Bin‐packing problem with concave costs of bin utilization

We consider a generalized one‐dimensional bin‐packing model where the cost of a bin is a nondecreasing concave function of the utilization of the bin. Four popular heuristics from the literature of the classical bin‐packing problem are studied: First Fit (FF), Best Fit (BF), First Fit Decreasing (FFD), and Best Fit Decreasing (BFD). We analyze their worst‐case performances when they are applied to our model. The absolute worst‐case performance ratio of FF and BF is shown to be exactly 2, and that of FFD and BFD is shown to be exactly 1.5. Computational experiments are also conducted to test the performance of these heuristics. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

分布式网络化测试系统设计

以某大型复杂装备远程测试系统为例,给出了基于DCOM的分布式网络化虚拟仪器测试系统的体系结构.该网络化测试系统体系结构采用DS技术作为客户端和测试端连接的中间件,并采用C/S、B/S混合模式使系统各COM/DCOM组件通过网络实现"无缝"连接.DCOM技术的应用使得各网络测试节点成为服务的本体,可以响应不同客户的测试需求,实现了良好的数据传输、安全管理和远程仪器控制.DS技术的使用进一步简化了计算机和测试应用之间的数据交换,达到了良好的实时传输效果.     

An efficient SPH methodology for modelling mechanical characteristics of particulate composites

Particulate composites are one of the widely used materials in producing numerous state-of-the-art components in biomedical, automobile, aerospace including defence technology. Variety of modelling techniques have been adopted in the past to model mechanical behaviour of particulate composites. Due to their favourable properties, particle-based methods provide a convenient platform to model failure or fracture of these composites. Smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is one of such methods which demonstrate excellent potential for modelling failure or fracture of particulate composites in a Lagrangian setting. One of the major challenges in using SPH method for modelling composite materials depends on accurate and efficient way to treat interface and boundary conditions. In this paper, a master-slave method based multi-freedom constraints is proposed to impose essential boundary conditions and interfacial displacement constraints in modelling mechanical behaviour of composite materials using SPH method. The proposed methodology enforces the above constraints more accurately and requires only smaller condition number for system stiffness matrix than the procedures based on typical penalty function approach. A minimum cut-off value-based error criteria is employed to improve the compu-tational efficiency of the proposed methodology. In addition, the proposed method is further enhanced by adopting a modified numerical interpolation scheme along the boundary to increase the accuracy and computational efficiency. The numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed master-slave approach yields better accuracy in enforcing displacement constraints and requires approximately the same computational time as that of penalty method.     

Research on the influences of confining pressure and strain rate on NEPE propellant: Experimental assessment and constitutive model

In order to study the influences of confining pressure and strain rate on the mechanical properties of the Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether (NEPE) propellant, uniaxial tensile tests were conducted using the self-made confining pressure system and material testing machine. The stress-strain responses of the NEPE propellant under different confining pressure conditions and strain rates were obtained and analyzed. The results show that confining pressure and strain rate have a remarkably influence on the mechanical responses of the NEPE propellant. As confining pressure increases (from 0 to 5.4 MPa), the maximum tensile stress and ultimate strain increase gradually. With the coupled effects of confining pressure and strain rate, the value of the maximum tensile stress and ultimate strain at 5.4 MPa and 0.0667 s⁻¹ is 2.03 times and 2.19 times of their values under 0 MPa and 0.00333 s⁻¹, respectively. Afterwards, the influence mechanism of confining pressure on the NEPE propellant was analyzed. Finally, based on the viscoelastic theory and continuous damage theory, a nonlinear constitutive model considering confining pressure and strain rate was developed. The damage was considered to be rate-dependent and pressure-dependent. The constitutive model was validated by comparing experimental data with predictions of the constitutive model. The whole maximum stress errors of the model predictions are lower than 4% and the corresponding strain errors are lower than 7%. The results show that confining pressure can suppress the damage initiation and evolution of the NEPE propellant and the nonlinear constitutive model can describe the mechanical responses of the NEPE propellant under various confining pressure conditions and strain rates. This research can lay a theoretical foundation for analyzing the structural integrity of propellant grain accurately under working pressure loading.     

Maneuvering target tracking of UAV based on MN-DDPG and transfer learning

Tracking maneuvering target in real time autonomously and accurately in an uncertain environment is one of the challenging missions for unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).In this paper,aiming to address the control problem of maneuvering target tracking and obstacle avoidance,an online path planning approach for UAV is developed based on deep reinforcement learning.Through end-to-end learning powered by neural networks,the proposed approach can achieve the perception of the environment and continuous motion output control.This proposed approach includes:(1)A deep deterministic policy gradient(DDPG)-based control framework to provide learning and autonomous decision-making capa-bility for UAVs;(2)An improved method named MN-DDPG for introducing a type of mixed noises to assist UAV with exploring stochastic strategies for online optimal planning;and(3)An algorithm of task-decomposition and pre-training for efficient transfer learning to improve the generalization capability of UAV's control model built based on MN-DDPG.The experimental simulation results have verified that the proposed approach can achieve good self-adaptive adjustment of UAV's flight attitude in the tasks of maneuvering target tracking with a significant improvement in generalization capability and training efficiency of UAV tracking controller in uncertain environments.     

