Browse Topic: Safety

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Validation Study of the Jaguar Land Rover Aerodynamic Computational Fluid Dynamics Process Using Metric-Based Assessment Criteria2026-01-5072To be published on 09/03/2026
Credibility of simulation data has always been fundamental in aerodynamic vehicle development, as a significant amount of early design phase work is conducted virtually before a physical test property is made. As the automotive industry pivots toward artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to assist in aerodynamic development, training these models with simulation data requires a comprehensive understanding of the accuracy and validity of the underlying simulation. It is critical these systems are trained from reliable data with a full understanding of both the limitations and predictive performance of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) process and the wind tunnel facility it is benchmarked against. Validation and verification studies have been a long-established set of guidelines to determine if the simulation model appropriately reflects reality (validation) or if it has been set with robust numerical schemes, mesh settings, or boundary conditions (verification). The work presented here shows a comprehensive validation study with more than 400 test configurations and 18 vehicle properties. It evaluates Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and detached eddy simulation (DES) approaches using moving reference frame (MRF) and rigid body motion (RBM) to account for wheel rotation and comparing STAR-CCM+ CFD process and the FKFS Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel (AAWT). The results demonstrate that DES—particularly when wheel rotation is modeled using RBM—provides the highest overall predictive performance, with a drag accuracy from −2% to +4% for 80% of cases with corrections applied, which gets to ±2% for over 95% cases with an additional calibration step. A metric-based assessment criterion that combines key performance metrics into a single detection event (DE) score derived from failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) principles is proposed with an example shown for the 2021 Range Rover Velar. The benefit being that it removes a more judgement-based, qualitative approach, aiding toolset selection and methods development gaps.
Beves, Christopher, Simmonds, Nicholas, Dalmau Graells, Eric
Lightweight Research on CFRP Bumper Impact Beam2026-99-04118/28/2026
As a critical component in vehicular passive safety systems, the automotive bumper beam significantly influences overall crash safety performance and lightweight potential. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the lightweight design of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bumper beam, systematically substituting a conventional aluminum alloy component based on the principle of equivalent bending stiffness. The research methodology integrates finite element modeling, design of experiments, and multi-objective decision-making to optimize crashworthiness. Initial design replaced the 3 mm aluminum beam with a 2.4 mm CFRP configuration using a [0°, 45°, 90°, -45°] ply sequence, demonstrating maintained structural integrity with substantial mass reduction potential. Through Latin Hypercube Sampling, 50 design configurations incorporating variations in panel thicknesses (five distinct sections) and ply orientation sequences were generated and evaluated under an 8 km/h frontal impact simulation. Crashworthiness was assessed through four key indicators: mass, specific energy absorption (SEA), maximum intrusion distance (Dm), and peak impact force (Fm). The entropy weight method objectively determined indicator weights, revealing maximum intrusion (49.27%) as the most critical factor, followed by mass (32.75%), peak force (9.75%), and SEA (8.23%). Subsequently, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was employed to comprehensively evaluate and rank all design alternatives. The optimized CFRP configuration (Scheme #38) achieved remarkable performance: 69.1% mass reduction (from 4.505 kg to 1.392 kg), 379.6% improvement in specific energy absorption, 12.6% reduction in peak impact force, while maintaining intrusion within acceptable design limits. This research establishes a robust framework for CFRP bumper beam optimization, successfully balancing lightweight objectives with enhanced crashworthiness, providing valuable insights for automotive lightweight safety component development.
Wang, Yizhi, Zhong, Rong, Long, Jiangqi
Influence of Restraint System Angles on Impact Response and Protection of Child Occupants in Vertical Crash Conditions2026-99-04138/28/2026
Focusing on the protection needs of child occupants in the scenario of aircraft vertical crashes, a finite element calculation model based on the cabin structure of a certain type of small electric aircraft was established. The child seat restraint system was coupled with the THUMS 3YO human body model, and the vertical 15 g condition meeting the requirements of Article 23.562 of CCAR-23-R3 was simulated. The influence law of the safety belt restraint angles (formed by different safety belt routing positions) on the dynamic response and injury indicators of child occupants was explored. To verify the rationality of the simulation results, a physical impact experiment was conducted using a Hybrid III 3YO child dummy and the same type of child seat, with key indicators (e.g., head acceleration, lumbar load) measured and compared with simulation data. The analysis results show that the effect of the safety belt restraint angle on the overall protective performance is less pronounced under vertical conditions, but a clear trend is observed: when the angle is in the range of 76°~84°, the head acceleration is relatively low and the brain tissue injury indicators are in the optimal state, which can effectively reduce the risk of head and neck injuries; when the restraint angle increases to 92°, the lumbar axial load and lung strain increase significantly, indicating a detrimental effect. The results of this study clarify the differences in the protective performance of child seats under different restraint angles, and provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the layout of safety belt anchors of aircraft seats and the optimal design of child seats.
Wang, Yafeng, Guo, Pan, Li, Weiliang, Shi, Xiaopeng
Dynamic Response and Energy Absorption of a Novel Arc-Shaped Hourglass Re-Entrant Honeycomb under Impact Loading2026-99-04178/28/2026
This study introduces an arc-shaped hourglass re-entrant auxetic honeycomb (AHRH) and examines its impact-induced dynamic response and energy-absorption behavior via finite-element simulations. The conventional re-entrant honeycomb (RH) is adopted as the baseline, and side-by-side simulations are performed at impact speeds of 10, 20, and 30 m/s. The mechanical response of both lattices is assessed through force-displacement characteristics, absorbed-energy histories, and representative deformation modes. Results indicate that the AHRH significantly reduces the initial peak force, prolongs the plateau stage, and exhibits a distinct dual-plateau feature, thereby achieving the desirable crashworthiness mode of “low initial peak-extended plateau-high densification”. Compared with the RH, the AHRH achieves increases of approximately 42.9%-59.7% in total energy absorption and 42.8%-56.1% in specific energy absorption while maintaining nearly identical mass. The enhanced performance arises from the arc-edge geometry, which alleviates local stress concentrations, promotes progressive buckling, and generates multiple plastic hinges. These mechanisms lead to smoother load transfer, avoidance of excessively high initial impact loads, and more efficient crash energy management. Overall, the proposed AHRH structure demonstrates superior energy absorption capacity and deformation stability compared with the conventional RH, providing new insights and practical references for the lightweight design and optimization of advanced protective and crashworthy structures.
Jiang, Zhide, Chen, Long, Yu, Ping
AVSC Best Practice for ADS Remote Assistance Training and Human FactorsAVSC-I-07-20268/25/2026
AVSC Best Practice for ADS Remote Assistance Training and Human Factors is intended to support the development of processes regarding automated driving system-dedicated vehicle (ADS-DV) remote assistant training, qualification, assessment, and performance-related human factors. It provides information to standardize communication about remote assistance (RA) programs to stakeholders to increase public trust in the operation of ADS-DVs by providing guidance on training for remote assistants.
Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium
Ambulance Litter Integrity, Retention, and Patient RestraintJ3027_202608 (Current)8/19/2026
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the testing procedures required to evaluate the integrity of a ground ambulance-based patient litter, litter retention system, and patient restraint when exposed to a frontal, side or rear impact. Its purpose is to provide litter manufacturers, ambulance builders, and end-users with testing procedures and, where appropriate, acceptance criteria that, to a great extent ensures the patient litter, litter retention system, and patient restraint utilizes a similar dynamic performance test methodology to that which is applied to other vehicle seating and occupant restraint systems. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, test fixture, and performance metrics are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Ambulance Interior Storage Compartment IntegrityJ3058_202608 (Current)8/19/2026
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the dynamic testing procedures required to evaluate the integrity of patient compartment interior Storage Compartments such as cabinets, drawers, or refillable supply pouch systems when exposed to a frontal, side or rear impact (i.e., a crash impact). Its purpose is to provide component manufacturers, ambulance builders, and end-users with testing procedures and, where appropriate, acceptance criteria that, to a great extent, ensure interior Storage Compartments or systems meet the same performance criteria across the industry. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, test fixture, and performance metrics are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Research and Practice of Emergency Rescue Unmanned Patrol Flying Equipment2026-99-03378/14/2026
To enhance China’s disaster and accident emergency response capabilities and strengthen the digital battlefield system for emergency rescue, an integrated multi-payload unmanned aerial surveillance and communication support system has been developed for extreme weather conditions and ‘triple-disconnection’ disaster scenarios. This paper sets out to address the limitations of traditional emergency drones, including poor environmental adaptability, weak payload capacity, and operational inconvenience. The system’s resistance to wind and rain has been significantly enhanced through the optimization of its airframe design. The innovative design incorporates dual-station symmetric conjugate antennas with planar blind-spot coverage systems, integrating public and self-organizing network base stations to achieve three-dimensional signal coverage and heterogeneous network integration. This enhances ground cellular network resilience. Multi-functional reconnaissance payloads are integrated and compatible with day/night and smoke/rain scenarios, thus overcoming the limitations of single-source visual information perception. The system employs zero-length deployment and parachute recovery methods, thereby facilitating rapid deployment and terrain-independent take-off and landing capabilities. The simulation results obtained demonstrate excellent aerodynamic performance, thus permitting safe operation in wind conditions up to Force 8. The antenna system under discussion is innovative in nature and has been developed to achieve 360° three-dimensional signal coverage. The primary function of this system is to ensure sustained communication link integrity. The field trials further corroborate the aircraft’s stable low-altitude cruising capability in Force 8 winds, thereby averting congestion in constrained rescue airspace. The dual-base station design, incorporating symmetric conjugate antennas and blind-spot compensation antennas, has been demonstrated to reliably restore public ground network signals within a 6.7-kilometre radius. The development of this unmanned aerial patrol system addresses a significant gap in low-altitude rescue capabilities for intelligent unmanned equipment in harsh environments. It underpins the integrated emergency command and operations system for intelligence, command, and execution, as well as the integrated emergency communication support system spanning the air, land, and sea domains. This advancement has been demonstrated to enhance disaster response efficiency and auxiliary decision-making effectiveness under extreme conditions.
Bian, Lu, Fang, Yudong, Yang, Jixing, Zhang, Chen, Hu, Bin, Zhang, Mingyue
Stress Analysis and Simulation Study of Propane Spherical Tanks2026-99-03348/14/2026
As special pressure-bearing vessels, spherical tanks are widely used in chemical, oil refining, and other fields. However, their safe operation faces the dual challenges of structural failure and leakage diffusion. Meanwhile, due to its low lower explosive limit and the low ignition energy required, propane will evaporate rapidly after leakage to form an explosive mixed gas, which may further trigger severe accidents such as combustion and explosion. Therefore, this paper takes a 3000 m3 propane spherical tank as the research object, comprehensively applies the finite element analysis method, and systematically researches stress distribution, aiming to provide theoretical support for the safety design of spherical tanks and accident prevention and control.
Huang, Yuanxuan, Tao, Gang, Zhang, Lijing
Numerical Simulation Study on Fire Prevention in Aero-Engine Fuel Tube2026-99-03038/14/2026
Transient gas-liquid two-phase flow in aero-engine fuel pipelines was examined using numerical simulations, focusing on the influence of flow rate on phase change behavior. Under low-flow conditions, phase change occurred repeatedly near the pipe wall, where vapor layers formed and collapsed in an intermittent manner. These processes introduced noticeable unsteadiness in the local mass flow and pressure fields. When the flow rate was increased, vapor generation was largely confined to a narrow region adjacent to the wall, and the overall flow exhibited a more stable character. The results suggest that flow-rate-dependent phase change plays an important role in determining the stability of fuel transport and should be considered in the fire safety assessment of aircraft fuel systems.
Wu, Bin, Xin, Bo, Zeng, Tai, Su, Zhengliang
Failure Analysis of the Safety Valve Spring in a Dangerous Goods Tanker2026-99-03138/14/2026
During the operation, a spring in the built-in safety valve of a dangerous goods tanker. A comprehensive failure analysis of the material was conducted through macroscopic and microscopic inspections, metallographic analysis, energy spectrum analysis (EDS), and hardness tests. The failure mode of the broken spring was brittle fracture. The fracture morphology was like that of ice sugar, and the chemical composition of the spring steel met the specified requirements. The main cause of fracture failure is the mechanical damage to the inner surface during the spring manufacturing process, which leads to stress concentration in the damaged area and ultimately results in fracture. In addition, manufacturers should strengthen and standardize the production process to prevent mechanical damage and select high-purity spring steel to improve the durability of the springs.
Yang, Lijun, Li, Qingshan, Xiong, Mingming, Liu, Mingming, Wu, Junyao, Yu, Lang, Zhang, Zewei, Xie, Xumeng
Structural Design and Mechanical Performance Analysis of Key Components of Deicing Robots for Transmission Lines2026-99-03468/14/2026
Extreme winter weather often leads to ice accretion on transmission lines. Manual removal is inefficient, costly, and poses safety risks. To address this issue, this paper presents the design of a de-icing robot to replace manual operations for transmission line de-icing. The main content focuses on the detailed structural design of the robot, including the mobile platform, de-icing mechanism, and adaptive adjustment module. Finite element simulations are conducted on key components to verify the structural rationality and the correctness of material selection. The proposed de-icing robot enhances the safety of the de-icing process, improves operational efficiency, and provides a valuable reference for transmission line de-icing methods, demonstrating significant practical value.
Chang, Hao, Zhen, Chen, Han, Fengmei, Li, Cheng
Modeling and Simulation of the Quick Discharge Hydraulic System of an Internal Mixer2026-99-03058/14/2026
The hydraulic system of the mechanical lever locking device of the internal mixer and the hydraulic system of the gear rack swing hydraulic cylinder are developed. The AMESim simulation models of the two systems are established, and the simulation parameters of each hydraulic element are reasonably set. Firstly, the relationship between the opening time of the mechanical lever locking device of the internal mixer and the charging volume and pressure of the accumulator is analyzed. It is found that the locking time of the mechanical lever locking device of the internal mixer needs about 10 s, while the unlocking time is less than 0.05 s. The unlocking and rubber discharging speed is very fast, and the opening time of the mechanical lever locking device of the internal mixer will become shorter when the pressure or volume of the accumulator air bag becomes larger; Through the analysis of the hydraulic system of the rack and pinion swing hydraulic cylinder, it is obtained that when the air bag volume of the accumulator is 7.557 L, the displacement of the piston rod of the rack and pinion swing hydraulic cylinder rises fastest, which is shortened from 20 s to about 15 s; The greater the air bag pressure of the accumulator is, the faster the displacement of the piston rod of the gear rack swing hydraulic cylinder rises, which is shortened from 20 s to 18 s.
Zhang, Haoqiang, Cai, Liu
Pelvis Lap Belt Engagement of Small-Sized Females in Frontal Impacts Using Seat-Integrated Restraints and Vehicle Seats for Alternative Seating Positions2026-22-00088/14/2026
Non-traditional vehicle seating postures challenge traditional occupant protection paradigms that promote pelvis lap belt engagement. Seat-integrated restraints may promote pelvis lap belt engagement in alternative seating postures but have not been evaluated with post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) in vehicle seats. The goal of this research was to perform three 38.8 g, 56 km/h frontal impact sled tests with small-sized female PMHS in a crash environment with a vehicle seat designed for alternative seating positions. PMHS pelvis kinematics, lap belt engagement, and submarining response were compared to that of the Hybrid III 5th female (HIII-5F) in the same environment. The seat was in the rearmost seat track position, reclined 40° from vertical, and incorporated a leg rest, which elevated the feet off the floor. A seat cushion airbag (SCAB), large passenger airbag (PAB), shoulder belt pretensioner (SB P/T), and seat-integrated belt (BIS) were incorporated into the testing environment. The SCAB restricted initial downward translation of the pelvis and induced 7.7°–11.8°of initial pelvis rearward rotation. Lap belt loading of the abdominal soft tissue occurred in each test via three distinct interactions: (1) initial pelvis lap belt engagement followed by pelvis fracture and subsequent submarining; (2) lack of initial pelvis engagement and direct abdominal loading; (3) initial pelvis lap belt engagement followed by submarining. In a matched test environment, the HIII-5F did not submarine nor reproduce the entire lap belt pelvis interactions observed by the PMHS. Future research must develop better tools for predicting lap belt engagement in alternative seating positions.
