The authors present the optimisation procedure and results, applied to the system discussed in part I. This procedure utilises a "fixed variables" method from the group of "search methods". The optimisation is related to the specific turbocharged engine STAR T3 70 for which necessary construction data and experimental measurements were available. Calculation results, however, are based mainly on the computer simulation of time dependant flows in the inlet and exhaust systems of this engine. They show that the presented method, after necessary improvements and the use of more advanced optimisation procedures, could represent an additional and attractive tool, which might be used by designers of such systems.

An application of nonlinear optimisation methods to the solution of optimal brake torques for the ESP system is presented. The plane model of a vehicle is worked out and then used in the optimisation process. Two tasks are considered; the first when the vehicle motion is disturbed by bumps and ruts, the second when the vehicle changes the lane. The results of numerical calculation are included.

A method of determination of drive functions of slewing of a mobile crane's upper structure is presented in the paper. The purpose of their determination is to reduce load oscillations at the end of the motion. Drive functions for selected angles and durations of slewing have been calculated using a simple model of the crane and dynamic optimisation. Drive functions for intermediate angles have been determined by means of interpolation. Res ul ts of numerical simulations executed for the model of the crane are presented, taking into consideration flexibilities and damping in the cranes subsystems. Results obtained for drive functions determined using optimisation and interpolation algorithms are compared. An attempt to determine sensitivity of load positioning to selected operating parameters is also presented. Introduction of the notion of a positioning quality coefficient is proposed.

The formation of optimal crop rotations is virtually unsolvable from the standpoint of the classical methodology of experimental research. Here, we deal with a mathematical model based on expert estimates of “predecessor-crop” pairs’ efficiency created for the conditions of irrigation in the forest-steppe of Ukraine. Solving the problem of incorporating uncertainty assessments into this model, we present new models of crop rotations’ economic efficiency taking into account irrigation, application of fertilisers, and the negative environmental effect of nitrogen fertilisers’ introduction into the soil. For the considered models we pose an optimisation problem and present an algorithm for its solution that combines a gradient method and a genetic algorithm. Using the proposed mathematical tools, for several possible scenarios of water, fertilisers, and purchase price variability, the efficiency of growing corn as a monoculture in Ukraine is simulated. The proposed models show a reduction of the profitability of such a practice when the purchase price of corn decreases below 0.81 EUR∙kg ^–1 and the price of irrigation water increases above 0.32 EUR∙m ^–3 and propose more flexible crop rotations. Mathematical tools developed in the paper can form a basis for the creation of decision support systems that recommend optimal crop rotation variations to farmers and help to achieve sustainable, profitable, and ecologically safe agricultural production. However, future works on the actualisation of the values of its parameters need to be performed to increase the accuracy.

The authors present an optirrusanon method, based on the thermodynamic consideration and applied to the inlet and exhaust systems of turbocharged engine. The goal function in this method is defined as a sum of exergy irreversible losses - occurring in the whole flow path. The decision variables, optimisation parameters and, also, the constraint conditions in the discussed method are defined and determined. The validation results of specially written and unique programmes, used for flow simulations in the analysed systems, are also presented. The optimisation results, based on the discussed method and related to a specific turbocharged engine are discussed in part II.

The paper presents a method of choosing parameters of a mathematical model for simulation of a working cycle of compression-ignition engine on the basis of experimental measurements. In order to choose the parameters of the model, the Nelder-Mead method has been used. As a result of such an approach, a simplified mathematical model with very good numerical effectiveness can be used for simulation of the working cycle of the engine, while very good compatibility of numerical results and experimental measurements is ensured. Suitable algorithms and results of calculations are presented.

The fixed-point theorem is widely used in different engineering applications. The present paper focuses on its applications in optimisation. A Matlab toolbox, chich implements the branch-and-bound optimisation method based on the fixed-point theorem, is used for solving different real-life test problems, including estimation of model parameters for the Jiles-Atherton model.

