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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 15 November 2021

Wei Xiao, Enlong Liu, Xiao Yin, Guike Zhang, Chong Zhang and Qihao Yu

The purpose of this paper is to perform the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) numerical analysis in order to study the thawing process for frozen soil and to predict the thawing…

267

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) numerical analysis in order to study the thawing process for frozen soil and to predict the thawing settlement.

Design/methodology/approach

A new one-dimensional multi-field physical coupled model was proposed here to describe the thawing process of saturated frozen soil, whereby the void ratio varied linearly with effective stress (Eq. 10) and hydraulic conductivity (Eq. 27b). The thawing process was simulated with different initial and boundary conditions in an open system with temperature variations. The mechanical behavior and water migration of the representative cases were also investigated.

Findings

The comparisons of representative cases with experimental data demonstrated that the model predicts thawing settlement well. It was found that the larger temperature gradient, higher overburden pressure and higher water content could lead to larger thawing settlement. The temperature was observed that to distribute height linearly in both frozen zone and unfrozen zone of the sample. Water migration forced to a decrease in the water content of the unfrozen zone and an increase in water content at the thawing front.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, only the one-directional thawing processes along the frozen soil samples were investigated numerically and compared with test results, which can be extended to two-dimensional analysis of thawing process in frozen soil.

Originality/value

This study helps to understand the thawing process of frozen soil by coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical simulation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 May 2024

Xiaohu Wen, Xiangkang Cao, Xiao-ze Ma, Zefan Zhang and Zehua Dong

The purpose of this paper was to prepare a ternary hierarchical rough particle to accelerate the anti-corrosive design for coastal concrete infrastructures.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to prepare a ternary hierarchical rough particle to accelerate the anti-corrosive design for coastal concrete infrastructures.

Design/methodology/approach

A kind of micro-nano hydrophobic ternary microparticles was fabricated from SiO2/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and recycled concrete powders (RCPs), which was then mixed with sodium silicate and silane to form an inorganic slurry. The slurry was further sprayed on the concrete surface to construct a superhydrophobic coating (SHC). Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mappings demonstrate that the nano-sized SiO2 has been grafted on the sub-micron HNTs and then further adhered to the surface of micro-sized RCP, forming a kind of superhydrophobic particles (SiO2/HNTs@RCP) featured of abundant micro-nano hierarchical structures.

Findings

The SHC surface presents excellent superhydrophobicity with the water contact angle >156°. Electrochemical tests indicate that the corrosion rate of mild steel rebar in coated concrete reduces three-order magnitudes relative to the uncoated one in 3.5% NaCl solution. Water uptake and chloride ion (Cl-) diffusion tests show that the SHC exhibits high H2O and Cl- ions barrier properties thanks to the pore-sealing and water-repellence properties of SiO2/HNTs@RCP particles. Furthermore, the SHC possesses considerable mechanical durability and outstanding self-cleaning ability.

Originality/value

SHC inhibits water uptake, Cl- diffusion and rebar corrosion of concrete, which will promote the sustainable application of concrete waste in anti-corrosive concrete projects.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 71 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Poverty and Prosperity
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-987-4

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2007

Xiao Feng Yin and Li Pheng Khoo

The integration of e‐business and supply chain enables seamless information flow from suppliers to customer service network via the internet. It also enables better‐coordinated…

4071

Abstract

Purpose

The integration of e‐business and supply chain enables seamless information flow from suppliers to customer service network via the internet. It also enables better‐coordinated materials flow from customer order to production, storage, distribution and delivery. The purpose of this paper is to describe the work that leads to the realisation of a hierarchical model for e‐supply chain coordination and optimisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is based on an e‐business information flow network in order to respond rapidly to the dynamics of e‐supply chain and market. It can be used to realize management level strategies, and facilitate the planning and control of detailed operation schedules of supply chain units in an e‐supply chain environment. Three main modules are discussed. They are routing and sequence optimiser (RSO) with the aid of a GA and TS‐based multiple population search strategy (MPSS); supply chain virtual clustering (SCVC) based on fuzzy virtual clustering; and supply chain order scheduling (SCOS) using an agent‐based distributed scheduling system.

Findings

These modules enable: the generation of preferred routings, transportation modes and work order plan under such constraints as customer service level, cycle time and cost; the formation of supply chain's unit‐transportation‐work order families using a clustering approach to down‐size supply chain problems and increase computation efficiency; and the integration of scheduling with supply chain optimisation in order to facilitate the control of a supply chain with the aid of an agent‐based distributed scheduling approach.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a hierarchical model for e‐supply chain coordination and optimisation that is capable to solve large‐scale problems. A MPSS using GA and TS was depicted in detail to expedite the RSO.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2010

Yong‐Ming Tang, Yun Chen, Wen‐Zhong Yang, Xiao‐Shuang Yin, Ying Liu and Jin‐Tang Wang

The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.

Design/methodology/approach

Potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance measurements were carried out on copper in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 containing various concentrations of 2‐TAT, and the effects of temperature were also investigated.

Findings

As an efficient inhibitor, 2‐TAT behaves better in 1 M HCl than in 0.5 M H2SO4. 2‐TAT can be classified as cathodic‐type corrosion inhibitor in 1 M HCl and acts as relatively mixed type in 0.5 M H2SO4. Activation energies in the presence and absence of 2‐TAT were obtained by measuring the temperature independence of corrosion current. Adsorption of the inhibitor on the copper surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Practical implications

This inhibitor could have application in industries where hydrochloric acid solutions are used to remove scale and salts from copper surfaces and may render dismantling unnecessary.