Newman, Rachel, Shin, Jeesoo, Sochor, Sara, Morgan, Neal R., Gepner, Bronislaw D., Kerrigan, Jason R., Kim, Yongtae, Kim, Sung Rae
Relevant vehicle front-end components for pedestrian laboratory testing to address real-world pedestrian injuries when struck by passenger vehicles with high hood heights2026-22-00098/14/2026
In the United States, pedestrian deaths account for 18% of roadway fatalities and have increased 78% since their lowest point in 2009. U.S. consumers are increasingly purchasing larger vehicles that are responsible for a disproportionate number of pedestrian injuries. This study examined a dataset of pedestrians struck by passenger vehicles in Michigan from 2015 to 2024 to identify the unique characteristics of the tallest vehicles, large SUVs and pickups, which are contributing to increased injury. Vehicle height was categorized as the hood leading edge (HLE) height compared with the estimated pedestrian hip and waist heights from anthropometric measures. Maximum abbreviated injury scale and injury sources by body region were tabulated for three vehicle height categories. Typical kinematic patterns were observed for each relative height category and the corresponding injury frequency and impact locations. For vehicles with high hood heights, head and torso injuries were commonly from the front of the vehicle —the grille, headlights, and HLE. In contrast, head injuries sustained when pedestrians were struck by medium-height and short vehicles were primarily from the vehicle hood and windshields. Even among the tallest vehicles where the bumper was much higher than the pedestrian’s knee, leg injuries from the vehicle bumper and valance were frequent, suggesting that evaluating these vehicle components is also necessary to address lower extremity injuries. This study identified the unique pedestrian impact locations associated with the tallest vehicles, which can help guide vehicle designers when considering impact attenuation strategies to reduce injury in crashes with pedestrians.
Mueller, Becky, Jermakian, Jessica
Analysis of Critical Issues in the Assembly and Deployment Techniques of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles2026-99-09068/7/2026
With the complexity of chemical warfare threats and the diversification of battlefield environments, traditional toxic agent detection methods are facing bottlenecks such as response delays, coverage blind spots, and personnel safety risks. This research focuses on the application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carried toxic agent sensor systems, aiming to analyze the methods of mounting and deploying the sensors on the UAVs, and to construct a rapid response, high-precision, and highly resistant toxic agent monitoring system. Its significance lies in two aspects: 1. Tactical value: It breaks through the time and space limitations of manual reconnaissance, realizes real-time dynamic perception and early warning of toxic agent contamination, and provides key decision-making support for battlefield command; 2. Application expansion: The research results can be transferred to counter-terrorism, nuclear, biological, and chemical emergency response fields, providing theoretical support and engineering paradigms for the development of unmanned and intelligent chemical defense equipment.
Liang, Ting, Wen, Hao, Qi, Yelin, Yan, Rui, Ma, Tengbo, Yang, Wen
Accelerometer Mass Compensation on Frequency Response Functions in Impact Testing Based on the Substructure Method2026-99-09118/7/2026
Impact testing utilizing instrumented hammers and accelerometers is a widely adopted technique in dynamic testing. The mass loading effect of the accelerometer alters the dynamic response of the test structure, leading to deviations between the measured frequency response functions (FRFs) and their true values. Furthermore, the effects on the FRFs are contingent upon the positioning of the accelerometer, thereby causing the measured FRFs between two points to fail to meet the principle of reciprocity. This paper investigates the compensation method for the mass of a single accelerometer in impact testing. Compensation formulas for both origin–FRF and cross–FRF are derived using the frequency domain substructure decoupling method. Numerical simulations on a cantilever beam and experimental tests with milling tools validate the proposed methodology. The compensation formulas for FRFs presented in this paper are expected to enhance the measurement accuracy of FRFs in modal testing of small structures, particularly relevant for lightweight components in aerospace, aircraft, and transportation systems, where precise dynamic characterization is critical.
Tang, Zhenrong, Yao, Zhenqiang
Mechanical Structure Design and Dynamics Simulation of an Exoskeleton Leg Rehabilitation Robot2026-99-09028/7/2026
In response to the challenges of training and rehabilitation for patients with leg dysfunction, this research focuses on two core requirements: “bionic adaptation” and “safety assistance”. It introduces a novel exoskeleton leg rehabilitation robot designed to support diverse rehabilitation exercises for individuals with leg disabilities during therapy. The robot system consists of a lumbar support structure, thigh mechanical components, calf mechanical components, leg fixation straps, and foot mechanical structures, and achieves multi degree of freedom motion simulation through three main joints: hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint. Each mechanical leg has three independent degrees of freedom, which can effectively simulate the natural movements of the human lower limb, such as flexion, extension, abduction, etc., during the gait cycle, thus meeting the functional needs of patients for different movement modes during rehabilitation training. On the basis of structural design, this study further utilizes multi-body dynamics simulation software ADAMS to conduct kinematic and dynamic analysis of the exoskeleton robot. By simulating the joint torque of the exoskeleton legs under ideal working conditions, the rationality and smoothness of the mechanism design are verified. The simulation results not only reflect the performance of the robot in typical rehabilitation actions, but also provide a theoretical basis and data support for the selection and parameter matching of key execution components (such as servo motors, reducers, etc.), laying an important foundation for the physical development and control strategy optimization of the robot system.
Mu, Xiaoqi, Ma, Chao, Li, Weijie, Pu, Shuai, Liu, Jiaqi, Wang, Ruiyin, Zhang, Xiaodong
Research on the Operating Characteristics of a Micro Turbine-Based Emergency Device2026-99-09128/7/2026
To meet the power and electricity supply demands in special scenarios such as fire safety rescue, mine refuge chambers, and explosion-proof and dust-proof environments, a portable emergency rescue device powered by compressed air and driven by a two-stage axial-flow micro-pneumatic turbine is proposed. The pressure and velocity fields of the pneumatic turbine were analyzed using a combination of numerical analysis and experiments. The effects of nozzle number and inlet pressure on the operational characteristics of the turbine and the emergency device were compared. The results show that the maximum ratio of the output torque of rotor 2 to rotor 1 is 12%. The output power of rotor 2 is less than that of rotor 1, with the maximum output power of rotor 2 being 16.5% of rotor 1. The two-stage rotor structure helps to reduce residual speed loss. At the same rotational speed, increasing the inlet pressure of the turbine can enhance its output power. At an inlet pressure of 300 kPa and a rotational speed of 30, 000 rpm, the aerodynamic turbine torque is 13.8 N·m, and the turbine reaches an output power of 42 W. The emergency device, operating in a triple-nozzle mode, shows higher power and efficiency compared to the two-nozzle mode, demonstrating a higher power and efficiency than that observed in a two-nozzle mode. The maximum power output is 28.1 W, with the highest efficiency reaching 24.87%.
Liu, Jiang, Wu, Xi, Gao, Zhiwei, Chen, Bin, Ma, Renjun
A Driver Behavior Detection Method Based on Improved YOLOv11 and an Attention Mechanism2026-01-50468/6/2026
Driver’s distraction and fatigue are among the major contributing factors of traffic accidents. This study presents a methodology to identify driver’s distraction using a refined You Only Look Once (YOLO) model, denoted as YOLOv11.To address the inconsistent performance of earlier versions of YOLO, especially with regard to lack of systematic evaluations, this study proposes an improved YOLOv11 model. A mixed local channel attention (MLCA) module is further introduced to enhance small object feature extractions considering the use of Wise-Intersection over Union (IoU) v3 loss function to improve localization accuracy and training stability. Experiments demonstrated that this model outperforms competing models across all metrics, achieving 99.13% mAP at 0.5 and 82.54% mAP at 0.5:0.95, while also achieving minimal bounding box loss. The proposed model demonstrated higher accuracy and robustness, making it suitable for real-world driver monitoring system (DMS) deployments.
