibrations interact. Again, there is still the challenge due to VIV complexity in fully understanding the fluid structure interaction problem, as there is no consolidated procedure for its analysis. It has been observed that there is large scatter between the different codes adopted in the prediction of fatigue damage, as there lacks full-scale test data devoted to determination/validation of the coefficients used in the semi-empirical models. A case study of the preliminary design of a typical 48 in. pipeline has been presented in this study to demonstrate the use of the free-span analysis tool, DNV RP F105. Excel spreadsheet has been applied in the execution of formulas.

This review paper is the first of its kind to study the state-of-the-art development in pipeline free-span analysis models and demonstrate the use of analysis tool, DNV for MAFSL calculation. Hence, information obtained from this paper would be invaluable in assisting designers both in the industry and academia.

Hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes large eddy simulation (RANS-LES) methods have become popular for simulation of massively separated flows at high Reynolds numbers due to their reduced computational cost and good accuracy. The current study aims to examine the performance of LES and hybrid RANS-LES model for a given grid resolution.

For better assessment and contrast of model performance, both mean and instantaneous flow fields have been investigated. For studying instantaneous flow, proper orthogonal decomposition has been used.

Current analysis shows that hybrid RANS-LES is capable of achieving similar accuracy in prediction of both mean and instantaneous flow fields at a very coarse grid as compared to LES.

Focusing mostly on the practical applications of computation, most of the attention has been given to the prediction of one-point flow statistics and little consideration has been put to two-point statistics. Here, two-point statistics has been considered using POD to investigate unsteady turbulent flow.

The design of microwave circuits requires detailed knowledge on the electromagnetic properties of the transmission lines used. This can be obtained by applying Maxwell’s equations to a longitudinally homogeneous waveguide structure, which results in an eigenvalue problem for the propagation constant. Special attention is paid to the so‐called perfectly matched layer boundary conditions (PML). Using the finite integration technique we get an algebraic formulation. The finite volume of the PML introduces additional modes that are not an intrinsic property of the waveguide. In the presence of losses or absorbing boundary conditions the matrix of the eigenvalue problem is complex. A method which avoids the computation of all eigenvalues is presented in an effort to find the few propagating modes one is interested in. This method is an extension of a solver presented by the authors in a previous paper which analyses the lossless case. Using mapping relations between the planes of eigenvalues and propagation constants a strip in the complex plane is determined containing the desired propagation constants and some that correspond to the PML modes. In an additional step the PML modes are eliminated.The numerical effort of the presented method is reduced considerably compared to a full calculation of all eigenvalues.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and explain how distinct approaches to coping with complexity vary in their effectiveness. The different strategies are evaluated as to their respective capabilities of absorbing complexity. Virtuous versus vicious approaches are distinguished.

Based on two basic formulas for the calculation of variety, a measure of complexity, sensitivity analyses for different strategies are carried out. Recommendations for the how of coping with complexity are derived logically.

Strategies based on increasing the repertory of behaviour through enhancing the potential states of the elements (component agents) in a system are superior to strategies which pursue an increase in the number of elements.

The imperative to increase the repertory of behaviour and to avoid responses to complexity through complication constitute an approach that leads to an overshoot of eigen‐complexity and consequently to inefficiencies or ineffectiveness.

This contribution sheds light on misinterpretations of Ashby's law of requisite variety. The insights derived from the analysis can help real‐life organizations to avoid failures and reap substantial strategic advantages.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze, computationally, the kinematic response (including large‐scale rotation and deformation, buckling, plastic yielding, failure initiation, fracture and fragmentation) of a pick‐up truck to the detonation of a landmine (shallow‐buried in one of six different soils, i.e. either sand, clay‐laden sand or sandy gravel, each in either dry or water‐saturated conditions, and detonated underneath the vehicle) using ANSYS/Autodyn, a general‐purpose transient non‐linear dynamics analysis software.

The computational analysis, using ANSYS/Autodyn, a general‐purpose transient non‐linear dynamics analysis software, included the interactions of the gaseous detonation products and the sand ejecta with the vehicle and the transient non‐linear dynamics response of the vehicle.

The results obtained clearly show the differences in the blast loads resulting from the landmine detonation in dry and saturated sand, as well as the associated kinematic response of the vehicle. It was also found that the low frequency content of the blast loads which can match the whole‐vehicle eigen modes is quite small so that resonance plays a minor role in the kinematic/ballistic response of the vehicle. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that mine blast analytical loading functions which are often used in transient non‐linear dynamic analyses have limited value when used in the analyses of a complete vehicle.

This is the first time that the kinematic response of a pick‐up truck to the detonation of a shallow‐buried landmine (using a full‐scale/complete model) has been analyzed computationally.

The objective of this paper is to investigate numerically the buckling behavior of submersible composite cylinders.

By means of FEM and golden section method, the search of hoop winding layers, longitudinal winding layers and helical winding layers are studied to optimize the buckling pressure. Considering the mid-strengthening cylinder, the size and distribution of stiffeners are studied systematically.

The results show that laying the hoop winding layers in the two outer sidewalls and the longitudinal winding layers in the middle of the shell is helpful to increase the buckling pressure, and the optimal helical winding angle changes with slenderness ratio.

For mid-strengthening cylinder, the effect of helical winding angle of stiffener on buckling pressure becomes weak gradually with the increase of stiffener thickness. With the increasing of the spacing between stiffeners, the buckling pressure increases first and decreases later. What is more, the mid-strengthening cylinder is less sensitive to the initial geometric imperfections than unstiffened shells.

The purpose of this paper is to present a simulation method applied for investigation of helicopter ground resonance phenomenon.

The considered physical model of helicopter standing on ground with rotating rotor consists of fuselage and main transmission gear treated as stiff bodies connected by elastic elements. The fuselage is supported on landing gear modeled by spring-damper units. The main rotor blades are treated as set of elastic axes with lumped masses distributed along blade radius. Due to Galerkin method, parameters of blades motion are assumed as a combination of bending and torsion eigen modes. A Runge–Kutta method is applied to solve equations of motions of rotor blades and helicopter fuselage.

The presented simulation method may be applied in preliminary stage of helicopter design to avoid ground resonance by proper selection of landing gear units and blade damper characteristics.

Ground resonance may occur in form of violently increasing mutual oscillations of helicopter fuselage and lead-lag motion of rotor blades. According to changes of stiffness and damping characteristics, simulations show stable behavior or arising oscillations of helicopter. The effects of different blade balance or defect of blade damper are predicted.

The simulation method may help to determine the envelope of safe operation of helicopter in phase of take-off or landing. The effects of additional disturbances as results of blades pitch control as swashplate deflection are introduced.

The electromagnetic properties of microwave transmission lines can be described using Maxwell’s equations in the frequency domain. Applying a finite‐volume scheme results in an algebraic eigenvalue problem. In this paper an improved numerical computation of the eigenmodes is presented. Avoids the time‐ and memory‐consuming computation of all eigenvalues in order to calculate a selected set of propagation constants using an iterative method that is carried out twice. The numerical effort and the storage requirements can be reduced considerably.