Fabrication of fine-grained undoped Y2O3 transparent ceramic using nitrate pyrogenation synthesized nanopowders

Y₂O₃ ceramic is a promising optical material for mid-infrared (IR) windows and domes. Improvements in the mechanical and thermal performance of this material have become urgent if it is to perform adequately under extreme conditions. Herein, Y₂O₃ nanopowders were produced through the nitrate pyrogenation method. The final Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics were fabricated with a hybrid sintering method combining low temperature presintering and a subsequent hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment. The synthesis of nanopowders and the fabrication of the final ceramic products were investigated in detail. The Y₂O₃ ceramic sample that was presintered at 1350?°C provided the optimum microstructure for HIP treatment and resulted in an average grain size of 0.5?µm. Owing to the reduced grain size, the flexure strength and Vickers hardness of the sample were improved to 180?MPa and 8.4?GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the achieved pure Y₂O₃ ceramic demonstrated an excellent thermal conductivity at high temperature.     

A Generalized Relationship for Determination of Tensile Strength of Fine-Grained Soils from Shrinkage Characteristics

Tensile strength of fine-grained soils has been extensively investigated by earlier researchers and several methodologies have been evolved for its determination. However, either most of these methods are not valid/applicable for a wide range of moisture contents or they involve tedious sample/specimen preparation. In this context, the methodology of determining tensile strength by employing thin films, which is available in the literature, has been found to be quite handy and useful. It has been observed that a unique relationship exists among the tensile strength, moisture content, and shrinkage characteristics of fine-grained soils. This methodology is appreciable due to its applicability to a wide range of moisture contents, comparable ease of sample preparation and testing, and the obtained results lack generalization. Exhaustive tests were conducted on fine-grained soils of entirely different characteristics and generalized relationships have been proposed between the percentage linear shrinkage, tensile strength, and moisture content (defined as liquid to solid ratio). Based on a critical analysis of the results available in the literature, the efficiency of such relationships for determination of tensile strength of fine-grained soils has been demonstrated. In the authors’ opinion, such relationships would be quite useful for determining tensile strength of fine-grained soils from their linear shrinkage, which can easily be measured in a conventional geotechnical engineering laboratory.     

Modelling the compaction curve of fine-grained soils

A theoretical model for the compaction curve of fine-grained soils at various compaction efforts for the entire range of water content is presented in this study. The prediction method is based on the assumption that the compaction curve represents the state surface at the yield state in an unsaturated condition. Thus, for each applied compaction effort, the compaction curve relates to one yielding point on the saturated normal consolidation line (NCL). For a given soil, the model requires the NCL, S_rc, and one point from any compaction curve to predict the compaction curves for different compaction efforts. Moreover, the lines of equal suctions on the compaction curves can be determined if the SWCC, the wetting path, is known. The model introduced here provides additional theoretical understanding of the soil׳s volume change behavior of the compaction curve. The model was verified in two ways: first it was verified quantitatively, by experimental results, and second it was verified qualitatively, by examining the relationships from other models in the literature. The model was further applied to experimental data reported in the literature on previous static and dynamic compaction tests. The results show that the model fits the experimental data very well. Finally, a simple chart, based on this model and using only liquid limits, is presented to estimate γ_dmax and OMC quickly.     

In Situ Measurements of Settling Velocity near Baimao Shoal in Changjiang Estuary

At the South Branch of the Changjiang Estuary near Baimao Shoal, two in situ approaches were used to estimate the settling velocity, ws, of suspended, fine-grained sediments. The first approach was used when the current was less than 1.5??m/s and was based on measurements from an optical backscatter sensor (OBS-3A) and a laser in situ scattering and transmissometer (LISST-100, Type C). A modification, using the measured ratio of volume concentration for each floc size class to the total volume concentration as a weighting factor. To improve a previously published approach, a better algorthim was implemented to estimate ws. Results of the modified approach (0.4 to 4.6??mm/s) are about twice those of the original approach, which assumes that all sizes of flocs have the same floc density. The second approach used the Rouse equation to estimate the depth-averaged ws when the current was strong and nearly steady around maximum ebb. Results from the second approach show a much greater depth-averaged ws (4–8.5??mm/s). This is attributed to the large bed shear stresses (between 3 and 3.6?Pa) bringing large sediments into the water column.     