Ma, Bao, Taghavifar, Hamid, Fu, Zhijun, Karangwa, Jules, Rakheja, Subhash
Delay-Compensated Active Anti-Roll Bar of Tractor-Trailers Using Two-Dimensional Piston Pump Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators02-19-04-00278/5/2026
As tractor-trailers are essential to global logistics, their roll stability during emergency maneuvers is a critical safety concern. This paper presents a novel delay-compensated active roll control strategy for tractor-trailers using a two-dimensional piston pump electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). Unlike existing advanced strategies that assume ideal actuator behavior, this approach specifically targets the inherent response delay in high-tonnage applications. A detailed EHA model, including pump flow characteristics and hydraulic mechanics, was developed and validated through step response experiments. A seven-degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics model and a model predictive controller were also constructed to compute the required anti-roll moment under emergency driving conditions. In order to address the EHA actuator’s response delay, a delay feedforward controller (DFC) was designed, integrating acceleration feedforward, feedback regulation, and delay disturbance estimation. TruckSim–Simulink co-simulations under double lane-change (DLC) maneuvers at 40 km/h, 60 km/h, and 80 km/h show that DFC improves displacement tracking and reduces peak trailer roll angle by up to 15% compared to a velocity-feedforward proportional-integral-derivative (VFPID) controller. It also enhances control efficiency, as evidenced by lower average motor speeds and pressure response of EHA. The system demonstrates high power-to-weight ratio and efficient tracking capabilities under dynamic conditions. Although active control provides limited benefit at low speeds, the proposed strategy effectively improves roll stability and driving safety under dynamic conditions.
Chen, Lijie, Yin, Yuming, Zeng, Yuhang, Ruan, Jian, Li, Hangqi, Sun, Peng
Steel, Corrosion- and Heat-Resistant, Wire, 17Cr - 12Ni - 2.5Mo (SAE 316), Solution Heat TreatedAMS5690P (Current)8/5/2026
This specification covers a corrosion- and heat-resistant steel in the form of wire.
AMS F Corrosion and Heat Resistant Alloys Committee
Study on Penetration Damage Characteristics of Honeycomb Non-pneumatic Safety Tiree2026-99-01677/31/2026
To improve the mobility and reliability of special-purpose vehicles that are operated in extreme conditions and to minimize the influence of tire failure on the vehicle’s mobility, this paper investigates how the mechanical properties of honeycomb non-pneumatic tires are affected after high-speed impacts from external projectiles. A prototype of a network non-pneumatic honeycomb tire was initially developed, which was made of polyurethane material. The five parameter model of the Mooney-Rivlin model was selected as its constitutive relation and the experimental study was performed to validate three-dimensional stiffness simulation model for the tire. Secondly, a LS-DYNA-based finite element model was developed to describe the dynamic behaviors of the tire under an external impact at various locations (e.g. tread, single spoke plate and joints), and to investigate the influence of local damage and spoke plate fracture on the stiffness of the tire. The results indicate that the tire has better performance of resisting the impacts at small and medium levels, with the decrease of radial stiffness of the tire less than 4% after experiencing the ultrahigh load; after the spokes plate is broken, the radial stiffness of tire drops significantly by comparing with the intact tire, that is 24.17%, which has a great effect on the support performance of the tire. The findings of this work offer theoretical support and design guidelines for the structural optimization and properties improvement of NPTS.
Yao, Tuzao, Sun, Xiaowang, Zhang, Qiang, Fu, Lei, Huang, Jianbin
Micro-Groove Fabrication and Simulation Analysis on PEEK Surface under UV Nanosecond Laser Irradiation2026-99-02257/31/2026
This study investigates the interaction mechanism between ultraviolet nanosecond pulsed lasers and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). By integrating finite element simulations with experimental validation, the work explores the laser microtexturing characteristics of PEEK surfaces and evaluates the influence of microtextures on the material’s surface biocompatibility. First, the interaction between the laser and the PEEK polymer was analyzed, and a laser ablation model was established using the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation platform. Using finite element simulation, the effects of spot overlap ratio were investigated by adjusting the average laser power, while the influence of single-pulse energy on the ablation characteristics of the PEEK surface was examined by varying the scanning speed. Subsequently, ultraviolet nanosecond laser processing experiments were conducted on planar PEEK microtextures based on the simulation results. Taking surface microgrooves on PEEK as representative structures, the variations in groove depth and width under different combinations of laser parameters were analyzed. The parameters, including average laser power, scanning speed, and repetition frequency, were optimized to identify processing conditions that yield stable depth and width, along with good surface flatness. Finally, experiments have initially verified that the microtextured PEEK surface may improve biocompatibility and regulate surface wettability to a certain extent.
Wu, Yifan, Wang, Xiaohui, Han, Yujie, Jin, Shuo
Optimization of Pneumatic Conveying Elbows to Reduce Grain Particle Normal Contact Forces via CFD-DEM Coupling Method2026-99-01167/31/2026
This study presents a refined design for pneumatic conveying pipelines, featuring a grooved structure at the bend aimed at reducing particle breakage during transportation. Using soybean particles as a focus, the research employs a gas-solid two-phase flow approach to explore how different groove depths and widths influence the breakage rate. We used CFD-DEM simulation techniques, combining fluid mechanics with discrete element modeling to achieve a more accurate representation of particle motion and collision forces during expressing. Based on these simulations, we identified the most effective combination of groove width and spacing. Experimental results showed that a groove width of 4.5 mm coupled with a 40 mm spacing could decrease impact forces on particles by approximately 5% to 10% at expressing speeds of 15 m/s and 20 m/s. Throughout all measured time intervals, the impact forces remained stable, with turbulence exerting minimal influence on the particle forces.
Luo, Xinhao, Yang, Tiancheng, Huang, Bo, Mao, Genwu, Dong, Deliang, Shi, Heng, Li, Xiaoliang, He, Bo
Microstructure and Property Evolution of T91 Steel under Deep Peak-Shaving Service Conditions2026-99-01687/31/2026
To address the safety assessment challenges of T91 steel heating surface components in the context of coal-fired power plant transformation toward deep peak-shaving, this study systematically investigates the evolution laws of microstructure and mechanical properties of in-service T91 pipes from different positions in a power plant after peak-shaving operation. Material properties were evaluated in accordance with standards such as GB/T 5310-2017 through metallographic analysis, tensile testing, impact testing, and hardness measurement, while the mechanisms linking microstructure to property degradation were explored. Results show that oxidation and decarburization occur on the outer surface of T91 pipes at all positions, with differences in the thickness of oxide/decarburized layers between the fire-facing and back-fire surfaces; the oxide layer exhibits fracture characteristics. After service, the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness of the material still meet national standards. The performance at the platen and final superheater inlet is superior to that at the final reheater inlet, consistent with differences in operating temperature and pressure. This study indicates that the T91 steel provided in this study is in the early stage of its service life, providing a theoretical basis for the safe operation of the unit.
Huang, Liming, Li, Zutao, Zhang, Jie, Liu, Yaoren
Identification and Quantification of PAHs in Gasoline Soot Using ASE-GC-MS/MS2026-99-01107/31/2026
In the present work, a novel method that combines accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was proposed to identify and quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gasoline soot. The n-hexane was employed to extract the target analytes, and the optimal extraction conditions were identified (cycle times = 3, extraction time = 30 min, extraction temperature = 120°C, and extraction pressure = 100 MPa). The extraction efficiency of six analytes was measured to assess the ASE method; the formation mechanism of partial PAHs was discussed, and the 18 PAHs in gasoline soot were studied both qualitatively and quantitatively under the optimal conditions. It was found that our new method reached a high correlation coefficient (between 0.9987 and 0.9997); the limits of quantification (LOQs) (S/N = 6) for these PAHs were between 0.003 and 0.009 ng/mL with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.9–10.6%. Our method demonstrated good performance in determining the target analytes in soot samples, such as gasoline soot, some materials soot, co-combustion soot, gasoline, and materials. The PAHs differences in soot samples containing gasoline and materials soot samples were significant enough to obtain the observed discrimination. The method is an accurate and sensitive quantitative method to identify gasoline residues in soot samples of arson fire.
