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This paper presents an application of multibody dynamics with unilateral contact to model the friction wedge interaction with the bolster and the side frame. The new friction wedge model is a three-dimensional, dynamic, stand-alone model of a bolster–friction wedge–side frame assembly. It allows the wedge four degrees of freedom: vertical displacement; longitudinal (between the bolster and the side frame) displacement; toe in and toe out; and yaw (rotation about the vertical axis). The dedicated train modeling software NUCARS (Transportation Technology Center, Inc., Pueblo, Colo.) has been used to run simulations with similar inputs and to compare—when possible—the results with those obtained from the new stand-alone MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, Mass.) friction wedge model. The stand-alone model shows improvement in capturing the transient dynamics of the wedge better. Also, it can predict not only normal forces going into the side frame and bolster, but also the associated moments. Significant simulation results are presented and the main differences between the current NUCARS model and the new stand-alone MATLAB models are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes a hybrid simulation approach based upon the principles of system dynamics (SD) and discrete event simulation (DES), which facilitates a better understanding of complex interactions among various processes in large-scale construction. The significance of the construction context that interacts with construction operations is highlighted, and a hybrid SD-DES approach is proposed as a means to capture the feedback between the two. In particular, this paper focuses on how to seamlessly integrate SD and DES within the framework of a modeling perspective. For the purpose of substantiating the discussion, a pipeline installation process is modeled using the proposed hybrid approach, with specific consideration given to how the approach can serve to address complex interactions between operation and context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a review of impact mechanics and high-energy absorbing materials is presented. We review different theoretical models (rigid-body dynamics, elastic, shock, and plastic wave propagation, and nonclassical or nonlocal models) and computational methods (finite-element, finite-difference, and mesh-free methods) used in impact mechanics. Some recent developments in numerical simulation of impact (e.g., peridynamics) and new design concepts proposed as high energy absorbing materials (lattice and truss structures, hybrid sandwich composites, metal foams, magnetorheological fluids, porous shape memory alloys) are discussed. Recent studies on experimental evaluation and constitutive modeling of strain rate-dependent polymer matrix composites are also presented. Impact damage on composite materials in aerospace engineering is discussed along with future research needs. A particular example for the design of a sandwich material as an impact mitigator is given in more detail. This brief review is intended to help the readers in identifying starting points for research in modeling and simulation of impact problems and in designing energy absorbing materials and structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an observer designed under the assumption that differences between predicted and measured outputs arise from discrepancies between the real structural system and the nominal model used to represent it. The observer gain is independent of the assumed model error parametrization and proves to be the transpose of the state to output matrix of a state space formulation. The estimated state with the proposed observer is shown to be identical to that obtained by exciting the nominal model with the known input while adjusting the measured portion of the state to match the measurements at the start of every step. Numerical experiments suggest that the proposed observer can provide state estimates that are substantially more accurate than results predicted by projecting the measurements in a truncated modal space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiphase and multidomain fluid flows associated with interfacial dynamics, steep jump in fluid properties, and moving boundaries between different phases and materials pose substantial computational challenges. In this paper, recent progresses made in numerical simulation using continuum and lattice–Boltzmann methods are highlighted, with special attention paid to issues related to time varying geometries, adaptive grid refinement, interfacial and geometric tracking, topological changes, and reduced numerical dispersion and dissipation. Illustrative physical applications including: (1) multiple rising bubbles interacting with carrier phase and with each other; (2) wave reflected on an inclined wall; and (3) the Rayleigh–Taylor instability problem, are presented to highlight the various aspects of the techniques developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]