In this study the authors minimise the total process cost for the heating of solid particles in a horizontal fluidised bed by an optimal choice of the inlet heating gas temperature profile and the total gas flow. Solid particles flowed along the apparatus and were heated by a hot gas entering from the bottom of the fluidised apparatus. The hydrodynamics of the fluidised bed is described by a two-phase Kunii - Levenspiel model. We assumed that the gas was flowing only vertically, whereas solid particles were flowing horizontally and because of dispersion they could be additionally mixed up in the same direction. The mixing rate was described by the axial dispersion coefficient. As any economic values of variables describing analysing process are subject to local and time fluctuations, the accepted objective function describes the total cost of the process expressed in exergy units. The continuous optimisation algorithm of the Maximum Principle was used for calculations. A mathematical model of the process, including boundary conditions in a form convenient for optimisation, was derived and presented. The optimization results are presented as an optimal profile of inlet gas temperature. The influence of heat transfer kinetics and dispersion coefficients on optimal runs of the heating process is discussed. Results of this discussion constitute a novelty in comparison to information presented in current literature.

The paper presents the dynamic model of an A-frame, which is a kind of an offshore crane with a portal construction. The rigid finite element method (RFEM) has been used in discretization of the flexible substructure. An application of optimisation methods to define the drive function course of the hoisting winch is presented. The goal of the optimisation is to ensure stabilization of the load’s position. In order to achieve appropriate numerical effectiveness, the optimisation problem has been solved for a simplified model of an A-frame. Comparison of numerical results obtained for different types of objective functions and types of drive functions is presented in the paper as well.

The study presents the summary of the knowledge of energy-active segments of steel buildings adapted to obtain electrical energy (EE) and thermal energy (TE) from solar radiation, and to transport and store TE. The study shows a general concept of the design of energy-active segments, which are separated from conventional segments in the way that allows the equipment installation and replacement. Exemplary solutions for the design of energy-active segments, optimised with respect to the principle of minimum thermal strain and maximum structural capacity and reliability were given [34]. The following options of the building covers were considered: 1) regular structure, 2) reduced structure, 3) basket structure, 4) structure with a tie, high-pitched to allow snow sliding down the roof to enhance TE and EE obtainment. The essential task described in the study is the optimal adaptation of energy-active segments in large-volume buildings for extraction, transportation and storage of energy from solar radiation.

The analysed permanent magnet disc motor (PMDM) is used for direct wheel drive in an electric vehicle. Therefore there are several objectives that could be tackled in the design procedure, such as an increased efficiency, reduced iron weight, reduced copper weight or reduced weight of the permanent magnets (reduced rotor weight). In this paper the optimal design of PMDM using a multi-objective genetic algorithm optimisation procedure is performed. A comparative analysis of the optimal motor solution and its parameters in relation to the prototype is presented.

Thin plates, in the form of individual panels or whole device casings, often separate the noise source from its recipients. It would be very desirable if the panels could effectively block the sound transmission preventing noise from further propagation. This is especially challenging to achieve at low frequencies. A promising approach, intensively developed in the recent years, is to employ active control methods by adding sensors and actuators, and running a control algorithm. However, if the noise is narrow-band, an alternative passive solution originally developed by the authors can be applied. It is based on appropriately located passive elements which can be used to alter the frequency response of the vibrating structure thus improving its sound insulation properties. Such an approach is referred to as the frequency response shaping method. The purpose of this paper is to further develop this method and apply it to a device casing panel. The efficiency of the method is evaluated by simulation and real experiments. Appropriate cost functions and mathematical models are formulated and used to optimise the arrangement of passive elements mounted to the plate, enhancing its sound insulation properties at the given frequency range. The results are reported, and advantages and limits of the method are pointed out and discussed.

In the calculation of the acoustic performance of mufflers, the walls of mufflers are usually treated rigidly without considering the acoustic-structural coupling, but the results so calculated differ significantly from the actual situation. Based on the basic equations, the article derives the finite element equations of the muffler system while considering the acoustic-structural coupling effect and theoretically analyses the connection between the acoustic-structural coupling system and the structural and acoustic modes. The structural and acoustic modes of the muffler are calculated and the reasons for the mutation of the transmission loss curve of the muffler when the acoustic-structural coupling is considered are analysed. The results show that the acoustic-structural coupling is the result of the interaction between the structure and the air inside the expansion chamber under acoustic excitation, which manifests mutations in the sound pressure inside the muffler in some frequency bands. Then, using a single-chamber muffler as an example, the transmission loss is used to characterise the performance of the muffler. The effects of different factors such as shell thickness, structure, porous media material lining, and restraint method on the acoustic-structural coupling effect of the muffler are analysed, and the structure of a double-chamber muffler is successfully optimised according to the conclusions.