Liu, Shujun, Cao, Henan, Qi, Lijie, Liu, Yang, Li, Qi
Experimental Study on Suppression of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Using Clean and Efficient Aqueous Fire Extinguishing Agents2026-99-01337/31/2026
This study investigates the suppression of lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires using composite aqueous extinguishing agents, with a 20 Ah lithium iron phosphate battery as the experimental subject. Based on the functional selection of coverage-isolation and cooling-smothering, three aqueous extinguishing agents, S-E-1, S-E-2, and S-E-3, were designed and developed using hydrocarbon surfactants. The results indicate that all three aqueous fire extinguishing agents can effectively suppress LIB fires. Through a comprehensive evaluation of extinguishing time, cooling rate during extinguishing agent release, and physical and chemical parameters of the extinguishing agents, the optimal formulation was determined to be 2% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), 1% SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate), 3.5% CAB (cocamidopropyl betaine), 1% APG0810 (alkyl polyglycoside), 1% CDEA (coconut oil acid diethanolamine), 0.32% CH4N2O (urea), 1.5% NH4H2PO4 (ammonium dihydrogen phosphate), 0.5% C2H6O2 (glycol), 1.5% Na3PO4 (sodium phosphate), and deionised water, demonstrated the best performance. Reducing the extinguishing time to 14 seconds, a 41.7% reduction compared to pure water, and increasing the cooling rate to 0.816 °C·s^–1, which is 4.4 times that of pure water, with no reignition observed. This work contributes to the theoretical principles needed to engineer next-generation fire suppression materials for lithium-ion batteries that are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Yu, Tao, Zhu, Shunbing, Li, Ke, Zhang, Menglan
Collapse Strength and Crush Space Analysis in Lateral Side Pole Impact of an Electric Vehicle2026-01-50527/31/2026
High-Voltage Battery (HVB) protection in lateral pole impact is very important due to severe nature of the impact. Unlike frontal impacts, vehicles have limited range of space and capacity to absorb kinetic energy in lateral side impacts. Nowadays, computer-aided engineering (CAE) using finite element analysis (FEA) is utilized routinely to simulate high-speed crash events of varied type, including side pole impact. These CAE applications focus on the analysis and design of HVB when the vehicle structure is well-developed. CAE methods are time-consuming and are not suited during the pre-program stage when the structure is only in a concept stage and not even a reasonable CAD is available/developed in any sense to use these methods. There is no analytical tool available to understand how to define the characteristics of the structure that surrounds and protects the HVB. The primary motive of this publication is to help with this aspect of vehicle planning/development. Needless to state that this procedure can also be used in planning/developing of internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, as well. The objective therefore is to develop a simple method/procedure that can give reasonably accurate estimation of the collapse/crush force required for a specified crush space and hence protect the critical components, such as HVB and fuel tank. This analytical method also gives some insight into the optimal use of the upper body (rocker and floor cross-members) and underbody (ladder frame) parts. It was found, for a problem under consideration, optimum kinetic energy to be absorbed by the upper body is 32.5% to avoid intrusion into HVB.
Alavandi, Bhimaraddi, Midoun, Djamal, Frank, Randy
Development and Technical Verification of A Lunar Dust Environment Simulation Mechanism2026-99-01757/31/2026
Lunar dust consists of extremely fine particles and exhibits electrostatic charging properties and electrostatic adhesion. These characteristics cause lunar dust to be highly susceptible to mobilization during lander touchdowns, rover traversals, and human activities, forming widely distributed dust clouds. Lunar dust contamination not only abrades spacecraft and equipment to impair their performance but also poses a threat to astronauts’ safety. To verify the impact of the lunar dust environment on exploration equipment components, a simulation mechanism adaptable to the thermal vacuum test environment was designed. This mechanism is integrated into the lunar environment simulation system and uses a vacuum stepper motor to drive a ratchet mechanism, enabling precise vibrational injection of simulated lunar dust. It mainly consists of a pretreatment mechanism, a particle sedimentation mechanism, a shielding mechanism, and an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation system. Considering the vacuum operating environment, alternating high and low temperature conditions, as well as the strict requirements for the mechanism’s compact size and high reliability, this paper analyzes in detail a series of problems encountered during the development of the mechanism and their corresponding solutions. Stainless steel and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were selected as the main materials for the mechanism. Meanwhile, active temperature control measures were adopted to actively regulate the temperature of components such as the motor. Ultimately, the mechanism can withstand alternating high and low temperatures ranging from -150°C to 150°C and a vacuum environment of 5 × 10^–6 Pa. Under this environment, the mechanism can achieve vibration frequency adjustment within the range of 1-5 Hz, and realize the sedimentation of simulated lunar dust particles with a particle size of less than 200 μm over an area of 150 mm × 150 mm. After sedimentation, the simulated lunar dust particles can be charged through the photoelectric effect.
Xu, Menglong, Lv, Shizeng, Li, Guohua, Gong, Jie
Design and Control of a Target Plate Fastener Assembly and Disassembly Actuator for Divertor Maintenance in Fusion Reactors2026-99-01827/31/2026
With the development of controlled nuclear fusion technology, the tokamak device, as the most promising magnetic confinement fusion reactor for advanced engineering applications, requires remote maintenance of its internal components, which has become a key factor affecting both operational efficiency and safety. As a critical component directly exposed to high-temperature plasma, the divertor target plate needs to be periodically replaced and carefully maintained to ensure stable and reliable reactor operation. However, this region is subject to extreme conditions, including high temperature, high vacuum, and intense radiation, making conventional manual maintenance infeasible. This necessitates the development of intelligent and automated teleoperation systems. To address the automated assembly and disassembly requirements of divertor target plates, this study designs an integrated target plate actuator comprising key functional units: a positioning module, a screwing module, a quick-change module, and a passive compliance structure. The actuator achieves rapid and precise alignment with target plate holes, accommodates bolts of different specifications, and exhibits excellent impact resistance. Furthermore, stiffness and mechanical analyses, supported by finite element simulations, verify the actuator’s safety and reliability under high loads and impact forces. To further enhance operational performance, a segmented disassembly and assembly control strategy based on reinforcement learning is proposed, enabling the actuator to adaptively handle torque variations and ensure precise and stable bolt operations. The results demonstrate that the proposed actuator and control strategy significantly improve the accuracy, stability, and efficiency of target plate operations under complex working conditions, providing a reliable solution for automated divertor maintenance in tokamak devices.
Zang, Xizhe, Yu, Xingzu, Cao, Zhangbin
Design of an Automatic Device for Snow Clearing of Solar Greenhouses2026-99-01467/31/2026
Solar greenhouses in winter or mountainous areas can be at risk of roof snow accumulation, leading to collapse, poor lighting, and sudden drops in temperature. The snow removal technologies presently employed on these greenhouses have the disadvantages of being cumbersome to adjust, being intricately structured, having a high cost, having high energy consumption, and being poorly adaptable to the curvature of the plastic. An intelligent snow removal device for removing snow on a northern solar greenhouse roof, and an automatic alarm safety system were designed to solve the problems. The device consists of a snow-clearing mechanism, a traversing mechanism, and detection-alarm modules. The mechanism for snow removal consists of a crank-slider with a curved guide rail. The snow removal rod is driven by the gear motor, which goes back and forth on the arched top. A bevel gear transmission system drives the gear motor mechanism. Due to this, the transverse mechanism moves with an interrupting jump-action on transverse rails around many different zones. The system for monitoring snow pressure has a distributed sensor that is programmed as a shield using an Arduino software system. The sensors detect the pressure of the snow in real-time. When the snow pressure hits the threshold, it activates the mechanism for coordinated functioning. This mechanism triggers snow clearing when the pressure threshold is achieved to avoid energy consumed through “premature clearing”. It also fits well on the curved surfaces of the greenhouse without any jamming. The snow removal machine’s various components and operations would accomplish full span snow removal and make it possible to overcome high labour intensity, slow manual response, energy waste, and others. The technology can enhance the safety of winter production of northern greenhouse crops and improve the disaster-resistant capacity of modern agriculture facilities. This technology has been granted a patent for invention.
