Zhenyang Zhu, Yi Liu, Zhe Fan, Sheng Qiang, Zhiqiang Xie, Weimin Chen and Congcong Wu
The buried pipe element method can be used to calculate the temperature of mass concrete through highly efficient computing. However, in this method, temperatures along cooling…
Abstract
Purpose
The buried pipe element method can be used to calculate the temperature of mass concrete through highly efficient computing. However, in this method, temperatures along cooling pipes and the convection coefficient of the cooling pipe boundary should be improved to achieve higher accuracy. Thus, there is a need to propose a method for improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the principle of heat balance and the temperature gradient characteristics of concrete around cooling pipes, a method to calculate the water temperature along cooling pipes using the buried pipe element method is proposed in this study. By comparing the results of a discrete algorithm and the buried pipe element method, it was discovered that the convection coefficient of the cooling pipe boundary for the buried pipe element method is only related to the thermal conductivity of concrete; therefore, it can be calculated by inverse analysis.
Findings
The results show that the buried pipe element method can achieve the same accuracy as the discrete method and simulate the temperature field of mass concrete with cooling pipes efficiently and accurately.
Originality/value
This new method can improve the calculation accuracy of the embedded element method and make the calculation results more reasonable and reliable.
Details
Keywords
Chengpeng Zhang, Zhihua Yu, Jimin Shi, Yu Li, Wenqiang Xu, Zheyi Guo, Hongshi Zhang, Zhongyuan Zhu and Sheng Qiang
Hexahedral meshing is one of the most important steps in performing an accurate simulation using the finite element analysis (FEA). However, the current hexahedral meshing method…
Abstract
Purpose
Hexahedral meshing is one of the most important steps in performing an accurate simulation using the finite element analysis (FEA). However, the current hexahedral meshing method in the industry is a nonautomatic and inefficient method, i.e. manually decomposing the model into suitable blocks and obtaining the hexahedral mesh from these blocks by mapping or sweeping algorithms. The purpose of this paper is to propose an almost automatic decomposition algorithm based on the 3D frame field and model features to replace the traditional time-consuming and laborious manual decomposition method.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed algorithm is based on the 3D frame field and features, where features are used to construct feature-cutting surfaces and the 3D frame field is used to construct singular-cutting surfaces. The feature-cutting surfaces constructed from concave features first reduce the complexity of the model and decompose it into some coarse blocks. Then, an improved 3D frame field algorithm is performed on these coarse blocks to extract the singular structure and construct singular-cutting surfaces to further decompose the coarse blocks. In most modeling examples, the proposed algorithm uses both types of cutting surfaces to decompose models fully automatically. In a few examples with special requirements for hexahedral meshes, the algorithm requires manual input of some user-defined cutting surfaces and constructs different singular-cutting surfaces to ensure the effectiveness of the decomposition.
Findings
Benefiting from the feature decomposition and the 3D frame field algorithm, the output blocks of the proposed algorithm have no inner singular structure and are suitable for the mapping or sweeping algorithm. The introduction of internal constraints makes 3D frame field generation more robust in this paper, and it can automatically correct some invalid 3–5 singular structures. In a few examples with special requirements, the proposed algorithm successfully generates valid blocks even though the singular structure of the model is modified by user-defined cutting surfaces.
Originality/value
The proposed algorithm takes the advantage of feature decomposition and the 3D frame field to generate suitable blocks for a mapping or sweeping algorithm, which saves a lot of simulation time and requires less experience. The user-defined cutting surfaces enable the creation of special hexahedral meshes, which was difficult with previous algorithms. An improved 3D frame field generation method is proposed to correct some invalid singular structures and improve the robustness of the previous methods.
Details
Keywords
Sheng-qiang Gu, Yong Liu and Weixue Diao
The paper attempts to construct a novel multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus approach to deal with the group consensus problems consisting of hierarchical…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper attempts to construct a novel multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus approach to deal with the group consensus problems consisting of hierarchical relationship and non-cooperative behaviors among decision makers (DMs).
