this study proposes a new linear approximation for solving the dynamic response equations of a rocking rigid block. linearization assumptions which have already been used by hounser and other researchers cannot be valid for all rocking blocks with various slenderness ratios and dimensions; hence, developing new methods which can result in better approximation of governing equations while keepin...

this study proposes a new linear approximation for solving the dynamic response equations of a rocking rigid block. linearization assumptions which have already been used by hounser and other researchers cannot be valid for all rocking blocks with various slenderness ratios and dimensions; hence, developing new methods which can result in better approximation of governing equations while keepin...

Virtually every real process is a nonlinear system. Nevertheless, linear system analysis and linear controller design methods have proven to be adequate in many applications. On the other hand, there are nonlinear processes that require or benefit from nonlinear control. Therefore, recognizing a system as being nonlinear does not suffice, but the extent and severity of a system’s inherent nonli...

This paper presents structurally incomplete designs as an approach to reduce the length of mental health tests. In structurally incomplete test designs, respondents only fill out a subset of the total item set. The scores on the unadministered items are estimated using methods for missing data. As an illustration, structurally incomplete test designs recording, respectively, two thirds, one hal...

There is always a need to evaluate training skills acquired for, in this way, to know whether they have achieved the learning objectives. The use of the e-portfolio becomes more common among teachers then, becomes increasingly necessary define a good evaluation system. E-Portfolio evaluation criteria should take into account operational, appearance, evidence and reflection indicators. Consideri...

The number of students in class in studies of first year engineering degree in many Universities, in particular at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, is high with an average of 75 students per class. While the large groups permit to transmit information efficiently, to a large number of students, it is equally true that it is difficult to teach students to actively think about what they a...