Groundwater exploitation that exceeds its recharge capacity can have a negative impact on the hydrogeological environment. Optimal exploitation means maximising pumping discharge with the least reduction in the hydraulic head. In groundwater exploitation, the position of wells, number of wells, and the discharge of groundwater pumping greatly determine changes in hydraulic head and groundwater flow patterns in a given hydrological area. This article proposes an optimisation model which is expected to be useful for finding the optimal pumping discharge value from production wells in a hydrological area. This model is a combination of solving the Laplace equation for two-dimensional groundwater flow in unconfined aquifers and the optimum variable search method based on the Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE- UA) algorithm. Laplace equation uses the finite difference method for the central difference rule of the Crank Nicolson scheme. The system of equations has been solved using the M-FILE code from MATLAB. This article is a preliminary study which aims to examine the stability level of the optimisation equation system. Testing using a hypothetical data set shows that the model can work effectively, accurately, and consistently in solving the case of maximising pumping discharge from production wells in a hydrological area with a certain hydraulic head limitation. Consequently, the system of equations can also be applied to the case of confined aquifers.

The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) MESH network technology gains popularity in low duty IoT systems. Its advantage is a low energy consumption that enables long lifetime of IoT systems. The paper proposes and evaluates new MRT management methods, i.e. exact and heuristic, that improves energy efficiency of BLE MESH network by minimizing the number of active relay nodes. The performed experiments confirm efficiency of the MRT methods resulting in significantly lower energy consumption of BLE MESH network.

Construction projects are characterised by complexity in the technical, organisational and environmental sphere. The organisational complexity of such projects makes it necessary to manage relationships between actors who fulfil various functions. Formal organisational structures that have been developed for this purpose do not always reflect the actual relationships between construction project participants. In literature, scholars more and more often point to the need to identify and monitor such informal relationships and attempt to manage them in order to effectively carry out projects. Structural analysis of so-called self-organising networks of relationships between project participants is carried out on the basis of established structural measures by performing Social Network Analysis (SNA). In a situation when inappropriate communication between project participants relative to management staff expectations is detected, interventions meant to improve communication in such networks are possible. The goal of the article is proposing an optimisation-oriented approach to planning such interventions while taking various constraints, such as communication costs, into consideration. As a part of this optimisation, the authors proposed a method from the heuristic methods group. This solution will support decision-making in terms of intervening within an informal relationship structure. The method was presented on the example of an actual construction project involving the construction of a complex of housing buildings. the self-organising network structure was defined on the basis of a survey carried out among the project's participants and concerned communication between them over a four-week period. As a result of the structural network analysis, abnormalities in communication between project participants were detected. The optimisation method developed by the authors pointed to possibilities of improving communication effectiveness within this network. The effects of the analysis confirmed the application potential of the method that was presented.

Communication and information flowduring construction project execution is often discussed in the literature. Numerous scholars note the presence of problems with communication and information flow and highlight that these problems also affect construction project completion time and cost. The vast majority of studies on the impact of communication on construction project completion time and cost takes on a qualitative character and there is a lack of quantitative analyses of this subject. To address these deficiencies, the authors of this paper propose a quantitative approach to assessing communication between construction project participants in the aspect of its impact on said project’s completion time and cost. The authors used meta-network theory to model and analyse the problem, as it can fully depict the problem’s complexity. The method proposed allows for dynamic identification of key information flow paths between project participants, which determine its performance in an essential way. The proposed approach can support decision-makers in effective management of communication between a construction project’s participants, which has a positive carryover to achieving planned project goals. The method was tested on a real-world development project that featured the construction of a housing complex in Katowice, Poland.

In the literature, researchers present construction projects as temporary self-organising coalition networks, composed of specialist entities that work towards set goals. The number of parties involved in the various processes during construction causes communications relations to be exceedingly complex and to change. The environment of a construction project is dynamic and complex, and self-organising communication networks are sensitive to institutional and social change. It becomes necessary to identify situations rooted in both insufficient communication during the carrying out of a project and its excess, which generates unnecessary cost. Effective control of information flow within self-organising communication networks through its planning and monitoring by project management can contribute to achieving project goals. This paper presents a proposal of an optimisation approach (in terms of minimising communication costs) to information flow planning that accounts for various constraints, on the example of a real-world case of building a housing complex in Poland.

