Gaussian process approach for dose mapping in radiation fields

Khuwaileh Bassam A.,Metwally Walid A. 한국원자력학회 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.8

In this work, a Gaussian Process (Kriging) approach is proposed to provide efficient dose mapping for complex radiation fields using limited number of responses. Given a few response measurements (or simulation data points), the proposed approach can help the analyst in completing a map of the radiation dose field with a 95% confidence interval, efficiently. Two case studies are used to validate the proposed approach. The First case study is based on experimental dose measurements to build the dose map in a radiation field induced by a D-D neutron generator. The second, is a simulation case study where the proposed approach is used to mimic Monte Carlo dose predictions in the radiation field using a limited number of MCNP simulations. Given the low computational cost of constructing Gaussian Process (GP) models, results indicate that the GP model can reasonably map the dose in the radiation field given a limited number of data measurements. Both case studies are performed on the nuclear engineering radiation laboratories at the University of Sharjah

Post earthquake performance monitoring of a typical highway overpass bridge

A. Iranmanesh,A. Bassam,F. Ansari 국제구조공학회 2009 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.5 No.4

Bridges form crucial links in the transportation network especially in high seismic risk regions. This research aims to provide a quantitative methodology for post-earthquake performance evaluation of the bridges. The experimental portion of the research involved shake table tests of a 4-span bridge which was subjected to progressively increasing amplitudes of seismic motions recorded from the Northridge earthquake. As part of this project, a high resolution long gauge fiber optic displacement sensor was developed for post-seismic evaluation of damage in the columns of the bridge. The nonlinear finite element model was developed using Opensees program to simulate the response of the bridge and the abutments to the seismic loads. The model was modified to predict the bent displacements of the bridge commensurate with the measured bent displacements obtained from experimental analysis results. Following seismic events, the tangential stiffness matrix of the whole structure is reduced due to reduction in structural strength. The nonlinear static push over analysis using current damaged stiffness matrix provides the longitudinal and transverse ultimate capacities of the bridge. Capacity loss in the transverse and longitudinal directions following the seismic events was correlated to the maximum displacements of the deck recorded during the events.

Surrogate based model calibration for pressurized water reactor physics calculations

Bassam A. Khuwaileh,PAUL J. TURINSKY 한국원자력학회 2017 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.49 No.6

In this work, a scalable algorithm for model calibration in nuclear engineering applications is presentedand tested. The algorithm relies on the construction of surrogate models to replace the original modelwithin the region of interest. These surrogate models can be constructed efficiently via reduced ordermodeling and subspace analysis. Once constructed, these surrogate models can be used to performcomputationally expensive mathematical analyses. This work proposes a surrogate based model calibrationalgorithm. The proposed algorithm is used to calibrate various neutronics and thermal-hydraulicsparameters. The virtual environment for reactor applications-core simulator (VERA-CS) is used tosimulate a three-dimensional core depletion problem. The proposed algorithm is then used to constructa reduced order model (a surrogate) which is then used in a Bayesian approach to calibrate the neutronicsand thermal-hydraulics parameters. The algorithm is tested and the benefits of data assimilationand calibration are highlighted in an uncertainty quantification study and requantification after thecalibration process. Results showed that the proposed algorithm could help to reduce the uncertainty inkey reactor attributes based on experimental and operational data.

Post earthquake performance monitoring of a typical highway overpass bridge

Iranmanesh, A.,Bassam, A.,Ansari, F. Techno-Press 2009 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.5 No.4

Bridges form crucial links in the transportation network especially in high seismic risk regions. This research aims to provide a quantitative methodology for post-earthquake performance evaluation of the bridges. The experimental portion of the research involved shake table tests of a 4-span bridge which was subjected to progressively increasing amplitudes of seismic motions recorded from the Northridge earthquake. As part of this project, a high resolution long gauge fiber optic displacement sensor was developed for post-seismic evaluation of damage in the columns of the bridge. The nonlinear finite element model was developed using Opensees program to simulate the response of the bridge and the abutments to the seismic loads. The model was modified to predict the bent displacements of the bridge commensurate with the measured bent displacements obtained from experimental analysis results. Following seismic events, the tangential stiffness matrix of the whole structure is reduced due to reduction in structural strength. The nonlinear static push over analysis using current damaged stiffness matrix provides the longitudinal and transverse ultimate capacities of the bridge. Capacity loss in the transverse and longitudinal directions following the seismic events was correlated to the maximum displacements of the deck recorded during the events.