Design/methodology/approach
To deal with these group consensus problems consisting of hierarchical relationship and non-cooperative behaviors among DMs non-cooperative behavior in uncertain information systems, considering the influence of coordination cost and the degree of group consensus, based on the idea of grey situation decision-making, the authors establish a multi-objective grey hierarchical group consensus model, and design different invalid decision elimination rules for decision-making groups of different sizes, and use a case verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the model.
Findings
With the continuous improvement of the coordination cost budget, the degree of consensus of all departments and the overall consensus tend to be stable, and will no longer change with the increase of the coordination cost budget. The cost required by each department is basically consistent with the response trend of the cost required to coordinate the overall situation to the pre-set lower limit of group consensus.
Originality/value
The proposed approach can succeed in identifying DMs' information, and mine the DMs' information and help make a relatively more scientific decision.
Details
Keywords
Monica D. Hernandez and Michael S. Minor
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it aims to review East‐West writing system (cross‐script) differences and summarize previous work examining the cross‐script effect…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it aims to review East‐West writing system (cross‐script) differences and summarize previous work examining the cross‐script effect on consumer responses. Second, it aims to describe the implications for international marketing and cross‐cultural studies. Third, it seeks to propose specific questions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the paper presents a critical literature review of studies investigating cross‐script differences influencing consumer attitudes, memory, and information processing. Based on the provided integrative analysis, future directions are indicated for areas relying heavily on written communication, such as international marketing communications, internet marketing, international branding, and cross‐cultural consumer research.
Findings
Despite the pervasive nature and importance of written language, scant research has addressed differences between East/West consumer responses attributable to native script processing.
Originality/value
The paper is among the first to point out the insufficiency of scholarly studies on written language effects on consumer responses. The findings raise international marketers' awareness of differences in East‐West written language processing in order to effectively target consumers.
Details
Keywords
Wei‐qiang Sun, Jin‐sheng Li and Pei‐lin Hong
Multicasting is a necessity for a broadband metro‐area‐network. Discusses the security problems with current multicast protocols. To make the multicast delivery infrastructure…
Abstract
Multicasting is a necessity for a broadband metro‐area‐network. Discusses the security problems with current multicast protocols. To make the multicast delivery infrastructure more secure and reliable, a stateful multicast access control mechanism, based on MAPE, is proposed. This mechanism expands the current forwarding procedure of a layer 2 switch so that stateful multicast access control can be carried out at the very edge of the metro area network. The architecture of MAPE is discussed in detail, as well as the states maintained and messages exchanged. Further explains that the scheme is flexible and scalable.
Details
Keywords
Ming Xu, Qiang Xu, Sheng Wei, Xufei Gu and Furong Liu
The increasing focus of consumers on health and environmental sustainability continues to drive the demand for organic food. Despite the recognized importance of health and…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing focus of consumers on health and environmental sustainability continues to drive the demand for organic food. Despite the recognized importance of health and environmental concerns, the differential impact of these factors on organic food purchasing decisions is evident, indicating the presence of moderating variables. This investigation attempts to delineate these contingencies within the realms of socio-environmental and individual factors, paying particular attention to subjective norms, uncertainty, and egoistic values.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the convenience sampling method, the primary data sample was collected by a professional market research consulting firm and included 1876 usable respondents from China. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was utilized to verify the model and test the relationships between the constructs.
Findings
The results indicated that the path from environmental concern to organic food purchase intention was significantly influenced by subjective norms and uncertainty, both of which enhance this relationship. In contrast, egoistic values appeared to dampen this effect. Uncertainty also emerged as a key factor in the link between health concerns and organic food purchase intention, albeit with an opposite impact, weakening the relationship.
Practical implications
This study provides useful insights for academics and marketers to understand the complex phenomenon of organic consumer behavior. This result indicates that marketers can target reference groups to develop organic food marketing strategies.
Originality/value
Few studies have proposed and validated a model with these moderating factors collectively to study the purchase intention of organic food consumers in China.
