Organic mesh template-based laminated object manufacturing to fabricate ceramics with regular micron scaled pore structures

A new aqueous slurry-based laminated object manufacturing process for porous ceramics is proposed: firstly, an organic mesh sheet is pre-paved as a pore-forming template before slurry layer scraping; secondly, the 2D pattern is built with laser outline cutting of the dried mesh–ceramic composite layer; finally, the pore structure is formed after degreasing and sintering. Alumina parts with porosities of 51.5 %, round hole diameters of 80 ± 5 μm were fabricated using 70 wt. % solid content slurry and 100 mesh nylon net. Using an organic mesh as the framework and template not only reduces the risk of damage of the green body but also ensures the regularity, uniformity and connectivity of the micron scaled pore network. The layer-by-layer drying method avoids the delamination phenomenon and improves the paving density. The new method can realize the flexible design of the pore structure by using various organic mesh templates.     

Vertical cyclic loading response of geosynthetic-encased stone column in soft clay

Dynamic responses of the geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) supported embankment under traffic loads have become a hot topic. This study investigates the responses of GESC improved ground under vertical cyclic loading. A series of laboratory tests in a designed model test tank have been carried out with different loading parameters (varied loading amplitudes and frequencies), different column dimensions (varied encasement lengths and column diameters). In the tests, the soil-column stress distribution, accumulated settlement of loading plate, excess pore water pressure in the surrounding soil and lateral bulging of the stone column are monitored. Experimental results indicate that the vertical stress on the stone column increases with the increment of encasement length, and decreases with the increment of column diameter, loading amplitude and loading frequency. The increasing stress on the surrounding soil leads to a greater accumulated settlement of the loading plate and excess pore water pressure, while the increasing stress on the column leads to larger lateral bulging of the column. Excess pore water pressure dissipates effectively through vertical and horizontal drainage channels provided by the stone column and the sand bed. The geosynthetic encasement prevents the clay from obstructing the drainage channel by filtration and guarantees the drainage effect.     

Calf massager: Intervention for body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing

Many occupations require workers to stand for long periods of time without proper interventions, which causes discomfort in the back and lower limbs. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effectiveness in alleviating body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing through the use of a calf massager. This study was conducted among male workers at a manufacturer with production line workers and the list was obtained from the HR Department and simple random sampling was done by number categorization. A total of 100 respondents (50 respondents for both the control and the experimental groups) participated in this study. The experiment took place in a room with a similar setup for the production line. Each respondent was requested to perform the simulated task for 2 hr. For the experimental group, the calf massager was turned on every 15 min. At every 15‐min interval after turning on the calf massager, respondents from both groups were required to evaluate their discomfort level on a Borg's scale CR‐10 questionnaire. The results showed that the level of body discomfort among respondents in the experimental group reduced (20–30%) compared with that of the control group. Multivariate analysis results revealed that the discomfort rating for the lower back, knees, thighs, calves, and feet was significantly lower (p < .05) among the experimental group compared with the control group. For lower body parts, the lower back region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 90th, 105th, and 120th min; the thigh region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 120th min; the knee region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 105th and 120th min; the calf region was statistically significant (p < .05) at all minute intervals except the 15th and 45th min, while the feet region, was statistically significant at the 105th and 120th min. Therefore, this study indicates that calf massage treatment is capable of reducing body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing and highlights the significance of calf massage.     

Chromium evaporation and oxidation characteristics of alumina-forming austenitic stainless steels for balance of plant applications in solid oxide fuel cells

The chromium (Cr) evaporation behavior of several different types of iron (Fe)-based AFA alloys and benchmark Cr₂O₃-forming Fe-based 310 and Ni-based 625 alloys was investigated for 500 h exposures at 800 °C to 900 °C in air with 10% H₂O. The Cr evaporation rates from alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) alloys were ~5 to 35 times lower than that of the Cr₂O₃-forming alloys depending on alloy and temperature. The Cr evaporation behavior was correlated with extensive characterization of the chemistry and microstructure of the oxide scales, which also revealed a degree of quartz tube Si contamination during the test. Long-term oxidation kinetics were also assessed at 800 to 1000 °C for up to 10,000 h in air with 10% H₂O to provide further guidance for SOFC BOP component alloy selection.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of the influence of cable tray arrangements on the resulting mass loss rate and fire spreading

