Thermomechanical stress fields in high-temperature fibrous composites. I: Unidirectional laminates

This two-part paper presents a closed-form procedure for evaluation of estimates of local thermomechanical stress fields in two-phase fibrous composites and laminates. The first part is concerned with a unidirectional elastic laminate subjected to uniform mechanical loads and to uniform changes in temperature. Both phases are assumed to be elastic, with temperature-dependent moduli and expansion coefficients; the solution reflects the influence of thermomechanical interactions. Exact solutions are not possible for any real system, because the local geometry is not known in detail. Instead, estimates of the fields are found from a modified Mori-Tanaka approximation. Examples are presented for two SiC/Ti---Al---Nb composites. Local stresses of interest are found after cooling from fabrication to room temperature. The presence of local yielding, and the influence of coupling terms on the local stress magnitudes are examined. Extension of the results to laminated plates is presented in Part II (Dvorak, G.J., Chen, T. & Teply, J., Composites Science and Technology, 43 (1992) 359–368, this issue).     

Pathogenesis of malignant ascites formation: initiating events that lead to fluid accumulation

Initiating events leading to the accumulation of malignant ascites in the peritoneal cavity were investigated in two syngeneic transplantable murine ascites-producing tumors, MOT mouse ovarian tumor and the TA3/St mammary carcinoma. The transport of two tracers, 125I-labeled human serum albumin (125I-HSA) and 51Cr-labeled red blood cells (51Cr-RBC), into and out of the peritoneal cavity was studied at early times after i.p. tumor cell injection, prior to abundant fluid accumulation, and at intervals of 5 to 360 min after i.v. or i.p. tracer injection. Tracer influx and efflux rates were estimated from the mass of tracer passing into or out of the peritoneal cavity following a bolus injection of tracer into either the blood or the peritoneal cavity. Efflux of 125I-HSA from the peritoneal cavity was markedly reduced (3- to 5-fold) within 1 day of i.p. injection of either type of tumor cell. Significantly reduced efflux preceded any increase in tumor cell number and by itself did not induce peritoneal fluid accumulation. 125I-HSA tracer influx from plasma to peritoneal fluid did not increase detectably until 5 to 7 days after tumor cell injection, when the tumor cell number had increased by 10- to 100-fold. Only at relatively late stages of ascites tumor growth, when the flow rate into the peritoneal cavity had increased relative to the flow rate out of the peritoneum, was there net peritoneal fluid accumulation. Thus, increased influx, in addition to impaired efflux, were required for malignant ascites accumulation. Following i.p. injection, the efflux rates of 125I-HSA always exceeded those of 51Cr-RBC, even in ascites tumor-bearing animals. Furthermore, 125I-HSA tracer disappeared from the peritoneal cavity more rapidly than it appeared in the plasma, suggesting that 125I-HSA moves more rapidly through the channels by which 51Cr-RBC egress from the peritoneum (primarily diaphragmatic lymphatics) and/or has access to additional pathways not open to 51Cr-RBC. Finally, flow rates into and out of the blood and peritoneum were used to obtain kinetic parameters that characterized tracer transport: k1, the rate constant for tracer transport from the blood to the peritoneum; k2, the rate constant for tracer transport from the peritoneal cavity to the blood; and k6, the rate constant for tracer transport from the peritoneal cavity to surrounding interstitial tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Propagation of ultra-wide-band electromagnetic pulses throughdispersive media

We develop an efficient method for the analysis of ultra-wide-band (UWB) electromagnetic pulses (e.g., double-exponential pulse) propagating through a waveguide or cold plasma (i.e., the ionosphere). First we show that the inverse Fourier-transform representations for the electric and magnetic fields satisfy second order, nonhomogeneous, ordinary, differential equations. These differential equations are solved analytically, thereby yielding closed-form expressions involving incomplete Lipschitz-Hankel integrals (ILHIs). The ILHIs are computed using efficient convergent and asymptotic series expansions. We demonstrate the usefulness of the ILHI expressions by comparing them with the fast Fourier-transform technique (FFT). Because of the long tails associated with UWB pulses, a large number of sample points are required in the FFT, to avoid aliasing errors. In contrast, the ILHI expressions provide accurate and efficient numerical results, regardless of the number of points computed. An asymptotic series representation for the ILHIs is also employed, to obtain a relatively simple, late-time approximation for the transient fields. This approximate late-time expression is shown to accurately model the waveform over a large portion of its time history     

Immunocytochemical localization of chymase to cytoplasmic vesicles after rat peritoneal mast cell stimulation by compound 48/80

The subcellular events responsible for release of mediators by mast cells may help to clarify roles for mast cells in health and disease. In this study we show that the granule-associated protease chymase is also within cytoplasmic vesicles in appropriately stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Rat peritoneal mast cells were recovered before or 1-10 sec after exposure to the secretogogue compound 48/80 (10 micrograms/ml) and then were examined by radioimmunoassay to quantify histamine release or were processed, using routine methods for postembedding immunoelectron microscopy, to identify the subcellular localization of chymase. In comparison to unstimulated cells, compound 48/80 stimulated cells in two independent experiments showed an increase (15%, 28%) in the surface area of the cell and a decrease (12%, 6%) in the surface area of the total granule compartment before degranulation channel formation. These global cellular changes occurred in a background of transient but significant (p < 0.01) increases in the area and number of chymase-immunoreactive vesicles per microns2 cytoplasm. These changes were detectable at 5 or 7 sec after stimulation with compound 48/80 but returned to near prestimulation levels by 9 or 10 sec after addition of compound 48/80 (total cumulative histamine release was 28% by 8 sec and 47% by 14 sec). These observations suggest that vesicles participate in the early stages of regulated secretion of chymase from rat peritoneal mast cells.     