Originality/value

The results from this paper showed that 2‐TAT could be considered as a suitable inhibitor for copper in acidic media.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 57 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 19 July 2024

Krzysztof Borodako, Jadwiga Berbeka and Michał Rudnicki

The aim of the study is to assess the resilience of tourism enterprises in the face of the pandemic crisis and the war in Ukraine. It was achieved on the base of the results of…

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the resilience of tourism enterprises in the face of the pandemic crisis and the war in Ukraine. It was achieved on the base of the results of surveys conducted among Małopolska (Poland) tourism enterprises in the years 2021–2022. The research was conducted using the CAWI technique, it has been collected 517 completed questionnaires. Regression analysis was used to check the relationships between the studied variables. The findings confirm that the surveyed companies react agilely to changing, volatile, uncertain, and complex business conditions. These companies undertook numerous innovative (most often in the scale of the company) solutions in the organisational area. Changes noticed in the behaviour of contractors were also confirmed by constant monitoring of the environment forced by dynamic changes in conditions. Among the factors determining the activities of tourist companies in the context of international factors, one can undoubtedly mention the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine (and thus the energy crisis). The research focuses on the important subject of resilience, organisational changes, and agility in adapting to conditions in the face of volatility and uncertainty in the environment.

Details

Tourism in a VUCA World: Managing the Future of Tourism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-675-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 October 2022

Naïma Aïdi and Nathalie Fabry

This paper aims to give meaning to the smart tourism destination (STD) certification, highlighting its main advantages and limitations. The case of Medellín (Colombia) presents…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to give meaning to the smart tourism destination (STD) certification, highlighting its main advantages and limitations. The case of Medellín (Colombia) presents characteristics worth studying. The city has suffered from stigmatization and has recently started the steps to become an STD with the Spanish company Segittur (December 2020). Thus, this study aims to focus on the implications of the STD process, especially in an area that has been impacted by tourist activity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a qualitative and exploratory case study about Medellín in Colombia and its tourism development in an STD framework. After a theoretical exploration of the STD from an urban perspective, the paper will present a multiple data corpus to analyze the city’s certification process to turn into an STD. This methodology explores stakeholders on the destination, including an observation, and allows us to obtain an overview of the implications of the STD certification for Medellín.

Findings

During the past decade, Medellín passed from a dangerous destination to a trendy destination. Findings reveal interesting results, considering the need to consider all aspects of territory as a central issue for the STD settlement and look beyond a technological approach.

Originality/value

This paper lets to understand better the STD process established by the institution. Moreover, it highlights the gap between the coveted certification to become the first STD in Colombia and the realities of a Latin American territory.

Propósito

Este articulo pretende dar un significado a la certificación de destino turístico inteligente (DTI), destacando sus principales ventajas y limitaciones. El caso de Medellín (Colombia) presenta características relevantes de estudio. La ciudad ha sido ampliamente estigmatizada y recientemente ha iniciado el proceso de certificación para convertirse en destino turístico inteligente con la entidad española Segittur (dic. 2020). Dicho esto, queremos enfocarnos en las implicaciones de este proceso, especialmente en un área que ha sido impactada por la actividad turística.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Este artículo comprende un estudio cualitativo y exploratorio sobre Medellín en Colombia y su desarrollo turístico en un marco de DTI. Luego de una exploración teórica del destino turístico inteligente desde una perspectiva urbana, el artículo presentará un corpus de múltiples datos para analizar el proceso de certificación de la ciudad en su conversión en una DTI. Nuestra metodología explora a los stakeholders sobre el destino, incluyendo una observación, y nos permite obtener una visión general de las implicaciones de la certificación DTI para Medellín.

Hallazgos

Durante la última década, Medellín pasó de ser un destino denominado de alto riesgo a un destino altamente recomendado. Los hallazgos revelan resultados interesantes, mostrando la necesidad de considerar todos los aspectos del territorio como un tema central para el asentamiento del DTI y mirar más allá de un enfoque tecnológico.

Originalidad/Valor

Este trabajo permite tener una mejor comprensión del proceso de DTI establecido por la entidad Segittur. Además, resalta la brecha existente entre la deseada certificación y las realidades de un territorio latinoamericano.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 October 2021

Chengxi Zhang, Peng Dong, Henry Leung, Jin Wu and Kai Shen

This paper aims to investigate the attitude regulation for spacecraft in the presence of time-varying inertia uncertainty and exogenous disturbances.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the attitude regulation for spacecraft in the presence of time-varying inertia uncertainty and exogenous disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

The high gain approaches are typically used in existing researches for theoretical advantages, bringing better performance but sensitive to parameter selection, making the controller conservative. A reset-control policy is presented to achieve the spacecraft attitude control with easy control parameter tuning.

Findings

The reset-control policy guarantees satisfying control performance despite using performance tuning function and saturation function besides reducing the conservativeness of the controller, thus reducing the effort in tuning control parameters.

Originality/value

Notably, the adaptive function owns a reset mechanism, which is reset to a preset condition when the controlled variable crosses zero. The mathematical analysis also shows the system trajectory can converge to a set centered at the origin.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

George K. Stylios

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects…

3702

Abstract

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2003

George K. Stylios

Examines the ninth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects…

1211

Abstract

Examines the ninth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000