In the context of industrial buildings and power plants, electrical installations and cable trays represent a main fuel load and a potential initial fire source due to possible short circuits or comparable malfunction. Furthermore, a fire can spread from one tray to additional trays mounted above and/or horizontally on one tray. Because of the high significance of cable fires, several research projects have been carried out, investigating the fire behaviour of cables from small‐scale tests, eg, the cone calorimeter, up to large‐scale tests, analysing complete cable tray constructions. The goal of the work presented in this paper is the extension of the knowledge regarding the influence of geometrical parameters like the packing density and tray distance on the burning behaviour and fire spread of cable tray installations. The results are considered, together with test results from the literature, to quantify the main physical parameters describing the burning behaviour. In a next step, the general applicability of these parameters as input data for the parametrization of the source term of numerical simulations is shown. The test results show that the burning behaviour and the fire spreading highly depend on the cable arrangement of the cables on the cable tray, in combination with other boundary conditions. By applying the results as input for a fire simulation, the mass loss rate is considered appropriately.     

皮带秤秤架的响应特性曲线分析

介绍了皮带秤秤架响应特性曲线分析方法，对四种结构形式的秤架进行了响应特性曲线分析和比较，得出的结论是：悬浮式秤架的计量特性最好。     

一种大尺度二维直线度精密测量的新方法

本文提出了一种远距离、大范围二维直线度测量的新方法．该方法采用特殊设计的十字线准直激光器及线阵CCD，通过特殊的光学系统结构设计，能在0-20m距离内连续测量，直线度范围可达70mm，精度优于0．1mm，实际测量结果表明，该方法可适应野外作业环境。     

一种分析碳酸盐岩孔隙系统数字图像的新方法

碳酸盐岩的孔隙类型多，孔径变化范围大，孔隙系统结构复杂，研究难度大。长期以来，是利用光学显微镜法、毛细管压力分析法、岩石孔隙系统复制法和图像分析仪法等方法或其中几种方法配合来研究碳酸盐岩孔隙系统。随着计算机图像技术的迅速发展和日益完善，借助该项技术通过碳酸盐岩孔隙系统数字图像来研究碳酸盐岩孔隙系统已经成为现实。文章提出一种研究碳酸盐岩孔隙系统数字图像的新方法。通过样品光薄片的光学显微镜（OM）数字图像和环境扫描电子显微镜（ESEM）数字图像二值化识别孔隙；构造孔隙度、孔隙贡献率和孔隙形状参数的计算公式用于数字图像分析，得到孔隙大小分布和孔隙形状分布。在此基础上，总结碳酸盐岩孔隙参数对其渗透率的控制作用。与传统的孔隙系统研究方法相比，该方法与计算机图像技术紧密结合，具有定量、快速的明显优势。     

论四川盆地天然气勘探前景

中石油及其前身已在四川盆地从事天然气勘探开发工作50余年,截至2005年底累计探明天然气地质储量逾8400×10⁸m³,累计生产天然气超过2300×10⁸m³,年产量现已超过120×10⁸m³,已成为国内目前最大的产气区。对于该盆地进一步勘探前景如何的命题,从以下4个方面给予了论证：一是资源丰富、勘探成果持久不衰，近期仍有大发现；二是要辩证地认识盆地油气地质的复杂性，探索新规律，解放新领域；三是寻求地质认识和勘探技术进步是勘探突破的关键；四是继续以盆地两大地质体系（海相古隆起体系及陆相前陆盆地体系）和8套裂缝-孔隙性储集层（中上寒武统白云岩、石炭系白云岩、上二叠统长兴组生物礁白云岩、下三叠统飞仙关组鲕状白云岩、下三叠统嘉陵江组粒屑白云岩、中三叠统雷口坡组藻粒白云岩、上三叠统须家河组长石岩屑石英砂岩和中上侏罗统红层砂岩）为对象获取更多的天然气资源量及优质储量。据此得出结论：四川盆地天然气勘探前景是广阔的，但勘探难度会逐步加大。