Fu, Chengguo, Wei, Shanxiang, Zhang, Rongxian, Ding, Xuefeng, Gao, Yulan
Study on Energy-related Mechanisms of Aeroelastic Instability of Ultra-Long Flexible Wind Turbine Blades Under Various Working Conditions2026-99-01347/31/2026
With the continuous increase in wind turbine power capacity, ultra-long flexible blades face intensified aeroelastic instability risks due to reduced structural stiffness, enhanced modal coupling, and aerodynamic nonlinearity. In addition to the analysis of basic vibration characteristics, this study focuses on energy-related mechanisms of aeroelastic instability under various working conditions. Using a numerical model integrating Dynamic Blade Element Momentum Theory (DBEMT) and Geometrically Exact Beam Theory (GEBT), over 400 time-domain simulations were conducted to characterize instability onset and development. Results reveal four distinct aeroelastic instability regions, each dominated by specific modes. In Region A, flutter dominated by the 2nd flapwise mode is observed. In Region B, flutter dominated by the 1st edgewise mode is observed. In Region C, flutter dominated by the 2nd edgewise mode is observed. While in Region D, where the medial angle of attack (AoA) of the blade has exceeded the stall angle, stall-induced vibration dominated by the 1st flapwise mode is observed. Energy analysis shows aerodynamic work concentration near the blade tip drives instability, with diverse energy exchange patterns across regions. Except for some operating conditions in region C, where instability is dominated by edgewise energy absorption, most aeroelastic instability conditions are dominated by flapwise energy absorption. Torsional degree of freedom contributes minimally to aerodynamic work, but the torsional vibration exerts a notable influence on the AoA. This, in turn, changes the comprehensive aerodynamic forces impacting the blade as well as the general aeroelastic stability. This study clarifies the relationship between operating conditions and energy-driven instability, offering some reference values for the design work and safety assurance of ultra-long flexible blades of the wind turbine.
Wang, Su, Chen, Jiajia, Zhou, Le, Shen, Xin, Li, Chun, Du, Zhaohui
Topology Optimization of Lightweight for Frame Structure of Deep-Sea Mining Vehicle2026-99-01307/31/2026
In order to improve the self-sufficiency rate of key mineral resources in China, it is necessary to develop and research deep-sea mining vehicles to improve the mining capacity of seabed mineral resources. The deep-sea mining vehicle is a heavy-duty underwater robot, and its main frame structure, as a critical component, must be designed to be lightweight to improve payload capacity and mining efficiency. This paper first conducted static analysis for the initial main frame structure. Finite element analysis results indicate that the initial structure fails to meet the strength requirements for lifting and recovery operations. The power index penalty factor was introduced into the topology optimization, which was based on the variable density method. The topology optimization objective was set to minimize structural compliance, with the maximum element stress and volume fraction used as constraints. The optimization process finally obtained the optimal material distribution. According to the results of topology optimization and space requirements of the installed equipment on the deep-sea mining vehicle, the new frame structure of the mining vehicle was re-established in the secondary modelling. According to the results of the analysis, the weight of the frame structure was reduced by 2.9%, and at the same time, the maximum stress was reduced by 57.2%, the maximum displacement was reduced by 47.2%, and the first-order natural frequency was increased by 54%. The strength and stiffness of the frame structure were greatly improved.
Tao, Yichun, Yang, Mingyu
Research on Ultrasonic Measurement Technology for Submarine Pipeline Deformation2026-99-02237/31/2026
Aiming at the measurement of buckling deformation defects of submarine pipelines in turbid waters, a precise measurement method for submarine pipeline deformation was proposed based on ultrasonic ranging technology. A unified underwater coordinate system for submarine pipelines and measurement sensors is established, and a three-dimensional model of the pipeline outer surface is constructed on this basis to provide a basis for calculating pipeline deformation elements. On the basis of underwater ultrasonic velocity correction, measurement accuracy control measures were proposed. Two types of ultrasonic measurement transducers and measurement systems were designed, and engineering applications were carried out to measure the deformation of submarine pipelines in the project. The measurement results indicate that the ultrasonic measurement system operates well under harsh sea conditions such as high turbidity, low visibility, and high flow velocity in the construction sea area, with high measurement accuracy. The three-dimensional model of the deformed pipeline is constructed accurately, and the deformation characteristics of the pipeline can be accurately calculated, meeting the requirements of engineering applications and providing effective data support for submarine pipeline maintenance.
Wang, Kekuan, He, Yazhang, Wang, Hong, Zhang, Tao, Cheng, Peiliang, Sun, Xinyan, Bai, Qian
Theoretical Influence of Load Distribution on ADAS Performance in Commercial Vehicles2026-36-03397/30/2026
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are increasingly integrated into heavy-duty commercial vehicles to improve road safety, mitigate accident severity, and enhance operational efficiency. In the context of braking systems, however, a significant gap remains between system calibration practices and real-world operating conditions, where most evaluations and validations of ADAS and braking performance are conducted under nominal or standardized load assumptions, which fail to represent the wide variability of payload magnitude and distribution typically observed in trucks, semi- trailers, and buses. Variations in vehicle mass and load distribution directly affect braking efficiency, axle load transfer, center of gravity (CG) position, and stability limits, posing critical challenges to both conventional brake systems and brake-related assistance functions. This paper presents an exploratory qualitative study based on a systematic literature review addressing the influence of variable loading on braking performance and the operation of ADAS in commercial vehicles. Scientific publications, experimental investigations, and technical reports from both academia and industry were thoroughly analyzed, with emphasis on service brake efficiency, load-dependent braking behavior, rollover propensity, and the performance of the ADAS systems. The reviewed studies demonstrate that longitudinal, lateral, and vertical CG displacements significantly modify braking force distribution, actuator effectiveness, and stopping distances, particularly under emergency braking and downhill driving conditions. Improper load distribution was consistently associated with reduced braking margins and increased instability risk. The findings further indicate that integrating load-aware strategies into braking control and ADAS calibration can improve braking consistency, reduce component stress, and enhance overall vehicle safety. As a contribution, this work emphasizes the need to incorporate variable load conditions into braking system evaluation, ADAS development, and certification procedures for heavy commercial vehicles, ensuring robust and reliable performance under real operating conditions.
Rubbo, Bruno Tiago, Dacol, Franco De Bastiani, Do Nascimento, Vagner
Analytical Analysis of Wellbore Stresses under Fluid Pressure and In-Situ Stress in Three-Dimensional Wellbores2026-99-08317/30/2026
During fluid injection operations such as fracturing and well killing, the casing, cement sheath, and borehole wall rock are subjected to three-dimensional in-situ stresses and internal pressure. If the equivalent stress exceeds the material’s yield strength, component failure may occur, leading to wellbore failure or even blowout accidents. In order to investigate the stress distribution in wellbores under specific working conditions, a three-dimensional mechanical model of curved wellbores was established. By adopting the superposition principle and stress function method, the influence of horizontal in-situ stress non-uniformity on the fourth equivalent stress of various components was analyzed. The study demonstrates that under three-dimensional in-situ stress, the fourth equivalent stress of each component increases with the rise of horizontal in-situ stress load non-uniformity and azimuth angle. Meanwhile, borehole azimuth angle and in-situ stress load non-uniformity exert a greater influence on the fourth equivalent stress of the casing, while internal pressure has a lesser impact on it. The effects of azimuth angle, horizontal in-situ stress load non-uniformity, and internal pressure on the fourth equivalent stress of the casing are more significant than those on the cement sheath and borehole wall rock. The research results can provide theoretical and technical references for wellbore design and safety improvement, as well as for the structural safety assessment of components such as automotive chassis and body frames under complex dynamic loads.
