Universitätsbibliothek
Weimar Open Access

In the field of engineering, surrogate models are commonly used for approximating the behavior of a physical phenomenon in order to reduce the computational costs. Generally, a surrogate model is created based on a set of training data, where a typical method for the statistical design is the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS). Even though a space filling distribution of the training data is reached, the sampling process takes no information on the underlying behavior of the physical phenomenon into account and new data cannot be sampled in the same distribution if the approximation quality is not sufficient. Therefore, in this study we present a novel adaptive sampling method based on a specific surrogate model, the least-squares support vector regresson. The adaptive sampling method generates training data based on the uncertainty in local prognosis capabilities of the surrogate model - areas of higher uncertainty require more sample data. The approach offers a cost efficient calculation due to the properties of the least-squares support vector regression. The opportunities of the adaptive sampling method are proven in comparison with the LHS on different analytical examples. Furthermore, the adaptive sampling method is applied to the calculation of global sensitivity values according to Sobol, where it shows faster convergence than the LHS method. With the applications in this paper it is shown that the presented adaptive sampling method improves the estimation of global sensitivity values, hence reducing the overall computational costs visibly.

The production of a desired product needs an effective use of the experimental model. The present study proposes an extreme learning machine (ELM) and a support vector machine (SVM) integrated with the response surface methodology (RSM) to solve the complexity in optimization and prediction of the ethyl ester and methyl ester production process. The novel hybrid models of ELM-RSM and ELM-SVM are further used as a case study to estimate the yield of methyl and ethyl esters through a trans-esterification process from waste cooking oil (WCO) based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The results of the prediction phase were also compared with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which were recently developed by the second author of this study. Based on the results, an ELM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9815 and 0.9863 for methyl and ethyl esters, respectively, had a high estimation capability compared with that for SVM, ANNs, and ANFIS. Accordingly, the maximum production yield was obtained in the case of using ELM-RSM of 96.86% for ethyl ester at a temperature of 68.48 °C, a catalyst value of 1.15 wt. %, mixing intensity of 650.07 rpm, and an alcohol to oil molar ratio (A/O) of 5.77; for methyl ester, the production yield was 98.46% at a temperature of 67.62 °C, a catalyst value of 1.1 wt. %, mixing intensity of 709.42 rpm, and an A/O of 6.09. Therefore, ELM-RSM increased the production yield by 3.6% for ethyl ester and 3.1% for methyl ester, compared with those for the experimental data.

As part of an international research project – funded by the European Union – capillary glasses for facades are being developed exploiting storage energy by means of fluids flowing through the capillaries. To meet highest visual demands, acrylate adhesives and EVA films are tested as possible bonding materials for the glass setup. Especially non-destructive methods (visual analysis, analysis of birefringent properties and computed tomographic data) are applied to evaluate failure patterns as well as the long-term behavior considering climatic influences. The experimental investigations are presented after different loading periods, providing information of failure developments. In addition, detailed information and scientific findings on the application of computed tomographic analyses are presented.

The aim of my research is to observe the variance of energy efficiency of a typical multi-story office building under the exposure of different climatic conditions. Energy efficiency requirements in building codes or energy standards are among the most important single measures for buildings’ energy efficiency. Therefore, this study can be set up for a better understanding of how energy efficiency of a building changes under the effect of adverse to moderate climatic conditions which possess a mentionable effect on the operation of a building. This thesis is structured in three balanced and conceptual steps. Following the aim of the project, the virtual building model is to be analyzed under the effect of seven distinct climatic conditions namely work environment of New Delhi, Mumbai, Berlin, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Dubai and Montreal. Firstly, the task is to do a complete literature research based on the scope of similar researches and studying the problems in detail along with the theoritical background all the concepts which are implemented to get the numerical results. This chapter also comprises a detailed study of the climatic conditions of the above-mentioned cities. Different climatic traits like temperature variations, count of heating and cooling degree days, relative humidity, temperature range and comfort zonal charts for the specified cities are studied in detail. This study helps to understand the effect of these adverse to moderate climates on the operation of the building. On the second step, the virtual building model is prepared on a software platform named Revit Structures. This virtual building model is not necessarily a complete building, but it has the relevant functionalities of a real building. We perform the energy analysis and the heating and cooling analysis on this virtual building model to study the operational outcome of the building under different climatic conditions in detail. By the end of these above two tasks, two scenarios are observed. On one hand, we have a literature research and on the other hand we have the numerical results. Therefore, finally we present a comparative scenario based on the energy efficient performances of the building under such variant climatic conditions. This is followed by the prediction of thermal comfort level inside the building and it based on Fanger’s PMV Model. Understanding the literature and the numerical values in detail helps us to predict the index thermal comfort level inside the building. The conclusion of this master thesis focuses mainly on the scopes of improvement of energy efficiency requirements in energy codes if any, differentiated according to specific locations. The initial aim of my hypothesis which is to study the impacts of climatic variations on the energy efficient performances of a building is fulfilled but as such topics have very deep and broad roots, the scope of further improvements is always predominant.

Durch Reifungs- und Strukturbildungsprozesse kann es bei silikatischen und alumosilikatischen Bindern zu Rissbildung bei behinderter Verformung, Festigkeitsverlust und somit Verlust der Dauerhaftigkeit kommen. Die Bewertung dieser Prozesse erfolgt an silikatischen Materialien mit einem Ausblick auf die alumosilikatischen Binder