Browsing by Subject "Artificial Neural Network"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Characterization of Shape Memory Alloys Using Artificial Neural Networks(2014-04-28) Henrickson, James VShape memory alloys are capable of delivering advantageous solutions to a wide range of engineering-based problems. Implementation of these solutions, however, is often complicated by the hysteretic, non-linear, thermomechanical behavior of the material. Existing constitutive models are largely capable of accurately describing this unique behavior, but they require prior characterization of material parameters. Current characterization procedures necessitate extensive data collection and data processing, creating a high barrier of entry for shape memory alloy application. This thesis develops a novel approach in which a form of computational intelligence is applied to the task of shape memory alloy material parameter characterization. Specifically, this work develops a methodology in which an artificial neural network is trained to identify transformation temperatures and stress influence coefficients of shape memory alloy specimens using strain-temperature coordinates as inputs. Training data is generated through the use of an existing shape memory alloy constitutive model. Factorial and Taguchi-based methods of generating training data are implemented and compared. Results show that trained artificial neural networks are capable of identifying shape memory alloy material parameters with satisfactory accuracy. Comparison of the implemented training data generation methods indicates that the Taguchi-based approach yields an artificial neural network that outperforms that of the factorial-based approach despite requiring significantly fewer training data specimens.Item Comparative Deterministic and Probabilistic Modeling in Geotechnics: Applications to Stabilization of Organic Soils, Determination of Unknown Foundations for Bridge Scour, and One-Dimensional Diffusion Processes(2013-08-08) Yousefpour, NeginThis study presents different aspects on the use of deterministic methods including Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and linear and nonlinear regression, as well as probabilistic methods including Bayesian inference and Monte Carlo methods to develop reliable solutions for challenging problems in geotechnics. This study addresses the theoretical and computational advantages and limitations of these methods in application to: 1) prediction of the stiffness and strength of stabilized organic soils, 2) determination of unknown foundations for bridges vulnerable to scour, and 3) uncertainty quantification for one-dimensional diffusion processes. ANNs were successfully implemented in this study to develop nonlinear models for the mechanical properties of stabilized organic soils. ANN models were able to learn from the training examples and then generalize the trend to make predictions for the stiffness and strength of stabilized organic soils. A stepwise parameter selection and a sensitivity analysis method were implemented to identify the most relevant factors for the prediction of the stiffness and strength. Also, the variations of the stiffness and strength with respect to each factor were investigated. A deterministic and a probabilistic approach were proposed to evaluate the characteristics of unknown foundations of bridges subjected to scour. The proposed methods were successfully implemented and validated by collecting data for bridges in the Bryan District. ANN models were developed and trained using the database of bridges to predict the foundation type and embedment depth. The probabilistic Bayesian approach generated probability distributions for the foundation and soil characteristics and was able to capture the uncertainty in the predictions. The parametric and numerical uncertainties in the one-dimensional diffusion process were evaluated under varying observation conditions. The inverse problem was solved using Bayesian inference formulated by both the analytical and numerical solutions of the ordinary differential equation of diffusion. The numerical uncertainty was evaluated by comparing the mean and standard deviation of the posterior realizations of the process corresponding to the analytical and numerical solutions of the forward problem. It was shown that higher correlation in the structure of the observations increased both parametric and numerical uncertainties, whereas increasing the number of data dramatically decreased the uncertainties in the diffusion process.Item Prediction of Reflection Cracking in Hot Mix Asphalt Overlays(2011-02-22) Tsai, Fang-LingReflection cracking is one of the main distresses in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlays. It has been a serious concern since early in the 20th century. Since then, several models have been developed to predict the extent and severity of reflection cracking in HMA overlays. However, only limited research has been performed to evaluate and calibrate these models. In this dissertation, mechanistic-based models are calibrated to field data of over 400 overlay test sections to produce a design process for predicting reflection cracks. Three cracking mechanisms: bending, shearing traffic stresses, and thermal stress are taken into account to evaluate the rate of growth of the three increasing levels of distress severity: low, medium, and high. The cumulative damage done by all three cracking mechanisms is used to predict the number of days for the reflection crack to reach the surface of the overlay. The result of this calculation is calibrated to the observed field data (severity and extent) which has been fitted with an S-shaped curve. In the mechanistic computations, material properties and fracture-related stress intensity factors are generated using efficient Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms. In the bending and shearing traffic stress models, the traffic was represented by axle load spectra. In the thermal stress model, a recently developed temperature model was used to predict the temperature at the crack tips. This process was developed to analyze various overlay structures. HMA overlays over either asphalt pavement or jointed concrete pavement in all four major climatic zones are discussed in this dissertation. The results of this calculated mechanistic approach showed its ability to efficiently reproduce field observations of the growth, extent, and severity of reflection cracking. The most important contribution to crack growth was found to be thermal stress. The computer running time for a twenty-year prediction of a typical overlay was between one and four minutes.