Construction of an Electrically Heated Asphalt Road Based on Ribbon Technology

Although asphalt pavements are the most common pavement type worldwide, there is no accepted heating solution for this infrastructure class for melting snow and preventing ice formation at the ride-surface. This study was concerned with utilizing electric ribbon technology as a suitable heating solution. A method was proposed to introduce ribbon heaters into the typical paving process in a practical manner, causing minimal disruption to the normal paving operations, that is potentially expandable to large areas. The advocated idea was to deploy ribbons after an asphalt concrete (AC) lift has been paved and compacted, and before paving and compacting the next AC lift(s). In this context, a special grooving machine was envisioned to make shallow channels in the AC for cradling each ribbon. Thus, the system survivability is guaranteed, with all ribbons protected against the maneuvering of trucks, paving equipment, and heavy rollers. Subsequently, the method was demonstrated through the full-scale construction of a heated road that included installing ribbons in-between AC lifts. For this purpose, the protective ribbon channels were grooved with a customized milling machine. The entire construction process was described in detail, and some initial findings from activating the system were also included. An overall system survivability of 97% was achieved, and the installation concept appears practical and up-scalable.

Survivability and Vulnerability Analysis of Cloud RAID Systems under Disk Faults and Attacks

In this paper we model and analyze survivability and vulnerability of a cloud RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) storage system subject to disk faults and cyber-attacks. The cloud RAID survivability is concerned with the system’s ability to function correctly even under the circumstance of hazardous behaviors including disk failures and malicious attacks. The cloud RAID invulnerability is concerned with the system’s ability to function correctly while occupying some state immune to malicious attacks. A continuous-time Markov chains-based method is suggested to perform the disk level survivability and invulnerability analysis. Combinatorial methods are then presented for the cloud RAID system level analysis, which can accommodate both homogeneous (based on binomial coefficients) and heterogeneous (based on multi-valued decision diagrams) disks. A detailed case study on a cloud RAID 5 system is conducted to illustrate the application of the proposed methods. Impacts of different parameters on the disk and system survivability and invulnerability are also investigated through numerical analysis.

An Evaluation of the Economic and Resilience Benefits of a Microgrid in Northampton, Massachusetts

Recent developments and advances in distributed energy resource (DER) technologies make them valuable assets in microgrids. This paper presents an innovative evaluation framework for microgrid assets to capture economic benefits from various grid and behind-the-meter services in grid-connecting mode and resilience benefits in islanding mode. In particular, a linear programming formulation is used to model different services and DER operational constraints to determine the optimal DER dispatch to maximize economic benefits. For the resiliency analysis, a stochastic evaluation procedure is proposed to explicitly quantify the microgrid survivability against a random outage, considering uncertainties associated with photovoltaic (PV) generation, system load, and distributed generator failures. Optimal coordination strategies are developed to minimize unserved energy and improve system survivability, considering different levels of system connectedness. The proposed framework has been applied to evaluate a proposed microgrid in Northampton, Massachusetts that would link the Northampton Department of Public Works, Cooley Dickenson Hospital, and Smith Vocational Area High School. The findings of this analysis indicate that over a 20-year economic life, a 441 kW/441 kWh battery energy storage system, and 386 kW PV solar array can generate $2.5 million in present value benefits, yielding a 1.16 return on investment ratio. Results of this study also show that forming a microgrid generally improves system survivability, but the resilience performance of individual facilities varies depending on power-sharing strategies.

Autonomous Cognitive Model and Analysis for Survivable System

The research on autonomous recognition mechanism for survivability has vigorously been growing up. A method of autonomous cognitive model and quantitative analysis for survivable system was proposed based on cognitive computing technology. Firstly, a cognitive model for survivable system with cross-layer perception ability was established, a self-feedback evolution mode of cognitive unit based on monitor-decide-execute loop structure was improved, and a self-configuration of cognitive unit is realized. Then, combined with the cognitive state transition graph, the analysis of cognitive performance for survivable systems based on dynamic cognitive behavioral changes was constructed. Finally, the cognitive processes of survivable system were described by using formal modeling. Simulation validated the influence degree of test parameters on system survivability from two perspectives of the probability of intrusion detection systems vulnerability and attacks detected. Results show that enhancing the rate of monitoring actions change and the rate of performing actions change obviously improved the cognitive performance of survivable system.