The predicted annual growth of energy consumption in ICT by 4% towards 2020, despite improvements and efficiency gains in technology, is challenging our ability to claim that ICT is providing overall gains in energy efficiency and Carbon Imprint as computers and networks are increasingly used in all sectors of activity. Thus we must find means to limit this increase and preserve quality of service (QoS) in computer systems and networks. Since the energy consumed in ICT is related to system load, ]this paper discusses the choice of system load that offers the best trade-off between energy consumption and QoS. We use both simple queueing models and measurements to develop and illustrate the results. A discussion is also provided regarding future research directions.

The paper presents results of research focused on modelling heat storage tank operation used for forecasting purposes. It presents selected issues related to mathematical modelling of heat storage tanks and related equipment and discusses solution process of the optimisation task. Presented detailed results were obtained during real-life industrial implementation of the optimisation process at the Siekierki combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Warsaw owned by Vattenfall Heat Poland S.A. (currently by Polish Oil & Gas Company - PGNiG SA) carried out by the Academic Research Centre of Power Industry and Environment Protection, Warsaw University of Technology in collaboration with Transition Technologies S.A. company.

Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs) are required for the therapy of terminal heart diseases as heart transplants are only a limited option due to the available number of donor hearts. For implantation TAHs have to meet constraints regarding its dimensions, weight, perfusions and electrical losses. An innovative linear driven TAH is presented, which meets all constraints except weight. Therefore the geometry of the linear drive is optimised to reduce its weights while simultaneously limiting the electrical losses as much as possible. In order to calculate the losses, this paper introduced a combined calculation chain consisting of FEM simulations and analytical equations. Based on this chain the linear drive is optmised by the method of parameter variations. The results yield a hierachic order of parameters which are most suitable for the weight reduction of the drive for low losses. By this the weight of the linear drive is reduced by 25%. As the allowable loss limit is not exceeded yet, room for further weight reduction achieved by an optimisation of the axial geomtry parameters is given.

The paper discusses some of the recent advances in kriging based worst-case design optimisation and proposes a new two-stage approach to solve practical problems. The efficiency of the infill points allocation is improved significantly by adding an extra layer of optimisation enhanced by a validation process.

An on-line optimising control strategy involving a two level extended Kalman filter (EKF) for dynamic model identification and a functional conjugate gradient method for determining optimal operating condition is proposed and applied to a biochemical reactor. The optimiser incorporates the identified model and determines the optimal operating condition while maximising the process performance. This strategy is computationally advantageous as it involves separate estimation of states and process parameters in reduced dimensions. In addition to assisting on-line dynamic optimisation, the estimated time varying uncertain process parameter information can also be useful for continuous monitoring of the process. This strategy ensures that the biochemical reactor is operated at the optimal operation while taking care of the disturbances that are encountered during operation. The simulation results demonstrate the usefulness of the two level EKF assisted dynamic optimizer for on-line optimising control of uncertain nonlinear biochemical systems.

The demand for a net reduction of carbon dioxide and restrictions on energy efficiency make thermal conversion of biomass a very attractive alternative for energy production. However, sulphur dioxide emissions are of major environmental concern and may lead to an increased corrosion rate of boilers in the absence of sulfatation reactions. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the kinetics of formation of sulphur dioxide during switchgrass combustion. Experimental data that records the combustion process and the emission formation versus time, carried out by the National Renewable Energy Institute in Colorado (US), was used to evaluate the kinetic data.

The combustion of switchgrass is described sufficiently accurate by the Discrete Particle Method (DPM). It predicts all major processes such as heating-up, pyrolysis, combustion of switchgrass by solving the differential conservation equations for mass and energy. The formation reactions of sulphur dioxide are approximated by an Arrhenius-like expression including a pre-exponential factor and an activation energy. Thus, the results predicted by the Discrete Particle Method were compared to measurements and the kinetic parameters were subsequently corrected by the least square method until the deviation between measurements and predictions was minimised. The determined kinetic data yielded good agreement between experimental data and predictions.