Details
Keywords
Qiang Wei, Sheng Li, Xinyu Gou and Baofeng Huo
The rapid development of e-commerce has caused not only explosive growth of the express delivery industry, but also ever-greater operational pressures. Models from the sharing…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid development of e-commerce has caused not only explosive growth of the express delivery industry, but also ever-greater operational pressures. Models from the sharing economy may provide new ideas for operational improvement. The purpose of this paper is to consider an optimization method that reduces costs and increases efficiency. The proposed method enables a shared distribution system based on revenue-sharing and cooperative investment contracts.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors design a two-echelon supply chain (SC) of the shared distribution system with one shared distribution company and N express companies. In this SC, the express companies provide only inter-city transportation, and they outsource internal-city transportation to a shared distribution company. This distribution system differs from that of the traditional express delivery industry. The traditional system of delivery requires large numbers of empty trips (with no load to deliver), because the operating mode of urban distribution has been the franchise. To offer greater efficiency and performance, the authors introduce the sharing economy mode of express delivery. The authors examine the potential of a joint optimal decision-making strategy that involves revenue-sharing and cooperative investment contracts based on an order flow proportion (OFP) and a revenue-sharing factor (RSF). In this shared distribution system, the most important innovation is that all of the express companies jointly invest in and establish a shared distribution company based on OFP or RSF principles.
Findings
The profitability of an SC with revenue-sharing contracts based on an OFP system is much higher than that of a decentralized SC, and it is very close to the profitability of a centralized SC. In SCs with revenue-sharing contracts that are based on RSFs, there are many possible combinations of RSFs that can increase the overall profitability. The analyses indicate that the OFP system offers the best solution in designing revenue-sharing contracts based on RSFs.
Practical implications
This study indicates that revenue-sharing contracts based on both OFP and RSF principles can increase overall SC returns by 0.21 to 0.44 percent. In sum total, this improvement could mean a 0.84 to 1.76bn Yuan increase in revenues for the 400+ bn-Yuan express delivery industry.
Originality/value
The authors find that a combination of equity investment and SC coordination contracts makes the cooperation between SC members much more stable. Through this kind of shared distribution system, the scale of economy can further reduce the costs and increase the efficiency of the express delivery industry.
Details
Keywords
Yang Hai‐feng, Zhang Ji‐fu and Hu Li‐hua
The purpose of this paper is to examine the important application value of extending the concept of classification rule, so that it can describe and measure the uncertainty of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the important application value of extending the concept of classification rule, so that it can describe and measure the uncertainty of classification knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
The rough concept lattice (RCL), which is an effective tool for uncertain data analysis and knowledge discovery, reflects a kind of unification of concept intent and upper/lower approximation extent, as well as the certain and uncertain relations between objects and attributes.
Findings
A classification rules extraction algorithm, extraction algorithm of classification rule (EACR), based on the RCL is presented by adapting the rough degree to measure uncertainty of classification rule. The algorithm EACR is experimentally validated by taking the star spectrum data as the decision context.
Practical implications
An efficient way for classification rule extraction is provided.
Originality/value
The algorithm EACR based on the RCL is presented by adapting the rough degree to measure uncertainty of classification rule.
Details
Keywords
Sajjad Beigmoradi and Mehrdad Vahdati
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of a vibratory bed, as an assistant agent, on the improvement of the drag finishing process. The dynamics and kinematic of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of a vibratory bed, as an assistant agent, on the improvement of the drag finishing process. The dynamics and kinematic of the process were surveyed in microscale for different frequencies and amplitudes and the results were compared to the basic process.
Design/methodology/approach
The discrete element tool was used to find out the effect of the vibratory bed on the drag finishing process. To this end, the Hertz-Mindlin model was used to investigate the contact of abrasive particles and workpiece. At the first stage, the numerical model was validated with the experimental results, and then the effect of different parameters on the finishing process was evaluated and compared with the basic case.
Findings
The chosen numerical model was in good agreement with the results measured in the previous literature. Moreover, the results show that not only vibrated bed enhances the contacts of abrasive particles to the workpiece, but it also increases the uniformity of the finished surface.
Originality/value
In comparison to the experiments, the discrete element technique consumes lower cost and time to estimate the optimum conditions of the finishing process, as well as it provides a good understanding of this phenomenon on the micro-scale.