Technical challenges for offshore cultivation of kelp species: lessons learned and future directions

Traditional kelp farming methods require a high amount of labor and are limited in geographic distribution – occurring mainly in nearshore, sheltered sites. To address growing global demand for sustainable biomass, the continued expansion of kelp cultivation will most likely have to move further offshore. Although many offshore cultivation trials have been done over the last 50 years, few were sufficiently robust to be viable in exposed and deep-water areas. In the North Atlantic Ocean, a Faroese company developed and tested a structural farm design that has survived in open-ocean conditions since 2010. The durable structure has withstood harsh weather events common in the Faroe Islands and thereby presents a potential strategy and method for moving kelp farming further offshore. This paper describes the primary challenges of offshore kelp farming and provides an overview of work previously done. Ultimately, the improved productivity, system survivability and scalability the MacroAlgal Cultivation Rig (Faroe Islands) and the BioArchitecture Lab cultivation grid (Chile) represent state-of-the-art and powerfully transformative strategies to pursue large-scale offshore farming to support mass production of kelp in the near future.

METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSMENT OF FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM SURVIVABILITY OF ANTIAIRCRAFT SUB-UNIT (ANTI-AIRCRAFT UNIT)

The article focuses on solving the problem of assessing the survivability of a fire control system of an anti-aircraft sub-unit (anti-aircraft unit). The ways of solving this problem are shown by the use of certain methods, by which it is possible to carry out the analysis of the factors that influence the survivability of the fire control system of an anti-aircraft sub-unit (anti-aircraft unit). Assessment of the survivability of the control system is carried out on the basis of a model that characterizes the survivability of the system for a certain period of time. It is advisable to choose the time for which the survivability of the system is estimated within the average time spent by the elements of the fire control system of the anti-aircraft unit (unit) at their positions. As an indicator of survivability, the probability of non-defeat of elements of the enemy fire control system over the adopted time period is accepted. The adopted indicator is characterized by a number of particular indicators: the probability of detection (the probability of direct detection by enemy aircraft in a given area) of the control system elements; the probability of absenteeism of control elements from under the attack of the enemy; the probability of defeat of the elements of the enemy assets management system In turn, private indicators take into account the enemy’s ability to detect and strike at elements of the fire control system of an anti-aircraft sub-unit (anti-aircraft unit), as well as the possible impact of organizational and technical measures aimed at improving camouflage, creating false positions, and engineering support to reduce the likelihood of detection and defeat of elements of a fire control system of an anti-aircraft sub-unit (anti-aircraft unit). The proposed methodology for assessing the survivability of a fire control system takes into account the dynamics of its operation, the impact of possible measures to increase survivability at its level, takes into account different options for striking the enemy and allows a comparative analysis of proposals to ensure the required level of survivability of the system in the headquarters (military authorities) planning and conducting combat operations.

Nature Society System Survivability Indicators

The paper gives a description of a global simulation model of the nature-society system evolution when different aspects of the nature and society interactions are taken into consideration. The model structure includes 29 blocks realizing specific restricted operations. Model describes series of important natural and anthropogenic processes including biogeochemical cycles, global hydrologic balance in liquid, gaseous and solid phases, productivity of soil-plant formations with different types defined, photosynthesis in ocean ecosystems, demographic processes, and climate change. One of the main aspects of this model is the estimation of the nature-society system survivability under conditions of limited energy resources. The behavior of nature and society is described by a point in the phase space of the characteristic parameters change of which is determined by the system strategy and behavior. Simulation experiments demonstrate the model functions in framework of serial anthropogenic scenarios.