Force exertion in awkward working postures-strength capability while twisting or working overhead

Isometric strength data have been collected for three of the awkward work situations often imposed by workplace constraints in industry, as found in jobs such as maintenance and repair. The effects of the task layout factors (location of the workpiece, reach distance and direction of force exertion) were investigated and the data has been tabulated to show the degree to which strength may be reduced in different situations. Strength measurements in the present study were found to be considerably higher than previous measurements, apparently due to differences in instructions on foot placement that were given to subjects, which indicates that even small constraints on posture within the workplace may have large effects on the ability to exert force.     

Modelling of the strength–porosity relationship in glass-ceramic foam scaffolds for bone repair

Foam-like glass-ceramic scaffolds based on three different glass compositions (45S5 Bioglass and two other experimental formulations, CEL2 and SCNA) were produced by sponge replication and characterized from morphological, architectural and mechanical viewpoints. The relationships between porosity and compressive or tensile strength were systematically investigated and modelled, respectively, by using the theory of cellular solids mechanics or quantized fracture mechanics. Models results are in good agreement with experimental findings, which highlights the satisfactory predictive capabilities of the presented approach. The developed models could contribute to improve the rational design of porous bioceramics with custom-made properties. Knowing the scaffold recommended strength for a specific surgical need, the application of the models allows to predict the corresponding porosity, which can be tailored by varying the fabrication parameters in a controlled way so that the device fulfils the desired mechanical requirements.     

Geopolymers based on a coarse low-purity kaolin mineral: Mechanical strength as a function of the chemical composition and temperature

A coarse mineral with 70% kaolinite and 30% quartz was calcined and chemically activated by alkaline solutions of Na₂SiO₃ and NaOH. The compressive strength evolution was investigated as a function of the curing temperature at 20 and 80 °C, and the molar ratios of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (2.64-4.04) and Na₂O/Al₂O₃ (0.62-1.54). For curing at 20 °C, the best composition was SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 2.96 and NaO/Al₂O₃ = 0.62, reaching 85 MPa at 28 days. Curing at 80 °C had a positive effect on the strength development only in the first 3 days. X-ray diffraction of the geopolymeric formulations showed the formation of amorphous silicoaluminates of similar nature. The microstructure consisted of unreacted quartz and metakaolinite particles in a matrix of silicoaluminate polymer and condensed silica gel from the unreacted sodium silicate.     

Effect of thermomechanical treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 301LN stainless steel

Abstract

A wide range of cold thickness reduction (10–80%) and subsequent annealing were carried out on AISI 301LN stainless steel. X-rays and Feritscope MP30 were used to identify the strain induced α′-martensite phase and its volume fraction respectively. The microstructure was observed by optical micrograph and scanning electron microscope. The results show that shear bands were present and strain induced α′-martensite nucleated at their intersections. The volume fraction of α′-martensite increased with the increased cold reduction by the continuous growth of embryos, which resulted in the increasing yield and tensile strength. The reversion of α′-martensite to austenite occurred after subsequent annealing. The grain size variation of austenite was related to the annealing regime. A good combination of strength and ductility can be obtained after annealing at 650°C for 30 min. The effect of grain size on yield strength conformed with the Hall–Petch relationship in the entire range of our analysis.     

The behaviour of pin-ended flange elements in compression

Stowell's solution [1] for the buckling behaviour of flange elements in compression was premised on the assumption that the element was fixed against flexural rotations at the ends, a condition representing relatively thick elements for which the thickness dimension is adequate to prevent rotations. This paper presents a solution similar to Stowell's which is applicable to pin-ended flange elements. Aspects not considered in Stowell's work, such as the use of elliptic functions to describe the gradual change of mode shape from sinusoidal to essentially linear, and the gradual and asymptotic changes in axial rigidity in the post-buckling range are described in the paper. The paper also presents comparisons between the behaviour of pin-ended and fixed-ended flange elements. Finally, simple strength equations for flange elements in uniform compression based on the first yield criterion are derived.     