Properties and durability of concrete with olive waste ash as a partial cement replacement

Tayeh, Bassam A.,Hadzima-Nyarko, Marijana,Zeyad, Abdullah M.,Al-Harazin, Samer Z. Techno-Press 2021 Advances in concrete construction Vol.11 No.1

This research aims to study the utilization of olive waste ash (OWA) in the production of concrete as a partial substitute for cement. Effects of using OWA on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete mixtures have been investigated. This is done by carrying out tests involving the addition of various percentages of OWA to cement (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%). For each percentage, tests were performed on both fresh and hardened concrete; these included slump test, unit weight test and compressive strength test after 7, 28 and 90 days. Durability tests were investigated in solutions containing 5% NaOH and MgSO4 by weight of water. In addition, resistance to high temperatures was tested by subjecting the cubes to high temperatures of up to 170℃. The results of this research indicate that a higher percentage of OWA gives a lower compressive strength and lower workability but higher performance in terms of durability against both different weather conditions and high temperatures.

Experimental Study of the Flexural Behaviour of RC Beams Made of Eco-friendly Sawdust Concrete and Strengthened by a Wooden Plate

Ahmed M. Maglad,Walid Mansour,Sabry Fayed,Bassam A. Tayeh,Ahmed M. Yosri,M. Hamad 한국콘크리트학회 2023 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.17 No.6

In this paper, the effectiveness of the strengthening by a wooden plate for reinforced concrete (RC) beams that incorporate waste sawdust (SD) as a partial substitute for fine aggregate (sand) has been investigated. To this end, two types of concrete mixtures were made: normal concrete (NC) and sawdust concrete (SDC), which was made by substituting 15% of the volume of sand with SD. Five RC beams (100 mm in depth, 200 mm in width, and 1500 mm in length) were experimentally tested for flexural behavior under four-point loading. Three strengthening schemes were used in this study. The first scheme used a wooden plate that was only fixed by an adhesive layer. The second and third schemes were applied by a wooden plate, which was fixed by an adhesive layer and steel angles (two and eleven angles). The findings of the study indicate that although the concrete's workability, compressive, and splitting tensile strengths were reduced with the addition of SD, the ultimate load of the beam with SD was lower than that of the control beam, with a slight variation of approximately 4%. Moreover, strengthening the RC beam with a wooden plate and two steel angles yielded the highest load capacity among all tested beams, 20% higher than the control specimen. The study's findings offered useful information for developing eco-friendly sawdust concrete beams with efficient strengthening techniques for potential future uses.

Management of the Most Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infancy: The Middle East Expert Consensus

Indrio, Flavia,Enninger, Axel,Aldekhail, Wajeeh,Al-Ghanem, Ghanem,Al-Hussaini, Abdulrahman,Al-Hussaini, Bakr,Al-Refaee, Fawaz,Al-Said, Khoula,Eid, Bassam,Faysal, Wafaa,Hijazeen, Ruwaida,Isa, Hasan M.A The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2021 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.24 No.4

The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is a formidable challenge for infants, parents, and healthcare professionals. Although data from the Middle East are scarce, experts consider FGIDs a prevalent condition in everyday clinical practice. The new Rome IV criteria revisited the definitions from a clinical perspective to provide a practical and consistent diagnostic protocol for FGIDs. However, the treatment practices for functional disorders vary considerably among Middle Eastern countries, often resulting in mismanagement with unnecessary investigations and treatments. In addition, the role of various treatment modalities, including probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, in FGIDs requires further discussion and evaluation. During a consensus meeting, a locally relevant approach for treating common FGIDs such as infant regurgitation, infant colic, and functional constipation was discussed and approved by regional experts. The participants suggested a simplified treatment plan and protocol for general pediatricians and other primary care physicians managing FGIDs. This easy-to-follow standardized protocol will help streamline the initial management of this complex disorder in the Middle East region and even globally.