Adaptive control of track tension estimation using radial basis function neural network

Track tension is a major factor influencing the reliability of a track. In order to reduce the risk of track peel-off, it is necessary to keep track tension constant. However, it is difficult to measure the dynamic tension during off-road operation. Based on the analysis of the relation and external forces depending on free body diagrams of the idler, idler arm, road wheel and road arm, a theoretical estimation model of track tension is built. Comparing estimation results with multibody dynamics simulation results, the rationality of track tension monitor is validated. By the aid of this monitor, a track tension control system is designed, which includes a self-tuning proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller based on radial basis function neural network, an electro-hydraulic servo system and an idler arm. The tightness of track can be adjusted by turning the idler arm. Simulation results of the vehicle starting process indicate that the controller can reach different expected tensions quickly and accurately. Compared with a traditional PID controller, the proposed controller has a stronger anti-disturbance ability by amending control pa-rameters online.     

Recent progress on transition metal oxides and carbon-supported transition metal oxides as catalysts for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate

As a main oxidizer in solid composite propellants, ammonium perchlorate (AP) plays an important role because its thermal decomposition behavior has a direct influence on the characteristic of solid com-posite propellants. To improve the performance of solid composite propellant, it is necessary to take measures to modify the thermal decomposition behavior of AP. In recent years, transition metal oxides and carbon-supported transition metal oxides have drawn considerable attention due to their extraor-dinary catalytic activity. In this review, we highlight strategies to enhance the thermal decomposition of AP by tuning morphology, varying the types of metal ion, and coupling with carbon analogue. The enhanced catalytic performance can be ascribed to synergistic effect, increased surface area, more exposed active sites, and accelerated electron transportation and so on. The mechanism of AP decom-position mixed with catalyst has also been briefly summarized. Finally, a conclusive outlook and possible research directions are suggested to address challenges such as lacking practical application in actual formulation of solid composite propellant and batch manufacturing.     

Mitigation effects on the reflected overpressure of blast shock with water surrounding an explosive in a confined space

The mitigation of blast shock with water has broad application prospects. Understanding the mitigation effects on the reflected overpressure of the explosion shock with water surrounding an explosive in a confined space is of great significance for military explosives safety applications. To estimate the effects of the parameters on the reflected overpressure of blasted shock wave, a series of experiments were carried out in confined containers with spherical explosives immersed in a certain thickness of water, and numerical simulations were conducted to explore the corresponding mechanisms. The results reveal that the reflected overpressure is abnormally aggravated at a small scaled distance. This aggravation is due to the high impulse of the bulk accelerated water shell converted from the explosion. With increasing scaled distance, the energy will be gradually dissipated. The mitigation effects will appear with the dispersed water phase front impacting at a larger scaled distance, except in the case of a dense water phase state. A critical scaled distance range of 0.7—0.8 m/kg1/3 for effective mitigation was found. It is suggested that the scaled distance of space walls should be larger than the critical value for a certain water-to-explosive weight ratio range (5—20).     

An experiment evaluating how the tiny mass eccentricities in spin-stabilized projectiles affect the position of impact points

This study investigates and quantifies some possible sources affecting the position of impact points of small caliber spin-stabilized projectiles (such as 12.7 mm bullets). A comparative experiment utilizing the control variable method was designed to figure out the influence of tiny eccentric centroids on the projectiles. The study critically analyzes data obtained from characteristic parameter measurements and precision trials. It also combines Sobol's algorithm with an artificial intelligence algorithm—Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS)—in order to conduct global sensitivity analysis and determine which parameters were most influential. The results indicate that the impact points of projectiles with an entry angle of 0° deflected to the left to that of projectiles with an entry angle of 90°. The difference of the mean coordinates of impact points was about 12.61 cm at a target range of 200 m. Variance analysis indicated that the entry angle — i.e. the initial position of mass eccentricity — had a notable influence. After global sensitivity analysis, the significance of the effect of mass eccentricity was confirmed again and the most influential factors were determined to be the axial moment and transverse moment of inertia (Izz Iyy), the mass of a projectile (m), the distance between nose and center of mass along the symmetry axis for a projectile (Lm), and the eccentric distance of the centroid (Lr). The results imply that the control scheme by means of modifying mass center (moving mass or mass eccentricity) is promising for designing small-caliber spin-stabilized projectiles.     

Research and development on hypervelocity impact protection using Whipple shield: An overview

Whipple shield, a dual-wall system, as well as its improved structures, is widely applied to defend the hypervelocity impact of space debris (projectile). This paper reviews the studies about the mechanism and process of protection against hypervelocity impacts using Whipple shield. Ground-based experiment and numerical simulation for hypervelocity impact and protection are introduced briefly. Three steps of the Whipple shield protection are discussed in order, including the interaction between the projectile and bumper, the movement and diffusion of the debris cloud, and the interaction between the debris cloud and rear plate. Potential improvements of the protection performance focusing on these three steps are presented. Representative works in the last decade are mentioned specifically. Some prospects and suggestions for future studies are put forward.