Sharif Digital Repository

The PCP theorem is the result of a line of work on interactive proofs and probabilistically checkable proofs. The first theorem relating standard proofs and probabilistically checkable proofs is NEXP?PCP[poly(n),poly(n)] . Subsequently, the method used in the proof of this statement were extended to yield a proof of the PCP theorem. However, this proof is relatively long and complicated. The PCP theorem is equivalent to hardness of approximation of some optimization problems. In 2006, Irit Dinur discovered a different proof of the PCP theorem. Dinur’s proof is a rather shorter and simpler than original proof. The main purpose of this survey is to present the main concepts and tools used in... 

Effects of temperature on the behavior of soils and rocks have been studied widely in recent years. Following the need for understanding the effects of temperature on the behavior of clayey soils, several experimental and numerical studies on thermo-mechanical behavior of clayey soils have been carried out and a number of thermo-mechanical constitutive models have been developed for saturated and unsaturated clayey soils. In this research, a two-yield surface thermo-plastic constitutive model developed by Abuel-Naga et al. (2007, 2009), has been chosen for THM analysis of the behavior of saturated clayey soils. This constitutive model is based on Modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model. The MCC model... 

Through the recent years application of FRP material in structural engineering has been developed significantly. According to possible changes of a building function during its lifetime or alteration of the building codes, building structures usually need to be strengthened. Referring to merits of FRP material, its application seems to be a convenient idea toward the cited requirement. Curved beam and slab are known as highly used elements in building structures. Bridges composed of horizontal or vertical arches could be noted as common examples which need to be reinforced by FRP. However curved concrete surfaces, reinforced by FRP plates, seem to be studied than it is really required; For,... 

Studying the performance of irregular structures in past earthquakes reveals that due to their severe vulnerability, we need to accurately assess the behavioral characteristics of such structures. On the other hand, all existing seismic codes recommend the use of response modification factor to determine the base shear, design forces of the members, and the design drift ratios, which seem to have limited comprehensiveness. Moreover, the response modification factor for a structural system is discussed in a general manner and the effect of factors such as number of bays, number of stories, span length, story height and irregularities are not considered. In this research, the effects of... 

One drawback of polypropylene (PP) as a widely-used semicrystalline thermoplastic is its low toughness at sub-zero temperatures. Along with adding elastomers to PP as impact modifiers, modification of PP’s crystalline structure by means of beta-phase nucleating agents —beta being the toughest polymorph of PP —is a standard method of improving PP’s toughness. Nucleation efficiency is highly dependent on the optimum dispersion of the nucleating agent. Therefore, improving the dispersion of the nucleating agents assumes an essential role. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of the incorporation method of calcium pimelate (CaPi), a highly-selective beta nucleating agent, on... 

Static recrystllization in low carbon steel after two type of deformation –sidepress as an inhomogeneous deformation and rolling as a common industrial process - has been simulated using Cellular Automata (CA). The finite element method was utilized to compute the strain and stored energy distribution due to deformation. The initial microstructures were created by simulation of recrystallization with homogeneous site-saturated nucleation and topologic deformation was also considered in model. Subsequently using the result of FEM, stored energy of deformation was calculated and transferred into a two dimensional CA lattice. Nucleation rate and grain boundary velocity were considered...