Zhang, Wenzhe, Jiang, Wu, Guo, Ziwang, Cao, Yinping, Dou, Yihua
Dynamic Assessment and Optimization of Bridge Resilience under Multi-Hazard Coupling2026-99-08297/30/2026
Traditional methods for assessing bridge resilience often focus on single hazards or static conditions. Yet bridges today face more complex multi-hazard threats. To address this, this research develops a dynamic model to evaluate bridge resilience under multi-hazard conditions, which is intended to provide scientific support for decision-making to improve resilience. The study first establishes an index system that measures a bridge’s ability to absorb impacts, adapt during an event, and recover afterward. We also propose a method to calculate the coupling degree, which quantifies the amplification effect of multiple hazards, such as an earthquake followed by a flood, on each other’s impacts. Next, we clarify the interrelationships among key resilience factors. Using this understanding, we construct a system dynamics model that simulates the variation of bridge resilience over a full disaster cycle. Finally, a numerical simulation is carried out for a concrete continuous girder bridge in China’s coastal areas as a case study. The results confirm the model is valid and clearly show the differences in bridge resilience between single-hazard and multi-hazard events. More importantly, they prove that combined hazards make the bridge system much more vulnerable. The model also identifies the best strategies for intervention: a strategy that coordinates actions across all disaster phases performs best, as it most effectively reduces the impact of compound hazards and keeps the resilience curve smoother. In short, this study presents a new method for assessing bridge resilience and provides engineers and managers with a practical tool to identify structural weaknesses and optimize resource allocation for resilience improvement.
Lin, Jiachen, Chai, Liang
Analysis of Underbody Impact Scenarios in New Energy Vehicles2026-99-08277/30/2026
In recent years, with the rapid increase in the market penetration of new energy vehicles, safety issues in electric vehicles, particularly those characterized by thermal runaway of power batteries, especially fire incidents caused by mechanical abuse from underbody impacts, have become a major focus of industry attention and social concern. This paper systematically compiles key data from electric vehicle underbody collision incidents, covering core parameters such as impact location, geometric features of obstacles (shape and size), and vehicle speed during accidents. Based on this data, the study further reviews existing underbody scraping evaluation protocols both domestically and internationally, with a focused comparison of the differences in mechanical load and battery pack response between two typical test methods: horizontal underbody scraping and 3° inclined underbody scraping. The findings of this research aim to provide data support for the refinement of relevant evaluation standards and to offer theoretical foundations and practical references for automotive manufacturers in optimizing the design and validation strategies for underbody protection of battery packs.
Wang, Qinggui, He, Qike, Li, Wenbo, Li, Chun, Li, Xiaodong
Nonlinear and Robust SDRE–H∞ Control for Brake-by-Wire under Variable Friction and μ-split2026-36-03427/30/2026
This paper proposes a nonlinear and robust State-Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) combined with H∞ control architecture for brake- by-wire systems, specifically designed to handle severe tire-road friction variations and μ-split scenarios. The primary objective is to maximize deceleration capabilities while rigorously maintaining yaw stability, trajectory tracking, and passenger comfort through jerk limitation. Situated within the domain of active safety, this research addresses robustness against real-world uncertainties by utilizing a high-fidelity 14-degree-of-freedom vehicle model that accounts for longitudinal, lateral, and yaw dynamics, suspension-induced pitch and roll effects, and nonlinear tire behavior with explicit load transfer. To ensure near-optimal slip tracking under variable surface conditions, the system employs online friction estimation via Extended and Unscented Kalman Filters (EKF/UKF) fusing wheel and IMU data to adaptively adjust slip targets. The control strategy is bifurcated: the SDRE component manages dominant nonlinearities through state-dependent gains to prevent wheel lock-up, while the H∞ component provides robust disturbance rejection against parametric uncertainties such as mass variations and sensor noise. Control efforts are distributed via a Quadratic Programming (QP) torque allocator featuring anti-windup mechanisms and explicit saturation handling to compensate for lateral drift during μ-split braking. Validation is conducted through a Model- in-the-Loop (MIL) to Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) pipeline using scenarios including wet surfaces and panic braking. Simulation results demonstrate enhanced yaw stability and controlled deceleration profiles compared to conventional baselines, ensuring computational feasibility for automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
Cubillos, Ximena Celia Méndez
Challenges and advantages in implementing ADAS systems in buses: a broad overview (Desafios e vantagens na implementação de sistemas ADAS em ônibus: uma visão abrangente)2026-36-03447/30/2026
The implementation of ADAS in buses represents both a significant opportunity and a complex challenge for the future of urban mobility. While ADAS technologies such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and autonomous emergency braking have been widely adopted in passenger cars and trucks, their integration into buses has been slower due to unique operational and safety concerns. This paper provides a broad overview of the advantages and obstacles associated with ADAS deployment in public transport vehicles, with particular emphasis on passenger safety, regulatory frameworks, and operational efficiency. Key barriers include the vulnerability of standing passengers during sudden braking events, the unpredictability of pedestrians and cyclists in dense urban environments, and the economic constraints faced by bus operators. At the same time, regulatory initiatives such as Transport for London’s Bus Safety Standard, the European Union’s General Safety Regulation, and Brazil’s MOVER program are driving the gradual adoption of these systems. The benefits of ADAS in buses extend beyond accident reduction, encompassing improved driver ergonomics, reduced fatigue, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced passenger comfort. Case studies from Europe, Brazil, and Asia highlight both the safety potential and the reluctance of drivers to fully embrace these technologies, often due to knowledge gaps and perceived inconvenience. The analysis underscores that successful implementation requires not only technological adaptation but also comprehensive driver training, infrastructure readiness, and public policy support. Ultimately, ADAS in buses should be understood as a transitional step toward autonomous mobility, offering immediate safety gains while reshaping the paradigm of urban transport.
Marcon, Ederson, Michelon, Gabriel, do Nascimento, Vagner
Design and Construction Technology for Remotely Deployed Sacrificial Anode Supports of High-pile Wharves2026-99-08157/30/2026
In port construction, high-pile wharves—a primary structural form—are constantly exposed to marine environmental erosion, making corrosion a particularly prominent issue. Traditional anode installation typically relies on underwater diving operations, which suffer from low efficiency, high risks, and significant costs. To address these challenges, a novel installation technique requiring no divers has been developed. Through specialized equipment design and optimized construction processes, this technology enables remote, efficient, and safe anode installation. Research focuses on the design of non-diver anode support installation equipment, safety validation, and construction methodologies. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field construction trials, this technology significantly enhances construction efficiency while reducing operational risks and costs. It provides a reliable solution for corrosion protection in high-pile wharves and holds significant importance for advancing port construction technology.
Lan, Jinping, Zhang, Shoulong
Experimental Study on the Temperature Impact of a Typical Cabin Fire on Adjacent Cabins2026-99-08667/30/2026
The cabins of ships are mainly made of steel. When a fire breaks out, the temperature inside the cabin rises rapidly, and an extensive body of heat spreads through the bulkheads to adjacent cabins. Understanding the variation law of the temperature field in adjacent compartments after a fire occurs in the compartments is of great significance for the research on the thermal safety of ship compartments. This paper designs an L-shaped cabin test system. We conduct fire tests of different scales and obtain the temperature distribution of adjacent compartments. The test results show that as the fire area in the pool keeps rising, the temperature in the adjacent compartments keeps rising. Due to the fact that an extensive body of high-temperature smoke produced by combustion is suspended at the ceiling of the compartment of fire, the temperature of the vertically adjacent compartments is higher than that of the horizontally adjacent compartments.
