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Article
Publication date: 11 March 2016

Xuechun Liu, Ailin Zhang, Xun Zhang and Chen Tian

The purpose of the paper is to provide an optimization algorithm for a large-span suspendome which is a spatial prestressed structure with complex mechanical characteristics. The…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide an optimization algorithm for a large-span suspendome which is a spatial prestressed structure with complex mechanical characteristics. The algorithm optimizes the cable tension, the dimension of components, the shape parameters of structure simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

With the span-to-rise ratio, the length of the strut, the cable tension, the cross-sectional area of the cables and the cross-sectional size of steel members as design variables and the gross mass of entire structure as the objective function, a mathematical optimization method was proposed in the paper based on the hybridization of full stress and particle swarm optimization.

Findings

By using the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm, the coupling problem of the three types of design variables was resolved: the cable tension and the size and shape of the structure were optimized simultaneously for a suspendome. A program was compiled according to this method and was used for a large-span suspendome. The optimization results of the suspendome demonstrates that the method proposed in the paper has the advantages of high efficiency, rapid convergence, and general applicability, which enable it to be used for the optimization of various types of prestressed steel structures.

Originality/value

The optimization program has more general parameters, which can be used to optimize suspendome with different spans, different lattice divisions and different cable-layouts. In addition to the strength of steel and cable, the integral stability of the members, the deformation of the structure and the geometrical and material nonlinearity were considered in this algorithm and program. The optimization result was compared to the design of an actual large-span suspendome engineering project.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2018

Xingyao Ren, Lan Xia and Jiangang Du

The effect of different formats of message delivery has received little theoretical and empirical examination. This research focuses on the effect of written relational…

1616

Abstract

Purpose

The effect of different formats of message delivery has received little theoretical and empirical examination. This research focuses on the effect of written relational communication formats used by service providers. This study aims to answer three questions: Do different formats of written communications (i.e. handwriting and print) influence customer perceptions (i.e. feelings of warmth) of service firms? What are the mediators of these influences (i.e. perceived effort and psychological closeness)? And under what conditions do they occur (i.e. what is the contextual factor)?

Design/methodology/approach

One field study and three laboratory studies were conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of format in written communication.

Findings

Handwritten messages are more effective than print messages in building relationships in a service context because they elicit stronger feelings of warmth because of both the perception of greater effort and feelings of greater psychological closeness to the service provider. However, the presence of handwriting fails to deliver feelings of warmth when the quality of core services is low.

Practical implications

Service providers can effectively use handwritten communication to signal effort and create psychological closeness for relationship building with their key customers only when the quality of core services meets customer expectations.

Originality/value

First, the research differentiates the formats of written relational communication (handwritten vs print), and links communication formats with feelings of warmth, which is an important factor for impression and relationship formation in the practice of services marketing. Second, based on cognitive-experiential self-theory, this research demonstrates the dual mediators underlying the effect of handwriting (vs print) on warmth: perceived effort and psychological closeness. Third, it identifies the quality of core service as a boundary condition for the effect of handwritten communication.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2019

Yan Hong, Xuechun Cao, Yan Chen, Zhijuan Pan, Yu Chen and Xianyi Zeng

The purpose of this paper is to investigate physiological indices related to comfort and health condition, based on which corresponding electronic equipment are selected and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate physiological indices related to comfort and health condition, based on which corresponding electronic equipment are selected and applied. A wearable monitoring system using sensor and liquid crystal display (LCD) techniques are then designed. Sensors are used to collect and transmit recording required signals from the wearer. A microcomputer with the type of AT89C52 is used to record and analyze the collected data. LCD is applied to display the health and comfort condition of the wearer.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel wearable monitoring system for the measurement of physiological indices and clothing microclimate is proposed in this study in order to monitoring both health and comfort condition of the wearer.

Findings

The proposed system provides reference for the application of sensor and display technologies in the field of smart clothing, which can be further applied to infant and child care, health care, home entertainment, military and industry.

Originality/value

This paper, first, investigated a framework of a wearable monitoring system considering both comfort and health condition and summarized the related physiological indices. The requirements of both comfort and health condition monitoring are analyzed to select appropriate electronic elements.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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