바이오필름(생물세균막) 및 식품 안전 (바이오필름 솔루션 제안)

Bassam A. Annous,Ruth Eden,육준모(Junmo Youck) 한국축산식품학회 2019 축산식품과학과 산업 Vol.8 No.1

A combined hydrochemical-statistical analysis of Saq aquifer, northwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Yousef Nazzal,Izrar Ahmed,Nassir S.N. Al-Arifi,Habes Ghrefat,Awni Batayneh,Bassam A. Abuamarah,Faisal K. Zaidi 한국지질과학협의회 2015 Geosciences Journal Vol.19 No.1

The present study includes detailed hydrochemicalassessment of groundwater resources of Saq aquifer. The Saq aquifercovers a large area (about 375,000 km²) and lies in the arid regionwith low annual rainfall and extremely high evaporation. In the studyarea, groundwater serves as the major source for agricultural activityand for domestic usages. A total of 295 groundwater samples collectedand were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such ashydrogen ion concentration (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS) andelectrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium(Mg2+), and calcium (Ca2+) ,bicarbonate (HCO3) chloride(Cl−), sulfate (SO42−) and nitrate (NO3). The goal and challenge forthe statistical overview was to delineate chemical distributions ina complex, heterogeneous set of data spanning over a large geographicrange. After de-clustering to create a uniform spatial sample distributionwith 295 samples, histograms and quantile-quantile (Q-Q)plots were employed to delineate subpopulations that have coherentchemical affinities. The elements showing significantly higher positivecorrelation are: TDS with EC; Ca with EC, TDS; Mg and EC,TDS, Ca, K; Cl and EC, TDS, Mg, Na, Ca; SO4 and EC, TDS, Ca,Cl, Na, Mg. The distribution of major ions in the groundwater isNa+ > Ca++ > Mg++ > K+ and Cl− > SO4−2 > HCO3− > NO3−. Ionicabundance plot of alkalis with Ca and Mg is suggestive of mix typetrends of concentrations as evident by moderate correlation (r =0.57). About 60% of the total samples have alkalis abundance andrests have more Ca + Mg concentrations than alkalis. Taking bothresults of cluster tree and geochemical features of variables intoconsideration, the authors classify the elements into two major groups,the first includes TDS, Na, EC, Cl, Ca, SO4, and Mg, where therelationship within the group are strong. The second group includesK, HCO3, pH, and NO3. This group has close relationship with group1 demonstrate that, the increase in the concentration to some elementscould be the same. Some of the analyzed parameters approach anormal distribution, as both their skewnesses and kurtoses reachclose to “0”. The study revealed that, all of the element pairs exhibitpositive relations.

A vibration-based approach for detecting arch dam damage using RBF neural networks and Jaya algorithms

Zahoor Hussain,Ali Zar,Muhammad Akbar,Bassam A. Tayeh,Zhibin Lin 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.32 No.5

The study presents a new hybrid data-driven method by combining radial basis functions neural networks (RBFNN) with the Jaya algorithm (JA) to provide effective structural health monitoring of arch dams. The novelty of this approach lies in that only one user-defined parameter is required and thus can increase its effectiveness and efficiency, as compared to other machine learning techniques that often require processing a large amount of training and testing model parameters and hyper-parameters, with high time-consuming. This approach seeks rapid damage detection in arch dams under dynamic conditions, to prevent potential disasters, by utilizing the RBF-NNN to seamlessly integrate the dynamic elastic modulus (DEM) and modal parameters (such as natural frequency and mode shape) as damage indicators. To determine the dynamic characteristics of the arch dam, the JA sequentially optimizes an objective function rooted in vibration-based data sets. Two case studies of hyperbolic concrete arch dams were carefully designed using finite element simulation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the RBF-NN model, in conjunction with the Jaya algorithm. The testing results demonstrated that the proposed methods could exhibit significant computational time-savings, while effectively detecting damage in arch dam structures with complex nonlinearities. Furthermore, despite training data contaminated with a high level of noise, the RBF-NN and JA fusion remained the robustness, with high accuracy.