Projets novateurs réalisés

Reliability evaluation of strain-based design for pipelines using probabilistic demand/capacity models. – Year two

Ground movement can impose excessive deformation violating pertinent pipeline limit states. Currently, the integrity assessment of pipelines subjected to soil movement is generally performed by analyzing the stresses and/or strains in pipelines using various engineering techniques, including finite element analysis (FEA). However, given the wide variability of the pipe and soil engineering properties, using deterministic approaches alone may be inadequate. The desired approach is a semi-probability-based approach using safety factors or a full-probability-based approach, specified in Annex C and Annex O of CSA Z662:2019, respectively. However, probabilistic demand or capacity models are required but missing in Annex C because of the lack of mature and established models for calculating the strain capacity and the demand due to the site-specific nature of ground movement. The objective of this project is to develop probabilistic strain demand and capacity models for reliability analysis of pipelines subjected to geotechnical loads by leveraging FEA and quantitative reliability methods. The results obtained using these desired approaches will be compared. The deliverables of this project will not only help industries, such as Northern Crescent, to improve the pipeline integrity assessment programs with better efficiency and safety but also be useful to update the design codes (CSA Z662).

Reliability evaluation of strain-based design for pipelines using probabilistic demand/capacity models

Ground movement can impose excessive deformation violating pertinent pipeline limit states. Currently, the integrity assessment of pipelines subjected to soil movement is generally performed by analyzing the stresses and/or strains in pipelines using various engineering techniques, including finite element analysis (FEA). However, given the wide variability of the pipe and soil engineering properties, using deterministic approaches alone may be inadequate. The desired approach is a semi-probability-based approach using safety factors or a full-probability-based approach, specified in Annex C and Annex O of CSA Z662:2019, respectively. However, probabilistic demand or capacity models are required but missing in Annex C because of the lack of mature and established models for calculating the strain capacity and the demand due to the site-specific nature of ground movement. The objective of this project is to develop probabilistic strain demand and capacity models for reliability analysis of pipelines subjected to geotechnical loads by leveraging FEA and quantitative reliability methods. The results obtained using these desired approaches will be compared. The deliverables of this project will not only help industries, such as Northern Crescent, to improve the pipeline integrity assessment programs with better efficiency and safety but also be useful to update the design codes (CSA Z662).

Constrained dynamic pricing for airport parking reservations

To make best use of technology on available big data (e.g., airport parking reservation data), we design and develop an innovative big data science solution for constrained dynamic pricing for airport parking reservations in the proposed research project undertaken by the intern. From scientific point of view, such a solution is novel in the sense that it will be capable of achieving multiple objectives (e.g., maximize revenue and other objectives) and solving the constrained dynamic pricing problem (in which price is constrained or bounded by some user-specified threshold). Moreover, it will be efficient in integrating big data from a wide variety of heterogeneous sources, as well as analyzing and learning data to make appropriate recommendation on prices. From the business/industrial point of view, such a solution will be beneficial to the partner organization by helping them to get an insight and better understanding of their data and enable it to further enhance its operation. To a further extent, the solution will be applicable and beneficial to other Canadian airports and/or parking facilities in other Canadian communities.

Modeling of Blending of Newtonian Fluids using Bespoke Static Mixer Geometry

Static mixers are metal structures inserted into pipes to enhance the mixing of fluids flows. Different mixer designs cause different levels of mixing for a given energy loss. An ongoing and promising project is the invention of a new mixer geometry that is more efficient than anything on the market. Experimental testing uses the PLIF technique to quantify the mixing efficiency of mixers. It works by illuminating a fluorescent dye in a fluid at the outlet of a static mixer to generate a cross-sectional image of the flow. Yet, repeated fabrication of mixers with minute variation is expensive in both materials and the single-use test fluid. The goal is to validate the use of CFD to simulate the experiments in a computer and match these models to the real-world experiments. If successful, a computer will test 10s of prototypes in the time it takes to fabricate and run one real experiment. This will save time, material cost and reduce environmental impact from fluid wastage.

Investigating Communication Patterns for Improving Teamwork in Digital Games

Competitive team-based digital games like League of Legends, Overwatch and Dota 2 are increasingly popular. These games require intense teamwork but achieving good teamwork is challenging because teams typically comprise of strangers who need to learn to work together in an extremely short amount of time. The match outcome depends on how quickly teams develop effective teamwork. Therefore, the aim of this project is to understand how effective teamwork can be facilitated. This project will focus on the role of team communication, which has been linked to several positive team outcomes. Communication is important because it is the mechanism that underlies collaboration and coordination. This project will investigate the exact mechanisms through which communication facilitates teamwork in this domain. Based on the literature, we expect to find differences in performance based on the communication patterns of the team. These findings would provide deeper insight into the underpinnings of effective teamwork.

Digital Fabrication and Design using Ultra-High Performance Concrete

3D concrete printing and the digital design processes associated with this technology are developing quickly across the world, both in academia and in practice, moving from the realm of the artisan to the early stages of automated manufacturing.
How do architects engage this emerging new field that combines fabrication technologies with material in their design processes? Emerging use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) creates designs without steel reinforcing in thinner structures by using fine sand and integrated fibre reinforcements. By combining this advanced concrete mixture with 3D printing technologies, this research looks to engage how the digital design and fabrication knowledge and processes in architecture will inform not only what our structures of the future are like, but how they are made in a continuous process of design thinking in a series of prototype structures and hands-on experiments.