Effects of silica fume on the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soils exposed to freeze and thaw

Both the landfill liner and cover systems are the most important parts on a waste disposal landfill site. These systems are generally constructed using compacted fine-grained soils. It is known that the strength and permeability are particularly affected by freezing and thawing cycles in the cold regions. The aim of this study is to reduce the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the strength and permeability. To modify the fine-grained soils, silica fume generated during silicon metal production as very fine dust of silica from a blast furnace and historically considered a waste product has been used as a stabilizer. The natural fine-grained soils and soil–silica fume mixtures have been compacted at the optimum moisture content and subjected to the laboratory tests. The test results show that the stabilized fine-grained soil samples containing silica fume exhibit high resistance to the freezing and thawing effects as compared to natural fine-grained soil samples. The silica fume decreases the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the unconfined compressive strength and permeability. We have concluded that silica fume can be successfully used to reduce the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the strength and permeability in landfill liner and cover systems constructed from compacted fine-grained soils.     

Effect of Phosphorus on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of Fine-grained GH761 Alloy

The effect of phosphorus on mechanical properties and thermal stability of fine-grained GH761 alloy has been investigated.The results show that,when the content of phosphorus is in the range of 0.0007-0.040,there are no significant effects on the tensile properties.Phosphorus strongly affects the stress rupture life.The content of 0.023 P results in the longest life in this experiment.Compared with that of the alloy with 0.0007 P,the life is increased more than 2 times in the alloy with 0.023 P.After ageing at 700℃ for 1000 h,the life reduced to some extent.However,phosphorus exhibits the similar effect on the life as before ageing.The tensile properties of the alloy are not influenced by long term ageing obviously.The present results suggested that the optimum content of phosphorus is 0.023.The phosphorus with this content can optimize the precipitates at the grain boundaries and prevent the excessive growth of the precipitates.The combining mechanical properties of GH761 alloy can be largely improved by phosphorus addition combined with grain refinement.     

Failure of a geomembrane lined embankment dam – Case study

The right wing embankment of the headrace channel of a hydropower plant, failed adjacent to the concrete intake structure. The failure also caused damages of the penstocks and flooding of the powerhouse.     

细晶结构掺杂石墨的抗氧化行为研究

通过球磨分散方法制备了具有优良热，机械性能的细晶掺杂石墨材料。采用热分析仪考察了掺杂不同粒径陶瓷粒子的复合材料在1500℃温度范围内抗氧化行为；利用扫描电镜样品在800℃，1200℃和1400℃恒温氧化后的表面形貌。研究结果表明；结晶掺杂石墨在氧化温度高于800℃时有优良的抗氧化性能。     

Effect of Short-Range Ordering on the Strength-Ductility Synergy of Fine-Grained Cu-Mn Alloys at Different Temperatures

Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out at room temperature (RT) and 250 °C, respectively, to investigate the effect of short-range ordering (SRO) on the mechanical properties and deformation micromechanism of fine-grained (FG) Cu-Mn alloys with high stacking fault energy. The results show that at RT, with the increase in SRO degree, the strength of FG Cu-Mn alloys is improved without a loss of ductility, and corresponding deformation micromechanism is mainly manifested by a decrease in the size of dislocation cells. In contrast, at a high temperature of 250 °C, the SRO degree becomes violently enhanced with increasing Mn content, and the deformation microstructures thus transform from dislocation cells to planar slip bands and even to deformation twins, significantly enhancing the work hardening capacity of the alloys and thus achieving a better strength-ductility synergy of FG Cu-Mn alloys.     

Improvements in Frost Heave Laboratory Testing of Fine-Grained Soils

We present a laboratory system designed for studying frost heave in fine-grained soil. The system consists of: a modified refrigerator, a frost heave test cell, a laser for measuring heave, a differential pressure transducer for measuring water intake, and platinum resistance temperature detectors for measuring pedestal temperatures. The frost heave cell allows for visual observation of the sample, and accommodates pretest sample consolidation, freezing tests using a variety of freezing methods, triaxial tests on frozen soil, and thaw consolidation tests. The modified refrigerator maintains the specified temperature ±0.5°C during the full length of the test. Test results indicate repeatability of frost heave ratios ξ to within ±7%, and average heave rates to within ±0.05?mm/h. Results from frost heave tests conducted on five fine-grained soils indicate that: (1) a soil removed of its colloidal organic content becomes less frost susceptible; (2) the geomorphologic history of a “regional” soil is a critical factor influencing its frost susceptibility; and (3) ξ is dependent on overall clay content and is most sensitive to chlorite content.