Sharif Digital Repository

In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for rate allocation in multiple-source media streaming peer to peer networks. Our algorithm is based on ant-colony optimization and capable of handling network changes which occur quite often in unstructured P2P networks. The suggested algorithm does not need any information about the topology of the network. Moreover, it could get over uncertainties in network state information, particularly the rate of media provider nodes that could happen due to lack of accurate measurements. We show that our algorithm will reach the maximum achievable rate of the network quite fast and with relatively little overhead. In our simulations, we have demonstrated... 

It is a current practice to employ composite claya mixture of clay and aggregates that float within the clayey matrixas the core of embankment dams that have classically been constructed from pure clays. Experience has shown that significant pore pressures could build up during cyclic undrained loading in composite clays. This may threaten dam stability during earthquake loading. However, it is difficult to attribute a single value to excess pore pressure in conventional seismic stability analysis because of the random nature of earthquake loading, leading to uncertainty in the evaluation of factor of safety against sliding. This article evaluates the importance of pore pressure build-up in... 

The diagrid structural systems are mainly used for their structural capabilities and architectural aesthetic possibilities which are provided by the unique geometric configurations of these systems. However, the seismic performance factors of these structural systems are not yet explicitly recommended in the existing building codes. In this study, the seismic performance factors (SPFs) of 6- to 24-story steel diagrid structures are determined considering the post-buckling behavior of diagonal members in compression. Also, the effect of change in span length and the diagonal angles on the SPFs of diagrid structures is studied. The ATC-19 coefficient method is used for calculating the SPFs... 

In this paper a strategic planning framework is proposed for generation expansion planning of grid-connected micro-power systems. The proposed framework is composed of two different decision making techniques that results a robust planning approach compared to previous techniques to identify the feasible and efficient plans according to attributes and uncertain parameters considered in planning environment. The framework considers the robustness and risk exposure of different configurations according to uncertain parameters in the planning environment to select the plans which meet the objectives more efficiently with least risk exposure. The proposed methodology is implemented for... 

Reliability assessment of power systems is very vital particularly in the market-driven environment. As the power systems are nonlinear and large-scale systems, extracting their reliability indices involves much uncertainty. Calculation of power system reliability using stochastic methods is a complex and relatively difficult procedure. However, using fuzzy logic methods it would be possible to calculate the reliability in accordance with the existing uncertainties. In this paper, a new fuzzy logic based method is proposed to calculate the reliability indices of composite power systems. Then, the suggested method is examined on a sample network as a case study. © 2007 IEEE  

Substations and switching stations are critical segments in an electric power system. Their impacts on system operation and the consequential effects of their components failure are usually more dominant in overall power system reliability. There is always a degree of uncertainty in the practical input data used in reliability analysis. This paper presents a conceptual possibilistic approach using fuzzy set theory to manage the uncertainties in the reliability input data such as failure rate, repair time and operation of protective devices. Suitable fuzzy numbers are proposed for components reliability data. Load of feeders are also represented by fuzzy numbers and their impact on ENS... 

This paper proposes probabilistic damage and collapse models for reinforced concrete poles in electric power distribution networks and investigates the damage and collapse pattern of poles under earthquake excitations. To this end, detailed finite element models of the H-type reinforced concrete poles are developed and verified using past experimental studies as well as the observed damage in previous earthquakes. The models are then subjected to nonlinear static analyses to study the effect of the loading pattern, loading direction, concrete strength, and failure criteria on the capacity and the collapse pattern of the pole. Next, incremental dynamic analysis is carried out to investigate... 

In the eld of supply chain, selecting a suitable green supplier could signi cantly help us decrease the cost and risks of the operations and increase the quality of green supply. This paper develops an integrated two-stage approach based on Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming to select suppliers and allocate order in the green supply chain. In the rst stage, suppliers are evaluated using FAHP method and in the second stage, a multi-product multi-period supply chain is developed considering green location-routing problem, discounting, and time window under uncertainty. Then, a fuzzy solution approach is applied to solve the proposed... 

With the exception of a few works, the current approaches to aerial manipulation control do not typically consider the system constraints in the control design process. Also, the issue of closed-loop stability in the presence of system constraints is not thoroughly analyzed. In this paper, a novel multi-stage model predictive control (MPC)-based approach for aerial manipulation is proposed to ensure the closed-loop stability in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances, while satisfying the operational constraints. The detailed nonlinear model of a general aerial manipulator, consisting of a quadrotor equipped with a 3 degrees of freedom manipulator, is first developed... 

This paper presents a probabilistic approach to reveal the negative consequences of overlooking code calibration when adopting the provisions of nonindigenous building codes in design. A taxonomy of the national building codes of various countries whose provisions are adopted from one or more original standards is first presented. Next, the reliability-based approach to quantify the lack of safety that may arise due to the absence of code calibration is presented. This approach is then applied to the case study of the National Building Code of Iran, whose load and resistance factors are directly adopted from ASCE/SEI 7. To this end, seven steel building archetypes with various structural... 