Detection and localization of oil-under-ice

As resource exploration and development moves further north into harsher environments and
more severe ice conditions, the risk of a spill in ice-covered waters-whether it is as a result
of drilling, production or storage and transport of product-increases. The first steps in the
management, cleanup and remediation are the detection, localization and tracking of the spill.
While existing aerial surveillance and satellite remote sensing techniques are effective in
tracking oil in open water and in loosely concentrated ice, none have proven to be effective in
penetrating ice. Additionally, the performance of existing visual, ultra-violet and infra-red
aerial techniques can all be rendered ineffective by darkness, fog and clouds. The objective
of the proposed research is to develop a model and simulation for the detection and
localization of oil under ice using a fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). The 3D
simulation that is proposed is to be used by the project partner, C-CORE, to set the direction
of subsequent work…TOBECONT’D

Radar-based Real-Time Detection of Overdose Incidents in Small Public Spaces

This project aims to train machine learning models that use millimetre-wave radar data to non-invasively detect health incidents, such as overdoses in public bathroom stalls. The partner, Brave Technology Coop, has developed a small, wall-mounted, radar sensing unit on which we want to directly deploy real-time gesture detection software, an instance of cutting-edge “Edge AI.” The unit can then immediately notify a responder if it detects a target incident, which otherwise would not be detected until a passerby notices.

The project will improve Brave’s ability to accurately classify these incidents, thereby strengthening their ODetect sensor product. Additionally, it will investigate other health-related gestures that may diversify the product’s target market.

Applications de l’apprentissage statistique en assurance voyage

Ce projet de recherche est fait en collaboration avec le département de Recherche et Développement de la compagnie Optimum Réassurance Inc. Il a pour but de faire usage des concepts et des outils d’analyse prédictive, de l’apprentissage automatique et statistique pour développer des méthodes de modélisation et de prédiction des réclamations et des comportements des assurés en assurance voyage. Les données seront fournies par des compagnies d’assurance qui détiennent un contrat de réassurance avec l’organisme partenaire. Ces clients, ainsi que l’organisme partenaire, ont démontré un intérêt à raffiner leurs techniques de tarification, et de s’initier à l’implantation des outils nécessaires pour faire usage des techniques de modélisation les plus à jour. Cette ligne d’affaires requiert une attention particulière à l’aire des changements des habitudes de voyages, et ce projet contribuera aux avancés dans la modélisation de la gestion des risques. Ce projet requiert la collaboration de plusieurs agents du marché de l’assurance voyage, afin de maximiser la quantité de données accessibles et de faire avantager le marché dans son ensemble en ayant accès aux résultats et à la description des méthodes utilisées.

Caractérisation du coefficient de frottement de l’aluminium à haute température appliqué au procédé HSBF (High Speed Blow Forming)

Dans le but de d’alléger et d’améliorer les véhicules existant l’entreprise Verbom a développé un procédé de mise en forme de l’aluminium qui permet de réaliser des pièces de carrosserie forme complexe que les méthodes traditionnelles de mise en forme de permettent pas d’obtenir. Afin de pouvoir optimiser le procédé et d’augmenter la productivité l’entreprise possède une simulation numérique du procédé. Cette simulation pour être fiable requière que différents paramètres soient renseignés, et en particulier un paramètre encore peu défini, le coefficient de frottement de l’aluminium à la température à laquelle il est mis en forme, soit 500°C. Aucune méthode conventionnelle n’existe pour réaliser ce type de mesure, un banc d’essai a donc été conçu spécialement, et il va permettre de réaliser une étude qualitative et quantitative sur le coefficient de frottement et les différentes méthodes de lubrification à cette température.

Methods to improve SNR of a small-scale NMR system forin-vivo biomarkers monitoring

The goal of this project is to develop advanced mathematical algorithms integrated with the probe
design technique to improve the SNR of an NMR measurement. The proposed methods are summarized as:
1) Apply Compressed sensing (CS) technique associated with the optimized recovery method to the current obtained NMR signals.
2) Time-averaging technique can also be developed and applied to further improve the SNR of the developed algorithms.
3) Investigate and develop the phased-array receive (Rx) coils for the current MR system.

Wahkohtowin Northeast Superior Guardian Program

Indigenous participation is integral to the advancement of community-led governance over natural resources development projects. Stemming from such undertakings is the need for effective and continuous environmental monitoring for mitigating impacts to traditional lands and waters. The research proposal is aimed at articulating community-identified values and objectives for the development of an effective and culturally appropriate Environmental Monitoring (EM) training program. The intent of the project is to contribute to the advancement of Indigenous practitioner presence in natural resources management and forestry. The project will include the design vocational skills training modules that are community-focused and community-led. The expected benefits of the project will include a contribution to the study of Indigenous land use and governance structures and the provision of expanded training options for Indigenous youth in resource management.