Analysis of first ply failure in composite laminates

The mechanics of transverse cracking in an elastic fibrous composite ply is explored for the case of low crack density. Cracks are assumed to initiate from a nucleus created by localized fiber debonding and matrix cracking. It is found that cracks may propagate in two directions on planes which are parallel to the fiber axis and perpendicular to the midplane of the ply. In general, crack propagation in the direction of the fiber axis controls the strength of thin plies, while cracking in the direction perpendicular to the fiber axis determines the strength of thick plies. The theory relates ply thickness, crack geometry and ply toughness to ply strength. It predicts a significant increase in strength with decreasing ply thickness in constrained thin plies. The strength of thick plies is found to be constant, but it may be reduced by preexisting damage. Results are illustrated by comparison with experimental data.     

Fatigue of metal matrix composites

One unidirectional and two laminated 6061-0 A-B composite plates were tested under various cyclic loading conditions. Three types of material response to cyclic loading were identified; No evidence of damage at relatively low cyclic loads, damage accumulation caused primarily by growth of long matrix cracks parallel to the fibers in off-axis layers at higher loads, and sudden localized failure of the fibers. Quantitative analysis of the results shows that the extent of internal damage, demonstrated by a reduction in axial elastic modulus, depends on the applied stress range and is independent of mean stress. The stress range at which damage first starts to appear coincides with the shakedown range of the laminate.

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Résumé On a testé sous des conditions de contrainte cyclique variable des plaques constituées d'une part par des alliages 6061-0 A-B unidirectionnels et d'autre part du même alliage composite bilaminé. On a identifié trois types de réponse du matériau aux contraintes cycliques, à savoir la non-évidence d'un dommage pour des cycles de charge à faible amplitude relative, une accumulation du dommage causé principalement par la croissance de longues fissures matricielles parallèles aux fibres dans les couches éloignées du plan médian à des contraintes plus élevées, et une fissure soudainement localisée des fibres. L'analyse quantitative des résultats montre que 1'extension du dommage interne telle qu'elle est dóntree par une réduction du module axial d'élasticité, dépend de l'amplitude des contraintes appliquées et est indéndante de la contrainte moyenne. L'amplitude de contrainte auquelle un dommage commence à apparaître coíncide avec l'amplitude de l'adaptation plastique du laminé telle qu'établie par le théorème de Melan.

     

More about arc-fault circuit interrupters

Since the arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) was commercially introduced in 1998, questions have arisen about how it detects arcs, whether it detects series and parallel arcs, and what types of AFCIs are available. Types other than the original branch/feeder AFCI are emerging. This paper is intended to provide an update regarding answers to those questions, following an earlier paper that introduced the basic functioning of the AFCI.     

Effects of ion irradiation in metallic glasses

Application of metallic glasses as structural materials has been limited by their poor ductility. To overcome brittle failure, nanocrystals are intentionally introduced to stabilize the glasses. In this study, we report on the application of ion irradiation to induce nanocrystalization in a Cu₅₀Zr₄₅Ti₅ (CZT) alloy. Transmission electron microcopy, microindentation and nanoindentation have been used to characterize the CZT alloy irradiated with 140 keV He ions at room temperature. Hardness enhancement was observed near the projected range of the He ions, coinciding with the formation of nanocrystals. Such microstructural changes, however, were not observed in the near surface region, where the electronic stopping process is dominant.     

The influence of surveillance methods on surgical wound infection rates in a tertiary care spinal surgery service

We studied 13 consecutive infants admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over 37 months from 1 June 1994 to 30 June 1997, who were diagnosed with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) meeting extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) criteria as defined by Bartlett and/or Short. They were managed with conservative ventilation strategy, with emphasis on the use of moderate ventilatory pressures whilst avoiding paralysis. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) on intermittent mandatory ventilation was adjusted according to adequate chest excursion. High PIP was avoided. Two main ventilatory techniques were used: 1) low ventilatory rate < or = 40/min, PIP 20 to 30 cmH2O, inspiratory time (IT) 0.5 seconds, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5 cmH2O, and 2) high ventilatory rate 100/min, PEEP 0 cmH2O, IT 0.3 seconds. The aim was to keep preductal PaO2 > or = 50 mmHg. We did not sought to achieve alkalotic pH or low PaCO2. When PIP requirements exceeded 30 to 35 cmH2O, the use of an alternative rescue therapy such as pulmonary vasodilator, high frequency ventilation and/or surfactant were considered. Only 1 infant died of PPHN. Low mortality due to PPHN can be achieved using this strategy. There is a need for a randomised controlled trial to compare this strategy with other alternative treatment strategies.     

Incorporation of conductor losses into the stripline simulator UA‐FWLIS by using a surface impedance formulation

We use a surface impedance formulation to enable the MoM‐based full‐wave layered interconnect simulator, UA‐FWLIS, to handle conductor losses for stripline interconnects. Because these approaches are fully compatible with the previously developed analytical calculations for the reaction matrix elements, the computational efficiency of UA‐FWLIS is not affected by including conductor losses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2008.