Capacitance-Resistive Model (CRM), as a fast yet efficient proxy model, suffers from some limitations in modeling relatively complex reservoirs. Some current improvements on this proxy made it a more powerful simulator with updating parameters over time. However, the model's intrinsic uncertainty arisen from simplifying fluid-flow modeling by some limited number of constant parameters is not addressed yet. In this study, this structural limitation of CRM has been addressed by introducing a time-correlated model error, including stochastic and non-stochastic parameters, embedded into this proxy's formulation. The error term's non-stochastic parameters have been tuned to be used in forecasting... 

Unlike a single-body approach, modeling based on a two-body approach has been employed to prepare the required system dynamic model as a time update equation in the applied filtering technology and measurement data for the estimation process. This more precise mathematical model enabled better understanding about the dynamics of the change in the aircraft mass properties during the airdropping operation. The problem is defined as estimation of the optimal mass properties parameters for the best possible fit of the model output to the real data. The parameter estimation problem is investigated by a nonlinear filtering methodology in two sequential steps. In the first step, the single extended... 

Energy storage systems (ESSs) play a vital role in dealing with uncertainties originated from the intermittent power generation of renewable energy sources (RESs) leading to improvement of flexibility and reliability of power systems. Needless to say, a key factor is selecting the best technology of ESSs which yields to maximum leverage of ESSs presence in power systems. On this basis, in this paper, a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) direct-optimization model is proposed to effectively mitigate the impacts of insufficient transmission lines capacities by installation of different ESS technologies using a DC optimal power flow model. Firstly, a precise model for the technical... 

Evaluation of the wind energy potential in different climates includes high level of uncertainties. To address the uncertainties, this study performs reliability analysis by defining a limit state function for the wind power density (WPD) to determine failure or success of the system in the probabilistic framework. The probability distributions of the variables including wind speed and air density simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with 2 km resolution are used in the limit state function to form a nondeterministic model in southwest of Iran. Given significant correlation between air density and wind speed in most of the pixels, Nataf transformation is applied to... 

This study introduces a novel Bayesian framework for online and real-time vibration control of beam type structures, which represent a comprehensive control system associated with input-state algorithms. Control design systems typically require knowledge of system states, which in structures are displacements and velocities at some degrees of freedom. Currently, full-field measurements of displacements and velocities in large structural systems are not feasible. Also, properties of the moving inertial loads as key parameters in control designs are assumed known; however, in practice, measuring their characteristics is a challenging issue. As a remedy, an observer is required to estimate... 

There are uncertainties in both inherent geological properties and IOR/EOR performance parameters of low permeability greenfield reservoirs. Therefore, efforts to reduce uncertainties in the appraisal phase are necessary for the development and production phases. An adequate selection of the appraisal area in the hydrocarbon field is an imperative factor since the results of the appraisal well drilling and IOR/EOR pilot tests will be utilized for the development of the entire field. The major challenge in selecting an appraisal area is the lack of an integrated and systematic approach. In this study, we present a novel systematic and quantitative approach consisting of a better... 

Barcoding photons, atoms, and any quantum states can provide a host of functionalities that could benefit future quantum communication systems and networks beyond today's imagination. As a significant application of barcoding photons, we introduce code division multiple-access (CDMA) communication systems for various applications. In this context, we introduce and discuss the fundamental principles of a novel quantum CDMA (QCDMA) technique based on spectrally encoding and decoding of continuous-mode quantum light pulses. In particular, we present the mathematical models of various QCDMA modules that are fundamental in describing an ideal and typical QCDMA system, such as quantum signal... 

Liquefaction is a phenomenon through which saturated sandy soil loses its shear strength and turns into a liquefied state. One of the most detrimental consequences of liquefaction is the reconsolidation volumetric settlements after the earthquakes, which is due to the dissipation of excess pore pressure caused by earthquakes. Severe floods can follow these settlements in free fields such as grounds close to the sea or rivers. Several researchers studied this phenomenon using data obtained from experiments in the lab or observations in the fields. Previous works were mainly based on a limited number of experimental observations and considered loadings and boundary conditions that were... 

The purpose of maintenance is to ensure the maximum efficiency and availability of production assets at optimal cost considering quality, safety, and environmental aspects. Assets criticality analysis is one of the main steps in many maintenance methodologies, including Reliability Centered Maintenance. The present study seeks to provide a solution for determining critical assets for more efficient maintenance management. In this regard, an integrated approach of the analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy inference system was proposed based on the concept of the risk matrix. According to the concept of the risk matrix, two main criteria of failure consequences and probability were employed... 

The reactive extraction behavior on the mean drop size and distribution for synergistic extraction of vanadium from sulfate medium with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and its mixture with tributyl phosphate (TBP) in kerosene has been interpreted in the modified rotating disc contactor column. In batch experiments, the maximum extraction efficiency was obtained in the single extraction system with 0.29 molar D2EHPA at an equilibrium pH of 2, whereas the extraction percentage was significantly increased by adding 0.3 molar TBP into the same D2EHPA concentration due to the synergistic effect. The solvent extraction process has been optimized by applying the central composition...