Strengthening of AISI 2205 duplex stainless steel by strain ageing

In this study, static strain ageing behavior of commercially available and solution heat treated duplex stainless steel was investigated and the effect of static strain ageing on the mechanical properties was also determined in detail. Some of as-received duplex stainless steel test specimens were pre-strained in tension by 5% and then aged at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C for 30 min in furnace. Some of duplex stainless steel test specimens were solution heat treated at 1050 °C for 30 min, water quenched and then pre-strained for 5% in tension shortly after the solution heat treatment.In order to identify the effect of static strain ageing on the mechanical properties, the tensile strength, the change in the strength due to ageing (ΔY), elongation fracture and hardness were determined. The test results showed that the mechanical properties were affected by static strain ageing mechanism which was applied at different temperatures for same time interval.     

高边坡开挖卸荷过程强度折减法分析

针对露天矿开采过程中边坡变形破坏严重影响露天矿安全生产的问题，采用数值模拟的方法，应用MidasGTS NX软件建立重钢太和露天铁矿黄家山高边坡三维模型，进行开挖卸荷过程中的应力应变、位移及安全系数变化的数值模拟分析。结果表明：边坡岩体开挖卸荷过程中，随着采场的延深，边坡角的增大,塑性应力带的逐渐向边坡岩体内部扩大，风化破碎层及上部冰碛土层之间产生塑性应变贯通区，破坏面形成。开挖完成后整体边坡坡脚处发生剪切破坏，坡顶后缘形成张拉破坏区，边坡上部冰碛土层形成 “坐落—滑移”式滑动。边坡安全系数随向下开挖过程逐级降低，最终达到1.15稍显偏低。后期开采过程中，需对边坡中上部风化破碎岩层及冰碛土进行加固措施。     

Finite element analyses of slope stability problems using non-associated plasticity

In recent years, finite element analyses have increasingly been utilized for slope stability problems. In comparison to limit equilibrium methods, numerical analyses do not require any definition of the failure mechanism a priori and enable the determination of the safety level more accurately. The paper compares the performances of strength reduction finite element analysis (SRFEA) with finite element limit analysis (FELA), whereby the focus is related to non-associated plasticity. Displacement-based finite element analyses using a strength reduction technique suffer from numerical instabilities when using non-associated plasticity, especially when dealing with high friction angles but moderate dilatancy angles. The FELA on the other hand provides rigorous upper and lower bounds of the factor of safety (FoS) but is restricted to associated flow rules. Suggestions to overcome this problem, proposed by Davis (1968), lead to conservative FoSs; therefore, an enhanced procedure has been investigated. When using the modified approach, both the SRFEA and the FELA provide very similar results. Further studies highlight the advantages of using an adaptive mesh refinement to determine FoSs. Additionally, it is shown that the initial stress field does not affect the FoS when using a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion.     

Reconstruction and hydration of hydrotalcite response to thermal activation temperature: Enhancement of properties for magnesia castables

Optimization binding system for refractory castables is significant to enhance the service performance. Hydrotalcite has been considered a promoter for high-temperature performance of basic castables, however, its binding property remains to be improved before practical application. In this work, the thermal activated Mg–Al hydrotalcites were incorporated in magnesia castables, and the mutual influence of pre-calcination temperature on the hydration, microstructure, and strength of castables was investigated. The obtained results indicated that the reconstruction of calcined hydrotalcite took place in the hydration process and effectively motivated the hydrolysis. Hydrate was thus promoted and a relatively dense microstructure of magnesia castables was confirmed by X-ray computed tomography analysis. Hydrotalcite pre-calcinated at 300 °C contributed to the highest early strength for castable, and the high-temperature properties also performed better than that of other pre-calcinated hydrotalcite-adding. The enhancement mechanisms of calcined hydrotalcite were attributed to the two following reasons: (ⅰ) the modified microstructure of magnesia castables from the early stage by hydration process, (ⅱ) the further enhanced sinterability inspired by the appropriate thermal activation effect.