Hu, Wei-guo, Hu, Yang, Wei, Jin, Yuan, Ya-long
Structure Optimization of a Two-Dimensional Mixer for Mixing Uniformity Improvement Using the DEM2026-99-08467/30/2026
A two-dimensional (2-D) mixer has been widely used in the engineering field. The discrete element method (DEM) is capable of simulating and tracking collisions among particles inside the mixer. In this paper, the mixing process of spherical particles inside a 2-D mixer known as EYH150L is simulated by the DEM. The Lacey Index provides a quantitative measure of the blending efficacy achieved by a 2-D mixer. The DEM analysis indicated that the level of blending effectiveness among the particles in proximity to the rotating blades is significantly superior to that in regions devoid of blades. The rotational velocities of particles in blade-free zones are about 40% of those near the rotating blades, which serves as a key factor accounting for the slower increase in mixing efficiency observed in these regions. To address this disparity and enhance overall mixing performance, a mirrored rotating blade was incorporated, positioned to the left of the baseline revolving cylinder, thereby optimizing the structural configuration of the 2-D mixer. The verification tests indicated that the modification increases the mixing efficiency of the mixer at its left side, and enhances the blending uniformity, ensuring the four particle types are mixed equitably.
Fang, Ziqiang, Liu, Yong, Chen, Yafeng
Design and Analysis of a Lightweight Offshore Gangway2026-99-08517/30/2026
During offshore wind power operation and maintenance activities, personnel transfer and boarding procedures involve numerous safety risks. is a highly effective solution for enhancing safety during ship transfers at sea. This paper designs a compact active motion-compensating lightweight gangway capable of compensating for multi-degree-of-freedom motions induced by sea waves, including roll, pitch, yaw, and heave. The structural design is first established, and based on this configuration, the output forces of the rotary electric cylinder, roll electric cylinder, and pitch electric cylinder are analyzed. A finite element method was employed to conduct a static analysis of the gangway under extreme loading conditions. Analysis of the first six modal orders revealed that the first natural frequency of the designed gangway is significantly higher than the wave frequency, thereby effectively preventing resonance phenomena. The forward transformation matrix of the gangway was simulated using the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) method. Simulation results indicate that the working space of the lightweight gangway meets the preset motion range requirements, thereby validating the design’s feasibility. The designed compact passageway features simple operational control, high cost-effectiveness, minimal installation footprint, and low installation and control complexity, demonstrating high practicality.
Yu, Zhigang, Fu, Wanli, Zheng, Bowen, Wang, Zhuoqun, Fang, Jiwen
Comparison of Female and Male Post Mortem Human Subject Kinematic Responses and Injuries in Rear-Facing Seat Configurations in High-Speed Frontal Impacts2026-22-00077/28/2026
This study investigates female post-mortem human subject (PMHS) responses and injuries, comparing them to previously published data from male PMHS tested at a change in velocity (delta-V) of 56 kph in high-speed rear-facing frontal- impact (HSRFFI) scenarios. Twelve small female PMHS were subjected to the same HSRFFI pulse. The subjects were positioned in reinforced production seats, identical to those from the previous male PMHS studies, and set to recline angles of either 25 or 45 degrees. Instrumentation was used to measure kinematics of the head, spine, pelvis, and ribs. Whole-body kinematics were recorded using motion capture. Female PMHS consistently showed lower head restraint, seatback, and lap belt loads compared to males across all test conditions (Bio Rank System [BRS] scores >1.0), with BRS scores for head restraint forces as high as 4.0. While head and T1 kinematics were consistent with males in all-belt-to-seat (ABTS) conditions (BRS < 1.0), significant differences were found in other body regions (BRS>1.0). Female PMHS had larger head forward rotation and smaller pelvis Z-axis displacement (less ramping) than males in the fixed D-ring (FDR) conditions, leading to major discrepancies (BRS>2.0). In addition, female chest deflection was smaller in one FDR condition (BRS=1.98), and tibia acceleration onset was earlier. Female PMHS sustained severe to critical rib fractures (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS]3-5) similar to males. However, five females in the FDR conditions and one in the ABTS condition sustained sacral fractures, an injury not seen in males. Females also had a higher frequency of lower extremity fractures (7 of 12) and vertebral body fractures (7 of 12) compared to males. These findings suggest that existing male PMHS data may not adequately predict responses and injury risks for female PMHS, emphasizing the need for female-specific biomechanical data to enhance safety tools and models in HSRFFI scenarios.
Kang, Yun-Seok, Baker, Gretchen H., Ramachandra, Rakshit, Marcallini, Angelo, Kwon, Hyunjung, Foster, Craig D., Moorhouse, Kevin, Agnew, Amanda M., Bolte, John H.
Geometric Deep Learning–Based AI Framework for Nonlinear Crash Behavior of Extruded Rails15-19-03-00127/27/2026
Extruded Rails are critical energy-absorbing components in automotive structures designed to mitigate impact loads during the frontal collisions. Traditional crashworthiness design relies heavily on computationally expensive finite element simulations and iterative design exploration. This work proposes a machine learning–driven framework for rapid front extruded rails design using a trained geometric deep surrogate model. A design-of-experiments (DoE) was conducted by varying geometric parameters including width, height, and wall thickness of a thin-walled extruded rail structure. For each design variant, LS-DYNA simulations were performed to obtain performance metrics such as mean crush force and peak crush force. These simulation results were used to train an AI surrogate model capable of predicting crash responses directly from geometric parameters. The proposed approach significantly reduces computational cost by replacing repeated high-fidelity crash simulations with machine learning surrogate predictions. By enabling fast and accurate evaluation of crash response metrics, the workflow shortens design cycles and supports sustainability-driven crashworthiness assessment by reducing simulation resource usage. The framework establishes a scalable, simulation-driven engineering pathway across vehicle platforms and provides a foundation for future closed-loop, AI-assisted crash design workflows.
Kumar, Manik, Srinivasan, Sriram
Dynamic and Static Optimization Design of Car-seat Structure2026-99-16147/24/2026
A car seat is one of the most critical components of passive safety. On the basis of the safety of car seats, this paper focuses on optimizing the design of the seat frame and achieving a lightweight design under various dynamic and static loading conditions. The optimization results are verified through physical experiments, which demonstrate the correctness and feasibility of the proposed design method. These experiments also provide research ideas for the optimization design of the seat structure and a certain reference value for the engineering application of the seat.
Shao, Youlin, Ni, Weiyu, Chen, Daojiong
Design and Application of A Pressure Measurement System Based on Spacecraft Chemical Propellant Engine Plume Test2026-99-16237/24/2026
Spacecraft with chemical propellant engines, especially spacecraft for exploring extraterrestrial objects, need to carry out plume tests on the ground in order to determine the influence of engine plumes on spacecraft. An important purpose of the plume test is to accurately measure the pressure field in key parts of the spacecraft. In this paper, according to the pressure measurement requirements of the spacecraft plume test, the design of a pressure measurement system is carried out, which mainly includes a pressure measurement sensor, a pressure difference measurement sensor, a pipeline, a cable, a measuring instrument, a data acquisition instrument, upper measurement software, and so on. The designed pressure measurement system was successfully applied to the plume impact test of Chang'e VII, which provided important technical support for the development of the spacecraft.
Wu, Yue, Guo, Qinliang, Wu, Dongliang, Liu, Xiaoning, Tao, Dongxing, Lin, Boying, Xie, Zheng, Wei, Xi, Niu, Tong
Structural Fatigue Life Prediction and Safety Performance Evaluation of Adjustable-Angle Dental Implants2026-99-16547/24/2026
Adjustable-angle dental implants are favored by many patients due to the advantages they provide, such as high chewing force, aesthetics, comfort, and no harm to the adjacent teeth. This paper proposes a finite element modeling method for adjustable-angle dental implants by changing the material used for manufacturing the implants and predicting the life span of the dental implants with the help of Pro/E and ANSYS Workbench software, which provides biomechanical data reference for the selection of new implant parameters for industrial production and clinical use. The results show that the structural life of the implant is almost 764 years for pure titanium, 821 years for Ti6Al4v, and 1,274 years for βTi. From the analysis of the safety factor diagrams of the structures, it can be obtained that the smallest safety factor of the entire implant system occurs in the part where the abutment and the connection are in contact with each other during loading. In contrast, the smaller safety factors occurred in the abutment bumps, the ear stacks of the two grooves of the connector, and in the area of contact between the connector and the implant.
Gu, Wei, Cheng, Siyuan, Liao, Jifei
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