Topology optimization of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint

This paper focuses on the configuration design of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position. A new method for the topology optimization of flexure hinges is proposed based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint. The hinge optimization model is formulated by maximizing the bending displacement with a spring while optimizing the compliance matrix to a prescribed value. To avoid numerical instability, an artificial spring is used as an auxiliary calculation, and a new strategy is developed for adaptively adjusting the spring stiffness according to the prescribed compliance matrix. The maximum stress of flexure hinge is limited by using a normalized P-norm of the effective von Mises stress, and a position constraint of rotational center is proposed to predetermine the position of the rotational center. In addition, to reduce the error of the stress measurement, a simple but effective filtering method is presented to obtain a complete black-and-white design. Numerical examples are used to verify the proposed method. Topology results show that the obtained flexure hinges have the prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position while also meeting the stress requirements.     

Effect of fiber-reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of sand approaching the critical state

Several types of ground improvement methods that employ fiber-reinforcement have been developed in recent years. A series of consolidated drained triaxial compression tests has been conducted here to examine the effect of short fibers on the mechanical properties of Toyoura sand. Sand with 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 1% fiber contents, prepared to yield random distribution, was sheared under several confining pressures and controlled via their initial relative densities. The test results showed that the maximum and residual deviatoric stresses increased, whereas the volumetric expansion decreased with an increase in fiber content. Although the stress ratio η (=q/p′) and specific volume changed depending on the fiber content and confining pressure with shear progression, they each reached the same values for a definite fiber content at the end of shearing, independent of initial relative density. In other words, the unique critical state line can be found for a definite fiber content. Moreover, the greater the fiber content, the larger the slope of the critical state line at the end of shearing. Additionally, as the length of fibers shortened with the same percentage of fiber inclusions in sand, the deviatoric stress and the stress ratio decreased, approaching the shear-strain-volumetric response of unreinforced sand.     

Numerical simulation analysis and experimental validation on wear/fracture mechanisms of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride superabrasives in high-speed grinding

In this study, a two-dimensional finite element model is proposed to investigate the wear/fracture mechanisms of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) superabrasives in high-speed grinding process. The special geometric microstructures of PCBN grains are constructed by using the classic Voronoi tessellation technique, and cohesive elements are embedded into the geometric model of PCBN grains as the potential crack propagation paths for simulating the wear/fracture behaviours of PCBN grains under grinding loads. The effects of uncut chip thickness per grain (a_gmax) on the stress distribution characteristics and wear/fracture behaviours of PCBN grains during grinding are discussed in detail. Results show that the wear behaviour of PCBN grains during grinding mainly occurs around the grain vertex region; however, the fracture behaviour, leading to the quick failure of PCBN grains, is prone to appear around the grain–filler bonding interface, which is usually on the opposite side of the in-feed direction. Moreover, to separate the PCBN grains from the macro-fracture during grinding, the uncut chip thickness per grain should be kept smaller than 1.0?µm to prevent the unfavourable fracture behaviour from appearing around the grain–filler bonding interface. Furthermore, the corresponding single-grain grinding trials are performed to validate the numerical simulation results by evaluating the wear/fracture morphologies of the PCBN superabrasives in the actual grinding operation.     

Study on internal stress damage detection in long-distance oil and gas pipelines via weak magnetic method

Weak magnetic stress detection is an important issue in oil–gas pipeline internal detection area. In order to verify the characteristics of weak magnetic stress internal detection signals, we built herein a magneto-mechanics equivalent model having a balanced magnetic field. First, we calculated the relationship between the stress and the weak magnetic signals; consequently, the analysis propagation laws of the weak magnetic signals with non-magnetic saturation were pointed out. Finally, the theoretical model was validated by a systematic experimental research. The analytical results show that a one-to-one linear link between the weak magnetic signals and the stress concentration is clear. Instead, the change of the weak magnetic signals with the liftoff is nonlinear, therefore we are proposing the Boltzmann liftoff correction factor whose degree of adaptability of the equivalent model can reach the value of 94%. It is possible to note that when the liftoff is in the approximate linear stage, the relevance ratio and the recognition rate of the magneto-mechanics curve show a high-quality. This conclusion is important in the engineering field for the set of the liftoff.     

Using a pulsed electric current to reduce the susceptibility of high-strength steel to the stress corrosion cracking caused by hydrogen

Under the tensile loading, the damage of metals in the corrosive medium is the most destructive and harmful. In this study, the stress corrosion cracking behavior of H-charged high-strength steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution after electropulsing treatment was investigated. The experimental results from elongation, yield strength, fracture morphology, and polarization curves all demonstrate the positive effect of the pulsed processing, as it reduced the susceptibility of steel to stress corrosion cracking by removing hydrogen by electropulsing. The reduction in hydrogen content of the pulsed high–strength steels was attributed to electromigration and increased system free energy, which drove the hydrogen atoms in the steel to de–trap and reduced the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking.     

The influence of stresses on ageing kinetics of 3Y- and 4Y- stabilized zirconia

Hydrothermal ageing is one of the most important limiting factors for the use of yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics in contact with water-containing environments. It consists in the transformation of tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase, initiates on the surface of zirconia in the presence of water, and leads to roughening and potentially to micro-cracking and loss of integrity. The present work seeks to explore the influence of applied and residual mechanical stresses on the ageing kinetics of 3Y- and 4Y-TZP. Residual stresses were obtained by rough polishing. A subsequent Annealing step was employed for the preparation of samples free of residual stresses. All samples were submitted to in situ 3-points bending tests in water vapour atmosphere inside an autoclave at 134 °C, allowing surfaces with a mechanical stress gradient to be exposed to hydrothermal ageing. The evolution of the monoclinic fraction with time and stress was then analyzed using Mehl-Avrami-Johnson equation.     

港里矿软破围岩采矿的分析与研究

港里矿围岩软弱破碎，随开采深度延伸，地压显现越来越剧烈，严重影响港里矿正常回采。为研究港里矿软破围岩采矿，分析了影响采矿正常进行的因素和机理，调整采矿的顺序，使港里矿软破围岩采矿的困难得到根本扭转，保证了采矿生产的正常进行，选择围岩稳固及充分卸压部位布置斜坡道和联巷、优先回采围岩破碎的高应力区是地压管理的关键问题。     

Functions of ULK1 in autophagy and non-autophagy pathways and its implications in human physiology and disease

ULK1 (unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1), a mammalian serine/threonine kinase, is a key component of autophagy initiation complex and helps to induce all types of autophagy. Canonical autophagy is a process in which, through the interactions of a series of autophagy-related proteins, damaged organelles or misfolded proteins are engulfed by autophagosomes and then merged with lysosomes to be degraded. Thus, canonical autophagy is an important constituent part of the cellular “quality control.” Besides, accumulating evidence indicates that ULK1 exerts autophagy-independent effects in a cell-specific manner. For example, ULK1 facilitates neurite elongation through the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–Golgi trafficking in neurons, stimulates phosphopentose pathway to help NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen) production, and acts as a duplex regulator in type I IFN (type I interferon) induced innate immune response. Considering the importance and diversity of ULK1 in various biological processes, this review aims to present a comprehensive overview of autophagy and non-autophagy related functions of ULK1 in a variety of human physiological, pathological, and disease processes.